2019 Shea East Hill
Shea Vineyard is located in the far East of Yamhill Carlton, on the border of Dundee Hills. Dick Shea first planted Pinot Noir in 1989 and has made the vineyard an icon with meticulous vineyard practice, sustainable farming, and an array of clonal diversity. Shea is separated into two slopes by a small valley and our blocks are planted with the Wädenswil clone on the dramatically steep, east-facing hill. Wädenswil is a late-ripening clone prized for its elegant rose petal aromatics, bright acidity, and fine dance between power and finesse. The East Hill is perfectly suited for Wädenswil as it receives ample early morning sun and sees a long growing season, allowing the fruit to ripen slowly, developing deep character and complexity.
The denser, more brooding of the two Shea siblings, the 2019 Shea East Hill is nonetheless an extraordinarily complex wine. Rich red and black berries, fresh watermelon, cranberry, and pomegranate almost vibrate with tension in the glass. There’s a savory side as well, with pine needles, orange peel, fresh herbs, rocky soil, and exotic spice. The palate is dense and vibrant, with polished tannins and a long finish that ends with pronounced salinity.
100% Pinot Noir, Single Vineyard Production, Shea East Hill Vineyard
Open Top Fermentation
33% Whole Cluster Fermentation
25% New French Oak
Aged 16 Months
93 pts. James Suckling
Watermelon and rose-petal aromas with some green strawberries. Medium body. Tight and leaner, with freshness and brightness. Candied apple at the end. Complex. Drink now or hold.
Full Specifications
- Alcohol %: 13.4
- Vintage: 2019
- Varietal: Pinot Noir
- Appellation: Yamhill-Carlton
- Vineyard: Shea East Hill
- Clone: Wädenswil 2A
- Cases Produced: 45
