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.

1996 Rochioli Neoma's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly depressed cork

RP  91-94   

1997 Rochioli Neoma's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork

RP  90-92   

1995 Rochioli Pinot Noir

WS  92   

1998 Rochioli Russian River Valley Zinfandel

1998 Rochioli Sodini Vineyard Zinfandel

1999 Martinelli Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

RP  92   

1999 Lynmar Estate Requiem Quail Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir

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

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

375ml

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

RP  95   

1994 Joseph Swan V.H.S.R. Vineyard Zinfandel

1993 Joseph Swan Zeigler Vineyard Zinfandel

1995 Gary Farrell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Light writing on label

1995 Gary Farrell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue; light writing on label

1995 De Loach Vineyards OFS Zinfandel

Label condition issue

WS  92   
RP  90   

1995 De Loach Vineyards Papera Ranch Zinfandel

Label condition issue

1995 Capiaux Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir

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

1992 Marimar Torres Estate Don Miguel Vineyard Pinot Noir

Light capsule condition issue; label condition issue

1995 Mueller Emily's Cuvee Pinot Noir

Light label condition issue

1998 Keegan Pinot Noir

1.5ltr

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

1997 Philip Staley Russian River Valley Grenache

1992 Chateau Beaux Hauts En Tirage Extra Brut

Light label condition issue; en tirage over 17 years