2011 Failla Pinot Noir Whistler Vineyard

The 2011 Pinot Noir Whistler Vineyard, from a site at the very northern edge of Sonoma County, is all about nuance and delineation. Finely cut, chiseled flavors emerge from this mid-weight Pinot. Clean veins of bracing acidity give the 2011 its sense of energy and thrust, while floral notes reappear on the finish, adding further lift.

The 2011 Pinot Noir Whistler Vineyard, from a site at the very northern edge of Sonoma County, is all about nuance and delineation. Finely cut, chiseled flavors emerge from this mid-weight Pinot. Clean veins of bracing acidity give the 2011 its sense of energy and thrust, while floral notes reappear on the finish, adding further lift. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2023. Ehren Jordan is one of those people who are maddeningly talented at many things. Jordan recently left his post at Turley, where he spent nearly 20 years making a dizzying array of superb Zinfandels. At Failla, which Jordan owns with his wife Anne-Marie, the focus is on cool-climate Chardonnays and Pinots, rendered in a range that approximates Turley when it comes to the number of different bottlings. Did I mention Jordan is versed in the classics and is also a licensed pilot? Jordan wants to spend more time at Failla, and I believe it, given the breadth of this range. Frankly, I can’t imagine how Ehren took care of similarly large portfolios at both Turley and Failla while maintaining a sense of sanity. It will be interesting to see how things develop at Failla. The wines are already stellar, as I hope these notes amply demonstrate. Simply put, Failla is a reference point winery for the Sonoma Coast. This is as good as it gets. Tel. (707) 963-0530