2024 Ken Wright Cellars - Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton Shea Vineyard (750ml)
2024 Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir — Shea Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton
Ken Wright Cellars showcases a vineyard-designate Pinot Noir from Shea Vineyard, a renowned Oregon site two miles east of Yamhill. Planted in 1989 by Dick and Dierdre Shea, the 8.5-acre block sits in ancient marine sediment soils at 540–600 feet elevation, with Pommard and Wädenswil clones contributing depth and structure. Grapes are hand sorted and fermented separately in small open-top vats until dry, then pressed and aged apart from the estate's other sites to preserve a clear expression of the vineyard.
The 2024 vintage reveals a nuanced nose of wild blackberry and dark rose petal, complemented by notes of rocky soil and tobacco leaf. On the palate, the wine is rich and powerful, delivering balanced tension, refined minerality, and a long, persistent finish. Built for the cellar, this Pinot Noir rewards patience as its tannins integrate and aromatics unfold.
Food pairing: roasted duck, mushroom dishes, or grilled salmon—classic matches that let the wine's energy and texture shine.
Why this matters: Shea Vineyard remains one of Oregon's most acclaimed Pinot Noir sites, and Ken Wright Cellars farms its fruit with a disciplined, site-specific approach to preserve its unique terroir across vintages. This single-vineyard Pinot Noir is vinified and aged separately to keep its distinctive character intact, yielding a compelling expression of Yamhill-Carlton's rugged elegance.