In his youth Joe Stark had ambitions of someday owning his own business. He worked in his father's small cabinet shop and learned about business from his father. In 1980 his wife Vicki and he were able to fulfill his dream by founding Colene Clemens, named after Vicki’s mother. Colene Clemens was created right in their own backyard, as their property had the correct aspect (south facing), elevations (350ft to 650 ft) and an array of high quality, proven Pinot Noir soils to start their winery.
Winemaker Steve Goff is originally from Philadelphia and moved to San Francisco. Steve became fascinated with winemaking, eventually graduating from the Enology and Viticulture program at Fresno State University and he worked his way to the position of Assistant Winemaker at Beaux Frères. After working six vintages at Beaux Frères, he joined Joe and Vicki Stark in 2008 as the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager for Colene Clemens. Steve’s new wines from the 2021vintage are really outstanding across the board. I love the new 2021 Colene Clemens ‘Margo’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which is a killer value with plenty of depth. Even better is the fantastic 2021 Colene Clemens ‘Adriane’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which shows outstanding flavor range right now. Learn more about these outstanding wines at coleneclemens.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Colene Clemens and winemaker Steve Goff.
2021 Colene Clemens ‘Margo’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2021 ‘Margo’ offers dense red raspberry and ash notes alongside black tea and shades of Linzer torte. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture and good sense of length. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 92
2021 Colene Clemens ‘Victoria’ Pinot Noir-The 2021 ‘Victoria’ is a gorgeous bottling that is drinking beautifully right now. Kirsch and black raspberry notes combine with salty and stony accents on the nose. The palate is soft and initing with a smooth mouthfeel. Showing beautifully right now, enjoy over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Colene Clemens ‘Adriane’ Pinot Noir-Coming form the Chehalem Mountains AVA, the 2021 Colene Clemens ‘Adriane’ Pinot Noir shows beautiful depth, tension and richness from this warm vintage. Wet stone and damp earthy accents mark this wine that shows a gorgeous core of red and black fruit flavors with excellent verve.Drink 2024-2034- 93
2022 Colene Clemens ‘Dopp Creek’ Pinot Noir- A stunning wine from their Chehalem Mountains estate, the 2022 ‘Dopp Creek’ offers pretty red rose petals that mingle well with allspice dusted red cherry and pomegranate seed notes. The palate is soft and inviting with good verve and a smooth texture. Finishing long with copious minerals and rich red fruits with orange peel, this is a beautiful effort that is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2024-2036- 93