The 2009 Pinot Noir Reserve is made from Fiddlestix and Rio Vista, both in the Santa Rita Hills. It is a super-impressive wine endowed with tons of richness and finesse in its black cherries, sweet spices, flowers and licorice. The layers of fruit build beautifully towards the focused, intense finish. This is a hugely promising wine, but it closed up quickly in the glass and may require a year or two in bottle to show the full breadth of its pedigree. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2019+. I was very impressed with the Chardonnays and Pinots I tasted from Rusack. The Syrahs appear to be works in progress, but given the level of the best wines here, I see no reason why they can’t be of similar quality. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later.Tel. (805) 688-1278; info@rusackvineyards.com

Rusack’s reserve stands in stark distinction to their Rancho Santa Rosa bottling. Where that is instant gratification, this is tannicly reserved, giving a hard edge to the cherry, currant, orange tea and anise flavors. Needs time. Best 2009–2012.——S.H.(12/1/2008)—— 93

The 2005 Pinot Noir Reserve exhibits crisp acidity along with notions of cranberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with sweet, high-class oak. The sharp acidity gives the wine a certain compactness, but it is otherwise well-made, and should age nicely for 5-7 years.Tel. (805) 688-1278; Fax (805) 686-1508