Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

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.

Thanks for the note. I have a few bottles of special selection.

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

Bill

2012 might be better than 2008, Bill. Both are excellent vintages for SI and for Willamette Valley PN in general.

How's the 08 Momtazi? Seemed really primordial last time I had it, but that might have been 3-4 years ago now.

I love 0R 08's. Evesham Wood Eola-Amity Hills last night was an earthy delight.

It is very good, Patrick. It will benefit from further aging but is fine now. I like the 2012 more than the 2008, btw.

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

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...

It all depends on what you like, many would consider Shea the top of the heap. It is very ageworthy.

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.

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

You'll get no argument from me!

The best SI I've had have been from Shea, but I don't think I ever had the Seven Springs.

If it is appropriate for the Friday theme I'll bring some SIs for the dinner.

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