2011 Alysian Pinot Noir, Russian River
Not everybody in California did well with 2011 but those who appreciated the gift of a cool vintage made something special, and Gary Farrell was obviously one of those. This Alysian has an almost Burgundian personality of crisp and elegant which would be almost unexplainable to anyone not a fan of such wines. Needs an hour of airtime to show all its got, but this medium-plus bodied wine is at that perfect (for me) moment when the base layer of primary fruit is painted over by the aromatics of an aging wine. Wonderful now, will probably peak in the next three years.