Gary Farrell Russian River Valley 2016 Pinot Noir, Hallberg Vineyard, Sonoma County, CA. 13.9%ABV, SRP $55/Bottle.
If you love Pinot Noir, then you probably already know Gary Farrell. It has been years since I’ve tasted wine from this winery.
My underlined note after tasting this wine: “My, oh my.” I kid you not.
Color is brilliant ruby, with a rich, vibrant nose of cherry, rose petal, and eucalyptus. The mouth-watering palate offers a stunning mixture of brilliant red fruit, wildflower cuttings, vegetation and darker tertiary notes of dried tobacco leaf and potting soil. Balanced with a luxurious mouthfeel. Quite honestly, I enjoyed every moment of this wine from start to finish, until the bottle was empty.
That, my friends, is how a wine should make you feel. In this price range, I’m impressed. This wine will go toe-to-toe with some of my cherished Burgundian bottles, and you can actually access them quite easily.
Image Copyright 2020 JvBunCorked.
What brilliant, awesome fruit made this vintage!! And you know I’m not a high ABV fan, but 13.9% ABV doesn’t taste like it in this wine, I had ZERO complaints about heat on the palate. This is RRV at the top level. Winemaker Theresa Heredia and vineyard manager Kirk Lokka are kicking ass and taking names with these wines. If you get a chance, scoop them up. Your mouth will thank you!
Final note on this bottle, jotted hastily: “Damn. It’s time to go back to Sonoma.”
#What’s in YOUR glass?
A votre santé!
jvb uncorked 
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