2007 PINOT NOIR - RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY / STARR RIDGE DIJON CLONES

The 24 acre Starr Ridge Vineyard has an easterly orientation and is located in the cool, breezy hills just east of the Russian River and southwest of the town of Windsor. After careful research, four clones of Pinot Noir were selected for planting: Pommard clone 4, Dijon clone 114, Dijon clone 115 and Dijon clone 777. The vines were planted to a high density on low vigor rootstock ideally suited to the site’s soil type.

2007 was another example of our region’s remarkable consistency. The short rainy season, coupled with warm spring temperatures led to an early bud break. Once bud break occurred, our weather steadied, making for near perfect ripening conditions which lasted all the way through harvest. It certainly appears that the 2007 vintage from the Russian River Valley will turn out to be one of significant depth and concentration. All clones from this vineyard were kept separate throughout the winemaking process, from the careful hand sorting to barrel maturation. The grapes were destemmed, and after 5 days of “cold-soak” and fermentation, the wine was aged in 54% new, 39% 1 year-old and 7% 2 year-old French oak barrels. After 9 ½ months in barrel, the wine was blended and bottled in July of 2008.

This 2007 Starr Ridge Dijon Clones Pinot Noir shows beautiful dark ruby color with dried rose and violet and red fruit aromas and succulent flavors of black cherry, blackberry and cedar finishing with toasty, spicy oak notes. The wine’s dense fruit is bolstered by firm, polished tannins that will soften over the next few years. Enjoy this complex Pinot Noir as the flavors evolve over the next decade. This focused Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with braised lamb shank and polenta.