Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Just off the truck and ready for around a ten year or so hibernation. Still waiting on the 15 Farella via @Shay A. Thank you! 9.7 on the “Moonracer.” Beautiful fruit, texture and body. 9.6 on “The Bard.” The Bard a little bigger wine with more structure & beefier tannins than the Moonracer. Average score 9.65 rounded down for now. Tasted at the property just over a month ago. — 8 years ago

Jeffrey Lew

9.4

Actually liked better than the 12 Farella. This has some legs for the long haul. — 9 years ago

Eric

9.5

100% SB from Farella. Tight nose of wildflowers and melon. Lemon on the palate with a wisp of cream air at the end. Extremely bright acid. Gives those little muscles under your tongue a workout. One of the longest finishes I've seen in a white wine. Update- with a little air and food the citrus mellows and some malt shows up. Awesome stuff. — 9 years ago

Ricky Calonita

9.3

1994 vintage. Excellent complex earthy Cabernet. Needs some time in the decanter to appreciate the complexity. — 11 years ago

Steven Foster

Wine buyer Belmont Wine Exchange

9.0

The 2002 Farrella Alta blend has aged effortlessly. Half merlot and Cabernet I believe. Would not believe the age unless I saw the bottle. — 11 years ago

Gilles de Chambure

Master Sommelier & Educator

9.7

by the glass at Coles chop house napa — 12 years ago

Shay A

9.4

During the month of January, the Wednesday Wine Committee has a unique format...the sparkler, whites and dessert wines can be from any vintage and any location, but the reds must be from the 2007 vintage. It was my first time providing a wine for a lunch, so I was excited to see how it showed. As always, all wines were served blind.

This was a treat for me to be able to serve. Tom Farella only produces this Alta bottle in special years. The ‘07 was his last one before he brought it back in ‘14. Cabernet dominated blend complimented by a bit of merlot from the famed Farella vineyard. Supremely balanced. Raspberries, plums and blackberries on the nose and palate, but the finish was plush. This is about at its peak and will stay here for another 3 or so years. Oak was almost fully integrated. Very happy to have two of these still sleeping. This was the group’s consensus “wine of the day”. — 8 years ago

Dan Coombs

9.4

Underrated Really good. Just the right character for a Merlot — 9 years ago

Florencia Palmaz

Owner Palmaz Winery

9.0

This is actually the Pinot from coombsville- lovely! — 10 years ago

Henrik Poulsen

8.9

About 200 cases made (by Tom Farella).
For the price point (about $30 I believe) it is a solid wine and difficult to argue but my enthusiasm is moderate.
Will need to taste some other vintages to compare. — 10 years ago

with Kurt-Inge

Steven Foster

Wine buyer Belmont Wine Exchange

9.1

Carmella vineyards as used by many including realm cellars, has an amazing body and finesse to it from coombsville. Very surprised I have not tried this Ava much. — 11 years ago

Nate Rose

Wine Director Specs

10

That shot glows... — 13 years ago

Alex Leonardini

9.5

This isn't a syrah that looks or tastes like it's 14 years old; in fact, it likely still has another 8-10 years in it. It's age is just starting to show those tertiary flavors of leather and carmelized brown sugar while the herbal and fruit characteristics remain. Really a lovely wine. — 8 years ago

David L

9.2

15’ Farella La Luce Sauvignon Blanc. Stone fruits. Lemon peel. Healthy dose of acidity. They sell most of the there grapes to Realm & Lail. Food pairing SB Edit- Tasting much better then upon release date! The acid has calm down quite a bit after about 30 minutes in the glass. Very enjoyable. These high acid wines...don’t drink them so cold ,cellar temperature is just fine! — 8 years ago

GEORGE SKIPPER

9.2

Delicious. Very robust 4 a stray. — 10 years ago

with Cheryl

Tiffany Yam

8.9

At home with McQ before his trip home to Syracuse. McQ thinks it's a bit acidic but not too much. Just first thing he noticed. Subtle fruit flavor. McQ says pear — 10 years ago

Punky Mahle

9.3

Excellent 2010 vintage — 11 years ago

Bernard Rethore

Owner, Fion Wines

9.1

Number 3 tonight of 3. Started with the 2004 Alter Ego from Palmer, followed by the 2012 Realm Farella, and now this wine. The Palmer was good, the Hartwell better, but the Realm was best. This Hartwell at 10 years old has a tremendous amount of life in it. Enjoyed with a brownie made by Liam and supervised by MC. How can cab and brownies be bad. Hey Becca thanks for the shoutout on Delectable, and follow me push. I assume I'm your first wine friend too. — 11 years ago

with Susan