The 2005 Failla Occidental Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir is austere and bright at nearly 10 years on. The nose is dominated by red fruit: rhubarb, cranberry, and crushed raspberries. It's lean and spare and incredibly tart on the palate with pronounced, angular mid-to-back palate tannins. The tartness, unfortunately dominates the profile, giving impression that it's a bit out of balance. I think perhaps it might have given a bit more fruit at a younger age.
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An amazing first vintage of this wine. Still has the seductive silken texture and expressive nose. Very complex aromatics. Long finish. Great bottle and a reference point for the category.
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It is more that I want to like it, than that I actually do. Color was medium ruby. Nose was a complete knockout. Sweet fruit, tons of spice, cocoa, expensive oak, a touch herbal. I thought we were in for a REAL treat. Palate, on the other hand started off quite lean and improved only slightly after 3 hours open. Wood was too much for the fruit on the palate. I know this was the first year of this wine and on young vines, I hope it takes positive steps in the future or maybe the wine will when it goes tertiary.
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Pinot Days Chicago (Navy Pier): This was a pleasant discovery. Rich black cherry fruit with some spice and nice balance. Quality winemaking here. 92-93 pts.
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Pinot Days - Chicago (Navy Pier): Nose is full and wide open with forward aromas of rich dark cherries and spice. Palate follows suit in a big and rich fashion. Dark cherries and cola. Stays balance with firm tannin on the back palate. Quite nice.
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11/18/2023 - Acohen Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deep cherry and spice
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12/7/2017 - Labrador wrote: flawed
Corked!
Very disappointing...particularly so because the bottle we enjoyed on Thanksgiving also came from directly from Failla.
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11/23/2017 - Labrador wrote: 89 Points
A lovely CA pinot noir that went very well with Thanksgiving dinner.
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5/15/2015 - Christine Havens Likes this wine: 88 Points
The 2005 Failla Occidental Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir is austere and bright at nearly 10 years on. The nose is dominated by red fruit: rhubarb, cranberry, and crushed raspberries. It's lean and spare and incredibly tart on the palate with pronounced, angular mid-to-back palate tannins. The tartness, unfortunately dominates the profile, giving impression that it's a bit out of balance. I think perhaps it might have given a bit more fruit at a younger age.
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2/2/2015 - liteagilis Likes this wine:
An amazing first vintage of this wine. Still has the seductive silken texture and expressive nose. Very complex aromatics. Long finish. Great bottle and a reference point for the category.
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11/10/2014 - jon_goodman1 wrote: 92 Points
great nose, good balance with dark fruits with clean finish
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6/3/2013 - liteagilis Likes this wine:
It is more that I want to like it, than that I actually do. Color was medium ruby. Nose was a complete knockout. Sweet fruit, tons of spice, cocoa, expensive oak, a touch herbal. I thought we were in for a REAL treat. Palate, on the other hand started off quite lean and improved only slightly after 3 hours open. Wood was too much for the fruit on the palate. I know this was the first year of this wine and on young vines, I hope it takes positive steps in the future or maybe the wine will when it goes tertiary.
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8/22/2012 - D.Callahan Likes this wine: 88 Points
This wine is still hanging in there with little sign of getting old. Today the sour cherry was a bit too predominant but otherwise a very nice Pinot.
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2/15/2008 - mike_d wrote: 92 Points
Dense, rich pinot, notes of roasted coffee, deep ruby color. --rea
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2/15/2008 - mike_d wrote: 89 Points
Dense flavor, dark color, big pinot. --MD
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12/9/2007 - D.Callahan wrote: 92 Points
Wonderful cherry cola nose with delicious fruit mid and a nice long, well structured finish. Very, very nice!
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11/10/2007 - winefool wrote: 92 Points
Pinot Days Chicago (Navy Pier): This was a pleasant discovery. Rich black cherry fruit with some spice and nice balance. Quality winemaking here. 92-93 pts.
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11/10/2007 - Nanda wrote: 92 Points
Pinot Days - Chicago (Navy Pier): Nose is full and wide open with forward aromas of rich dark cherries and spice. Palate follows suit in a big and rich fashion. Dark cherries and cola. Stays balance with firm tannin on the back palate. Quite nice.
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