2008 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir — Santa Maria Valley, Bien Nacido Vineyard
Ahh, Gary Farrell. One of my all-time favorite wineries. If you haven’t visited their tasting room in Russian River Valley, do it. Now. They have the best view of any winery I’ve visited, and their Pinots are like James Bond: Polished and classy, yet totally kick-ass. I’m also convinced their wines have aphrodisiac effects…
But I digress. Today I tasted their 2008 Bien Nacido Pinot Noir.
Date Tasted: April 23, 2011
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Winery: Gary Farrell
Region: Santa Maria Valley, California
Alcohol: 14.1%
Gary Farrell 2008 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard
Appearance:
Deep garnet in the center, fading to a soft pink at the edge.
Nose:
Delightful fruit and berry aromas, dominated by pomegranate, cranberry and raspberry. There is just a hint of caramel and cedar.
Taste:
The tangy cranberry and raspberry flavors really pop on the tongue. This is offset by a gentle amount of sweetness. This is a wine that makes you want to hold it on your tongue and soak in the flavors. Simply delightful. This wine drinks very well right now, but another 3–5 years would be worth the wait.
Conclusion:
A lovely Pinot Noir with concentrated berry and fruit flavors. If you are a Pinot Noir fan, you can’t go wrong with this bottle.
Final Grade: A–.
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