The Russian River Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Sonoma County, California. Centered around the Russian River, the Russian River Valley AVA accounts for about one-sixth of the total planted vineyard acreage in Sonoma County. The appellation was granted AVA status in 1983 and enlarged in 2005. The area generally lies between Sebastopol and Santa Rosa in the south, and Forestville and Healdsburg in the north. The Russian River Valley has a characteristically cool climate, heavily affected by fog generated by the valley's proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The area is known for its success with cool climate varietals, notably Pinot noir and Chardonnay.
Medium ruby red color with a wonderful nose of boysenberry, dark cherry, cocoa and a touch of cardamom. It is elegant and balanced with flavors of dark berry and plum fruit, with a hint of spice and pepper, leading to a long full finish of sweet plum fruit and oak. Smooth tannins add structure and mouth feel, but don’t overpower. This Zinfandel is perfect for lighter meat dishes.
Cherry, plum and yet more cherry lift up aromas of sassafras and nuances of anise. Soft oak character is the background that contributes the spice and cola aromatics. At first taste, the wine reveals a core of mixed berry cherry flavors supported by ripe soft tannins. The wine has great structure from natural acidity that sends flavors of dark fruit and cola to a lingering finish.
Medium ruby color with complex earthy red cherry aromas; rich, deep and complex red cherry and earthy flavors with hints of tea and cola; some tannin and oak with good structure and balance leading to a long finish. Bright, lush, delicious Pinot that is amazing to drink all by itself. Wow, this is really tasty!
Spice, clove and lemon grass add interest to lemon lime aromas that also show a nuance of butterscotch. The citrus flavors are balanced by mouth filling minerality yielding a long, crisp, balanced finish. The use of mature oak aging will allow the mineral flavors to develop complexity with the fruit character creating a wine that has the yollthful exuberance of Chablis as well as the ability to age gracefully like the wine from our Estate Vineyards.
