2013 Failla Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Sonoma Coast

Community Tasting Notes (20) Avg Score: 90.7 points

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Josch48's profile
  • Report Issue

  11/24/2022 - Josch48 wrote: 84 Points

  The screw was squeaky as it turned into the cork, and there had been frank leakage into the slim, tight capsule. I smelled blue fruit on the cork and my wife detected the odor of “wet dog,” confounding as we only have four cats, all of which made me feel apprehensive.
  The medium density, fairly well extracted cherry cola color extends to a brick orange at the rim of this 9+ year old Pinot Noir.
  I have seldom paid this much, $75.00, for a California Pinot Noir. The vineyard sourcing for this wine is located on the Western Russian River Valley border with the Eastern Sonoma Coast appellation, and after having tried other offerings which I have enjoyed from this producer, who eclectically sources fruit from this part of California, I decided to splurge.
  The initial aroma of reticent red fruit, is accompanied by a quickly dissipating rusty, metallic odor.
  The initial mouthfeel is reminiscent of the feel of the viscosity of the murky lake water in which I swam, when I inadvertently opened my mouth, in my Southern youth. Not tasting of soil and clay, but imparting that disjointed tactile experience of confusing and unidentifiable wine component particulates in suspension.
  The fruit etiology, a sachet of candied dry cherry dust, that takes the flavor form of a dense fog, is unmistakably that of Pinot Noir, but it is as if the wine has almost completely vanished, leaving grape skins and a remembrance of acidity, devoid of tannin presence on the finish.
  Evidently the wine is past due, with a considerable overdue fine attached. I would be very satisfied if I were an oenophiliac, but alas, I feel I have been the victim of, in the words of P. T. Barnum, “a humbug.” Is it not realistic to expect a Pinot Noir of this pedigree to be, in the end, more than a silky, sweet, and supple memory of what (perhaps?) it once was?
  After an hour in a Riedel Pinot Noir glass, the wine coalesced, but is all the same, a pleasant, and non-dimensional archeological relic. After three hours the wine is disappointingly thin and metallic. The score reflects appreciation for the wine maker’s obvious technique, and also for the misplaced price point.
  Live and learn.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Bodyfxr's profile
  • Report Issue

  5/20/2022 - Bodyfxr wrote: 93 Points

  See previous notes.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Bodyfxr's profile
  • Report Issue

  5/6/2022 - Bodyfxr wrote: 93 Points

  Beautiful nose of tart cherry and flowers. The same on the palate. We 'll balanced with supple finish. Easy drinker. Drink up.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View silhouette88's profile
  • Report Issue

  12/13/2021 - silhouette88 Likes this wine: 89 Points

  Aroma: blackberries, cherries, strawberries, dried fruits, menthol and hay.
  Palate: lemon, cherries, initial explosion of red fruits, then it fades out. Soft tannins with a short length finish. This is a one dimensional/not a very complex wine. It’s perfectly fine as a drink alone wine but don’t have a high expectation. Paired nicely with a caramelized onion English cheddar and garlic bread. The wine didn’t get better on day 3. 89

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View tfesmgk's profile
  • Report Issue

  9/21/2020 - tfesmgk Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Good fruit not quite as deep and layered as I’m used to with this vineyard.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

View all 20 Community Tasting Notes

Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.