Stevenson Barrie Shea Vineyard Pinot noir 05: The most structured and weighty of the 2005 Stevenson Barrie Pinots, with aromas of dark violets and leather, with savory dark berry. The fruit is more refined, a complex blend of dark cherry, berry, and plum flavors. Cellar the Shea for 1-2 years or decant for near-term drinking. From the famed Shea Vineyard.
2004 vintage tasting notes: Best Value Big black cherry, vanilla, roses, violets and graham in the nose are reiterated in the flavors, adding hints of blackberry, pie spice, and layers of subtle fresh earth and herbs. The finish is long, echoing luscious fruit and spice, with an uplifting acidity and fine tannins, a tiny bit gripping, but settling down immediately after decanting. A steal.
Not currently available to order.
May be out of stock or sold out. Inquire at 541-752-7418 or store@avalonwine.com
Detailed Info, Previous Vintage Notes, Reviews:
2003 Tasting Notes
2003 release, just as good as the 2002, a tad richer. Just a beautiful wine, an overlooked gem. Highly recommended. Michael makes his wines to age, so this one is still a bit closed, quite dense. Try decanting for several hours to get the full glory of the flavors. Michael makes his wines to be drunk many years after bottling, so give this wine time.
Previous vintage, the 2002, rated 90 points by Wine Advocate.2002 Tasting Notes
Just a beautiful wine, an overlooked gem, very unusual to still be available. Highly recommended.
In the nose, rippling layers of black cherry essence, with hints of barrel toast and spice. Marcus says the nose reminds him of "warm blackberry/raspberry crisp". There's a lovely silky texture in the mouth, and flavors of intense black cherry, black raspberry, touched with soft nutmeg, cinnamon, alspince, and clove. A long finish shows definite but very fine tannins, suggesting even more cellaring is possible before this wine hits its peak. The long, long finish reiterates black fruit, red fruit, and hints of sweet cedar, carrying on in the mouth seemingly forever. Really lovely wine.
Michael Stevenson is best known as winemaker at Panther Creek, and for his own Stevenson-Barrie Pinot noir.
