Grapelive Wine of the Day
By Kerry Winslow
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2010 Sheldon Pinot Noir “Roma’s Vineyard” Anderson Valley.
This wine, a early bottle sample is one of the most beautiful and detailed young Pinots I’ve tried in many years! Everything was stacked against it, the vintage was tough, it is from an extreme site that saw storms and rain right at harvest, and I have just come off a Burgundy binder where I was drinking some amazing wines, including single vineyard Meo-Camuzet, so it was against all odds to find this wine the match of those wines, but it is and I was blown away… Dylan and Tobe Sheldon know they have created a special wine with this 2010 Sheldon Pinot Noir “Roma’s Vineyard” Anderson Valley and they should be very proud of this stunning wine. They have allowed this balanced and delicate Pinot Noir to show the most feminine and perfumed qualities it could and timed the bottling to perfection, not letting oak or time take away any of the subtleties or pretty nature. This wine that Dylan likens to a Sauvigny Les Beaune is not a blockbuster or intense, but it is glorious and layered with bright and sexy fruit, floral tones, soft minerallity and lingers on the finish like a first kiss. The nose shows violets, roses and fresh raspberries with hints of briar and white pepper leading to a round silky palate of bing cherry, plum and almost a nectarine hint. This gentle wine is all you love in Burgundy and can find in cooler climate Pinots here in California and Oregon, and if you want beauty than this wine will charm you and intrigue you. I was completely and utterly shocked at the poise and grace in this young and truly remarkable wine, without question this little darling is world class juice, and it should gain with a bit of cellar time, though for me it would be too hard not to drink sooner vs later. This wine is a little bit of magic, and I’m totally smitten, I would beg, cheat and steal to have more!
($35-40 Est.-TBD) 94 Points, grapelive
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