Vineyard: Starkey Hill

AppellationRussian River Valley
VarietiesPinot Noir

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2018 En Garde Starkey Hill Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

15.4% alc., 777 cases, $60. Clone 23 and Pommard. Harvest Brix 26º. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Perfumed with aromas of blackberry, blueberry-pomegranate, black tea and spice. Very ripe, luscious and fullbodied, with flavors of blackberry jam and cassis. Easy drinking, with minimal tannins and a very long, fruitladen finish. The sheer immensity of very ripe fruit obscures any terroir or vineyard identity, but the toothsome fruit is hard to ignore. Score: 92. Reviewed February 28, 2021 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 En Garde Starkey Hill Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc.,138 cases, $60. 30+ year-old vines including clones 23, Pommard and “828.” Harvest Brix 24.8º-25.6º. Aged 17 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with upbeat aromas of black cherry, baking spices and nutty oak. A deeply flavored black cherry core brings the taste buds to attention in this middleweight styled wine. A real cherry delight with impeccable oak integration, silky tannins and a wondrous finish. This wine took two days after opening to really reach its peak, when my notes say “great!” Score: 94. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 En Garde Starkey Hill Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., 138 cases, $55. Vineyard is located in Sebastopol just outside the Green Valley AVA. Owned by Diane Starkey and cared for by Arturo Robledo. 30+-year-old vines including clones 23, “828,” and Pommard. Harvest Brix 23.6º. 15% whole cluster. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. A wine with special drive and purpose, offering engaging aromas of blueberrypomegranate, blackberry preserves and subtle oak. Enters with a charge of blue and black berry fruits framed by fine-grain tannins and maintains in the mouth. Impeccable harmony, with a long, powerfully aromatic finish. Score: 94. Reviewed September 24, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 En Garde Starkey Hill Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 125 cases, $54. Release summer 2015. 25% “828,” 25% Pommard, 50% 23. 35-year-old vines planted in Goldridge soil and located just outside the Green Valley AVA. This vineyard is owned by Csaba’s spouse’s best friend. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose opens slowly in the glass to reveal scents of dusty cherry and strawberry. A plentiful black cherry attack is augmented with notes of spice, cola and tea. Nicely crafted with supple tannins, a good acid underbelly and a lip-smacking, cherry-driven finish. Score: 91-92. Reviewed January 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »