One of Oregon’s most revered vineyards, Dick and Deirdre Shea have farmed this extraordinary 140-acre site for over 25 years. Thin, low-fertility soil overlay sandstone bedrock—here, the vines are forced to burrow deep in search of moisture and nutrients. The 2016 vintage slowly unfurls to reveal smoky, sexy layers of crushed lavender, seedy raspberry, black cherry, forest floor, Lapsang souchong tea, and sassafras. In the mouth it’s light, limber, with beautiful quartzy vein of fresh acidity. Fine tannins, and more black tea tones, perch and the fore and mid palate. It’s a seamless pinot noir. Sample
95 Points
Note: My firm, Cascadia Fine Wines represents Bergström in Asia.