Winemaker Theresa Heredia had been fascinated with Burgundy since her early doctorate training in chemistry. She worked at Saintsbury in Carneros, Domaine de Montille in Volnay, France and the Joseph Phelps Freestone Winery project before coming onboard at Gary Farrell in 2011. She retains a respect for the traditions of winemaking in Burgundy and professes to pick at the proper ripeness, without over-ripeness, being careful to retain the vibrant acidity from the fog driven Russian River Valley AVA. Theresa Heredia is devoutly serious and focused on her mission.

This densely ruby and complex Pinot Noir takes a few minutes to understand. After swirling it in the glass it releases a bouquet of crushed blackberries with savory herbs, loam, and dusty earth. It is laced with crushed stones and finely ground minerality that is backed up with refreshing acidity. It has superb tension and polished tannins which last through the finish.

By W Peter Hoyne