Gary Farrell
Fort Ross Vineyard Pinot Noir
Sonoma County, California, USA
Opened this, and for once, let this breathe for an hour.
Lovely visual, crystalline presentation, the nose is clean and laced with cola. On the mid-palate, this could be a traditional burg. Light on its feet, relaxed acidity and moderate tannins. Beautifully balanced, just lacked the sweetness we’ve come to expect from Cali pinots. Cherries and cola dominate. My mindset isn’t organized for this tonight.
Many years of runway ahead of this.
Opened this, and for once, let this breathe for an hour.
Lovely visual, crystalline presentation, the nose is clean and laced with cola. On the mid-palate, this could be a traditional burg. Light on its feet, relaxed acidity and moderate tannins. Beautifully balanced, just lacked the sweetness we’ve come to expect from Cali pinots. Cherries and cola dominate. My mindset isn’t organized for this tonight.
Many years of runway ahead of this.
WNH virtual tasting with Gary Farrell wines. 2015 Ritchie chard, 2014 Fort Ross Pinot and 2015 Rochioli Pinot were the library choices.
I’m between a 93 and 94 here. This caught me totally by surprise. Flexing an ABV of 13.7, it has so much balanced richness and never comes across as lean. In fact, with the whole cluster usage here, it’s not green/stemmy. Gorgeous translucent purple in the glass with big aromatics of juniper, sage, high toned red and black berries, and cedar. Nimble on the palate with some herbal notes, and a really pretty red/black fruit sweetness (like really ripe rhubarb mixed with blackberries). Has both nice acidity and some tannic bite. I’d argue this was possibly even better in day two. Beautiful wine.
WNH virtual tasting with Gary Farrell wines. 2015 Ritchie chard, 2014 Fort Ross Pinot and 2015 Rochioli Pinot were the library choices.
I’m between a 93 and 94 here. This caught me totally by surprise. Flexing an ABV of 13.7, it has so much balanced richness and never comes across as lean. In fact, with the whole cluster usage here, it’s not green/stemmy. Gorgeous translucent purple in the glass with big aromatics of juniper, sage, high toned red and black berries, and cedar. Nimble on the palate with some herbal notes, and a really pretty red/black fruit sweetness (like really ripe rhubarb mixed with blackberries). Has both nice acidity and some tannic bite. I’d argue this was possibly even better in day two. Beautiful wine.
WNH virtual tasting with Gary Farrell wines. 2015 Ritchie chard, 2014 Fort Ross Pinot and 2015 Rochioli Pinot were the library choices.
I thoroughly enjoyed trying this next to the 2015 Rochioli. Shockingly, this had a higher ABV (though not high at only 14%). Whole cluster utilized here but it’s not overly green or stemmy, just really cool/breezy. Totally floral on the nose with potpourri, lavender, and underripe black cherries. Restrained on the palate with pomegranate, fleshy black cherry, herbs de Provence, black tea and really nice acidity. At 7yrs, this seems to just now be opening for business. Held easily for two days.
WNH virtual tasting with Gary Farrell wines. 2015 Ritchie chard, 2014 Fort Ross Pinot and 2015 Rochioli Pinot were the library choices.
I thoroughly enjoyed trying this next to the 2015 Rochioli. Shockingly, this had a higher ABV (though not high at only 14%). Whole cluster utilized here but it’s not overly green or stemmy, just really cool/breezy. Totally floral on the nose with potpourri, lavender, and underripe black cherries. Restrained on the palate with pomegranate, fleshy black cherry, herbs de Provence, black tea and really nice acidity. At 7yrs, this seems to just now be opening for business. Held easily for two days.
Layers of minerality. This has a savory ness to it.
Layers of minerality. This has a savory ness to it.
Sep 19th, 2019
Classic Sonoma coast Pinot. Velvet fruit notes and soft but long finish make for a wonderful sip.
Classic Sonoma coast Pinot. Velvet fruit notes and soft but long finish make for a wonderful sip.
Apr 15th, 2018
Liquorice and wax lips and spearmint on the nose. Tart cherry. Cranberry. Really very good, much better than I recall.
Liquorice and wax lips and spearmint on the nose. Tart cherry. Cranberry. Really very good, much better than I recall.
Mar 7th, 2018
Candied cherry, plum, herbs. Savory notes consistent with the last bottle.
Candied cherry, plum, herbs. Savory notes consistent with the last bottle.
Apr 20th, 2017New vineyard for this producer. On the savory side of pinot
New vineyard for this producer. On the savory side of pinot
Sep 28th, 2016
