Shea Homer Pinot Noir 2010

"The 450 cases of Shea Cellars 2010 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard Homer involve four blocks, only one of which also spawned a single-block bottling this vintage, feature all three of the vineyard's dominant selections or clones. "We look for our best barrels here," explains Shea, "but now that we've been doing this (bottling) for ten years, we're discovered that the flavor profile we want and what we’re trying to do with it seems mostly to come from the same blocks in the vineyard every year" – all, incidentally, on the upper-elevation west side, and dominated in aggregate by Wadenswil – "so now we sort of have in mind in advance what's going into 'Homer.'" Mint, bay laurel, smoky nut oils, and violet fascinatingly accent the ripe dark berries in this alluringly scented and polished, expansive, palpably extract-rich as well as downright energetic Pinot that easily (i.e. almost undetectably) digests its diet of 80% new oak. Billowing inner-mouth perfume; richness and concentrated fruit without heaviness; and an exhilarating ping to the long, mouthwatering finish all make for a memorable experience that should be deliciously replicable over at least the next 12-15 years. "

93 Points

The Wine Advocate

"Vivid red. A heady bouquet evokes candied raspberry, boysenberry, Asian spices and potpourri, with subtle vanilla and cola notes building with air. Sappy, penetrating and pure, with red and dark berry flavors gaining weight and spiciness in the glass. Powerful but lithe pinot with excellent finishing focus and persistent spiciness. Give this youthful wine at least another five years of bottle age."

93 Points

International Wine Cellar

"Darker and richer than most 2010s, but sleek, offering dark berry, sassafras and clove flavors that mingle effortlessly against modest tannins. Lingering finish."

91 Points

Wine Spectator