Notre Vue Estate Balverne Forever Wild Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2021, California

Light ruby in color with medium intensity.

Fruity nose and dry on the palate with medium acidity.

Showing red cherries, red currants, light wood, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs and earth.

Tangy finish with soft tannins and raspberries.

This is a very tasty Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley. Easy drinking, and good as a sipping wine. Fruit forward and entertaining.

Showing nice balance with elegance, and a soft mouthfeel.

Still young and fresh tasting. Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged in (25% new) French Oak barrels for 9 months. A small production of less than 5,000 bottles.

14% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$45.

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Notre Vue Estate Balverne Forever Wild Reserve Chardonnay 2021, Russian River Valley, California

Light yellow in color with a golden hue.

Oaky nose with citrus, peaches, vanilla, cedar, yellow apples, pears, light tropical fruits and spices.

Full bodied, creamy and smooth, with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with oak, vanilla, spices, citrus, pears, light grapefruits, apples and black pepper.

Spicy finish with black pepper and limes.

This is an enjoyable Chardonnay from Russian River Valley. Oaky and buttery with a nice mouthfeel.

Showing mild complexity at this point, and nicely balanced. Fruit forward and rich.

After 30 minutes of airtime, it really calms down. Worth the wait.

I’ve had the 2019 not too long ago, and liked it so much better. Would be nice to revisit it in a couple of years.

Pleasant, tangy and easy drinking. Good for parties, or just to sip on by the pool.

100% Chardonnay grapes from Russian River Valley were aged in French Oak barrels for 5 months (20% new Oak). A small production of only 3,000 bottles.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$35.

Crux Winery Russian River Valley Petite Sirah 2014, Sonoma County, California

Crux Winery Russian River Valley Petite Sirah 2014, Sonoma County, California


This is a delicious Petite Sirah from Russian River Valley.

Showing a really gorgeous nose.

Full-bodied with medium acidity.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with a nice mouthfeel.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, raisins, earth, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, herbs, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, dark chocolates and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 8-year-old is drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years. Showing nice complexity at this point. Rich and extracted.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

Spicy and entertaining. Fruit forward and engaging. Good by itself or with food.

A blend of 90% Petite Sirah with Zinfandel and Syrah. A small production of only 6 barrels.

14.6% alcohol by volume .

92 points.

$46.

Emeritus Vineyards Hallberg Ranch Pinot Noir 2019, Russian River Valley, California

Pretty ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose of black cherries, sweet raspberries, strawberries, light wood, spices, earth, vegetables, light barnyard and herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with red cherries, strawberries, raspberries, spices, light oak, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with soft tannins and cranberries.

This is a tasty Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley. Showing light elegance, with a soft mouth feel.

Still young and will benefit from a few years in the bottle.

Good right out of the bottle, and shows more complexity after 30 minutes of airtime.

This 3 year old Single Vineyard is fruit forward and tangy. Spicy and entertaining.

Aged in French oak barrels (35% new) for 10 months. Unfiltered and unfined.

I paired it with cheeses and dried meats.

13.7% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$48.

Girasole Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2021, Mendocino County, California

Light yellow in color.

Medium bodied with medium acidity and lighty creamy.

Dry on the palate with mild complexity and good balance.

Showing limes, grapefruits, lemons, citrus, green apples, spices and herbs.

Medium plus on the finish with tangy limes.

This is a very tasty and refreshing Pinot Blanc from Mendocino County.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and a good pool wine too. Neither bitter nor tart, and better when not too cold.

Needed 30 minutes of airtime to balance itself out. A great value here.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board of cheeses, nuts and fresh berries.

13% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$15.

Raeburn Winery Russian River Valley Rosé 2021, California

Very pale lemon in color.

Nose of citrus, limes, green apples, grapefruits, bitter herbs, spices, almonds and bitter vegetables.

Light to medium in body with medium plus acidity. Crisp and refreshing.

Dry on the palate with grapefruits, green apples, vegetables, spices and black pepper.

Tangy finish with limes and almonds.

This is an interesting Rosé from Russian River Valley. Tangy with mild complexity. Crisp and refreshing.

Good by itself and better with food. I paired it with cheeses, fresh vegetables and crackers.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$17.

Raeburn Winery Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2021, Sonoma County, California

Reddish in color with light intensity.

Fruity nose with cherries, strawberries, raspberries, light earth, herbs, light vegetables and spices.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, strawberries, cherries, spices, light oak, light coffee and herbs.

Tangy finish with soft tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a nice Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley. Nicely balanced and fruit forward, with a nice touch of earth notes.

A good everyday wine. Easy drinking and good by itself.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 20 minutes of airtime, when tannins show up and bring in more structure to the wine. Gets much earthier after 2 hours.

Fresh and engaging with mild complexity. A good quality wine.

I paired with cheeses, crackers and light appetizers.

14% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$20.

Oakwild Ranch Winery Regina Rose Vineyard Toboni Pinot Noir 2016, Russian River Valley, California

This 6 year old Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley is drinking very nicely now.

Light ruby in color with medium intensity and a wide reddish rim.

Medium-bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward.

Showing cherries, red candy, blueberries, sweet strawberries, diet cola, light oak, spices, licorice, light herbs, chocolates and black pepper.

This Single Vineyard is good right out of the bottle. Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthful.

I had it 2 years ago, and liked it better now. Will continue to drink nicely in the next year or two.

I gave it a slight chill and had it all by itself. Spicy and entertaining.

A tiny production of less than 800 bottles. 100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged in (40% new) oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$45.

Chalk Hill Estate Winery Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay 2019, California

This is a tasty oaky Chardonnay from Chalk Hill in Russian River Valley.

Dry on the palate with mild complexity.

Showing oak, vanilla, lemons, apples, pears and light spices.

Spicy finish with almonds.

A good quality wine. Easy drinking, elegant and bold.

Still young and has good potential to be better in a few years.

A nice food wine, and good for parties, too.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

100% Chardonnay grapes were aged in (40% new) French Oak barrels for 11 months. Unfiltered.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$30.

Crux Winery Russian River Valley GSM 2014, California

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Great nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, light cedar, earth, licorice, spices, chocolates, coffee, tobacco, light vanilla, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Medium bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, plums, cooked cherries, oak, herbs, vanilla, licorice, cloves, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn and tobacco leaf.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Grenache blend from Russian River Valley. Showing nice complexity now, with a great nose.

This 8 year old is peaking now. Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Elegant and extracted. Fruit forward and spicy.

Easy drinking, good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

I had it 3 years ago, and it is definitely better now. Tangy and interesting.

I gave it a light chill, and had it all by itself.

A blend of 58% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah and 2% Petite Sirah.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$46.