Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Chardonnay 2013

Professional Ratings

• 93 Wine & Spirits
  In her second vintage at Gary Farrell, Theresa Heredia drew on seven vineyard sites, including pedigreed vineyards like Rochioli and Allen, to compose this vibrant Russian River wine. It’s an intense chardonnay, with a spicy, floral scent that brings chanterelle mushrooms and apple skin to mind. It holds that abundance of flavor in a texture that’s clean and breezy, seemingly weightless. Decant it and explore its nuances over a multicourse dinner.
• 91 Wine Spectator
  Although sporting the tighter lines and firmer balance that have long been the hallmarks for this label, this deeply drawn effort is no wiry lightweight and does not shy away from ripeness. It is moderately full-bodied and nicely filled with a steady, very long-lasting line of well-defined Chardonnay fruit, and, if still on the young and somewhat restrained side, it offers teasing glimpses of complexity to come. It strikes a happy medium between size and structure, and it is guaranteed to grow for a good many years.
• 90 Wine Enthusiast
  There's a reductive element to the nose of this wine, indicating the powerful nature of the vintage but also the wine’s youth. Let it open to unveil an intensity of baked apple and white peach, along with heartier highlights of crème brulee and vanilla toast. With a medium body and length, it has enough acidity to remain vibrant. It's sourced from a who’s who of the region's vineyards.