Nose smells like a sweet tart. Opens very fruity with notes of strawberry or tart baking cherry. Lingers long but muted. Had with a thick BBQ pork chop which was a nice pairing. Definitely best enjoyed with food.
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This is not going to be a flattering review. Pours to a smell of cat pee and acidic fruit. Saline on the finish. Not really much here. Tasted it after the Walt Clos Pepes Pinot, so a let down was expected, but did not expected such a damp squib. Cannot recommend. Quite a poor wine.
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Light and subdued both aromatically and on the palate. Raspberry, savory underbrush, strawberries and rhubarb. Red fruited. Coravin'd. 2nd of two bottles purchased for $30 from Costco. Tasted side by side with 2018 Hands of Time Pinot which was aromatically superior but darker and weightier in profile. This has more freshness and acidity, lovely wine.
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Short decant, bummer. dark crimson with fast legs. On the nose, very enjoyable granite/earth tones plus a hint of ripe strawberry . Flavors of Strawberry )strong), plum and a touch of pine. a nice long finish , sweet on the tongue. Impressive Pinot
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Retail $45. Big. Ass. Bottle. I have been a fan of Gary Farrel for several decades now, and while there was a bit of a rough spot for the brand a while ago, the current iteration of Gary Farrel has without a doubt righted the ship. I might even contend that the winery is now producing the *best* wines in the long (at least by Californian standards) history of the winery. This flagship wine is perhaps slightly lighter than the average Pinot with oodles of black cherry, eucalyptus, considerable earth, and a yummy factor way up to 11. The palate is perhaps even better, with luscious, yet tart, fruit, intrigue on the mid-palate, and an extremely lengthy finish. Bravo GF, you continue to excel.
Some root beer, clove, berry. Smells good. Short watery finish. There is a hint of minerality that suggests at least some good fruit but ultimately this falls flat with a lack of fruit texture. Tastes like one of those wines that is picked late and has water added back. Disappointing
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I'm surprised I never had one of CA's premier PN before. I surely missed out. A privilege to enoy this wonderful PN w/wo food. Surprisingly pleasant gentle tannins eminating from a well structured and complex base of bright cherry and dark fruit berries wrapped around a smoothness that makes it great wine w/wo food. Perfect balance between acidity and and upfront fruit flavors with no unpleasant sweetness. I drank over three days and it never broke down. What a great effort. I love the 2018 vintage for all red wine in CA.
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Medium-deep reddish garnet in color. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of red cherries, boysenberries & raspberries with overtones of dusty/earthy & spice notes of cloves & cinnamon, some floral notes of roses, cola, minerals & a slight hint of oak/vanilla. Medium bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of red cherries, mulberries & cranberries with spices, minerals & a hint of oak/vanilla. Lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present but should develop further with additional aging.
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Retail $45. Big. Ass. Bottle. Agglomerated stopper (non-DIAM). Every since I started getting into American Pinot Noir, Gary Farrell has always been high on my list. Not only was Gary a pioneer in the Russian River making some of the best Pinots in the 80s and 90s, I would once again consider the producer among the best in the region behind the more than capable hands of winemaker Theresa Heredia. Light in the glass with considerable cherry fruit and earth, this flagship Pinot always delivers. The palate is rich, fruity, and wonderfully balanced with a consistent tartness that accentuates the fruit. Wonderful.
Bright ruby color. Inviting nose of cherries, raspberries, McIntosh apples, along with rose petals, rhubarb, white pepper, tobacco and green herbs – there is really a lot going on here! On the palate, this is fresh with gorgeous acidity, dusty tannins, on point balance. Sour and black cherries, wild raspberry, crunchy red apple peel tones. Notes of rose petal, rhubarb, with mineral and earth undertones. The freshness, spiciness and complexity is delightful.
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3/3/2024 - ValLovesWine wrote: 88 Points
Nose smells like a sweet tart. Opens very fruity with notes of strawberry or tart baking cherry. Lingers long but muted. Had with a thick BBQ pork chop which was a nice pairing. Definitely best enjoyed with food.
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12/2/2023 - rahul_d_chatter@yahoo.com Does not like this wine: 82 Points
This is not going to be a flattering review. Pours to a smell of cat pee and acidic fruit. Saline on the finish. Not really much here. Tasted it after the Walt Clos Pepes Pinot, so a let down was expected, but did not expected such a damp squib. Cannot recommend. Quite a poor wine.
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3/30/2023 - bin905 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Light and zippy spice, anise and black currant flavor.
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12/2/2022 - Jorth731 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium ruby color, pronounced acidity, medium minua body, medium plus alcohol.
Strong notes of cherry, black pepper, earthy, light cranberry aromas. Minor cedar notes, but not overpowering.
Medium plus finish.
Very good wine.
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11/23/2022 - Stosh_Izzy Does not like this wine: 79 Points
A bit bitter and tart.
