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.

Chalk Hill Estate Winery Chalk Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Russian River Valley, California

Pale lemon in color with a green hue.

Strong nose of gooseberries, citrus, limes, green apples, light grass, spices, minerals and white pepper.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity and thick legs.

Dry on the palate with limes, lemons, green apples, grapefruits, bitter herbs, spices, light earth and black pepper.

Nice length on the finish with limes and grapefruits.

This is a very tasty Sauvignon Blanc from Chalk Hill in Sonoma County. Fruit forward and easy drinking.

Spicy, tangy and interesting. Crisp and refreshing.

Nicely balanced and good by itself or with food. A good pool wine as well.

Will pair nicely with oysters. I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 7% Sauvignon Gris and 3% Sauvignon Musqué. Aged for 7 months in (60%) French oak barrels and stainless steel vats.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$22.

Meadowcroft Wines Russian River Valley French Colombard 2021, California

Light yellow in color with a golden hue.

On the nose red apples, limes, pears, light grapefruits, spices, herbs and light earth.

Medium bodied and crisp with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with lemons, citrus, green apples, bitter herbs, light vegetables, earth, spices and black pepper.

Tangy finish with limes and spices.

This is a nice and easy drinking white wine from Russian River Valley.

Tangy and good with food. Will pair nicely with seafood. A good pool wine too.

100% French Colombard grapes from a Single Vineyard. A small production of only 182 cases.

13.1% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$32.

Kukeri Wines Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2021, California

Pale lemon in color.

Strong fruity nose of lemons, citrus, melons, tropical fruits, metals and light herbs.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity. Crisp and refreshing.

Dry on the palate with grapefruits, limes, lemons, green and red apples, spices, earth and white pepper.

Tangy finish with bitter herbs and limes.

This is a very tasty Sauvignon Blanc from Russian River Valley.

A good quality wine, easy drinking and crisp with nice complexity.

This Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is a nice sipping wine. Great by the porch or pool.

I paired it with a grilled red snapper. Would pair nicely with oysters too.

A tiny production of only 57 cases made.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$30.

Topel Winery Orsa Rosé of Pinot Noir 2020, Russian River Valley, California

Pale salmon in color.

Light nose of limes, grapefruits, earth, river rocks, raspberries, minerals and spices.

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

Dry on the palate with light strawberries, cranberries, limes, grapefruits, green apples, earth and bitter herbs.

Tangy finish with bitter almonds.

This is a nice and refreshing Rosé from Russian River Valley. Tangy and spicy.

Earthier than I expected, and feels like a Rosé from Southern France.

Easy drinking and good for the pool. Good by itself and better with food.

12.8% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$22.

Maritana Vineyards Russian River Valley Hansen Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2017 Sonoma County, California

Light golden in color.

On the nose ripe lemons, yellow apples, oak, light butter, citrus, vanilla, Indian spices, light honeysuckle and light tangerines.

Full bodied, creamy and bold, with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with red apples, oak, vanilla, citrus, spices, sea salt, white pepper and light earth.

Nice length on the finish with lemons and almonds.

This is a very tasty Chardonnay from Russian River Valley. Showing nice complexity, especially on the nose. I really enjoyed the nose more than the palate.

This four year old is drinking very nicely now with lots of oak and vanilla notes. Still very fresh.

Good right out of the bottle, and much better after 30 minutes of airtime.

This Single Vineyard Chardonnay is a good quality wine, that will continue to age nicely in the next five years. I’ve had this vintage a year ago, and it is much better now.

Nicely balanced with a great mouth feel. Buttery and creamy, and better when not very cold.

Aged in French oak barrels. A small production of only 350 cases.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$90.

Rubia Wine Cellars Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2019 Russian River Valley, California

Light golden in color.

On the nose citrus, yellow apples, lemons, light oak and vanilla, spices and white pepper.

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

Dry on the palate with apples, melons, pears, spices, light oak, vanilla, earth, light herbs and white pepper.

Nice length on the finish with spices and light almonds.

This is a delicious Chardonnay from Russian River Valley. Well-balanced with a great mouth feel. Elegant and rich.

Good by itself right out of the bottle, and better when not too cold, when the complexity shows up.

The light oak notes are very intertwined and give a luxury feel to the wine.

A good quality wine that would be nice to revisit in 3 years.

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

100% Chardonnay grapes were barrel fermented and aged in French oak barrels for 16 months on lees. A very small production of only 6 barrels were made.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$65.

Castello di Amorosa Cresta d’Oro Vineyard Rosato di Pinot Noir 2020, California

Pale salmon in color.

Light nose of lemons, light strawberries, citrus, limes, river rocks, green apples, sea salt and earth.

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

Dry on the palate with raspberries, strawberries, limes, grapefruits, bitter herbs, spices, light earth, green apples and minerals.

Nice length on the finish with limes.

This is a very enjoyable Rosé from Russian River Valley. Nicely balanced, crisp and refreshing. Light and engaging without being bitter nor tart.

This Single Vineyard is showing nice complexity already. Easy drinking and good by itself.

Gets earthier as it opens up with an old world feel (30 minutes).

Good by itself or with food. A tasty wine that I enjoyed all by itself by the pool.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35.

Notre Vue Estate Winery Balverne Russian River Valley Forever Wild Chardonnay 2019, California

Pale lemon in color with a green/ golden hue.

Nice nose of lemons, cedar, vanilla, toast, limes, grapefruits, honeysuckle, apples, honeydew, earth, minerals, sea salt and light river rocks.

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

Dry on the palate with citrus, green apples, grapefruits, bitter herbs, spices, oak, vanilla, peppercorn, wet leaves and earth.

Nice tangy finish with almonds.

This is a very enjoyable Chardonnay from Russian River Valley. Elegant, fruity and interesting.

Loved the nose here. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel.  Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime (20 minutes).

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with cheeses, crackers and olives.

100% Chardonnay grapes were aged for 5 months in French Oak barrels (20% new).

14.2% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35.

Smith Devereux Winery M Vino Rosé 2020, Russian River Valley, California

A very pretty color of light salmon with a peach hue.

Fruity nose of sweet raspberries, limes, red apples, melons, flowers, red candy, rose pedals, earth and herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity, crisp and refreshing.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, strawberries, limes, grapefruits, bitter herbs, earth and light vegetables.

Nice tangy finish with limes and almonds.

This is a very tasty Rosé from Russian River Valley. Smooth and nicely balanced. Elegant with pretty legs.

This Single Vineyard is showing a great mouthfeel with nice acidity. Really enjoyed the nose.

Good right out of the bottle and good by itself. A great party wine that everyone would love.

100% Pinot Noir grapes. A very small production of only 125 cases.

13.6% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$36.