Revisiting three vintages of Shea Wine Cellars Shea Vineyard Chardonnays
The Shea vineyard is arguably the most sought-after site in the Willamette Valley. Dozens of wineries seeks these grapes. But there is also a Shea winery.
The Shea Wine Cellars releases of Shea vineyard wines are as you might suppose extraordinary. I mean who knows a vineyard row by row, block by block better than the owner? Here are three vintages of Shea Wine Cellars Shea Vineyard Chardonnays. There are many different Shea Pinots, but only one Chardonnay. Here are my current thoughts on the state of these wines, along with a re-post of my original reviews.
Shea 2013 Shea Vineyard Chardonnay
Here is everything you could hope for in a 10 year old Chardonnay. The acids keep the overall structure firm and balanced. The new barrel flavors are fully integrated, adding a nutty, oily richness to the mouthfeel, and the vineyard's exceptional fruit has held up beautifully. The tannins are tight, ripe and frame the finish. It's poised and perfect at the moment, with a long, lingering aftertaste. It could age still further but this may be where it holds fast. Still my favorite on the second day. 93/100
Shea 2014 Shea Vineyard Chardonnay
As with a number of 2014s this seems to have thinned out a bit. It's precise, focused, lightly buttery with a frame of toasted almonds. An elegant wine, still good lively fruit, but it may be at or near its peak. On the second day it did flesh out with more of that appealing buttered popcorn flavor. I bumped it up a point. 92/100
Shea 2016 Shea Vineyard Chardonnay
This is full-bodied and rich with appealing minerality. The fruit is a dense mix of tightly-wound fruits – apple, pear, peach and green melon, augmented with buttery, toasty barrel flavors. This seems to be a bit shut down at the moment. Tasted again on day two the impressions remained the same. 92/100
Here are my original reviews – all published upon the original release date in Wine Enthusiast magazine. All were priced at $35 and designated as Editors' Choice wines.
2016 – As in previous vintages, this young wine comes ready to drink with exceptional texture and mouthfeel. Apple butter, toast, roasted nuts, wet stone and a hint of popcorn are threaded together, in a lovely lively bottle with excellent length. Drink now and over the next half decade. 93/100 Editors' Choice
2014 – As fabulous as ever, this brilliant compendium of nutty-toasty-buttery scents and flavors is never tiring. It's vivid, fruit-loaded and bracing. Well-ripened citrus and stone fruits come into focus, along with streaks of vanilla and lemongrass. 95/100 Editors' Choice
2013 – Here is an utterly irresistible wine—spicy, sensuous and layered with beautifully ripened citrus, tree and tropical fruits. A whiff of pine needle continues as a flavor thread, along with vanilla, buttered nuts, lemongrass and macaroon. This wine just keeps on going. 95/100 Editors' Choice
On Friday’s website post I will discuss the pros and cons of starting your own wine cellar.
Paul, Every bottle of Shea Chardonnay I have had over the years is BRILLIANT!
Thanks for going back into the cellar again for these. I don't normally think of American chardonnay as ageable, good reminder that some are. Looking forward to the next post!