VOLUME 12, ISSUE 34
December 30, 2022
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
A Commonplace Bucket of Pinot Noir: Quotes, Ephemera, and Thoughts The Prince Retires (this time for good)

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Vineyard: Starr Ridge

AppellationRussian River Valley
VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2013 Davis Family Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $46 (sold out). A blend of grapes from Soul Patch, Starr Ridge and Dutton Ranch vineyards. · A cherry-driven wine sporting soft tannins that is forward drinking and easy to like. Accents of baking spice, cola and oak add interest to the juicy palate. Score: 90. Reviewed December 12, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Davis Family Vineyards Starr Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

$55. A 20-year-old vineyard in a relatively warm site that is picked before other vineyards in the Davis lineup. Some whole cluster. · A burst of dark red fruits greet the drinker in this flashy, exuberant wine with engaging aromatics and flavors. Quite luscious and sappy, with balanced suave tannins and tight acidity. Score: 92. Reviewed December 12, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Davis Family Vineyards Starr Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $55. The warmest of Davis Family Pinot Noir sites. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Plenty to like in this wine that features aromas of dark cherries, sous-bois, spice and new oak. The mid weight charge of spicy black cherry and black raspberry fruits has noticeably intensity and carry-over to the long, cherry-driven finish. Soft and smooth in the mouth, the wine has mouthwatering tension that lifts the experience. Score: 91. Reviewed October 20, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Davis Family Vineyards Starr Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $50. This 20-year-old vineyard sits on the eastern edge of the Middle Reach sub region of the Russian River Valley. Soils are ancient Franciscan series, heavier decomposed volcanic rock and clays rich in iron. The site benefits from a combination of its warmer Middle Reach location and cooler east facing exposure. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Complex array of aromas including cherry, red berry, shoe leather and oak spice. Delicious essence of black cherry fruit in a modestly concentrated yet flavorful wine embellished with a welcome oak accent. Very smooth on the palate with supple tannins and a finish that goes on and on. I find I am consistently attracted to wines made from this vineyard. Score: 92. Reviewed October 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Thomas George Estates Starr Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

352 cases. Clones 114, 777, 115 and Pommard. · Enticing aromas of plum, black cherry, spice and stem. The fruit flavors echo the nose with added accents of dark chocolate, cola and fennel. Good. Reviewed July 22, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Davis Family Vineyards Starr Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $50. Owned by the Baker family of Thomas George Estates, this is the warmest of Davis’ sites. · Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass. The nose is a little fruity and a little savory. Elegant and charming on the palate with flavors of fresh black cherries, raspberries and baking spices. Juicy, with good acidity and gossamer tannins. A seamless wine of impeccable breeding. Very good. Reviewed March 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Thomas George Estates Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.6% alc., pH 3.41, TA 0.60, 740 cases, $34. A blend from Cresta Ridge and Starr Ridge vineyards (78%) and Floodgate Vineyard (22%). Whole cluster pressed and racked to 90% French oak barrels (20% new) and 10% to stainless steel drums. MLF was inhibited at 30%. The lees were stirred for the first four months, then allowed to settle. · Light straw color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon curd, biscuit, cut grass, and lees. Bright flavors of baked pear, lemon peel, and marzipan. A solid wine that will work nicely as an aperitif or a companion at the dinner table. Good (+). Reviewed November 29, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Thomas George Estates Starr Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.6% alc., pH 3.38, TA 0.62, 345 cases, $38. A blend of clones 95 and 96. Fermented in 100% French oak barrels (20% new) with lees stirring for four months. MLF inhibited at 20%. · Light straw yellow color in the glass. The nose is clean and pure, with a perfume of baked apple pie, crushed wet stones and a hint of caramelized oak. Refined and smooth on the palate, with a flavor core of pears, baking spice, cocoa powder, roasted almonds and a touch of grapefruit peel on the finish. A refined, sophisticated offering. Very good. Reviewed November 29, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Alysian Russian River Selection Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., pH 3.41, TA 0.73, 2,231 cases, $40. Fruit from Rochioli (Pommard). Allen (777), Starr Ridge (115 and 777), Floodgate (Martini and Dijon clones), and Hallberg (Cruz clone and 828). 100% de-stemmed, aged 10 months in 40% new (Francois Frères and Rousseau) and 60% one and two year old French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Bright aromas of Bing cherries, cola and baking spice rise out of the glass, persisting over time. Moderately concentrated flavors of cherries wrapped in supple tannins and framed by bright acidity. Fat in the mouth with a richness only Russian River Valley Pinot Noir can deliver. I love this wine for its pure exuberance. Like cherry pie day at cooking school: cherries, baking spice and very interesting results. Reviewed April 4, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Alysian Russian River Valley Selection

