2019 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir, Martaella Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Notes
Lush and inviting, the 2019 Martaella offering abounds in captivating aromas of blueberry pie, cherry cola, and cassis. Hints of wild violets, Darjeeling tea, and allspice invite further exploration. Intensely concentrated upon entry, rustic tannins coat the mid-palate but are quickly resolved by the amazing depth of flavor and power that this wine delivers year after year.
Vineyard
Martaella Vineyard is located in the heart of the Russian River Valley in an area known as Laguna de Santa Rosa. The 58-acre property was initially planted in 2005 before being expanded in 2008 and currently has 42 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The climate in this beautiful neighborhood of the Russian River Valley is heavily influenced by the intrusion of fog from the Pacific Ocean, which cools the region down by as much as 40 degrees. The vineyard was planted with a very high vine density, similar to the way vines are planted in Burgundy, France. High-density planting yields smaller berries, smaller clusters, and better overall concentration and balance. The vineyard is host to nine different Pinot Noir clones and heirloom selections, providing an exceptional opportunity for vineyard diversity. This blend is made up of three heirloom selections, including Calera, Mt. Eden, and Swan.
Vintage
After record-breaking rainfall in late February, causing major flooding in the areas surrounding the Russian River, a relatively cool spring followed, delaying bud break into mid to late March. The delayed onset and cool temperatures would predict the beginning of harvest at a more typical date, compared to a few past vintages. The month of May brought more heavy rains. Thankfully, the cold temperatures and delayed start of bud break meant that bloom was later as well, and only a few vineyards had started to produce flowers, so damage to the crop was minimal. Summer temperatures were perfect and mild. By June, growers began to see that a big crop was forming. Come July, veraison was underway and growers had to drop lots of unevenly ripening clusters on several occasions. Despite the quantity of clusters per vine, flavor, concentration, and tannin levels were quite excellent. Canopy management was extremely important in that fruit thinning was necessary at multiple stages of vine development.
Winemaking
Grapes were harvested in the morning hours and then brought to the winery. After hand sorting, some of the grapes were de-stemmed, then transferred to open-top tanks while a small percentage of the fruit was added later as whole clusters. The juice was chilled to 45°F and allowed to cold soak for 4-7 days before fermentation. During fermentation, the cap was gently punched down 2-3 times per day. After fermentation, the new wine and its solids sat in tank for 7-10 days of extended maceration, a period during which the tannins soften and the primary fermentation esters develop complexity. The wine was then gently pressed off the skins and seeds, inoculated for malolactic fermentation, and racked into 40% new French oak barrels (light and medium toast François Frères, Ana Selection, Remond, and Tonnellerie O) for 15 months of barrel aging on primary lees.
Specs
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Vineyard: Martaella Vineyard
Fermentation & Aging: 15 months in 40% new French oak puncheons
Alcohol: 13.7%
pH: 3.30
T.A.: 6.80 gm/L
Production: 601 Cases
Bottling Date: January 25, 2021
Release Date: September 2022
What’s Included
2-bottles:
2x 2019 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir, Martaella Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Case:
12x 2019 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir, Martaella Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, Gary Farrell Winery crafts Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays of distinction.
We believe that great wine begins in the vineyard. That’s why we partner with some of the most iconic and esteemed growers in the area, sourcing grapes from premier vineyards to create wines of unparalleled quality and complexity.
Our dedication to excellence extends beyond the bottle. We believe that the true essence of wine lies in the stories it tells and the experiences it creates. We invite you to join us on a journey through our single vineyard and appellation wines; where every sip is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty and flavor of the Russian River Valley.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2019 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir - $100 = 23.80%
@deadlyapp I get they want to move cases of wine, but I don’t understand offering either 2 or 12. Not everyone has someone to split with and, half a case or even 4 bottles at a modest markup (15-17%) would be well received and probably result in selling out faster.
