Gary Farrell first became acquainted with Joe Rochioli’s revered Russian River Valley vineyard in 1974, when he crushed the grapes at nearby Davis Bynum winery. Farrell has purchased Rochioli fruit ever since (and made the first few vintages of Rochioli wines). I cannot remember a finer Farrell Pinot Noir than this one, nor a better 2008 California Pinot, period. It has amazing purity and focus, with beautifully ripened fruit flavors (strawberry, tart cherry, pomegranate, cranberry), an inviting, truffle and spice aroma, and uncommon vibrancy. This is an ideal example of a wine that is lighter in color than many New World Pinot Noirs — it’s translucent, in fact — yet it delivers crystalline flavors, great complexity, crackling acidity, and best of all, succulence.
Alysian, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) 2008
By Linda Murphy