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9/13/2022 - ares77 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Light and subdued both aromatically and on the palate. Raspberry, savory underbrush, strawberries and rhubarb. Red fruited. Coravin'd. 2nd of two bottles purchased for $30 from Costco. Tasted side by side with 2018 Hands of Time Pinot which was aromatically superior but darker and weightier in profile. This has more freshness and acidity, lovely wine.
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9/3/2022 - michaelbro8 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Short decant, bummer. dark crimson with fast legs. On the nose, very enjoyable granite/earth tones plus a hint of ripe strawberry . Flavors of Strawberry )strong), plum and a touch of pine. a nice long finish , sweet on the tongue. Impressive Pinot
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8/31/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 94 Points
Retail $45. Big. Ass. Bottle. I have been a fan of Gary Farrel for several decades now, and while there was a bit of a rough spot for the brand a while ago, the current iteration of Gary Farrel has without a doubt righted the ship. I might even contend that the winery is now producing the *best* wines in the long (at least by Californian standards) history of the winery. This flagship wine is perhaps slightly lighter than the average Pinot with oodles of black cherry, eucalyptus, considerable earth, and a yummy factor way up to 11. The palate is perhaps even better, with luscious, yet tart, fruit, intrigue on the mid-palate, and an extremely lengthy finish. Bravo GF, you continue to excel.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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8/26/2022 - bin905 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice balanced on the lean side flavor except for an unexpected faint vanilla strain.
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4/23/2022 - Matteo1 wrote:
Some root beer, clove, berry. Smells good. Short watery finish. There is a hint of minerality that suggests at least some good fruit but ultimately this falls flat with a lack of fruit texture. Tastes like one of those wines that is picked late and has water added back. Disappointing
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3/12/2022 - Wizaard1 wrote:
David Dunst
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3/12/2022 - Wizaard1 wrote:
Jim Von Maur
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2/22/2022 - wcf1946 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I'm surprised I never had one of CA's premier PN before. I surely missed out. A privilege to enoy this wonderful PN w/wo food. Surprisingly pleasant gentle tannins eminating from a well structured and complex base of bright cherry and dark fruit berries wrapped around a smoothness that makes it great wine w/wo food. Perfect balance between acidity and and upfront fruit flavors with no unpleasant sweetness. I drank over three days and it never broke down. What a great effort. I love the 2018 vintage for all red wine in CA.
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2/7/2022 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium-deep reddish garnet in color. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of red cherries, boysenberries & raspberries with overtones of dusty/earthy & spice notes of cloves & cinnamon, some floral notes of roses, cola, minerals & a slight hint of oak/vanilla. Medium bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of red cherries, mulberries & cranberries with spices, minerals & a hint of oak/vanilla. Lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present but should develop further with additional aging.
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2/4/2022 - Voleduvin wrote: 88 Points
A reasonable California style Pinot. A bit too much on the cherry-berry side for my taste, but if you like that style, this is a decent drop.
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11/26/2021 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 92 Points
The Fourth Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir: Retail $45. Big. Ass. Bottle. Agglomerated stopper (non-DIAM). Medium color, muted nose with some great cherry and earth. Tart, but subtle fruit, great acidity and depth. Really lovely wine. 92.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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11/25/2021 - Bob H wrote:
Nice nose, but the fruit feels a little candied/confected. I personally don’t mind that, but it’s prominent enough that I needed to mention it.
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10/13/2021 - fah Does not like this wine: 86 Points
This wine lacks fruit and has a slight bitterness to it that over powers everything else. Really didn't like it at all.
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10/12/2021 - fah wrote: 88 Points
Average pinot. Not much fruit, acidity or richness. Medium light body.
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8/8/2021 - joraesque wrote: 89 Points
Very solid.
89+
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7/8/2021 - CASEBIER KENNETH Likes this wine: 89 Points
Sour cherries; little one note, but ok.
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6/18/2021 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 92 Points
Retail $45. Big. Ass. Bottle. Agglomerated stopper (non-DIAM). Every since I started getting into American Pinot Noir, Gary Farrell has always been high on my list. Not only was Gary a pioneer in the Russian River making some of the best Pinots in the 80s and 90s, I would once again consider the producer among the best in the region behind the more than capable hands of winemaker Theresa Heredia. Light in the glass with considerable cherry fruit and earth, this flagship Pinot always delivers. The palate is rich, fruity, and wonderfully balanced with a consistent tartness that accentuates the fruit. Wonderful.
http://www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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5/29/2021 - Stemidoc Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great value
Erica likes
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2/8/2021 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 90 Points
Bright ruby color. Inviting nose of cherries, raspberries, McIntosh apples, along with rose petals, rhubarb, white pepper, tobacco and green herbs – there is really a lot going on here! On the palate, this is fresh with gorgeous acidity, dusty tannins, on point balance. Sour and black cherries, wild raspberry, crunchy red apple peel tones. Notes of rose petal, rhubarb, with mineral and earth undertones. The freshness, spiciness and complexity is delightful.
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