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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.

2008-2009 Fantesca Estate & Winery

4-bottle Mixed Lot, Wood Case

2009 Fantesca Estate & Winery King Richard's Reserve Pinot Noir

Light label condition issue

2013 Cirq Bootlegger's Hill Pinot Noir

WA  96   
WS  95   
VN  93   

2015 Cirq Bootlegger's Hill Pinot Noir

Lightly depressed cork

JD  95   

2016 Cirq Bootlegger's Hill Pinot Noir

WA  93   

2013 Cirq Treehouse Vineyard Pinot Noir

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

WA  97   
WS  94   
VN  94   
WS  #99 of 2016   

2015 Cirq Treehouse Vineyard Pinot Noir

Light signs of past seepage

JD  96+    

2016 Cirq Treehouse Vineyard Pinot Noir

JD  97+    
VN  93   
WA  92   
WS  92   

2016 Cirq Treehouse Vineyard Pinot Noir

JD  97+    
VN  93   
WA  92   
WS  92   

1995 Patz & Hall Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Lightly depressed cork

1995 Patz & Hall Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Light signs of past seepage; light label condition issue

1976 Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; label condition issue; light writing on label

1978 Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1986 Dehlinger Pinot Noir

Light label condition issue

2020 Dehlinger Unfiltered Estate Chardonnay

WS  92   

2010 EnRoute Les Pommiers Pinot Noir

1.5ltr

Light label condition issue

WS  91   

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   

2004 Favia La Josefina Pinot Noir

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

2004 Favia La Josefina Pinot Noir

Light label condition issue

2004 Favia La Josefina Pinot Noir

1.5ltr

Label condition issue

2005 Favia La Josefina Pinot Noir

Light label condition issue

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

375ml

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

RP  95   

2003 Merry Edwards Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir

Light label condition issue

WS  95   
WS  #21 of 2006   

2009 Merry Edwards Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir

ST  92   
WS  90   

2010 Merry Edwards Olivet Lane Pinot Noir

WS  90