2011 Failla Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard is just as impressive as it was last year. Still deep, dense and powerful, the 2011 possesses fabulous intensity from start to finish. Orange peel, pomegranate, black cherries, cloves and floral notes all blossom in the glass in a striking, nuanced Pinot loaded with personality.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2011 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard is one of the mot implosive, powerful wines in the Failla range. A huge, structured wine, the 2011 struggles to emerge from the incisive tannins. Today, the 2011 is quite broad and intense on the palate. Tar, asphalt, licorice and spices add complexity on the imposing, full-bodied finish. Readers will need to be patient with the 2011, but those who can wait are in for a real treat.
Medium red. Lovely rose petal perfume lifts the aromas and flavors of raspberry, cherry and spices. Nicely balanced, bright and light on its feet, with enticing fruit for early drinking. The very fresh, spicy, slowly building finish gives a peppery suggestion of whole-cluster fermentation. An excellent entry-level pinot.
The 2011 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard is one of the most implosive, powerful wines in the Failla range. A huge, structured wine, the 2011 struggles to emerge from the incisive tannins. Today, the 2011 is quite broad and intense on the palate. Tar, asphalt, licorice and spices add complexity on the imposing, full-bodied finish. Readers will need to be patient with the 2011, but those who can wait are in for a real treat. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. Ehren Jordan is one of those people who are maddeningly talented at many things. Jordan recently left his post at Turley, where he spent nearly 20 years making a dizzying array of superb Zinfandels. At Failla, which Jordan owns with his wife Anne-Marie, the focus is on cool-climate Chardonnays and Pinots, rendered in a range that approximates Turley when it comes to the number of different bottlings. Did I mention Jordan is versed in the classics and is also a licensed pilot? Jordan wants to spend more time at Failla, and I believe it, given the breadth of this range. Frankly, I can’t imagine how Ehren took care of similarly large portfolios at both Turley and Failla while maintaining a sense of sanity. It will be interesting to see how things develop at Failla. The wines are already stellar, as I hope these notes amply demonstrate. Simply put, Failla is a reference point winery for the Sonoma Coast. This is as good as it gets. Tel. (707) 963-0530