2021 Stuhlmuller Vineyards Amber Block Starr Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

About the Wine

Stuhlmuller Vineyards is a family-owned winery nestled in the picturesque Alexander Valley, (same Valley that has seen the birth and rise of top wineries like Jordan, Silver Oak, and Lancaster). Since 1982, they have been renowned as growers of world-class grapes, supplying some of the top wineries in the area, including Silver Oak, Simi, and Aperture Cellars, among others.

Inspired by the exceptional wines made from their vineyard, Fritz Stuhlmuller established his own artisan winery in the mid-'90s, and the rest is history.

The Stuhlmuller property traces its roots back to the 1800s when Cyrus Alexander, a mountain man and rancher, acquired the land. Today, Stuhlmuller Vineyard stands as a testament to their long-lasting spirit of winemaking, blending tradition with innovation.

Zac Childers, winemaker at Stuhlmuller Vineyards, brings his passion and expertise to every bottle. Originally from Virginia, Zac migrated to California in 2009 to pursue his winemaking dreams. After joining Stuhlmuller as a harvest intern in 2011, he embarked on a global winemaking adventure, working with esteemed wineries in Australia and New Zealand such as Amisfield and Torbreck where he was involved in the creation of 100 points wines like the Run Rig. Zac finished his degree in Viticulture and Enology in 2014 and returned to Stuhlmuller as Assistant Winemaker, but only 5 years later, he was promoted to the position of Winemaker. Zac is assisted by consultant, Leo Hansen, former winemaker and culinary connoisseur.

Stuhlmuller Vineyards believes in preserving the environment for future generations. Certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, their vineyard operations prioritize eco-friendly practices. 

The 2021 Pinot Noir was crafted with a blend of techniques: 33% whole clusters from the Pommard portion and the remainder as destemmed whole berries. After hand sorting, the fruit was fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel open-top fermenters. Gentle punch downs were performed during the 17-day maceration. The wine was pressed using a traditional oak stave manual basket press, then aged for 16 months in a combination of large French oak puncheons and one- to two-year-old French oak Burgundy barrels. The wine was bottled unfiltered and unfined to maintain its purity.

Aging: 16 months in French oak.

Tasting Notes

100% Pinot Noir. Lush and inviting, this beautiful wine captures the essence of what makes Russian River Valley Pinot Noir so delicious. Enticing aromas of fresh strawberry and rhubarb emanate from the glass, followed by hints of vanilla and cola. The palate is rich and lush with delightful red berry flavors, followed by notes of flowers and savory spice that glide to a long resonant finish.

Reviews

Starr Ridge is a two-block site originally planted by winemaker Gary Farrell and farmed by Ulises Valdez. Incredibly structured and lengthy on the palate, a rich expression of strawberry, high-toned citrus and anise. Playing supporting roles are earth and forest floor. ~91 Wine Enthusiast

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