Category: Russian River

Old vines, Red wine, Russian River, Sonoma, Zinfandel

Mara Reserve Zinfandel Dolinsek Ranch 2005

Vera C.

Winemaker: Charles Mara
Grape: 100% Zinfandel
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California

One of my favorite people to work with, Charles Mara, has a huge personality when it comes to wine. Well, that’s not completely true – when it comes to anything. He is funny and entertaining when it comes to wine judging, production or personal presentation of his wines. This Professor of Oenology is striving to make the best possible Zinfandel out of his Napa vineyards.And the results of his “healthy obsession with big wines” are showing great year by year. Never heard of him? Perhaps because the production of his wine is extremely low so his Zinfandels are not found in every wine store.Talking about boutique winery… This small, five-acre vineyard is owned and farmed by Jim Dolinsek and the production averages 350 or so cases of wine. Very low yields (less than 1/2 ton per acre) produces fruit with huge concentration and intensity. Dolinsek vineyard, more than 100 years old, produces variety of wonderful wines, not just zinfandel.Both Charles’ vineyards Dolinsek and Luvisi Ranch are located in the valley that produces some of the world’s best wines. His dream is to produce Zinfandel that “will drink and keep like Brunello” . The intensity and deep flavors are already there. His personal attention to the winemaking process and selection of intense grapes makes it possible.

Robert Parker said about this vintage:
Proprietor Charles Mara’s performance with these two 100% Zinfandels is exemplary. My favorite is the 2005 Zinfandel Dolinsek from Russian River. One of the vintage’s most complete and flavorful Zins, it offers up aromas of red and black fruits, underbrush, pepper, earth, and spice. This rich, full-bodied wine is an amazing achievement in this difficult vintage. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. Rated 91

Tasting notes:
As always, Mara’s Dolinsek Ranch Zinfandel has a deep ruby, almost purple color that you don’t want to spill on your white shirt. Lovely aroma of ripe dark fruit, raspberry and black cherry, even ripe plum on the nose. On the palate it’s a rich, full body flavor with spicy notes like tarragon and a lot of fruit expression.

Dusty cacao or chocolate flavors on the finish, combined with a fine vanilla touch of American oak. This is a huge, masculine wine that needs to be decanted to fully enjoy. Just like Charles Mara always says: decant your wine so that the first glass taste like the last one.

Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: around $ 35.00

Ideal food pairing:
grilled beef, barbecue meats, goulash, Flank steak with shitakee sauce, Beef Chorizo, My best Chili recipe and many more

California, Chardonnay, Russian River, White wines

Picket Fence Chardonnay 2007

Vera C.


Winemaker: Don Van Staaveren
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Russion River Valley, California

See other wines from this producer:
Picket fence Pinot Noir Russian River

The Russian River is one of the coolest appellations in Sonoma County with diverse soils and micro-climates. Evenings in the valley are covered by thick fog, sometimes dropping the temperature 40 degrees.

Warm and sunny afternoons allows the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. That, together with the soil, creates full, rich flavors and are some of the best conditions recognized for growing world class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The yearly flooding of the river renews the land with youthful river bottom soils supplying rich, rocky alluvium soil that nourishes vine.

Tasting notes:
Rich and buttery flavor, so typical for Russian River’s Chardonnays, is usually also associated with a much higher price tag. Picket Fence is an exception. This Chardonnay offers you lemon notes and fruity flavors of apple with toasted oak components of caramelized brown spices. Full bodied, sensuous wine with a long, silky finish.

Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: under $ 15.00
Sustainable farmed

Ideal food pairing:
fritatta, Super artichoke hot dip, Ham and pasta bake, Easter ham, pan seared scallops with creamy corn etc.

California, Pinot Noir, Red wine, Russian River

Picket fence Pinot Noir 2006

Vera C.


Winemaker: Don Van Staaveren
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Russion River Valley, California

See other wines from this producer:
Picket Fence Chardonnay

Russion River Valley in Green Valley vineyard has consistent warm days and cool evenings creating the ideal climate for growing Burgundian varietals.

The Pinot Noir grapes are hand harvested at night, which helps retain the freshness and acidity so crucial to well balanced Pinot Noir.

Grapes are then sorted, gently pressed and the juice fermented in small, open-top tanks. Wine ages in 50% new French oak to give wine warmth and richness.

Tasting notes:
Picket fence Pinot Noir has an elegant, fruit forward style with great intensity, spice and richness of cherry fruit. On the palate you taste a rich fruit complemented with velvety texture – a great example of Russian River Pinot Noir.

Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: under $ 25.00
Sustainable farmed

Ideal food pairing:
Italian cuisine, grilled salmon, Vegetable lentils, Veal dishes, Vermicelli Con Melanzane, My best Ratatouille recipe and more