Hook or Crook Cellars Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2014

Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Russian River Valley is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.

A vibrant blend derived from our revered vineyards that are defined by the region's cooling fog and warm afternoon sunshine reveals a pale straw color in the glass and aromas of white florals, ground ginger, and Mandarin orange. Golden Delicious apple and Meyer lemon give way to complex flavors of baking spice and piecrust that add a round texture to accompany its bright acidity, framing the long finish.

Russian River Chardonnay Bacigalupi is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.

An unmatched heritage. This wine is made from the budwood of the vines that produced the California Chardonnay that rocked the industry by winning the infamous “Judgment of Paris” wine tasting in 1976. And the quality has persisted.

Starting out with aromas of white peach, honeysuckle, crème brulee and jasmine. The palate is fruit driven from beginning to end. Apple pie, melon and stone fruit flavors linger on the tongue. The mid-palate is full and rich, with a touch of minerality. This wine finishes for days with plenty of fruit on the palate, balanced by a delightful pop of acidity.

One of the few Chardonnays built to age, age this beauty over the next 5-10 years - or even longer!

Review:

"A beautiful, intense chardonnay with lots of ripe red apples and some mineral and lemon-rind character, as well as just the right amount of vanilla and cream. Full-bodied, dense and layered with lovely intensity and focus at the end. Drink now or hold."

- James Suckling (November 2020), 94 pts

Russian River Chardonnay Petersen is made from 100 percent Chardonnay. 

Pear, peach, apple and a hint of flint.
Flavors of gorgeous baked apples with golden raisin and brown sugar, comice pear tart, apricot scone with clarified butter. What a fabulous creamy texture this wine has, despite no oak influence at all. This is testament to the incredibly lush fruit from the Petersen Vineyard, along with hands-off winemaking. So fresh, lively and mouthwatering, it’s like biting into an apple right off the tree. You can feel the juice dripping down your chin.

Patz & Hall Dutton Ranch Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.

Winemaker and Founder James Hall. Since 1988 founder and winemaker James Hall has guided the Patz & Hall winemaking program, instilling it with his own boldness, imagination and trademark perfectionism. Combining a belief in great viticulture, traditional winemaking practices, and the judicious use of innovative techniques, James has earned a reputation for crafting dramatic benchmark Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that balance vibrant power with vineyard-inspired depth and sophistication. In 1983 James joined Napa Valley’s Flora Springs Winery and Vineyards as assistant winemaker. There, he spent four years developing his expertise crafting barrel-fermented, small-lot Chardonnays. While at Flora Springs, James struck up a close friendship with sales manager Donald Patz, and the two soon discovered that they shared a similar philosophical approach to wine and winemaking. In the spring of 1988, while working as the winemaker and estate manager for Honig Winery, James teamed up with Donald and Heather Patz, and Anne Moses to make and release Patz & Hall’s inaugural Napa Valley Chardonnay.

Aromas of ginger, guava and Crème brûlée with toasted almond, and toffee-brown sugar. Dense, and full bodied, there’s a pleasingly crisp and mouthwatering green apple note on the palate that melds with dried apricot, tangerine flavors along with a hint of toasted oak.

Review:

From the Russian River, the 2017 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch is a step up and has more intensity and depth, with a rocking bouquet of honey stone fruits, brioche, toasted hazelnuts, and crushed stone. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully balanced, with bright acidity, it has a kiss of background oak but is a seriously good, layered effort that will cruise for 5-7 years, probably longer. - Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points

Textured, classic Russian River Chardonnay with pleasing counterbalance between ripeness and acidity,distinguishable by underlying minerality, quality oak.

The nose is a blend of pear fruit and caramel. On the palate, these notes continue and are balanced with a hint of Rangbur lime in the finish. The crisp acidity is a perfect balance to the richness of the wine. This is to my mind exactly what RRV CH can be when top sites are well farmed and winemaking is focused.

Eric Flanagan and his family live on the vineyard property the Chardonnay comes from.

Russian River Pinot Noir Cuvee is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir

The thought of this blend is to showcase the harmonious nature of all Russian River vineyards together and how well they can complement each other. This is an elegant blend of wines from five of Russian River vineyards with a unique flavor that they consider to be the essential “Russian River Valley” wine. This wine is a striking complement to their traditional single vineyard approach. It affords them the luxury to mix & match the distinct characteristics and flavor profiles from the various vineyards. And it is anything but your traditional “blend”. Because it is made exclusively from premium single vineyard wines, they think it is a cut above typical Cuvées. Case in point: 35% of this blend was aged in new french oak barrels, a level you will rarely, if ever, see in a Cuvée. Even better, this wine is an incredible every day value!

This is a spicy, lush, and bright wine with notes of cherry.

Review:

"A pinot with plenty of dried berry, cherry, smoke and spice. Some cedar and mahogany undertones as well. It’s medium-to full-bodied with a creamy texture and a flavorful, savory finish. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (November 2020), 92 pts