January 25, 2012
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SPELL Winery
| Owner(s) | Shane Finley |
| Web site | www.spellwinery.com |
| Link to this site |
Owner and winemaker Shane Finley is an assistant winemaker at Kosta Browne Winery in Sebastopol, CA. Finley grew up in Minnesota and after college became disenchanted with an office job. He ventured to California where he landed a position as a cellar rat at Copain Wine Cellars in Santa Rosa. Later he would make wine in Australia and France. Shane’s first two Pinot Noir releases came from the 2007 vintage and were sourced from Barton Vineyard in the Russian River Valley and Weir Vineyard in the Yorkville Highlands.
The wines are sold through a mailing list
Articles About SPELL Winery
Reviewed Wines
2007 SPELL Barton Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc.,
45 cases, $47. The Barton Vineyard is located just outside the Green Valley
sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley on Vine Hill Road. Clones 115 and
Pommard. 25% whole cluster fermentation, aged 20 months in 50% new
French oak, unfined and unfiltered.
·
Enticing and penetrating aromas of
strawberries, raspberries, cola, baking spices and sandalwood. Very
“Russian Riveresque” and I loved it. Red fruit driven flavors which are leaner
than the Weir bottling but enough richness to satisfy. Very smoothly textured and
nicely balanced. Will get even better in another one to two years.
Reviewed April 18, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 SPELL Weir Vineyard Yorkville Highlands Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 120 cases,
$47. The Weir vineyard is owned and farmed by Bill and Suki Weir and is located at
elevations of 850 to 1000 feet on south and southwest facing gentle slopes. Clones
2A, Rochioli and DRC suitcase. 20% whole cluster fermentation, aged 10 months in
40% new French oak, unfined and unfiltered.
·
Dark reddish-violet color. Needs time to
open. Brooding dark cherry and berry fruit aromas and flavors with a touch of citric
peel on the back end. Flamboyant tannins coat the mouth and need time to be shed.
The succulent fruit became more accessible in the opened bottle as I sampled it later
in the day. If you open it now, drink it with a big ribeye steak.
Reviewed April 18, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 SPELL Barton Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 45 cases, $47. The Barton Vineyard is located just outside the Green Valley sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley on Vine Hill Road. Clones 115 and Pommard. 25% whole cluster fermentation, aged 20 months in 50% new French oak, unfined and unfiltered. · Enticing and penetrating aromas of strawberries, raspberries, cola, baking spices and sandalwood. Very “Russian Riveresque” and I loved it. Red fruit driven flavors which are leaner than the Weir bottling but enough richness to satisfy. Very smoothly textured and nicely balanced. Will get even better in another one to two years. Reviewed April 18, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 SPELL Weir Vineyard Yorkville Highlands Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 120 cases, $47. The Weir vineyard is owned and farmed by Bill and Suki Weir and is located at elevations of 850 to 1000 feet on south and southwest facing gentle slopes. Clones 2A, Rochioli and DRC suitcase. 20% whole cluster fermentation, aged 10 months in 40% new French oak, unfined and unfiltered. · Dark reddish-violet color. Needs time to open. Brooding dark cherry and berry fruit aromas and flavors with a touch of citric peel on the back end. Flamboyant tannins coat the mouth and need time to be shed. The succulent fruit became more accessible in the opened bottle as I sampled it later in the day. If you open it now, drink it with a big ribeye steak. Reviewed April 18, 2009 ARTICLE »
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