2015 Starmont Pinot Noir Carneros
Wine Specs
Vintage
2015
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Carneros
Alcohol %
13.5
Winemaking
The fruit was handpicked then carefully sorted upon arrival at the winery. A combination of native and inoculated fermentation was used. The wine was fermented in both open and closed top tanks with twice daily pumpovers. The wine was racked to barrels where native secondary fermentation occurred. The wine spent 20 months in French oak (33% new) and was bottled unfined.
Tasting Notes
Ours is a regional expression of Carneros Pinot Noir sourced from select vineyards on the Napa side of this AVA. This is a seleccion masal Pinot Noir, not meant to express a single clone or vineyard. The goal of this wine is to retain a varietal correctness with a sense of place. We really enjoy Carneros Pinot Noir, because although the fruit presents itself readily, there is an undercurrent of ‘Pinot funk’, and earthy element that adds complexity both on the nose and the palate. A slightly higher percentage of new oak was used (33%) to stand up to the richness and weight of the concentrated 2015 vintage. The oak adds both to the nose and the texture of the wine, but still allows the fruit to be front and center. Dark garnet in color, the 2015 offers layered notes of plum, dark cherry and cola spice. With moderate acidity, weight and density, this wine has outstanding depth and length.