The 2009 Gary Farrel Russian River Selection Pinot Noir was sourced from several premium vineyard sites in the Russian River Valley, including Rochiolo, Allen, and Hallberg. I'm excited to taste yet another Pinot from this amazing vintage, and it seems that every bottle I open from either the Sonoma Coast or Russian River Valley appellation is an absolute stunner.

On the nose I get generous amounts of black cherry, plum, cinnamon, clove, leather, and deep raspberry notes. There are also some earth and soil nuances that accompany the fruit characteristics and add just an extra layer of complexity.

On the palate the wine is brimming with bright red fruit flavors and secondary notes of baking spice, mineral, and leather. This wine is by no means earthy compared to almost anything from Burgundy, but there are some nice spicy and leathery notes that show up on the finish. By all accounts this is quintisential California Pinot Noir that has the clarity and ripeness that really can only be found in the exceptional vineyards is Sonoma's most revered AVA. 91 points

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