2014 Joseph Jewell Starscape Vineyard Martini Clone - Old Girls Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.59, 75 cases, $65, white wax topper. Grapes were sourced from some of the oldest Pinot Noir vines in Sonoma, first taking root in 1971. Yield 1 ton/acre. 100% de-stemmed, fermented 7-14 days in stainless open-top tanks. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 33% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The aromatic profile is very similar to the regular Starscape bottling in this vintage but more sexy. Aromas of black cherry, underbrush, pine and floral bouquet. Noticeably more attacking on entry with a definite mid palate impression of dark cherry and boysenberry fruits, finishing with good persistence. Well-structured with very fine-grain tannins contributing to a polished mouthfeel. The fruit is quite ripe and the slightest alcoholic heat shows up in the glass over time as the wine warms in the glass. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, there was some volatile acidity (apple core aroma) on the nose but the wine still tasted fine. This wine has many good traits but there are a few nits. Score: 90. Reviewed June 29, 2018

Winery: Joseph Jewell Wines
From article: Recently Tasted Pinot Noir & Chardonnay