St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

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stefan
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St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by stefan »

A couple of months ago stefanJr drank a bottle of 2008 SI Shea and texted me that this might be the best Oregon Pinot Noir he had ever tasted. That says a lot as he has drunk many more than I have. So with left over chicken thighs and mushrooms for lunch I pulled one. Lucie intended to abstain, but after I raved about the wine she tried it and I had trouble getting a half bottle into my glass. In some ways it is a shame to drink this wine now as it will probably live into the 22nd century, but stefanJr has a long position because his daughter Shea was born in 2008. So I intend to drink ours up and then mooch off him and also off Shea after she turns 21. Buying more is not possible; at least, WineSearcher Pro says no one has it for sale.
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Claret
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by Claret »

Thanks for the note. I have a few bottles of special selection.
Glenn
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William P
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by William P »

You two were way ahead of the curve. I only started buying in 2012. Thanks for the notes.

Bill
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stefan
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by stefan »

2012 might be better than 2008, Bill. Both are excellent vintages for SI and for Willamette Valley PN in general.
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Blanquito
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by Blanquito »

How's the 08 Momtazi? Seemed really primordial last time I had it, but that might have been 3-4 years ago now.
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Claret
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by Claret »

I love 0R 08's. Evesham Wood Eola-Amity Hills last night was an earthy delight.
Glenn
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stefan
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by stefan »

It is very good, Patrick. It will benefit from further aging but is fine now. I like the 2012 more than the 2008, btw.
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JimHow
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by JimHow »

Is the Shea Vineyard considered the "best of their best" Stefan?
Do you know anything about the 2014 Shea Vineyard?
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Chateau Vin
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by Chateau Vin »

JimHow wrote:Is the Shea Vineyard considered the "best of their best" Stefan?
Do you know anything about the 2014 Shea Vineyard?

That's what I was wondering. I thought their best of best is Momtazi. Also, their Fujin costs a fortune, and was it because of the quality or scarcity? May be expert Stefan can comment on this...And thanks for introducing such lovely wines to the forum. I enjoyed everytime I had it...
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Claret
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by Claret »

It all depends on what you like, many would consider Shea the top of the heap. It is very ageworthy.
Glenn
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stefan
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by stefan »

My favorite is Justice, but I think stefanJr likes Shea better; maybe he will chip in. 2014 Shea is a definite buy even if it is unlikely be become as good as the 2012 Shea.

At one time 7 Springs was Mark's flagship vineyard, but he lost it to Evening Land (it is a long story). Momtazi was the hardest SI PN for me to understand, but now I love its taste and dustiness. I think the vines were pretty young when I first drank Momtazi.

Justice, Momtazi, and Shea are IMO above Temperance Hill and Zenith, but these last two are coming along. In fact, Mark made a 2014 Zenith Special Selection. Zenith tends to be the most forward of the SI single vintage PNs. Momtazi is a relative bargain as it is priced the same as Temperance Hill in the 2014 vintage.

Fujin is Momtazi from the most favorably located plots. It is made in great vintages; so far, only in 2008 and 2012. It is made to age, but since I have a case of the 2012 I took one to my sister's a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, it was corked. Fortunately, SI had some left and will replace it.
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Nicklasss
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by Nicklasss »

SI wines are not available here. I taste some in the US and liked very much.

I'm not the BD, but I would like to drink some SI at the non-Bordeaux Friday dinner in SF.

Nic
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JimHow
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by JimHow »

You'll get no argument from me!
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Blanquito
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by Blanquito »

The best SI I've had have been from Shea, but I don't think I ever had the Seven Springs.
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stefan
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by stefan »

If it is appropriate for the Friday theme I'll bring some SIs for the dinner.
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Blanquito
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Re: St Innocent 2008 Shea Pinot Noir

Post by Blanquito »

Probably needed in another thread, but I plan to bring a brace of mature German Riesling to SF.
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