@mattig88 AFAIK casemates doesn’t set the pricing or packaging, the winery does. They may offer suggestions but the idea is entice people to buy cases and split them to save on logistics
@deadlyapp I understand it’s the winery or middleman that sets the offers. That’s the they I was referring to. I guess if they sell out, they won’t be interested in feedback, but having some experience with these things, I think they’d sell more quickly, if not more overall, if they offered half cases with a reasonable markup, and in doing so, would reach more potential future customers.
@deadlyapp@mattig88 there’s always somebody who’d prefer a different number of bottles in the smaller offer. As for pricing you need to remember that shipping a 2-pack costs about 2/3 of what it costs to ship a case. That money has to get in the door somehow.
@deadlyapp@HOUSTONHOARDER I may be in Houston during the holidays and can bring some with me if you don’t find a local to split it with you. I’m in SA, TX and just ordered a case
That WE review:
94 points. Juicy cherries and raspberries enliven this brilliant, fresh and no-nonsense wine as it focuses tightly on the fruit characters. A lively texture and medium to full body support the clarity of the flavors. The wine integrated so well with the 40% new oak barrels in which it was aged that no overt oak influence emerges. — Jim Gordon 12/31/22
Spectator:
91 points. Sleek and tightly framed, with a savory edge to the mix of damson plum and bitter cherry notes, this has a fresh, piercing feel from start to the finish, where a light chalky minerality lingers. Drink now through 2028. 601 cases made. James Molesworth 12/31/22
A couple of puff pieces (don’t mean that in a bad way) on Winemaker Theresa Heredia here and here
I’d be happy to split this with anyone in the East Bay or SFO area. Martaella Vineyard fruit is also sourced by Williams Selyem and produced in a single vineyard offering that is outstanding. The chance to source this fruit at Casemates pricing is too enticing to pass up!
Perhaps the pedigree speaks for itself? But for those who are unaware, winery participation (and lab rats) could certainly go a long way to help boost sales for this offer.
@kawichris650@klezman@rjquillin@Winedavid59
I loved the 2009 Gary Farrell Pinot we drank last month but it was from Carneros, not RRV. Agree that rats would have been helpful. I don’t doubt that it’s some good juice but I have lots of RRV Pinots in the cellar.
@chipgreen@kawichris650@klezman@rjquillin@Winedavid59 I almost picked up a couple bottles of a 2018 Gary Farrell RRV PN for Thanksgiving but found a good deal on some Iron Horse and Emeritus. I haven’t had this year or this particular vineyard, but generally they make good Pinot. Rats would have been nice but I was in either way, the case price is a really good deal!
@netcommsyn I was looking for a two way split, so this would be perfect. The wine has been ordered and I will contact you when it is delivered. Enjoy the holiday season.
Building a wine collection and while I’m tempted, I’m not tempted enough. I’d want 3-6 bottles and a slightly better price point to pull the trigger. I have a lot of wine already. Maybe a rat would make the duo a little more appealing.
@user33071884
FWIW, if I had it to do over I would have bought fewer but better wines to build my own collection. This would fit into that category.
Also, it’s over 50% off retail, even for the 2-pack and you can order two 2-packs. Just sayin’, even though I also made my own excuse not to pull the trigger, haha.
My cellar is full, but this wine is very intriguing. I love a good pinot, but some RRV is a little high in abv and a little lacking in structure. I have had GF wines before, and they are quality wines, although I have not had this wine. Looking at reviews, this wine seems like high quality, and this vineyard seems like very high quality. In for a case!
2019 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir, Martaella Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Notes
Vineyard
Vintage
Winemaking
Specs
What’s Included
2-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $900/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Dec 23 - Thursday, Dec 26
2019 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir
2 bottles for $69.99 $35/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $319.99 $26.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Let me know when you have a Perry Farrell wine.
@Rstoker Pinot for Pyros perhaps?
Wow!
Please let there be rats.
@karenhynes
If only you had been selected as a rat for this.
