2003 Vintage

Wine Spectator
May 2005
93 Points:
2003 Pinot noir
Coeur De Terre

"Rich and opulent, showing superripe currant, plum and blackberry flavors. Reins it all in with refined textures and beautifully integrated tannins. Has tremendous length and a lovely mineral streak. Drink now through 2015." - Harvey Steiman

Wine & Spirits
June 2005
88 Points:
2003 Pinot noir
Coeur De Terre

"Forward like many wines of the vintage, this leads with succulent black cherry scents. Its bright blue flavors, very tight at the moment, could stand to spend some more time in the bottle, where the fruit might catch up to the heat and the structure currently prevailing in the wine. Cellar, then serve with pork loin." - Patrick Comiskey

Wine & Spirits
June 2005
93 Points:
2003 Pinot noir
Reserve

"A wine with great poise and delicacy, at first it offers scents of rose and violet, with hints of earth, resin, wax and cherry. With a day, the fragrance develops as macerated cherries, with a gorgeous cherry blossom overlay; pure flavours, concentrated yet gentle, with a firmness that is more about precision than strength." - Patrick Comiskey

ALSO MADE
WINE & SPIRITS'
"YEAR'S BEST" LIST

Wine & Spirits
June 2005
90 Points:
2003 Pinot noir
Meredith Mitchell

"From a vineyard south of McMinnville, in what's known as the central range of the Willamette, this wine shows a lot of warm, chocolaty oak when first poured, but with a little air, some lovely aromas of five-spice powder and sweet cherries share the stage. Like the '03 Reserve, made largely from the same vineyard fruit, this wine has a purity of flavor that suggests free-run juice; it's generous, lean and tight, with a touch of heat on the end that might be tamed with a piece of fatty oven-roasted salmon." - Patrick Comiskey

Wine Spectator
May 2005
93 Points:
2003 Pinot noir
Reserve

"Supple, smoky and seductive, its plush texture brimming with intense blackberry, cherry, currant and spice flavor that lasts and lasts on the long, lithe finish. Tannins are beautifully integrated. Best from 2007 through 2015." - Harvey Steiman

Wine Spectator
May 2005
92 Points:
2003 Pinot noir
Shea

"Has lovely focus and style, offering sweet red pepper-tinged cherry and white pepper flavors pointing through the long, seductive finish. A graceful wine that sneaks in a lot more character than it shows at first. Drink now through 2013." - Harvey Steiman

Wine Spectator
May 2005
91 Points:
2003 Pinot noir
Meredith Mitchell

"Polished and elegant, brimming with blueberry, currant and plum flavors, shaded with vanilla and a piecrust character that weaves through the long, supple finish. Drink now through 2012." - Harvey Steiman

Wine Spectator
May 2005
90 Points:
2003 Pinot noir
Yamhill County Cuvèe

"Smooth and polished, with bright blackberry, blueberry and vanilla spice aromas and flavors, which linger effortlessly on the deftly balanced finish. Drink now through 2012." - Harvey Steiman

Northwest Palate
March/April 2005
Recommended:
2003 Pinot noir
Stony Mountain

"Perfumed aromas of black cherry, barrel tast, and mint. Warm and spicy, with juicy flavors of plum and black cherry. Well balanced, with ripe tannins and a long spiced-fruit finish. Enjoy now with roast duck, or cellar 1-2 years for additional complexity."

Northwest Palate
March/April 2005
Recommended:
2003 Pinot noir
Yamhill County Cuvèe

"Aromas of black cherry, vanilla, and anise. Medium-bodied, with cherry flavors and vibrant, juicy acidity. Mouthwatering, long fruity finish balances youthful tannins."

Northwest Palate
March/April 2005
Highly Recommended:
2003 Pinot noir
Reserve

"Alluring aromas of mint, black cherry, and graham. Vibrant flavors of black cherry, strawberry, and graham. Lively, focused, and balanced with a spicy finish. Yum! Tempting now with braised rabbit or quail, but cellaring 2-3 years will yield more elegance."

I continue to be overwhelmed...
2003 Pinot noir
Meredith Mitchell

"I just had the '03 Meredith Mitchell over the weekend, and it was amazing. I continue to be overwhelmed at the consistently high quality of your wines and their diversity. This Pinot was completely different from the Shea Vineyard. Tell everyone to keep up the great work - it is greatly appreciated." - Josh Mester, California

...my favorite wine of our 3-day tour.
2003 Pinot noir
Reserve

"It was a pleasure for Steve, Carl and I to visit with you and Annie last Friday and taste your wonderful wines. Thank you both for your hospitality. We had a great time, and really enjoyed the tasting. In particular, the 2003 Reserve Pinot was my favorite wine of our 3-day tour." - John Kostas, Delaware

We were struck by the finesse...despite its considerable power.
2003 Pinot noir
Reserve

"We found the 2003 Reserve to be a very dark and powerful mouthfeel. From the cedar on the nose, we were at first hit by the dark overtures of black pepper, dark chocolate and hints of black tea in the back of the mouth. As it opened up, we began to detect the subtle, but rich flavors of black currant (casis) and dried cranberry. We were struck by the finesse it demonstrated despite its considerable power." - Chuck Humble

We were very impressed.
2003 Pinot noir
Meredith Mitchell

"I ordered two bottles of 2003 Pinot noir from the Meredith Mitchell vineyard. I gave these to my wife (named Meredith Mitchell) for her birthday. WOW! We were very impressed. And generally, we don't like Pinot noir... we prefer Cabs or Merlots. Anyway, thank you for making such a great wine in my wife's name! We will be customers for many years, I'm sure. Best wishes." - Glen and Meredith Mitchell, Washington

...the favorite was the Raptor...
2003 Pinot noir
Stony Mountain

"We did a blind tasting last weekend, pouring the 2001 D'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs, 2003 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Renegade Ridge, and 2003 Raptor Ridge Stony Mountain. All three were wonderful wines, but the favorite of our twelve-person tasting group was the Raptor (big, black fruit, spice, cloves). Most guessed a Cote de Nuit, the consensus was a Chambolle Musigny 1er cru. They were shocked that it was an Oregon Pinot." - John Kostas