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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.3 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 61 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by PIntag on 1/9/2024 & rated 93 points: Really excellent Cali Pinot in a great spot right now. Went superbly with my wife's delicious Goulash soup. (202 views) | | | Tasted by PIntag on 11/23/2023 & rated 92 points: Opened this for Thanksgiving dinner along with a bottle of 2019 Elizabeth Chambers Morphos Pinot (McMinnville, OR appelation). This was showing really well, with clear Cali Pinot character, but not over-the-top at all, with silky mouthfeel and a lovely flavor profile. Everyone enjoyed it, with half preferring this and the other half preferring the Oregon bottle. (193 views) | | | Tasted by 32lakeviewwine on 7/7/2022 & rated 90 points: Lots of acid remaining, not sure about the depth (692 views) | | | Tasted by Francophile1 on 4/21/2022 & rated 92 points: Drinking great now. Easy drinking and doesn’t require much thought or examination. (767 views) | | | Tasted by stormygirl on 9/6/2021 & rated 90 points: not overly complex but lovely and balanced. wonderful nose, shorter finish than I had hoped for. drink up! (930 views) | | | Tasted by Francophile1 on 6/17/2021 & rated 92 points: It has been since 2018 since opening a bottle. It has continued to evolve and is now the best I’ve tasted it. Still very primary and new world, but it does have more depth than the last time I had it when it was a strawberry jam fruit bomb. (989 views) | | | Tasted by Richard P Howden on 4/21/2021 & rated 89 points: Short decant, showing pretty earthy red fruited nose with just a hint of cherry cola. Same on the palate, mid- length. Generous slightly silky palate, not much structure at this time so probably not with a long life in front of it. A fine Pinot, not cut from the sweeter more candied cloth of the RRV, but lacking complexity. I wonder if it will evolve much tonight. (1027 views) | | | Tasted by Drewball on 2/19/2021 & rated 93 points: Evolved beautifully in the glass. Mouth watering acidity and lovely red fruit. (636 views) | | | Tasted by shorty01 on 2/19/2021 & rated 92 points: Showed promise upon pnp, but somewhat shy. Over the course of the evening it started to reveal a very appealing floral, red fruited fusion.
My gut says this is currently the best it will be, but should hold at this stage for about another year. Fun stuff. (735 views) | | | Tasted by railgunner on 10/30/2020 & rated 94 points: Supple, delicious, dark fruits. (580 views) | | | Tasted by brasstab on 6/11/2020 & rated 94 points: Winner. (767 views) | | | Tasted by Weiner on 4/26/2020 & rated 92 points: Good medium. Body Pinot (797 views) | | | Tasted by Dalex on 4/13/2020 & rated 89 points: This was just bizarre
Opened yesterday at lunch. It was reticent, reclusive with the fruit ticked away and showing little. Almost like a burgundy in an odd spot. I’d give it an 87 at that moment b
Oddly at dinner it was singing. Bright soaring delicate fruit. Wow so refined. I’d give it a 93 and that time. Should have drank the whole bottle
The next day at lunch, the soaring fruit did that, floated away to leave not much behind. Back to an 88. So I’ll score it (87+93+88)/3=89. Not great. (709 views) | | | Tasted by jviz on 12/10/2019 & rated 91 points: I think Ehran has kind of a house style. It’s masculine, savory, and restrained but you just can’t hide that sun-kissed Russian River fruit. Very good bottle (1097 views) | | | Tasted by Ianttuck on 10/24/2019 & rated 92 points: Drinking beautifully. Paired well with pork belly. (784 views) | | | Tasted by Weiner on 6/16/2019 & rated 91 points: Medium body, stood up to chicken parm. Nice wine. (1000 views) | | | Tasted by johnvey on 2/22/2019 & rated 92 points: Bright Ruby color; long fast legs; strong strawberry note right up front, hints of dried rose, finished with a sweet cinnamon taste; it's on the sweeter side so would be prudent to pair with food (1112 views) | | | Tasted by Giacomo on 1/21/2019: 3.75/5
First impression? - quality, well made wine, beautiful nose, delicious flavor, it richness says “California Pinot”.
Feel fortunate to have been able to experience it.
Buy again at a reasonable price. All in all a good value at the winery price. (1129 views) | | | Tasted by ONEFIVE on 10/24/2018: Intense ruby red in the glass.
Aromas of cranberry, strawberry, cherry, iron, and spice.
Well rounded on the palate. Light tannin, moderate acidity and decent length. All in all, a fantastic wine. The fruit is there but the freshness of this wine is what is most alluring. Delicious! Likely has another few years at this stage before evolving beautifully. (1369 views) | | | Tasted by tak4 on 8/11/2018 & rated 88 points: 30 minutes in the decanter before tasting.
Carnelian, only moderate concentration. Clear, bright.
Black pepper, red berries, touch of licorice.
Nice balance on palate. Moderate tannin. Good acidity. Well concentrated. Maybe a touch of heat.
Overall - I like this but it doesn’t really have the delicacy or grace that characterizes my favorite pinot noirs. Kind of blocky and rough. Don’t think I’ll be buying a case of this. (1250 views) | | | Tasted by Francophile1 on 8/4/2018 & rated 93 points: Still very primary and young, but dang, this is rich and sexy juice. There is so much strawberry jam stuffed into this bottle, it may need to be renamed "Strawberry Hill" not to be confused with Boones Farm, however. I look forward to drinking my other bottles after a few more years in the cellar. (1280 views) | | | Tasted by WineGuyFL on 6/21/2018 & rated 93 points: This is the first bottle I have ever had by this winery. The Keefer Ranch sourcing of the grapes and some ratings in WS caught my eye. I was not disappointed. I like the deep/dark PNs that usually come from Keefer Ranch fruit. This one is drinking well right now. (1176 views) | | | Tasted by Derek Darth Taster on 5/24/2018 & rated 92 points: Failla Cave Tour and Tasting.
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, ruby colour, legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of savoury earth, salty minerality, red cherries, raspberries, light red plum. Developing.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol (13.8%), fine medium- tannins, medium body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of red cherries, ripe raspberries, light red plum, salty minerality, fresh damp loamy earth. Long finish.
Very good quality. Ethereal and cerebral feel. Can only get better with another 3-4 years of age. (1403 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 5/2/2018: Loads and loads and loads of ripe raspberry on the nose. With some traction on the palate as well. With some tension. That is good Pinot. (1289 views) | | | Tasted by VinoViking on 3/25/2018 & rated 94 points: Bright ruby colors with nice body for a PN. Great floral nose, with cherry and berry flavors. Long legs and smooth finish. Nicely complex. Certainly drinking well now - lived up to my high expectations for this wine. (1179 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Napa and Sonoma: The 2017 Summer Update (Aug 2017) (8/1/2017)
(Failla Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Sonoma Red) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Failla Producer websitePinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.Keefer Ranch Details on weinlagen-infoUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Sonoma CountyMendocino CountyRussian River Valley Russian River Valley Winegrowers Association | Wikipedia |
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