2005 Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley / Starr Ridge Vineyard Dijon Clones

93 points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

GRAPE SOURCE
The 24 acres of Starr Ridge Vineyard are owned by Gary Farrell. The site 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. Due to the high density of planting at the vineyard, low vigor rootstocks that are compatible to the soil profile were selected.

WINEMAKING
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 40% new, 30% 1 year-old and 30% 2 year-old French oak barrels. After 9 months in barrel, the wine consisting primarily of Dijon clone 777 was blended and then bottled in July of 2006.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
This 2005 Starr Ridge Pinot Noir, Dijon Clones 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. We suggest pairing it with braised lamb shank and polenta.

Bottled: July 28, 2006
Winemaker: Susan Reed
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 14.2$
Case Production: 193
Acid/pH: 0.65/3.47
Released: November 2007
Appellation: Russian River Valley

PAST VINTAGES
2004 Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley, Starr Ridge Vineyard Dijon Clones