Wines to Drink Now

Tell us your experiences tasting our older vintages!

Deux Barriques 1998–2005 (updated 12/28/2009)

We tasted the 1998-2003 wines in 2006, 2007, and 2008. The 2003 was tasted once again in 2009. Smooth as silk with complex tastes on the palate. The fruit is still present, but we suggest that, as the tannins have fully softened, the 1998-2001 be drunk now. These wines will not benefit from any further aging. When the 2003 was tasted in November 2009, the wine proved, once again, to be the hit of the evening. Comments ranged from "one of the best wines I have ever tasted" to "I need to buy some now." Our Deux Barriques wines are extraordinary, with just 50 cases produced in most years. The 2004 and 2005 are still a little young and would benefit from additional aging…Drink now, but decant.

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 1998–2007 (updated 12/28/2009)

The 1998 Best of Show and multiple Gold Medal winner and the 1999-2004 Gold and Silver Medal winners should be drunk now to preserve the fruit and spicy character of the wine. Pair with Italian food and enjoy the wine. The 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 have already peaked and show some loss of fruit. The 2005 is approaching maturity and should be enjoyed in 2009-10. The 2007 is approachable with plenty of raspberry and strawberry fruit.

Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Petite Sirah 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007 (updated 12/28/2009)

The 1991 was tasted in December 2009 and the comments were “a very good wine with some sediment” (probably not filtered). When produced the 1991 was considered the best wine ever produced at Christopher Creek. We tasted the 1993 and 1995 vintages again in 2009, and recommend drinking them now. Both are Gold Medal winners and are smooth as silk, but have peaked and will not benefit from additional bottle aging. We also tasted the Gold Medal-winning 1997 and 1998 vintages in 2007. Both have peaked and are showing fruit loss. We recommend that you drink these wines now. The 1999 and 2000 are both lovely wines with soft tannins and forward fruit, mouth feel and balance. Enjoy drinking Petite with game birds, Thanksgiving turkey, venison, lamb and tuna. The 1999 was tasted in November 2008 at “Older Vintage Week” and is superb. The 2005 was served at a winemaker dinner in 2009 with rave reviews and comments. The 2002 and 2003 have both been tasted again in 2009 and are ready to drink but have not reached their peak. For your cellar, buy the 2006 and 2007, both are extraordinary vintages and should age very well. Drink in 3 to 6 years. Should age 8-10 years.

Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Syrah 1993, 1996, 1997, 1999,  2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 (updated 12/28/2009)

Our Syrahs generally age well, but each vintage has a different aging potential. To continue to enjoy the fruit (black cherry and plum), drink these wines now to complement lamb, spicy food, pork and some Asian infusion dishes. Always keep Syrah away from the sun and heat. Serve at room temperature. The 1993 Syrah has peaked and needs to be consumed now. 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 have an abundance of fruit and good balance with soft tannins, but will not benefit from additional bottle aging. We recommended drinking these wines in 2008. The 1996, 1997 and 1998 are past their prime and may disappoint. Proper cellaring may have preserved the fruit characteristics of these wines. Syrah is very sensitive to heat. So, keep this wine at a constant temperature below 65º F.  Enjoy the 2003 and 2004, both a ready to drink and are nearing their peak. The 2005 shows plenty of fruit and can be enjoyed now. All three vintages are aging well. Syrah sometimes show sediment in the neck and shoulder of the bottle. This is normal for our Syrahs. Just remove any around the top of the neck before pouring. Our filtering is limited to protect the fruit and beautiful wine characteristics.

Dry Creek Valley Cabernet 1997–2005 (updated 12/28/2009)

During "Older Vintage Week 2007," we tasted these wines. They showed well with plenty of cassis and boysenberry fruit, structure and body. The tannins have softened nicely. The 1997 and 1998 should be enjoyed now. Further bottle aging will not improve these wines. If you have magnums, the maturing of the wine is slower, so drinking these wines can be deferred a year or so longer. The 1999, 2000, and 2001 all have improved with aging. We opened a bottle of the 1999 for a winemaker dinner pairing in June 2009 and found great aroma and plenty of forward cassis and blackberry fruit. The tannins have softened and the fruit is yummy. Without a doubt the wine was rated outstanding, showing great color, fruit and balance with nice acidity pairing well with the food offered. The 2001 is particularly outstanding and was enjoyed with a group of friends in January 2008 who were amazed by the forward fruit, soft tannins, and balance. In November 2008 we served the 2002 and found many friends for the wine. The 2003, while approachable, would benefit from additional aging. The 2005 was served at a winemaker dinner in 2009. The comments and reviews were very positive. These wines are produced from grapes grown on the bench land at our home vineyard Dry Creek Valley. The recent vintages of these wines have been consistent Gold and Silver Medal winners and are moderately priced at $32.00 with a comparable value of $60-to-80 a bottle of wine.

Catie's Corner Russian River Valley Viognier  1999–2007 (updated 12/28/2009)

Viognier should be drunk young to enjoy the apricot, peach and pear fruit exhibited by this wine. Drink these wines now. Serve slightly chilled before dinner as an aperitif, with seafood, rice pudding or spicy Asian dishes. Further aging will not benefit the wine, and loss of fruity characteristics will occur. The 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 , 2003, and 2004 may all disappoint. All six have past their prime. The 2006, a double gold winner, is exceptional but should be drunk now to ensure the forward fruit qualities. The 2007 is ready to drink. Serve with fish, spicy food and rice pudding or just as an aperitif.

Russian River Valley Chardonnay 1996–2007 (updated 12/28/2009)

The 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2004 have reached their prime. Drink now. Further aging will not improve these wines. We have been serving the 2005 and 2006 and both bring raves from guests who think they are drinking an expensive French Burgundy. Our Chardonnay is Burgundian in style and pairs well with food. Serve Chardonnay slightly chilled with seafood, before dinner or for your afternoon enjoyment.

Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2001–2006 (updated 12/28/2009)

The 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 RR Zins should be enjoyed now. Further aging will not improve these wines. We frequently get favorable comments on this wine from customers who prefer forward fruit with a moderate alcohol wine. The RR Zin is a consistent Gold and Silver Medal winner and ages well. About 30% of the wine is produced from Old Vine Zin Grapes which adds structure and great mouth feel. The 2006 is drinking great and is still available in the tasting room.