2003 Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley / Starr Ridge Vineyard
GRAPE SOURCE
Starr Ridge Vineyard, owned by Gary and Debbie Farrell, was planted in 1996. This 24-acre hillside property has an easterly orientation, and is located in a cool, breezy location in the hills just to the east of the Russian River and southwest of the town of Windsor. After much research, four clones of Pinot Noir were elected, Pommard clone 4, Dijon clone 114, Dijon clone 115 and Dijon clone 777. Rootstocks SO4 , 101-14 and 3309 were chosen for their compatibility with the varying soil profiles and cultivars selected, and for their devigorating tendencies important in high-density plantings.
WINEMAKING
Each clone was picked and processed separately; from the careful hand sorting to barrel aging. After 12 days of “cold-soak” and fermentation, the wine was aged in French oak barrels, 40% new. For this bottling, we chose to blend 65% clone 4 and 35% clone 115. The 2003 vintage shows amazing color and flavor extraction, yet retains the elegance and balance that are the trademarks of our style of winemaking. We feel the 2003 Pinot Noirs are tremendously structured, ageworthy wines.
WINEMAKER'S NOTES
Intense tart cherry, blackberry, and dried cranberry flavors, complimented by structure-building tannins and luscious oak. The flavors are endless on the palate, with layers that continue to evolve. This wine is well-balanced, clean and complex. Wonderful purity of fruit and vineyard contributions combine to build balance between its many fruit and structural components.
Bottled: July 2004
Alcohol: 14.4
Case Production: 968
Acid/pH: 0.64/3.50
Released: June 2005
PAST VINTAGES
2002 Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley, Starr Ridge Vineyard 2001 Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley, Starr Ridge Vineyard2000 Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley, Starr Ridge Vineyard