Points and Press - 2006 Vintage
Wine Spectator Insider, April 23, 2008
91 Points: 2006 Pinot noir Meredith Mitchell
"Bright and beautifully focused, showing off its raspberry and blackberry fruit to the hilt as the soft tannins slide serenely underneath. There's acidity here as well, but it doesn't take over." - Harvey Steiman
91 Points: 2006 Pinot noir Shea
"Light and airy. A silky-textured style that plays its sandalwood-scented cherry and raspberry flavors gently, letting them linger on the clear-headed finish." - Harvey Steiman
90 Points: 2006 Pinot noir Stony Mountain
"Crisp in texture, with a dark cast to the smoky black cherry flavors, which linger against hints of hot stone minerality as the savory finish rolls on." - Harvey Steiman
Wine & Spirits, April 2008
92 Points: 2006 Pinot noir Yamhill Springs
"This wine's exotic scents of woodland berries have hints of meat and salinity. The palate offers a bright, youthful fruit imprint, its black plum flavors marked by a mild, tarragon-like herb flavor. Its complexity suggests pairing with braised rabbit." - Patrick Comiskey
88 Points: 2006 Pinot noir Willamette Valley
"Oak dominates this youthful wine for the moment, with aromas of vanilla and caramel cloaking the bright red cherry fruit. Some time in the cellar should bring it into balance, then serve it with lamb chops." - Patrick Comiskey
Vinfolio, March 4, 2008
94 Points: 2006 Pinot noir Reserve
"Scott Shull's 2006 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Reserve (VF 94) sources nearly half of its fruit from Shea, and the rest from Meredith Mitchell Vineyards, which is built on a backbone of Dijon 115, 777 and Pommard. A jaw-dropping stellar example of Oregon's top vintage in a decade." - Doug Wilder
Vinfolio, February 22, 2008
96 Points: 2006 Pinot noir Shea
"The Shea Vineyard is one of the most sought after sites for Pinot noir in North America. Wines produced from this site repeatedly garner the highest accolades. Stylistically, Scott Shull's interpretation is classic Shea to me. Using the flawless 2006 Auteur Shea Vineyard as a benchmark, I believe Raptor Ridge comes very close. Sourced from a pair of blocks: 11 and 33, both Dijon clones 114 and 777, respectively. A ginger and black cherry nose with soft undertones of mocha and vanilla dust. The palate shows well defined weight and deeply structured flavors: blackberry, plum, hints of smoky licorice and kirsch that coat the palate with velvet-like tannins. Another Shea masterpiece." - Doug Wilder
