Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge has black raspberries and red plums on the nose with touches of tilled soil, fungi and tar. The palate is medium-bodied and elegantly styled with gentle fruit matched by a racy acid line and chewy texture, finishing long and earthy. 352 cases produced.

A brilliant effort is the 2012 Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge, which exhibits notes of cola, roasted herbs, jus de viande, and broad, savory, medium-bodied flavors that recall raspberries, black cherries and loamy soils. This dark ruby/plum-colored Pinot possesses abundant concentration, but is soft enough to be drunk now or cellared for another 7-8 years. This is the personal project of Ehren Jordan, who was the long-time apprentice at Turley Cellars. These are all elegant, cool climate, finesse-styled wines that were obviously influenced by European rather than New World models. Jordan owns estate vineyards in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA and purchased fruit from some of the top growers in that region. Tel. (707) 963-0530

One of the more delicate wines in the range, the 2011 Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge is laced with tobacco, crushed flowers and dried herbs. The 2011 comes across as a bit fragile, but it is quite beautiful. I will not be surprised if the 2011 turns out even better than this note suggests once the whole clusters are a little bit better integrated. There is a lot to like here. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. 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

The 2010 Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Vineyard is another of the highlights in this range. Layered and deeply expressive, it shows a distinctly red fruit profile intermingled with white flowers, blood orange and star anise. This seamless, utterly impeccable Pinot should drink well for another decade. Today, it is drop-dead gorgeous. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2024. 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

The richest, densest 2009 Pinot Noir is the Occidental Ridge. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by abundant aromas of black currants, plums, cherries and forest floor. This full-bodied, masculine-styled Pinot reveals more tannin and structure than its siblings. It will benefit from 1-2 years of cellaring and should drink well for a decade or more. This is the well-run wine operation of long-time veteran winemaker, sidekick and assistant winemaker at Turley Cellars in Calistoga, Ehren Jordan, who produces cool climate reds and whites that have benefitted from the cooler than normal year of 2009. These are minimally oaked efforts and, given Jordan’s love of France, readers should not be surprised to find that they possess Francophile-like personalities. However, the rich, pure, ripe fruit of California has not been compromised. Failla’s Pinot Noir program is growing by leaps and bounds and currently eight separate Pinots are offered. Jordan intends to keep the new oak to 33% or less and, if possible, prefers to use 100% whole clusters (meaning 100% stems) and bottle early to preserve the freshness and character of Pinot Noir. These wines were all tasted post-bottling, which may have suppressed their aromatics somewhat, so I suspect my scores are on the conservative side as much of the charm and appeal of Pinot Noir is its endearing aromatics. Readers looking for a Northern Rhone look-alike should check out Failla’s two Syrahs. Tel. (707) 963-0530; Fax (707) 963-0570