This is Patricia Green's basic Pinot Noir. Not sure where the grapes are from (Yamhill, Williamette, Rogue valleys?), but in most markets it is available for around $20 (I purchased for $23). I opened this to drink with wild King salmon last night.

Dark medium ruby color. Initially a little funk on the nose that blew off with some aeration (decant for 1/2 hour). Solid aromas of red cherries, earth and a hint of vanilla. Balanced on the palate, with a good mid-palate and a finish that lingers of cherries. Tannins are smooth and unobtrusive. It has a lot going for it, and it will benefit from 6-12 months of cellaring. 88 points, and a buy for under $20.

I also have her 2002 Shea bottling and I am thinking about picking a bottle or two of her Reserve (which I've never seen before in our market).

Jaimetown,
Thanks for the TN. I had this at Patty's Thanksgiving event when I had the opportunity to taste all of her Pinots. I thought that this wine was probably the best value of everything she offered (i bought a bunch of 375s as cellar defenders ). In particular I didn't thiink the Reserve was that much better to justify the higher price point.

Thanks for the update. I can get 11 bottles for after tax $198.

IW

Tasted this wine yesterday and pretty much agree with jaimetown. I thought it was an 87.

jb

Can anyone compare it to the Saintsbury Garnet '02, which could become my PN cellar defender this year?

The November newsletter notes on the 2002 Oregon Pinor Noir say:

...the base of the wine comes from Bradley Vineyard in the southern part of the state between Roseburg and Reedsport. This 27-year-old vineyard provides a base of structure, acidity and brightness of fruit upon which the rest of the wine is built. The rest of the wine is made up from fruit from Patton Valley Vineyard (Dijon Clone 777), Quail Hill Vineyard (Dijon Clone 115), Shea Vineyard (some Pommard and Dijon Clone 777), Balcombe Vineyard (Pommard), Four Winds (mostly Pommard) and our Estate Vineyard (some Pommard and Wadensvil)...