WTN: 2002 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard

[David M. Bueker]

This was the highlight from a tasting last Thursday, along with a much too young 2006 St. Innocent Shea, easily besting the 2001 and 2002 Beaux Freres Pinot Noirs in a blind competition of 5 tasters. While I may prefer a touch more development, the 2002 St. I Shea is drinking wonderfully right now. There's plenty of fruit, no obvious wood notes & the tannins are subsumed into the overall package. It's not fully mature, but it is not a young wine anymore - there's too much integration. Just lovely stuff.

[Jenise]

Thanks, I own some. Sounds like it's at the identical stage of development as the 02 Anden we had a few weeks ago, though a much different wine. So strange, these SI's that drink so well at six years old, instead of sleeping. I'm not used to it....

[David M. Bueker]

I'm happy about it. I need something to drink. Every time I look at a bottle of wine in my cellar I keep thinking "give it time."

[Jenise]

I'm happy about it. I need something to drink. Every time I look at a bottle of wine in my cellar I keep thinking "give it time."

I have the same problem. It's pretty hilarious. I remember when I had 300 bottles that I thought when I got to 500 my problems would be over. Ha. I have four times that now, and I still stare at bottles that aren't quite ready yet.

[David M. Bueker]

I just finally have to get over it. There's really no sense in buying more wine until I drink a substantial amount out of my cellar.

Ok - at least I got that out of my system - where's my credit card.

[Jenise]

I just finally have to get over it. There's really no sense in buying more wine until I drink a substantial amount out of my cellar.

Ok - at least I got that out of my system - where's my credit card.

We're on exactly the same track. The truth is that it's just the bottles I most want to drink (this week: Southern Rhones) that aren't ready. I need to weed out the ones that are.

[David M. Bueker]

Ok - this is creepy. I am seriously thinking about opening some Gigondas and Chateauneuf. Must be the cooler weather. Are you sure we're not related?

[Jenise]

Ok - this is creepy. I am seriously thinking about opening some Gigondas and Chateauneuf. Must be the cooler weather. Are you sure we're not related?

Cooler weather at fault? Maybe. All I do know is that though I tend to say that Bordeaux and pinots from anywhere are my favorite wines, let me get my taste buds tuned into a few serious Southern Rhones and suddenly that's all I want. I head into the cellar intending to get something else, but these are what I come back with. They're satisfying as both sippers and food wine, and they go with EVERYTHING. At least, everything if you're a cook with a serious Provencal/Mediterranean bent like me.

The only thing that holds me back is that I don't enough of them to not have to choose carefully and infrequently. As I drink down other things, these ARE the wines I should replace them with, especially with vintages like 04 thru 06 (and didn't I hear that 07's another?) readily available.

[David M. Bueker]

There is so much good southern Rhone wine available that it's overwhelming.

I posted on two really good value a while back. One was a Cotes du Rhone from Clos du Mont Olivet & the other was a Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne. Both are described here.

I would recommend either, but the Cotes du Rhone from Mont Olivet has really stuck with me.

[Jenise]

There is so much good southern Rhone wine available that it's overwhelming.

I posted on two really good value a while back. One was a Cotes du Rhone from Clos du Mont Olivet & the other was a Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne. Both are described here.

I would recommend either, but the Cotes du Rhone from Mont Olivet has really stuck with me.

I remember reading your note and thinking, "I've never had a Rhone with the word 'Olivet' in the name that I didn't love."

Ok - this is creepy. I am seriously thinking about opening some Gigondas and Chateauneuf. Must be the cooler weather. Are you sure we're not related?

Cooler weather at fault? Maybe. All I do know is that though I tend to say that Bordeaux and pinots from anywhere are my favorite wines, let me get my taste buds tuned into a few serious Southern Rhones and suddenly that's all I want. I head into the cellar intending to get something else, but these are what I come back with. They're satisfying as both sippers and food wine, and they go with EVERYTHING. At least, everything if you're a cook with a serious Provencal/Mediterranean bent like me.

The only thing that holds me back is that I don't enough of them to not have to choose carefully and infrequently. As I drink down other things, these ARE the wines I should replace them with, especially with vintages like 04 thru 06 (and didn't I hear that 07's another?) readily available.

YES...cooler weather is when my preference is for Chateauneuf du Pape, and that is what I have been thinking about. I just invited a few people for dinner next month, and Rhone will be our theme. I love the way it goes with stews, and daube de boeuf aux cepes et a l'orange is what I plan to serve.

[David M. Bueker]

daube de boeuf aux cepes et a l'orange is what I plan to serve.

umm...what time & date?

daube de boeuf aux cepes et a l'orange is what I plan to serve.

umm...what time & date?

So.....would you like to join us?

[David M. Bueker]

Thanks, but I will inevitably be on the road (October is a mess).