Gary Farrell, McDonald Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017, Russian River Valley, California

Tasting Note: One of Garry Farrell’s, single-vineyard-designated wines, this pinot noir expresses an alluring combination of earthy and floral elements.

Medium-intensity ruby in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of boysenberry, red raspberry, red plum, red cherry, strawberry and rhubarb pie with hints of vanilla baking spice and black tea.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus-bodied pinot noir has medium-plus-intensity, red-fruit flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium-plus acidity and completing with a red-cherry-infused, medium-plus finish.

The black-tea notes are created by having a portion of the wine undergo whole-cluster fermentation which imparts this characteristic.

Impressive pinot.

Bottle Note: No 04885.

This wine was submitted for review.