2006 Auteur - Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir - USA - Oregon - Willamette Valley - Red

This is in a fantastic place!!

Blueberry, caramel, smoke hit the spot with a hint of mocha.

Nothing quite like throwing down the frigging gauntlet right out of the gate. This was one of the last wines added to the tasting, and because of what it is ended up being in the last flight. Another thing is that I found this and the 2006 Sonoma Stage in a box under a table in my spare bedroom, so much for the notion of handling with careâ?¦ Again the tasting protocol is intended to alternatively loosen the wines up and ultimately drive them into the asphalt. This is another example of why this wine remains an icon. Breathtakingâ?¦ Aromas: deep, smooth cherry, violets and medjool date Palate: chocolate, figs, pulverized, brown sugar-kissed cherry entry with a deep core of spiced red and black fruits. Impression: after 48 hours of air, it is all there. Harmoniously dense, rich and smooth

Dominated by prune/raisin notes, heavy. A bit disappointing based on VF 100 pt. review and price. Will save other bottle and hope it gets better.

Deep color with sweetness you can smell in the glass. Long finish, heavier on the palate than most Oregon pinots. Still a bit tight and closed. Tasted better by the end of the night (but that could be for other reasons!). I'd give this another year and try it again.

Opened the first of three bottles after resting for about a year. I am not on board with this yet, so the rest will settle in for a few years of quiet slumber. Competent but at this point in evolution it is underwhelming considering the pre-market anticipation and high price. I've had so many satisfying Oregon Pinot Noirs I simply expect them all to be "on" every time they are tried. Tight, taut, linear, not particularly distinctive. Waited, then even decanted to roust it, without success. Well made, but closed. I hope. Will hope for better next time.

Ripe, sweet fruit with a long and smooth finish, but a little heavy on the alcohol. A lot like a zin without the dark and peppery tones.