The small production wine you might not know about….but should!

Many of you have heard of the Panther Creek winery. Some of you may know that Michael Stevenson has been the lead winemaker there since 1999 (he started working in their cellars in 1994). Many of you may not know that Michael has a small wine label along with his business partner Scott Barrie called what else but Stevenson Barrie. This label founded in 1995 is where Michael produces wines for himself. I was first acquainted with Michael and his wines when I moved to McMinnville in 2005. Since then I am happy to say that Michael has become a good friend. One of his many charms is that he does what he loves without needing any attention or praise for his endeavors, in fact you may not ever hear much about the man behind the well-known Panther Creek wines and that’s just the way Michael likes it.

Where Michael is private and soft spoken, his wines step in and do the talking. This 2008 bottling of Freedom Hill vineyard opens up with beautiful aromas of lavender, dark cherry and biscuit. The wine is concentrated with juicy dark fruit (I’m feeling plum), a firm structure and great acidity. This is one I’m happy to enjoy now but I have a feeling a few years in bottle will lend to more nuanced aromatics and an even silkier palate. Michael reports that his 1999 bottling of Freedom Hill is still showing beautifully and the wines age very well. Hmmm, at a mere $32 per bottle maybe you should buy a few so you can have some now AND later…..

Cheers!
Shannon

Stevenson-Barrie Freedom Hill Pinot Noir 2008