Gary Farrell Winery

TRL/Staff/Wine: 9/7/7

It's still a beautiful setting and they've expanded their business model to include reserved tastings/lunches on the veranda or by the fireplace. Their staff is wine literate, but nothing special. I still, after all of these years, find their wines to be substandard and over-priced.

2008 Chardonnay Westside Farms/Russian River Valley  $38/$/$36

Slightly grassy nose, but definitely a crisp, lemony palate. Lime, vanilla with a nice acidity.

2008 Chardonnay Starr Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley $40/$/$36

Orange citrus peel smell. The body has a nice medium-full mouthfeel with a lemony flaver.

2008 Pinot Noir Starr Ridge Russian River Valley $50/$/-

Nose is really muted. If there’s anything, it’s mild red fruit on the nose.  The acidity on the palate is far too strong; it obliterates everything!

{Lisa: Nose smells like a Grenache instead of a pinot.  It’s a true strawberry with a little bit of spiciness to it. NO strawberry on the palate.  Some sharper spices which do not balance well.}

2008 Pinot Noir Hallberg Vineyard Dijon Clones Russian River Valley $60/$/$42

Bright red fruit on the nose, with aromas of dried fruit, red cherry, and (if you chase it out of the glass) hints of rhubarb. Smooth as a glass table… the finish appears out of nowhere, flashing some odd earthy spices.

2008 Pinot Noir Ramal Vineyard Carneros $55/$/$40

Black cherries and strawberry aromas. Medium-to-light bodied.  Dried red cherries and plums are hiding in the flavors. If you want a good Carneros wine, this is fair, otherwise find Carneros on the map and drive there. The finish leaves some kind of film on your palate.