2020 Woodenhead Starbridge Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.66, 161 cases, $66. Since 2010, Summa Vineyard, located on the extreme West Sonoma Coast, and a source for Williams Selyem Pinot Noir in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was sold to Thomas Rivers Brown and the grapes are used for Brown’s Rivers-Marie label. Scott and Joan Zeller, who own a property adjacent to the original plantings at Summa Vineyard, planted the 2-acre Starbridge Vineyard in 2000 using vine grafts for the original vines at adjacent Summa Vineyard. The clones are unknown and Zeller refers to them as the “Summa clones.” In 2020, the Starbridge Vineyard grapes did not suffer smoke taint from the wildfires. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Reserved but appealing aromas of purple grape, incense, forest path, and muddy earth. The dark red cherry fruit core is framed by savory notes of herbs and tobacco. Silky in texture, with very gracious tannins, redeeming acidity, and a persistent finish. Score: 92. Reviewed December 3, 2022

Winery: Woodenhead
From article: Woodenhead Vintners