13.8% alc., pH 3.41, TA 0.73, 2,231 cases, $40. Multiple vineyard sources (Rochioli, Allen, Floodgate, Starr Ridge and Hallberg). Clones Pommard, 777, Martini, 115, Cruz and 828. 100% de-stemmed, aged 10 months in 40% new French oak barrels. Gary points out, “While we love the vineyard-specific wines for their purity and focused expression of each individual property, the Russian River Selection often displays greater complexity and (to some) is a more complete and satisfying offering.” · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Bright aromas of Bing cherries and strawberries with good volume. Exuberant flavors of black cherries, dark red berries, tea leaf, cola and clove with a slight herbal note contributed by sweet oak. Full-bodied yet not overbearing, with reserved tannins, and admirable length. I agree with Gary that this is his finest Alysian Russian River Valley Selection to date. Exceptional flavor and intensity at a modest alcohol level: the holy grail of Pinot Noir. Very good (+). Reviewed June 24, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Davis Family Vineyards Starr Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc, 225 cases, $40. · Medium ruby color in the glass. Quintessential Russian River Valley Pinot Noir sporting aromas and flavors of Bing cherries, baking spices and cola with a moderate dose of red raspberries and red currants. Still has firm tannins that will soften over time, but the wine is very enticing now. Finishes strong with impressive mouth coating intensity and a refreshing riff of acidity. A classy wine from a mature vineyard that is now coming in to its own. Reviewed November 2, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Thomas George Estates Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.84, TA 0.587, 1,280 cases, $40. A blend from the three estate vineyards featuring clones 777, Pommard, 114 and 115. 100% de-stemmed, 16 day fermentation with daily punch downs, tanks drained and skins pressed via a basket press, aged on the lees for 11 months in 31% new French oak barrels. · Moderately deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Glorious aromas of Bing cherries, black raspberries, spice and complimentary toasty oak make you want to hug the glass. Medium weight flavors of black cherry and cola with a touch of clove offer plenty of intensity, yet the wine remains light on its feet. Nicely balanced with impressive length on the finish. The epitome of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Reviewed November 29, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Thomas George Estates Starr Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

405 cases, $60. The warmest of the three estate vineyards located in the Middle Reach of the Russian River Valley. · Forward and drinking beautifully now with plenty of pleasing black cherry, rhubarb and dark strawberry fruit underlain with spice. Elegant with lively acidity. Very good. Reviewed July 22, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Alysian Starr Ridge Vineyard Clone 95 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.3% alc., $38. · Very shy aromas of apple, pear and honey. Restrained and lean with demure flavors of Asian pears, white peaches and vanilla caramel. Smooth and silky and easy to cozy up to. Good (+). Reviewed May 15, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Alysian Starr Ridge Vineyard East Terrace Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 157 cases, pH 3.43, TA 0.69, $55. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Darkly fruited with aromas of graham and spice. Black cherry, black raspberry and strawberry flavors with the slightest hint of oak show up in a moderately rich format with restrained tannins, brisk acidity and a refreshing, slightly brambly finish. The silky soft composure is appealing. Much better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, when my wife and I finished the bottle over dinner. Reviewed May 15, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Gary Farrell Starr Ridge Vineyard Dijon Clones Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.50, 298 cases, $50. Released November 1, 2009. Dijon clones 114, 115 and 777 from the 24-acre Starr Ridge Vineyard located in the hills just east of the Russian River and southwest of the town of Windsor. · Terrific aromatics featuring an intense perfume of dark, red and black cherry and berry fruits. On the palate, the wine lags the showy aromas, offering a shy but similar fruit profile with notes of forest floor, seasoned oak and savory herbs. Needs more time to shed the oak and drying tannins. Good. Reviewed July 15, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Alysian Starr Ridge Vineyard East Terrace Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.44, 231 cases, $55. This vineyard is owned and farmed by Gary and Debbie Farrell and consists of 23 acres planted to Dijon and Pommard clones. This wine is composed of Dijon 115 and Pommard 4 clones. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 14 months in 45% new French oak barrels. · Deeply colored. Beautiful black cherry fruit on the nose with Provencal herbs in the background. Vivid black cherry, raspberry and pomegranate flavors with a hint of iodine. A lively lift of acidity sparks the refreshing finish. Good. Reviewed June 8, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 Gary Farrell Starr Ridge Vineyard Dijon Clones Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

179 cases, $60. Gary Farrell Pinot Noirs are a benchmark for the Russian River Valley and are consistently excellent. The 24-acre Starr Ridge Vineyard is owned by Gary and Debbie Farrell. The wine is available on the website. · The style is one of power with elegance and eminent age ability. This Pinot starts with very pleasing aromatics featuring bright red cherries, rhubarb and roses. The fruit has great purity and persistence with lovely depth of flavor and is enhanced by tasty oak. The whole package finishes with a good tannic backbone and acid edge. Reviewed January 22, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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