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Russian River Valley Chardonnay
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Twenty odd years ago, the beautiful redwood-clad Russian River Valley was an unassuming mixed agricultural area, which drew little attention in status wine circles. Since then, the cool-climate consciousness that has swept across wine regions from coast to coast has given this low-lying valley and its 10,000 acres of vineyards considerably greater cachet. Russian River Valley, granted official appellation standing in 1983, is now one of the most recognized AVA names in America. The lean and restrained style of Chardonnay is also a signature cepage for the region. One sixth of Sonoma County's total vineyard acres fall within the Russian River AVA boundaries, all sharing to varying degrees the defining characteristic of cooling fog that is drawn inland from the Pacific each day.
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Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
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More than any other wine, a good pinot noir encompasses all that’s hedonistic, as well as all that’s intellectual, in wine. No wine is more satisfying or irresistible – even gulpable. Yet non is so ineffable, complex and, in a sense, challenging. And nowhere in America are more pinots like this made than in the Russian River Valley.
Martin Family Vineyards is a small, quality-oriented Sonoma producer, making small quantities (mostly under 300 cases) of top zinfandel, syrah, petite syrah and cabernet blends. We recently tasted through their entire line-up and were quite impressed with their overall quality and style. But the real standout was the 2002 Russian River Pinot Noir.
From a prime, mature vineyard (25-year old vines), a select block of which the Martins were allowed to custom farm, this was severely pruned for low yields, handpicked in a single morning (before sunrise!), hand-sorted in the vineyard and then again at a sorting table. The fruit was then gently de-stemmed, leaving whole berries to be fermented in small, open-top vats, which were punched down by hand fine times a day. The wine was then aged entirely in new French oak and bottled unfiltered.
The result is a rich, juicy, velvety (and not at all oaky) pinot noir – bursting with the rich, dark fruits of the Russian River Valley at its best. As much as I like the 2001 vintage, 2002 in the Russian River follows the classic recipe for pinot success: a very warm vintage in a very cool place. And as so often happens, the clearest indication of top quality here may be what you DON’T taste. It’s 14.5% alcohol, which you don’t taste. 100% new oak, which you don’t taste. This is just a seamlessly rich, very complex and extremely satisfying mouthful of Russian River pinot noir.
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Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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Dark red in color, the 2001 Cabernet is redolent with aromas and flavors of blackberry, cherry, vanilla, and fresh oak. Aged well for 23 months in French oak. This fat, well-balanced wine has a thick textured palate that echoes fresh fruit flavors. A firm acidity provides for a long lasting finish.
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Dry Creek Valley Three Vineyards OV Zinfandel
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Our juicy single vineyard zins were blended together to make this wonderful Old Vine Zinfandel. Fabulous fruit foward flavors of raspberry and blackberry exploded in your mouth. This by far has been one of our favorite zinfandels.
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Dry Creek Vally Crazy Horse Zinfandel
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Seductive and fresh, lip-smacking, supple flavors of blueberry and bright red fruit. This is a well-focused and well-structured Zinfandel with opulent undertones of plum, spice, and vanilla. The smooth and rich tannins allow the fruit in this highly polished wine to linger on through to the finish.
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Dry Creek Valley Petite Sirah
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The 2002 Dry Creek Valley Petite Sirah is dark, rich and concentrated. With flavors of luscious ripe wild berry and cassis, compelling aromas of vanilla-scented oak, this wine is smooth textured, with hints of spice and dark chocolate. It is finished with depth, complexity and a nice balance of suppleness.
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Alexander Valley Syrah
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Luscious fruit. The black cherry and black currant are harmonious with toasted wood and chocolate to create a impressively dense full-bodied Syrah. This wine is rich and dark, with concentrated fruit and supple tannins. Thick, racy fruit in a succulent presentation, glides on the palate for a lovely, balanced finish.
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