Russian Hill

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Russian Hill 2001 Top Block Syrah (Russian River Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $30

This is a striking Syrah. It’s a huge wine that opens with a peppery aroma. One sip and the flavors explode, yielding blackberries, Kahlúa and sweet cherry marmalade. For all its size, the wine never loses its sense of balance and control. — W.E. (5/1/2004)

points

Russian Hill 2001 Gail Ann’s Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

Price $26

Lots of toasty, vanilliny oak has been sprinkled on the pear, cinnamon apple and tropical fruit flavors of this rich but dry wine. It has good structure, with crisp acids and sweet tannins. It’s lush, but elegant through a very long, fruity finish. — S.H. (5/1/2004)

points

Russian Hill 2001 Ellen’s Block Syrah (Russian River Valley)

Price $30

This wine starts with a blast of white pepper that yields to plushly layered flavors of blackberries and cherries. You find yourself savoring the delicious fruity flavors and then the wine’s balance and structural harmony shine through. Best now through 2005. — W.E. (5/1/2004)

points

Russian Hill 2004 Top Block Syrah (Russian River Valley)

Price $30

Here’s a big, tannic and dry Syrah, the kind that needs either some aging or serious decanting to come around. It’s a very fine wine, with a deep, plush core of plums, blackberries and leathery carob flavors, but there’s an astringency to the middle through the finish. Air it for a few hours, or wait until after mid-2008. — S.H. (12/1/2007)

points

Russian Hill 2004 Leras Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Price $40

I love the elegance of this Pinot. This is so light and delicate, yet so interesting, with rosehip tea, tangerine zest, Asian spice and cola flavors that are accented by toasty new oak. It just fascinates all along. — S.H. (12/31/2006)

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Russian Hill 2005 Top Block Syrah (Russian River Valley)

Price $32

A lovely wine that, despite its youthful impertinence, shows dramatic flair now and should develop in the short term. It has the weight and structure of a fine Cabernet Sauvignon, with flavors that veer toward red cherries, sweet leather and pomegranates. All this is kept in tight rein by acidity. This is a balanced wine that wants to assist food. — S.H. (12/1/2008)

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Russian Hill 2001 Windsor Oaks Summit Syrah (Russian River Valley)

Price $40

Marked by rich oak and massive flavors of blackberry jam, Indian pudding and cocoa, with a sprinking of white pepper through the long finish. The tannins are pretty strong now, suggesting midterm aging, but it will be great with roast lamb. — W.E. (5/1/2004)

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Russian Hill 2004 Tara Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Price $42

Very dry, delicately structured and crisp, with a mushroomy, leathery earthiness that adds extra layers to the cherry and cola flavors. A lovely, silky, complex Pinot that should hold well through 2010. — S.H. (12/1/2006)

Most Reviewed Designations

Ellen’s Block Estate Estate Vineyards Gail Ann’s Vineyard Leras Vineyard Tara Vineyard Top Block Windsor Oaks Summit

Most Reviewed Varietals

Chardonnay Pinot Noir Syrah

2010 Buehler Estate

A pretty, polished and tasty wine for drinking now. Made from 100%…

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