Rued

TRL/Staff/Wine: 8/8/7

2010 Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley $16/$15/$-

Pear and kiwi on the nose, with hints of lemon. Clean, stainless steel fermentation with a thin fruit on the palate.

2010 Chardonnay Russian River Valley $18/$16/$-

Nose is a bit cold and muted. Aromas of subtle green apple and white peach, and the oak appears as it warms. The oak layer dominates the palate.

2009 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley $28/$25/$-

Spicy nose and palate with a hint of bing cherry. Aromas of vanilla and rose. Thin body and delicate

2008 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley $25/$23/$30

Notes of candied blackberry, blueberry and vanilla.  The body is nice and well balanced.

2009 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley  $25/$23/$32

The nose on this is so much bigger with much more smokiness to it. The fruit is meat-infused. The blackberry and black pepper are well-balanced in the wine. The body is bigger, with more viscosity and a mild tart, finish.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley $45/$41/$32

Dusty nose with hints of black pepper, cardamon. Loads of pepper, tannins, with a subtle clovish flavor. The fruit was inaccessible to me.