@kawichris650
Yeah…a girl can dream…
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2019 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir - $100 = 23.80%
Case vs 2 bottle price is steep. No need for 12 bottles but if anyone in Houston wants to split 3-4 ways I would be in
@deadlyapp I get they want to move cases of wine, but I don’t understand offering either 2 or 12. Not everyone has someone to split with and, half a case or even 4 bottles at a modest markup (15-17%) would be well received and probably result in selling out faster.
@mattig88 AFAIK casemates doesn’t set the pricing or packaging, the winery does. They may offer suggestions but the idea is entice people to buy cases and split them to save on logistics
@deadlyapp I understand it’s the winery or middleman that sets the offers. That’s the they I was referring to. I guess if they sell out, they won’t be interested in feedback, but having some experience with these things, I think they’d sell more quickly, if not more overall, if they offered half cases with a reasonable markup, and in doing so, would reach more potential future customers.
@deadlyapp @mattig88 there’s always somebody who’d prefer a different number of bottles in the smaller offer. As for pricing you need to remember that shipping a 2-pack costs about 2/3 of what it costs to ship a case. That money has to get in the door somehow.
@deadlyapp @klezman @mattig88
Maybe within CA? From CA to OH is around $40 to $45 for a case, and approximately $12 for a 2-pack, via Ground shipping.
@deadlyapp Down to split a case in Houston as long as we can meet somewhere inside the loop. I live on Washington for reference.
@deadlyapp @HOUSTONHOARDER I may be in Houston during the holidays and can bring some with me if you don’t find a local to split it with you. I’m in SA, TX and just ordered a case
That WE review:
94 points. Juicy cherries and raspberries enliven this brilliant, fresh and no-nonsense wine as it focuses tightly on the fruit characters. A lively texture and medium to full body support the clarity of the flavors. The wine integrated so well with the 40% new oak barrels in which it was aged that no overt oak influence emerges. — Jim Gordon 12/31/22
Spectator:
91 points. Sleek and tightly framed, with a savory edge to the mix of damson plum and bitter cherry notes, this has a fresh, piercing feel from start to the finish, where a light chalky minerality lingers. Drink now through 2028. 601 cases made. James Molesworth 12/31/22
A couple of puff pieces (don’t mean that in a bad way) on Winemaker Theresa Heredia here and here
fwiw
I’d be happy to split this with anyone in the East Bay or SFO area. Martaella Vineyard fruit is also sourced by Williams Selyem and produced in a single vineyard offering that is outstanding. The chance to source this fruit at Casemates pricing is too enticing to pass up!
@coolac5 I’m in. Happy to go for 3/4/6 SFO works for me.
@sdfreedive with @letsdrinkplease we have 4/4/4. The question is who is a member and gets free shipping?
Great pedigree but hoping on some rats?
@losthighwayz I volunteer to rat if only a bottle magically shows up today!
Perhaps the pedigree speaks for itself? But for those who are unaware, winery participation (and lab rats) could certainly go a long way to help boost sales for this offer.
@kawichris650 I don’t know enough about the style or vineyard to know if it’s my jam. Or hopefully not jammy…
Although with a CT average value of $64…
@kawichris650 @klezman @winedavid59
Rats would have been good on this one.
Plenty of candidates that are good with a bottle of PN.
@kawichris650 @klezman @rjquillin @Winedavid59
I loved the 2009 Gary Farrell Pinot we drank last month but it was from Carneros, not RRV. Agree that rats would have been helpful. I don’t doubt that it’s some good juice but I have lots of RRV Pinots in the cellar.
@chipgreen @kawichris650 @klezman @rjquillin @Winedavid59 I almost picked up a couple bottles of a 2018 Gary Farrell RRV PN for Thanksgiving but found a good deal on some Iron Horse and Emeritus. I haven’t had this year or this particular vineyard, but generally they make good Pinot. Rats would have been nice but I was in either way, the case price is a really good deal!
@chipgreen @kawichris650 @klezman @knlprez @rjquillin @Winedavid59
Yea sorry about the rats. Logistical matter…
Killer deal, I agree.
