Burghound.com Announces 2012 Reserve & 2010 Shea Pinot Noir Scores

2012 Pinot Noir – Reserve 92 points

Willamette Valley, 145 cases, 13.9%

Here the nose runs more towards plum, dark currant and exotic notes of tea, sandalwood and cinnamon. There is once again a suave and very supple mouth feel to the medium weight flavors that coat the palate with extract that buffers the moderately firm tannins on the delicious, balanced and dusty finale. This is quite good as I like both the intensity and the excellent complexity though note well that this robust effort will also require patience. 92/2020+

2010 Pinot Noir – Shea Vineyard 91 points

Yamhill-Carlton, planted in the late 1980’s, 197 cases, SRP $50, 13.5%

This also displays a hint of reduction though in this case it is much, much less bothersome than the 2011 Reserve; I would suggest decanting this for 20 minutes or so first if you’re tempted to try a bottle in the short-term. There is excellent mid-palate concentration with plenty of power and muscle to the medium plus weight flavors and the abundant sap imparts a sappy mouth feel as well as buffers the firm tannic spine on the delicious, complex and balanced finale. As the Shea Vineyard usually is, the flavors are intense and robust and while this won’t win any awards for refinement it is bold and impressive. 91/2017