2010 Pinot Noir, I take it all back(Kinda) or, Gary Farrell(Or Whoever actually makes this wine) I love you

I arrive after most, ten minutes before seven and walk into a flight of 2010 Pinot Noirs, just like I had panned in my prior post for being purple opaque monsters. Not varietally correct. This time they were all ruby, medium concentration, no tear staining, medium to medium plus viscosity. The acidity hit just the right spot for me. In short, they looked, smelled, and tasted like pinot noir. This was a lovely flight. You win this time, Cali Pinot!!

• Gary Farrell Rochioli Vineyard Russian River Valley – while only medium intensity on the nose, there was plenty happening; raspberry, cranberry and unripe cherry with rose petals, star anise, damp pine forest floor and root beer! On the palate the fruits and spices seemed darker, with quinine and a cherry syrup viscosity.
• Gary Farrell Hallberg Vineyard Russian River Valley – the aromatics were more intense on the nose. Riper cherry and raspberry, still with star anise and root beer, but the flowers were of a more dried quality and the earth was more clay.

• Gary Farrell “Russian River Selection” Russian River Valley – This one was all over the place in a good way. Blackberry, cranberry, raspberry, orange peel, beet, tarragon, violets, wet stones, baking spices. Definitely some new oak.  It didn’t end up my #1 because everything was in the nose, not all these notes made their way to my palate.

I tasted these wines on January 8th, 2013. For the rest of the flight  http://www.calgrapevine.com