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Gary Farrell Wines

Gary Farrell’s first release was a 50-case production of Pinot Noir in 1982. Today, this Sonoma Valley producer offers a portfolio predominantly based on Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, with the majority of the grapes harvested from vineyards in the Russian River Valley. With the cool breezes and nighttime fog found in this American Viticultural Area, the grapes tend to yield higher acidity, ultimately creating bright wines with fresh fruit qualities. Gary Farrell’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines consistently score the highest, according to our ratings. For more information on this producer’s wines, visit our Gary Farrell Wine Reviews.

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Gary Farrell 2006 Rochioli - Allen Vineyards Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $41

Stunning and dramatic, reminiscent of a fine Burgundy. Hugely complex flavors of grilled tropical fruits, minerals, peaches and pears, elaborated with waves of smoky, honey-sweet oak and dusty spices. For all the richness, it’s completely dry. A blend made from two of the greatest vineyards in the Russian River Valley. — S.H. (4/1/2009)

Gary Farrell 2007 Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

Price $50

A tremendous, powerful, authoritative Chardonnay, among the elites of California. Just massive in pineapple-infused crème brûlée, pear custard, buttered toast, roasted hazelnut, and cinnamon spice flavors, offset by refreshing acidity and grounded with a floor of firm minerals. Retains elegance and class despite the power. Drink now–2013. Just 299 cases were… — S.H. (12/31/2009)

Gary Farrell 2005 Rochioli-Allen Vineyards Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Price $70

It’s amazing how rich this is, given the pale, translucent ruby color. Waves of cherries, raspberries, roasted hazelnuts, cola, pomegranates, herb tea, dusty Asian spices and smoky oak change constantly in the glass, as the wine breathes and endlessly fascinates. Bone-dry and tartly crisp, the wine will develop bottle complexities over the next eight years. — S.H. (7/1/2008)

Gary Farrell 2004 Rochioli-Allen Vineyards Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Price $65

These vineyards are, of course, very famous, among the oldest and more respected in Russian River. Gary Farrell has long had access to their coveted fruit and 2004 is one of his greatest bottlings ever. It may be due to the warm vintage, but the fruit is spectacular, not in your face at the expense of balance, and rich in cherries, cola and cinnamon-infused rum… — S.H. (4/1/2007)

Gary Farrell 2006 Bradford Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $40

Shows a dramatic interpretation of Dry Creek terroir, with intense wild berry, mocha and spice flavors that are so ripe, they veer into currants and grilled blackberries. Entirely dry, the wine is marked by rich, complex tannins. Superb, a great wine, as good as Zinfandel gets. Drink now through 2012. — S.H. (4/1/2009)

Gary Farrell 2005 Allen Vineyard Hillside Blocks Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $65

Dryness and acidity mark this terrific wine. It’s one for connoisseurs, a Pinot that requires some understanding to fully appreciate, as it’s not a hedonistic seducer. The cherry and blackberry flavors have a fruit-skin bitterness, and there are additional nuances of violets, cola, leather, balsam and smoky oak. This is certainly one for the cellar. Drink now, with… — S.H. (7/1/2008)

Gary Farrell 2005 Westside Farms Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

Price $38

This is a single-vineyard Chard grown on Westside Road, in the heart of the northern valley’s Pinot country. It’s a very elaborated wine, high in acidity, showing tiers of tart green apple, Kaffir lime, pear, smoky oak, and Champagne-like lees and brioche flavors. Just great, and should hold for six years or more. — S.H. (7/1/2008)

Gary Farrell 2004 Starr Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $38

A finely structured Chard. It has the citrusy acidity you get only from the coolest areas, providing a bracing, steely quality to the green apple, quince and oaky flavors. Just feels elegant and opulent all the way, a true California first growth that should pick up additional complexities for four or five years before slowly expiring. Editors’ Choice. — S.H. (4/1/2007)

Prominent Designations [All]

Allen Vineyard Allen Vineyard Hillside Blocks Bien Nacido Vineyard Bien Nacido Vyd. Bradford Mountain Bradford Mountain Vineyard Bradford Mountain Vineyards Calypso Vineyard Carneros Selection Collins Vineyard Cresta Ridge Vineyard Dry Creek Selection Dry Creek Valley Encounter Encounter Pine Mountain Encounter Proprietary Red Wine Hallberg Vineyard Hillside Vineyard Selection Jack Hill Vineyard Keefer Ranch Ladi's Vineyard Maple Vineyard Maple Vineyard - Tina's Block Old Vine Selection Olivet Lane Vineyards Ramal Vineyard Redwood Ranch Rice Vineyard Rochioli - Allen Vineyards Rochioli Vineyard Rochioli-Allen Vineyard Russian River Selection Sonoma County Selection Starr Ridge Starr Ridge Vineyard Starr Ridge Vineyard - Dijon Clones Stiling Vineyard Westside Farms

Most Reviewed Varietals [All]

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Merlot Pinot Noir Red Blend Sauvignon Blanc Shiraz/Syrah Zinfandel

Most Reviewed Regions [All]

Carneros Dry Creek Valley Pine Mountain Russian River Valley Santa Barbara County Santa Maria Valley Sonoma County

2008 Solsticio

A big wine that handles its 15.3% abv. Smells of pastry, earth and soft…

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