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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.

2015 Arista Winery Banfield Vineyard Chardonnay

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; 3 cm ullage; light label condition issue

WS  93   

1994 Arrowood Preston Ranch Select Late Harvest White Riesling H.S.S.

375ml

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

RP  95   

2012 Aubert Eastside Vineyard Chardonnay

Light label condition issue

RP  99-100   
WS  95   
WS  #38 of 2014   

2018 Aubert Eastside Vineyard Chardonnay

WA  97-99+    
WS  94   

2018 Aubert Eastside Vineyard Chardonnay

1.5ltr

WA  97-99+    
WS  94   

2019 Aubert Eastside Vineyard Chardonnay

1.5ltr

VN  98-100   
WA  96-98   
WS  #11 of 2021   

2020 Aubert Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2022 Aubert Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2020 Aubert Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Light label condition issue

2014 Bacio Divino Lucie Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir

Light label condition issue

WE  92   
WS  91   

2014 Bacio Divino Lucie Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir

WE  92   
WS  91   

2014 Belle Glos Dairyman Vineyard Pinot Noir

2020 Belle Glos Dairyman Vineyard Pinot Noir

2010 Benziger Signaterra Shone Farm Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Light label condition issue

2007 C. Donatiello Winery Hervey Vineyard Pinot Noir

1.5ltr

VN  92+    

2005 Capiaux Freestone Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir

Light label condition issue

1995 Capiaux Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue; light writing on label

2006 Carol Shelton Sweet Caroline Fanucchi Vineyard Trousseau Gris

375ml

Top shoulder fill

2015 Castelli Vineyards Estate Nebbiolo

2013 Chasseur Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Light label condition issue

1992 Chateau Beaux Hauts En Tirage Extra Brut

Light label condition issue; en tirage over 17 years

2013 Chateau Boswell Dutton Ranch / Sebastopol Vineyard Chardonnay

Heavy label condition issue

VN  93   

2013 Chateau Boswell Dutton Ranch / Sebastopol Vineyard Chardonnay

Signs of past seepage; heavy label condition issue

VN  93   

2020 CHEV Wines Chardonnay

WE  95   
WS  93   
JD  93   
JS  90   

2018 CHEV Wines Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

JD  96   
WA  93