Two Russian River Pinots

[wondersofwine]

Brought a bottle of the 2003 Frei Brothers Reserve Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Northern Sonoma home from the grocery store to compare to the 2001 Gary Farrell Sonoma County Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley that I ordered at the Gary Farrell dinner in Raleigh.
First the 2001 Gary Farrell wine. At the dinner we had the 2002 Gary Farrell and I believe the aroma was more enticing in that vintage than with the 2001. 13.8% alcohol Paid $24 ordering the night of the dinner and picking up a couple weeks later. Light to medium crimson color. Heady aroma of dark fruit with a floral element. More inviting after 30-40 minutes aeration, smoothes out some. Becomes somewhat silky--like a Volnay?

2003 Frei Brothers Reserve Pinot Noir
14.3% alcohol
Darker crimson color than the Gary Farrell wine. May be the terroir speaking--sense similarities between the two wines. Plum notes; very fruity. Viscous, forming legs on the glass. Tastes smoother than the Gary Farrell wine did before aeration. Medium to long finish. Very good wine worth its price at the grocery store (low $20's).
Liked both. Think maybe the 2002 Gary Farrell was a couple notches above the 2001.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 06-13-2005).]