2006 Rudius Grenache

Rudius in Napa was started in 2005 by Jeff Ames. Ames had been part of the winemaking teams at Schrader, Maybach, Outpost and Tor before starting his own label. Brittany Savory Ames, whose background is in sales and finance, joined Rudius in 2008. Grapes are sourced from throughout Napa and Sonoma. Rudius produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah, Chardonnay and Rhone blends. Ames’ wines, at Rudius and elsewhere, earn ratings in the high 90s and compliments from reviews, including California wine reviewer James Laube, who listed Ames as one of ten California winemakers who in 2012 made outstanding 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.

One of the most popular red varieties planted, it ripens late and prefers hot dry climates. It probably originated in Spain, where it is still widely grown. Grenache is best known for its use in Southern Rhone wines, including those of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.