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2000 Pinot Gris, Shea Vineyard
Release Date: 2/1/02 Retail Price: $20/750ml Availability: 356 cases Production Notes Shea Vineyard is located in the Yamhill foothills, 35 miles southwest of Portland, Oregon. The Pinot gris was planted in 1990 on a steep hillside of shallow Willakenzie soil. It has a southwest exposure at an elevation of 350' and is 2.38 acres in size (one hectare). This Pinot gris was picked at 23.6 degrees brix with no botrytis. After whole cluster pressing, the juice was fermented 80% in tank and 20% in new French barrels. The wine was bottled after 13 months of lees aging. |
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Winemaker Notes
The raw material from Shea Vineyard's Pinot gris vines is exceptional. The 2000 vintage was picked at a potenial alcohol of 14% and fermented dry. The flavors and the concentration are unusually intense. My winemaking style focuses on building texture and complexity into the wine. By fermenting 20% of the juice in new wood, another layer of texture is added. The wine is aged for 14 months (most Pinot gris are bottled 4-8 months after harvest) and this additional time lets the wine evolve more completely before bottling.
Tasting Notes
Shea Vineyard produced St. Innocent's richest and most textural Pinot gris. Aromas of peach, pear, and apples are layered with spice. The flavors of spice, pear and ripe apple and enhanced by the wines depth of flavor and complexity on your palate. The finish is long with spice and hints of dried fruit lingering. I expect this Pinot gris to continue to develop over several years. There are no old Pinot gris from this site, however I believe that the 2000 Shea Pinot gris will gain richness through at least 2007.
Because of Shea Vineyard's richness, the best matches are with more richly flavored shellfish and white meat dishes prepared with complex or shightly spicy sauces. Prawns, scallops, and game birds, as well as pork tenderlion, that are sauced with salsas, fruit reductions, or sauces with hints of hot peppers would be great matches.