Tasting Notes
DETAILS
Owner: Eric Story & Alison Smith-Story
Winemaker:
Varietal: Array
Vintage: 2017
Production: 375
Region: Sonoma County
Appellation: Chalk Hill, Russian River Valley
Aging: 21 Months French Oak
Thoughts
Wine Tasting Experience
Late in the afternoon, we explored the outdoor tasting area of The Madrones, where Smith Story has its tasting room.
Upon our arrival, Eric Smith and Alison Story-Smith’s charismatic Labradoodle,
Lord Sandwich, greeted us. This immediately ignited a conversation.
You will never meet two more gracious hosts than Eric and Ali. Aside from creating some awesome wine at great prices, they also have a reputation for collaborating with farmers to ensure good stewardship of the vineyards they buy from.
As the last tasting of the day, it was evident the talented pair enjoyed the chance to relax and hang out with industry friends. In the case of our tasting, we were able to enjoy a glass, actually several, in the outdoor patio. This was a welcome deviation from the more stuffy structured tastings wineries now require because of a little thing we like to call COVID
It was wonderful to start with the standard lineup, but the real fun starts when you delve deeper into their smaller production, single vineyard, and limited production wines. Eric was beaming as he discussed the families and relationships he has with the farmers, the growing conditions, the yield, the harvest – for a group of wine geeks, it was heaven.
From the Winemaker
This three vineyard blends were picked all in the same week of September 25th, two of which are coming from high elevation sites. Pine Mountain (2400’), a ridge top above the Russian River (1100’), and then balanced out by a Chalk Hill site. All components were hand-sorted, de-stemmed, fermented separately in open-top stainless then aged in used French barrels (80%Bordeaux, 20% Burgundy) for 21 months. Unfined and unfiltered. 2017 was a steady growing season that provided optimal fruit ripeness and balance. There was a late heat spike which gave a bit of a darker core to the wine. Still made in more of a Loire Valley style the mountain top vineyards added a bit more of a brambly character along with some added structure. A Smith Story Fan Favorite again!
What the Critics Say
91pts.
Learn More About: Eric Story | Smith Story Wine Cellars
