1999 St. Innocent Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir

[wondersofwine]

Yamhill foothills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
13.6% alcohol by volume
unfined, unfiltered
aged 16 months in 34% new French oak;
purple color, opaque density
nose: closed from chilling in refrigerator; then dark cherries and boysenberries
taste: boysenberries, dark cherries, blueberries
seems to have a layered entry--dark and brooding overall but with a light, sprightly acidic high note
delivers a lot of mouth presence, long finish
high degree of viscosity forming "legs" on the side of the glass
Had with ratatouille and boiled, buttered potatoes. I think I prefered the Ponzi pinot noir and Argyle, but that's a matter of style preference. I still have a Chehalem, a WillaKenzie, and possibly others to try.



[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 03-31-2003).]