Failla Occidental Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 Red Wine

Failla Occidental Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 

Sonoma Coast, CA

97 pts. Jeb Dunnuck:

"A more brooding and dark profile emerges in the 2021 Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge, revealing notes of black cherry, resinous pine sap, and freshly toasted sage. Full-bodied, with ripe tannins, blackberry, violets, and crushed gravelly earth. It has more warmth and a grounding nature, but it’s not weighted down. It displays superb balance between power and finesse and will benefit from another year or so in the cellar. Drink it over the next 15 or more years."

96 pts. Vinous:

"The 2021 Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Vineyard is classy and elegant. Silky tannins and sweet, floral top notes convey palpable finesse. Medium in body and yet packed with flavor, the Occidental Ridge is once again one of the best and most complete wines in the range. Dark red-toned fruit, blood orange, cinnamon and cedar are some of the many notes that emerge in the glass. Clean mineral notes wrap it all up in style."

Amongst all the great 2021 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs (and there are plenty!), this Failla really stood out from the crowd for us. Delicious, deep flavors complimented by a gorgeous bouquet, it really hits our sweet spot! This wine is a WINNER! Any Pinot Noir fan would love this wine. – Wine Factor

FROM THE WINERY

EHREN JORDAN is a true vigneron with decades of combined experience in cellars and vineyards from the Rhône Valley to Paso Robles, Sonoma County to the Willamette Valley. Obsessive hands-on farming practices and minimalist hands-off winemaking allow site, variety, and vintage to be the true navigator of each expression.

OCCIDENTAL RIDGE VINEYARD, established in 1999 and farmed by Richard Radcliffe, lies just outside the town of Occidental at about 800 feet above sea level. Three separate blocks make up this vineyard, each planted to a different Dijon clone of Pinot Noir.

THE 2021 VINTAGE was mercifully uneventful- a welcome change! A warm but moderate growing season led to cool, even temps during harvest, allowing us great tannin ripeness at low alcohol. A lighter crop provided bright acid and vibrant perfume, giving us what we feel is a classic vintage.

TASTING NOTES Seville orange, marionberry jam, and pink peppercorn on a dense core of acidity and plush tannin.

HARVEST DATE September 3rd

CLONE 115, 667, 777

 FERMENTATION 50% whole cluster, all native

pH 3.58

TA 5.9

ALC 14.1%

AGING 11 months on lees, 20% new French oak

BOTTLING DATE August 2022

PRODUCTION 598 cases