Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton — 2018
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Introduction
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One of the great wine properties of the New World, and a wonderful partner of Bergström Wines for 17 vintages. Dick and Dierdre Shea, and their 140-acre vineyard with its endless micro-climates and inch-thin sandy soils consistently produce exceptional Pinot Noir fruit for 20+ of the best wineries in Oregon. Bergström Wines has historically purchased fruit from six different clonal blocks, totaling 16 acres.
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Vineyard Profile
- Appellation: Yamhill-Carlton
- Vine Age: 25 years
- Soil: Willakenzie marine sedimentary sands on sandstone
- Exposure: South and East at 400-600 feet of elevation
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Vintage Report
- Harvest Date(s): September 8-28
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Vinification
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100% whole-cluster fermentation in open-top, temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks
- Fermentation: 228L French oak cooperage. > 15% new oak
- Malolactic: 100% malolactic and alcoholic fermentation (no residual sugars or malic acids)
- Aging: 12 months élevage in barrel
- Filtration: Polishing filtration
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
- Alcohol: 13.8%
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Tasting Notes
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This highly acclaimed dry and warm vintage worked perfectly with this great vineyard site to not only accurately reflect the year but also to coax out the spicy, floral and playful (yet serious) characteristics of this great thin-soiled, marine-sedimentary terroir. In a word, this wine is irresistible. Delicious now, but this great Pinot Noir will also age and develop positively for a decade. It has an exotically alluring bouquet of sweet spices, rare woods, incense, forest floor and ripe cane berries. Rich, silky and suave, with a full-bodied textural swath of fruit that washes over the palate with waves of ripe flavors, finally giving way to a wonderful chocolate, coffee and sweet baking spice finish that lasts and lasts. What a swan song vintage and wine for the Shea and Bergström families as a celebration of partnership and community!
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