@chipgreen @kawichris650 @klezman @knlprez @Winedavid49 @Winedavid59
What, no neilfindswines or ol’chumbucket eljefetwisted you can lean on locally?
In for a case. Willing to split with someone in Denver/COS area.
excellent-toasted-fire
@mikefinn @knlprez if y’all would do a 3 way split ill be in denver area end of Jan and could pick up my lot!
@deadlyapp @knlprez Sounds good to me. Will update you when wine is delivered.
@deadlyapp @mikefinn
I’m down. @CObrent you interested?
@deadlyapp @knlprez @mikefinn Heyo - only if you really need someone to make it work (doesn’t look like it!). Thanks for reaching out, regardless! Brent
@CObrent @deadlyapp @mikefinn No worries! If there’s extra I’ll let you know but it doesn’t sound like there will be.
SoCal splitz?
@rjquillin maybe? It’s a fairly compelling deal…
@klezman already fully allocated;
I only got three…
@rjquillin No worries. I need more wine like a hole in the head.
@klezman Id split 6 each
@buffaloroam Too many…max 3 for me.
@buffaloroam @klezman
I could help out with 3 as well.
@buffaloroam @rjquillin Just let me know what, if anything, is coming my way up to 3.
@buffaloroam @klezman
Who is ordering, I get FS.
@klezman @rjquillin i bought a case. Want to keep at least 6.
@buffaloroam @klezman
either 2 or 3 to klez for me work?
@buffaloroam @rjquillin I can take 2 or 3, just let me know.
Not willing to buy a case, but if any SE MI folks are in, I’m good for 2 or 3.
@jrbw3 you can buy a few w/o splitting a case.
@MitchBenson Thanks. Not interested at that price point. Not really a Pinot guy, but nice to have good juice.
I’d take 2 or 3 in Manhattan if there’s interest in splitting
Cambridge/Boston split ?
@iraj I Am interested in a 2 or 3 -way split. Near Cambridge.
@iraj i’m on the North Shore but I can do a three-way split if you want a third
@iraj I would also be game for a 3 way split. Live in S NH but I’m in MA often.
@netcommsyn I was looking for a two way split, so this would be perfect. The wine has been ordered and I will contact you when it is delivered. Enjoy the holiday season.
@mattig88 I live in Portsmouth. Are you close? I’m a member if you want to split?
@Nel250 I’m in Derry. Happy to meet up along 101…
@mattig88 case ordered. Will ping ya when it comes in.
I have too much wine. That said…. NJ split, anyone? I’m counting on the lack of NJ participation to save me from myself.
Yum, RRV and I’ve had this producer in the past - quality stuff. If I were going to be home during the delivery window, I’d probably be in for a case.
Anyone in Seattle want to split or 3way split?
I am waiting for rats or for winery participation. This is what makes this site unique among the masses.
I’m intrigued. Any folks in the ATL want to take the plunge?
you’re gonna need more than 3. In for a case
Building a wine collection and while I’m tempted, I’m not tempted enough. I’d want 3-6 bottles and a slightly better price point to pull the trigger. I have a lot of wine already. Maybe a rat would make the duo a little more appealing.
@user33071884
FWIW, if I had it to do over I would have bought fewer but better wines to build my own collection. This would fit into that category.
Also, it’s over 50% off retail, even for the 2-pack and you can order two 2-packs. Just sayin’, even though I also made my own excuse not to pull the trigger, haha.
@chipgreen this (better quality bottles) is true and sold me on a case!
@chipgreen Nice to know you’re still alive and kickin’!
@chipgreen Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. I’ll mull it over and consider grabbing the 2x.
My cellar is full, but this wine is very intriguing. I love a good pinot, but some RRV is a little high in abv and a little lacking in structure. I have had GF wines before, and they are quality wines, although I have not had this wine. Looking at reviews, this wine seems like high quality, and this vineyard seems like very high quality. In for a case!
Late to the discussion, but any Chicago mates in for a split?
/giphy goodhearted-glowing-menorah
