Sign In

Russian River Valley

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.

2008 Williams Selyem Litton Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir

Light label condition issue

WE  98   

2006 DuMOL Finn Pinot Noir

WS  97   
VN  93   
RP  92   

2006 DuMOL Finn Pinot Noir

1.5ltr

WS  97   
VN  93   
RP  92   

2003 DuMOL Isobel Chardonnay

RP  94   

2005 Martinelli Lolita Ranch Syrah

Light label condition issue

RP  94   
ST  93   
WS  92   

2007 Chasseur Freestone Station Pinot Noir

WS  94   
RP  93   
VN  92+    

2008 Williams Selyem Bucher Vineyard Pinot Noir

WS  94   
VN  93   

2005 Chasseur Sylvia's Pinot Noir

RP  94   
VN  92   

2007 Paul Hobbs Walker Station Chardonnay

RP  94-96   
WS  93   
VN  90   

2009 Kistler Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay

VN  94   
RP  93   
WS  91   

2005 Chasseur Freestone Station Pinot Noir

RP  94   
VN  92   
WS  91   

2003 DuMOL Finn Pinot Noir

RP  93   
WS  93   

2008 Williams Selyem Allen Vineyard Pinot Noir

Heavy label condition issue

VN  93   

2007 Williams Selyem Forchini Vineyard Zinfandel

1.5ltr

VN  93   

2006 Kistler Dutton Ranch Chardonnay

VN  93   
RP  92-94   
WS  92   

2006 Kistler Dutton Ranch Chardonnay

Light label condition issue

VN  93   
RP  92-94   
WS  92   

2008 Chasseur Sexton Pinot Noir

Light writing on label

WS  93   
ST  93   
RP  90   

2007 Kistler Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay

Label condition issue

RP  93-95   
VN  92+    

2007 Williams Selyem Litton Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir

Light label condition issue

VN  93   
WS  91   

2008 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Stiling Vineyards Pinot Noir

WS  93   
VN  92   

2008 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Stiling Vineyards Pinot Noir

Lightly depressed cork

WS  93   
VN  92   

2007 Williams Selyem Westside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir

Light label condition issue

VN  93+    
WE  93   
RP  90   
BH  90   

2008 Williams Selyem Papera Vineyard Zinfandel

Light capsule condition issue

VN  93   
RP  90   

2009 Dehlinger Goldridge Vineyard Syrah

WA  92   
WS  92   
VN  92   

2007 Chasseur Sylvia's Pinot Noir

Lightly depressed cork

WS  92   
VN  92+