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“full-bodied” “striking minerality” Robert Parker 94pts 08 Durell Chardonnay
“pure and complex” “build and gain velocity and dimension on the palate, coming into an even tighter focus” Wine Spectator 94 pts, 09 Manchester Ridge Pinot Noir “Complex and concentrated” “Full-bodied, spicy and floral” Wine Spectator 93 pts 09 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir “tightly wound and intense on the palate” “focused and persistent finish” Wine Spectator 93 pts, Sonoma Stage Pinot Noir “beautifully focused” “open texture” “lingers effortlessly” Wine Spectator 92pts 08 Shea Pinot Noir “crisp, steely, Chablis-like characteristic” Robert Parker 92pts 08 Hyde Chardonnay |
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2009 Shea Back Block Reserve Pinot Noir“hand-selected our three favorite barrels in 2009 of our long-standing “Back Block” of Shea Vineyard highlighting the Wadenswil clone. Showing a medley of fresh, ripe fruit like cherry, blueberry, raspberry, and strawberry, with undertones of violets, leather, mineral, and forest floor. The palate is full and expansive, with cassis, black cherry, cola, briar, and lavender opening to reveal a dense red fruit driven mid-palate. The finish is spicy, with mouth-filling tannin and dark chocolate flavors lingering on the palate.” Not yet rated. FULL NOTES
2009 Sonoma Stage Pinot Noir“Dark ruby in color with a spicy, toasty nose loaded with blackberry, raspberry and black cherry aromas. The palate is rich and full, with black cherry, fresh plum, cocoa and herbal notes. Good acidity carries these flavors through to a long, full earthy finish.” FULL NOTES
Wine Spectator score: 93 points
“Dark ruby in color with a spicy, toasty nose loaded with blackberry, raspberry and black cherry aromas. The palate is rich and full, with black cherry, fresh plum, cocoa and herbal notes. Good acidity carries these flavors through to a long, full earthy finish.”
2009 Hyde Chardonnay“developed beautifully on the vine, allowing us to pick at low sugars with full phenolic ripeness. Mouth-filling and rich in texture, the Hyde also has its characteristic bracing acidity, resulting in a wine full of tension, that can’t help but capture the tasters focus and attention. Complex, almost potpourri-like spicy aromas coming out with aeration, Asian pear and peach flavors open up the palate, accompanied by earthy undertones, and a rich, tropical fruit finish.” Not yet rated.
FULL NOTES
2009 Durell Chardonnay • SOLD OUT“orange rind, golden delicious apple, lime, toffee, honey and mineral aromas. The palate is packed with a farmer’s market’s worth of juicy fruit: apple, lemon, pineapple, and citrus fruits, along with spicy, floral notes driven by the unique soils of this vineyard. An underlying structure of tannin and acidity round out the mouth-feel, resulting in a wine that makes an indelible impression on the palate.“ FULL NOTES
2009 Manchester Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir“ruby purple in color, with wonderful clarity. The nose shimmers with aromas of raspberry, cherry, cinnamon, strawberry, fresh herbs, and mocha. The palate is all about texture, with layer upon layer of fresh wild berries, candied cherry, and orange rind supported by wonderful acidity and silky smooth tannin. Perfectly balanced, this wonderfully captures the feminine side of Auteur winemaking.” FULL NOTES
Wine Spectator score: 94 points
Editor's Note: Red Ripe, pure and complex, offering generous plum, black cherry and blackberry fruit that’s medium- to full-bodied, with floral scents that build and gain velocity and dimension on the palate, coming into an even tighter focus on the finish. Drink now through 2018. 123 cases made. –J.L.
2009 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir“deep purple in color, with cherry red at the rim, the nose explodes with red fruit aromas of cherry, rhubarb, and notes of white pepper, Asian spice, and fresh cut flowers. The palate shows plenty of ripe, sweet cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and briar caressingthe palate in layers that go on and on. Big, forceful tannin and plenty of acid make this wine incredibly persistent on the palate, with vibrant red and black fruit lingering with remarkable intensity.” FULL NOTES
new 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir“lovely ruby purple color in the glass. The nose shows classic aromas from the both the cooler and warmer parts of the Sonoma Coast, with black and red cherry, anise, and earth. The palate is brighter, with strawberry, cherry cola, and currant, along with notes of coriander, cedar and cinnamon. Lively and fresh, with vibrant flavors and smooth texture, this is simply a pleasing wine to drink, in every sense, and represents our goal of maintaining Auteur complexity” FULL NOTES
Wine Spectator score: 93 points
Editor's Note: Complex and concentrated, with a vivid mix of blueberry, black- berry, tar, cedar and berry jam. Full-bodied, spicy and floral, folding together nicely on the finish. Drink now through 2018. 202 cases made. –J.L.
2009 Ophelia Pinot Noir“brilliant ruby color, with a nose of black cherry, raspberry, clove and confectionary. The palate is darker, with black cherry and chocolate flavors accompanied by notes of iron, cedar, espresso and caramel. Vibrant acidity lifts the palate and carries through on a spicy, brambly finish that is classic Oregon.” FULL NOTES
new 2009 Sonoma Valley Chardonnay“sourced from Hanzell Vineyard, one of the oldest and most respected vineyards in Sonoma County. The nose shows classic Sonoma chardonnay aromas of apple, lime, melon and lemon. The palate is exotic and fresh, with echoes of the lime and apple from the nose joined by flavors of kiwi and apricot, along with toasty, spicy undertones. This is a lively, vibrant expression of chardonnay that marries the hallmarks of Auteur Chardonnay—good acid, lively flavors, plenty of minerality.“ FULL NOTES
