At the time of release, I featured this wine in a write-up hailing it as a delicious over-delivering beauty that will age for some time. Well, proof is in the glass. I just popped the cork on my last bottle and I’m happily sipping on a deliciously aged Pinot that is silky soft, and fully developed. Blue, blue, blue fruit dominates with hints of licorice, black currant and sassafras. If there’s one slight want in this wine it’s a bit more acid, but that was the year more than the winemaking. Heck, if memory serves me right, Shea made up a good portion of this wine, so that’s to be expected. At $24 when released back in 2007, there are few deals like Provocateur in the Oregon Pinot Noir game. And to think, it’s the very same price for the current vintage! If you’d like to know when the next release hits the shelf, just shoot us a message.

DATE TASTED: 2-10-14