2002 Ferrari-Carano Eldorado Noir, 375ml

Ferrari-Carano is based in Healdsburg, and owns 1,400 acres of vineyards in five northern California appellations. Ferrari-Carano was founded in 1979 when Don and Rhonda Carano bough 60 acres in Alexander Valley. The estate makes a very large portfolio of red, white and dessert wines.

Russian River Valley AVA is named for the river that meanders from Mendocino County in the north until it finally runs into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. The AVA is cool thanks to its proximity to the northern California coast and the river, and grape growers must learn to deal with regular fog. Nevertheless in recent decades the AVA has become one of the best in the state, meaning that its wines often earn excellent reviews and have considerable cachet. The AVA status was awarded in 1983 and today the appellation has 15,000 vineyard acres. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape though Pinot Noir has also been very successful in recent decades. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are known for being rich, lush and filled with concentrated fruit and berry flavors. Russian River Pinot Noirs are today considered some of the best domestic Pinot Noirs.