2014 Ken Wright, Pinot Noir, Shea Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
The 2014 vintage in Oregon will be a smash hit, similar to 2012 and maybe 1998 in style, and Ken Wright has crafted an amazing set of Pinots to highlight the great year with his Shea Vineyard being one of the best offerings. While Ken’s wines typically are not so appealing when just released this Shea thrills from the very first impression and sip with well defined fruit, powerful presence in the glass and wonderfully textured depth and length. No question there are some tannins here, but everything is perfectly placed, and yes it deserves some cellar time, that goes without going overboard, this is pretty darn good right now with ripe fruit, vital acids and terroir charms from a vineyard that has long formed some monumental Oregon wines. The 2014 Ken Wright Shea starts with a deep garnet/ruby hue and is darkly enchanting with earthy berry and floral tones along with hints of smoke, spice and mineral leading to a medium weighted palate of blackberry, plum and a core of sweet cherry fruit along with tangy currant, cedar, flinty/shale stones as well as anise, saline and shaved vanilla bean. With air the tannins ripen and gain a satiny pose, but still grip and hold tight this classic Oregon Pinot that haunts on to a long finish of cinnamon, strawberry, chalk dust and violets. Look for this glorious edition to off the charts in 5 to 10 years, I hope I get a few more chances to see how it develops, it is pretty magical stuff, drink from 2019-2026.
($62 Est.) 95 Points, grapelive
