The Cliff Notes: Deep, deep red in color it delivers a reserved nose of savory smoke, ultra ripe cherry-blackberry, resin and cracked black pepper. It roams the palate like a sweet, plush, late summer blue-blackberry pie, with savory cracklings on the side. The wine's weighty frame is matched by good grip and a seamless structure that keeps it lithe, considering how substantial.

The Story: Lest we say it again, Shea Vineyard is the booming bass note out of the cellar. The perpetual crowd please needs a bit of air, but then delivers lush/lusher, plush/plusher, its classic one-two punch nature of ripe and sweet flavored fruit.

Cases Produced: 144

The Building of: Small-lot wild yeast fermentations, 100% barrel aged for 19 months in French oak barrels (two new, two twice-filled, two neutral). Bottled unfined and unfiltered in April of 2011.

Ageability: Absolutely decant it to get it air within its first three years. Well cellared, you should anticipate additional complexity during its first 10 years with a potential 12- to 15-year drinking horizon.

Alcohol: 13.75%

pH: 3.65

Vineyards: At Shea Vineyards ours is a three-acre, mid-slope east block of eleven-year-old Dijon clone 777 Pinot noir. The site is warm and early, delivering fruit of optimal ripeness and opulence in bottle. This is the five and a half best barrels.