Starmont Winery & Vineyards
2013 Pinot Noir
"Stanly Ranch Estate"
Los Carneros AVA
Auction 19 | Lot No. 140
Vintage: 2013
Starmont Winery & Vineyards
Pinot Noir
Los Carneros
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Single-barrel lot from the sustainably farmed Stanly Ranch Estate Vineyard surrounding the winery
- 100% whole berry fermented with native yeast in open top fermenters facilitating gentle extraction
- 18 months in a new Atelier Steam Bent Tronçais oak: medium-toast barrel enhances inherent complexity
- Rich in fruit flavors and exotic spice notes, the wine is an expression of this historic site
Description
Starmont Winery and Vineyards focuses on making the highest quality wines from its cool-climate location. Built alongside the historic Stanly Ranch Estate vineyard—originally owned by Judge John Stanly, one of California’s great wine pioneers in the late 1800s—Starmont Winery and Vineyards is an amalgam of the old and new.
In the 1970s, Louis Martini, the Wente family and UC Davis conducted groundbreaking clonal trials for Pinot Noir on the Stanly Ranch. Today, the property is farmed to the highest standards with an emphasis on sustainability and quality. Led by Senior Winemaker Sean Foster and Winemaker Jeff Crawford, the Starmont team is focused on its Carneros roots.
This single barrel lot of Stanly Ranch Estate Pinot Noir is dedicated to creating an elevated sensory experience: intensity with longer barrel time that plays off the aspects of the site, concentrated fruit (strawberry, cranberry, cherry), good structure, focus, depth, and lengthy finish. Atelier crafted a steam bent barrel (which softens the oaks impact on the wine) selected from the Troncais forest (known for very tight grain oak). The result: complex aromatic and flavor notes and very fine tannins that lengthen the wine’s finish, yet do not overpower the delicate nature of this Estate Pinot Noir.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Jeff Crawford
Winemaker, Starmont Winery & Vineyards
It was during his time at UC Davis that Jeff developed a passion for wine. His burgeoning enthusiasm inspired him to take a job as a harvest intern at Gallo after graduation. In 2007, Jeff headed to Napa and joined the Starmont cellar crew. He was quickly promoted to Cellar Master a year later. In 2010, Jeff became Starmont's Assistant Winemaker and in 2014 he was elevated to Winemaker.
Country born: United States
Education: Born in Alaska and raised in Minnesota, Jeff Crawford headed to Hawaii after high school to escape the cold. Fully thawed in 1997, he moved back to the mainland to earn his B.A. in Economics with a Minor in Philosophy from UC Davis.
Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Jeff's vinous perspective has been shaped by his journeys to less-traveled winegrowing locales around the globe including Oregon, Germany and Greece. "I'm constantly trying to expand my wine horizons through travel, reading, education, conversation and tasting. Every so often I actually drink some wine too. I just received my Level 3 WSET Certificate and will continue to take classes and attend seminars in order to sharpen my knowledge and hone my craft."
With Jeff's input, the winery has upgraded its winemaking equipment and implemented new protocols to ensure that the wines are of the highest quality and true to their origins. "In many ways Starmont is a microcosm of the Carneros region," says Jeff. "Our wines are classically balanced and subtle. Structure and evenhandedness are the rule rather than the exception. And, although we are focused on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, we also produce some pretty impressive Merlots and Syrahs."
Whispering Vine Wine Company
3449 Eagle Ridge Court
Reno NV 89519
775-786-1323
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Whispering Vine Wine Company:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starmont Winery & Vineyards | 2013 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Stanly Ranch Estate | 19 (2015) |
| The GRADE Cellars | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 15 (2011) | |
| Clos Du Val | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 14 (2010) | |
| HALL | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Sacrashe Vineyard - Block A | 13 (2009) |
| Work Vineyard | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 13 (2009) | |
| Summers Estate Wines | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 12 (2008) | |
| Bennett Lane | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 11 (2007) | |
| Markham Vineyards | 2005 | Petite Sirah | Napa Valley | 11 (2007) | |
| Laird Family Estate | 2004 | 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah | Napa Valley | 10 (2006) | |
| Truchard Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Los Carneros | Estate | 10 (2006) |
| Silverado Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| Summers Estate Wines | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon-75%, Petite Sirah-25% | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| Azalea Springs Vineyards | 2002 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Departure | 8 (2004) |
| Flora Springs Winery and Vineyards | 2002 | Malbec | Rutherford | 8 (2004) | |
| Girard Winery | 2002 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 8 (2004) | |
| Luna Vineyards | 2001 | Sangiovese/ Merlot/ Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Canto — Barrel Select | 7 (2003) |
| Signorello Estate | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Big Rock Cuvee - Estate | 7 (2003) |
Winery Distribution
Starmont Winery & Vineyards is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
International:
- Belgium (Top Courtage)
- Bulgaria (Cartel Ltd)
- Canada - Alberta (Marram Fine Wines)
- Canada - British Columbia (Appellation Wine Marketing)
- Canada - Ontario (Churchill Cellars Ltd)
- Canada - Quebec (LCC Vins-PMA Canada)
- China (Wiki Wine)
- Denmark (Otto Suenson & Co)
- France (Vins Duvernay)
- Germany (Weingarten Eden)
- Hong Kong (Fin Leaf / Wine Tale)
- India (Mohan Brothers)
- Indonesia (Pasifik Mulia)
- Japan (Nakagawa Wine Co.)
- Luxembourg (Caves Wengler)
- Mexico (The Wine Co)
- Netherlands (Hosman Vins Wijnimporteurs)
- Norway (California House AS)
- Poland (Mielzynski Sp Z.O.O.)
- Russia (Philipp LLC)
- South Korea (Chiko Vino / Cosmo)
- Spain (Los Vinos del Mundo)
- Sweden (Skrubbes Wines AB)
- Switzerland (Baur au Lac Vins)
- Taiwan (Creation Wines)
- Thailand (Lovely Fine Wines)
- Turkey (Doluca Sarapcilik ve PAZ. TIC. A.S.)
- United Kingdom (Humble Grape)
- Vietnam (Les Celliers d'asie)