Failla, Occidental Ridge Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

This drank beautifully. Different from younger vintages that tend to be bright and fruity. This was earthy, mushroomy…..loved it!

Perfect cork after a decade in the bottle. Consumed over two days, fruit more predominant on the first day. Ruby color with little to no oxidation, clarity medium. Aromas of raspberry and forest floor, flavors of black cherry cola and raspberry compote with a medium finish. A very balanced and flavorful Pinot Noir. If I had tasted blind, I would have declared it was more Russian River in character than Sonoma Coast. This wine may be near the end of …

Full bodied but beautifully balance. Wonderful dark fruit but definite earth ones. Great PN.

Slightly peppery with subdued jammy underpinning. In its maturity and drinking nicely.

A Graduation Dinner (Fearrington House Inn) : Nose: Giant floral nose with nice raspberry compote, wild cherry and some herbal notes. Palate: Nice acidity, palate feel and balance. Cherry, Berries, flowers, orange peel and cranberry with a nice hint of earthiness. Finish: Quite long and elegant. Remains my favorite from Failla. 1 Hour Slow Ox at Fearrington House Inn in NC.

Popped and poured. Deep red; Big and rich but with enough acidity and structure to not be boring or flabby. Still very young. Day 2: Berry compote! Long finish, this has a lot of stuffing but it is buried under the avalanche of fruit. Doesn't have the obvious structure that Sonoma Coast wines often do. Much better on day 2; lovely drink.

Wow. Deep red color, blackberry and dark cherry with some strawberry on the nose. Firm tannins and a lengthy finish. This is muscular and graceful at the same time. A gorgeous big Pinot with depth, balance and structure. Magnificent.

Downright tasty Pinot! For all those alcohol obsessed, who are 'in pursuit of balance', this 'low alcohol' producer's wine clocks in at 14.1. Excellent balance, not quite as tart as the Rivers Marie version from this vineyard, it drinks very well and should be good for at least another few years.

2011 Pinot Days: 183 Wines from 65 Producers (Fort Mason Festival Pavillon, San Francisco, California) : Pre-release (Fall '11 release) - black cherry, black raspberry, berry nose; tasty, rich, black cherry, black raspberry palate; medium-plus finish 92+ points