Notes:
*Please note, we opened and tried this in July 2025. It's still drinking well. Buy these to drink immediately.
This was Brian Loring’s first vintage under his own label made entirely from Shea Vineyard fruit—previously he had fashioned Shea bottlings for other producers like Pali in 2005 Volume is very limited—just 530 cases released in 2006.
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Alcohol: 14.0% ABV
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Fragrance: Enticing aromatics of blackberry, oak spice, pepper, and a subtle earthy edge that stretches into briar and forest floor tones
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Palate: Medium‑weight, with dark fruit character balanced by firm but silky tannins. There’s a pleasing texture: generous mouthfeel with a toasty, slightly chalky finish. Complex and moody Pinot, notably more earthy and introspective than Brian Loring’s California offerings
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Score: Community average ~88 points on CellarTracker; reviewers praised its ambitious expression from a cooler Oregon site.
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Drink Window: Originally recommended to drink within 4–5 years; approachable now but may still linger gracefully if well cellared.
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Farming: Shea Vineyard is known for rigorous canopy management and sun exposures ideal to moderate Oregon ripeness. Loring sources fruit direct from Shea Cellars.
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Winemaking: Partial whole‑cluster inclusion, natural fermentation, minimal intervention and aging typically in neutral or lightly used oak.
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Closure: Screw cap, which helps with preservation and freshness at 14.0% ABV
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The 2006 label theme honored vineyard workers—each wine label featured images of the harvest crew in action. Loring saw them as the unsung heroes behind high‑quality Pinot Noir.
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