Stevenson Barrie Freedom Hill Pinot noir 03: Matt Kramer (Wine Spec, Oregonian): "gorgeous 2003 Oregon Pinot noir, one of the standouts of the vintage. It's very much worth hunting down. There's no intrusive oakiness in
this wine, as Stevenson-Barrie consciously avoids using any new oak in its wines. (Panther Creek wines, in comparison, are noticeably oaky.) This restraint works immensely to the benefit of the wine, allowing a lovely flavor purity to emerge, redolent of raspberries and a distinct hint of minerals."
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Detailed Info, Previous Vintage Notes, Reviews:
Matt Kramer: "when a 2003 Oregon pinot noir is good, it can be more than merely good: It can be spectacular. The top 2003 pinot noirs are richer, denser and more basso profundo, if you will, than in any other recent Oregon vintage. The best producers knew just when to pick; just how to handle such ripe grapes; just how much to acidify; and just how long to leave the wine in barrel. While every vintage poses these challenges, it was trickier in 2003.
Michael Stevenson clearly knew what he was doing, at least in this superb 2003 pinot noir from Freedom Hill Vineyard near Dallas, which is west of Salem. Stevenson-Barrie is a private venture of Michael Stevenson and Scott Barrie, with Stevenson, best known as Panther Creek Cellars' winemaker, supplying the winemaking skill. What makes the 2003 Freedom Hill Vineyard bottling stand out is a striking purity allied to a just-right balance. There's no intrusive oakiness in this wine, as Stevenson-Barrie consciously avoids using any new oak in its wines. (Panther Creek wines, in comparison, are noticeably oaky.) This restraint works immensely to the benefit of the wine, allowing a lovely flavor purity to emerge, redolent of raspberries and a distinct hint of minerals."
