2023 Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Pinot Noir 6pk 6x750ml

Gary Farrell made his first Russian River Valley Pinot Noir in 1982 — before the AVA even existed — from fruit grown in the legendary Rochioli Vineyard. He was one of the first winemakers to stake a claim in what would become California's most important Pinot Noir region, building a state-of-the-art facility in 2000 before selling the winery in 2004 after a series of celebrated vintages. Since 2012, winemaker Theresa Heredia — a UC Davis PhD candidate in Chemistry who trained at Joseph Phelps, Freestone Vineyards, and Domaine de Montille in Burgundy — has carried that legacy forward, seeking out vineyards that evoke a genuine sense of place.

The Russian River Selection is blended from some of the appellation's top sites, including Rochioli, Bacigalupi, and Hallberg. The blend takes advantage of varied climates and unique site characteristics across multiple subdivisions, capturing the richness, purity, and elegance that are Gary Farrell's trademarks. The winery tends to harvest earlier than most Russian River producers, resulting in a distinctive, supremely fresh style that contributes to the wines' ageability.

2023 was a late-harvest year that started with bountiful winter rains, a cool wet spring, and a drawn-out flowering. June and July warmed up, followed by August rains and perfect harvest weather. Vintners who waited into late October made stunning wines — the best have gorgeous aromas with underlying succulence for freshness and delineation. The wine was fermented with a small percent of whole clusters and matured nine months in 35% new French oak.

Aromas of cherry compote, black tea, rose petal, cedar, and star anise. Flavors of black raspberry, blackberry, wild strawberry, sweet pipe tobacco, wet tea leaves, and a hint of coriander on the finish. Snappy acidity and firm, beautifully velvety tannins. Persistent finish. The kind of Russian River Pinot that rewards an extra year or two in bottle.