Gary Farrell Allen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2002

"Monumental, magnificent. Russian River Pinot hardly gets much better. Huge flavors of blackberries, tart red cherries, coffee, cola, cherry tomato and generous Asian spices, all of it well-oaked, and the acidity is crisp and cleansing. Layered and never stops changing in the glass. This is beautiful now, and should hold and improve through 2008."
-Wine Enthusiast

Our Allen Vineyard Pinot Noirs have been some of our most awarded and highly acclaimed wines of the past decade. However we only produce the Allen Vineyard designates in the most exceptional of vintages. For example, we did not produce an Allen Vineyard Pinot Noir in 1989, 1993, 1996 or 2000. After tasting this wine, I trust you will agree that some things are well worth waiting for!

Many of you may not know that the Allen vineyard is leased and farmed by the Rochioli family, and can therefore technically be labeled "Rochioli Vineyard." In addition the obvious considerations of meticulous farming, location, climate and soil, there may be another factor which contributes to the success of wines produced from the Allen and Rochioli vineyards. These vineyards may be among the oldest vineyards in the Russian River Valley to be planted to the one of the highly desirable "Pommard" clones. Conversely, the vast majority of Pinot Noir vines planted in California during this time were "Martini" clone … a sparkling wine clone not well suited for still red wine production.