Westrey Pinot noir Shea Vineyard 02: Red currant, dried red cherries, black cherry and dark raspberry scents fill the nose, while flavors are of dried, earthy, rich red cherries. A somewhat sweet, rich fruit flavor is touched with a lovely Burgundian style hint of earth. There are layered spice flavors in the midpalate, and a hint of meatiness and tarry licorice. The finish is moderate in lentgh, and the tannins are well integrated and non-obtrusive.
This still tastes and smells like a young wine, smooth enough to drink but cellar for 5-8 years and try periodically to find its peak.
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Detailed Info, Previous Vintage Notes, Reviews:
Westrey Shea 02 was made from Block 21 (75%) and the East Hill's Back Block (25%). Block 21 was planted in 1989 to Pommard clone Pinot noir. Westrey made only eight barrels of the Shea 02, aging 12.5% in new oak. David says: "Shea Vineyard has lots of earth character that accentuates the flavors of the barrel, so I backed off on the use of new oak for this wine."
The Shea 02 shows a tension between red and black fruits, an inherent opulence resulting, perhaps, from a higher Ph. To maintain balance and not overdo the opulent qualities of the Shea fruit, David backed off on the amount of extraction he allowed to occur in the winemaking process.
The Shea 02, with its black and red fruit tension and good, flavorful earth qualities underneath, showed well (tasted 4/06). The wine is still definitely on the young side, and could cellar for 5-8 more years. The wine shows less up front fruit and more subtle dried floral and dried cherry character than, for example, Westrey's Willamette Valley wine. The Shea 02 is a wine to hold and enjoy for the nuanced flavors and scents over a period of years.
