As a Californian, I was incredibly loyal to my native state and spent many long, sun-soaked weekends checking out all the new wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley. Now that I am on the East coast and more Old World focused as a result of my (more Old World) wine studies, it is great to re-discover California wine.

I received some samples from San Ynez-based Rusack vineyards, who are focused on producing outstanding handcrafted wines. It was established in 1995 by Geoff Rusack and Alison Wrigley Rusack with a commitment to creating world-class wines. Winemakers, John and Helen Falcone, joined Rusack Vineyards in 2001(one of the few husband and wife winemaking teams in California).

I was able to try many of their wines, with all of them scoring high points and my favorites being the 2007 Syrah, both the Rusack Syrah with incredible smoke, fig, licorice and fig, and the 2007 Syrah Reserve, with more concentration, complexity of flavor, and judicious wood influence.

The Reserve Chardonnay 2008 had excellent concentration of fruit and ripe, succulent flavors, while the 2008 Chardonnay had New World Finesse and good structural integration.

Pinot Noir fans will enjoy the 2006 with its balance, elegance, and bright confected red berry fruit, as well as the Sangiovese which can benefit from 2-3 years of additional bottle age.

2007 Rusack Syrah (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County) 90
purple, ppr wwm
nose: med+ intensity, smoke, oak, red/black fruit
palate: dry acid is med tannin is med body is med alc is 14 est length is med+
flavs include concentrated red black fruit, fig, some licorice 

 2007 Rusack Syrah Reserve Ballard Canyon (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley)  90
color - purple ppr wwm
nose: med intensity, very floral with violet and lliac
palate: dry acid is med tannin is med body is med alc is est 14 length is med+ with flavs of vanilla violet red fruit (concentrated) such as raspberries, cranberries, plum skins (carmelized) 

 2008 Rusack Chardonnay Reserve (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley)  90
color: lemon
nose: soft yellow fleshed fruit, perfumed white flowers
palate: dry acid is med tannin zero body med alcohol over 14, finish med+

Very sophisticated new world chard from santa barbara with very good concentration of fruit and integration of flavors. More ripe peach on palte than apple (very slight golden apple) and no obvious oak yet the rich, succulent flavors suggests malo and oak. Very good as an aperatif and with a course such as white fish 

 2008 Rusack Chardonnay (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County)  89
color: lemon, white watery minscus
nose: med+ intensity, white flowers, a tart element, an aroma akin to lees/butter
palate: med+ intensity, dry, acid is med+ tannin zero body med alc est 14 length med+ golden apples, rich texture, ripe apples, ksome oak yet well integrated, very tart acidity, good balance, finesse in a new world way, good intensity of fruit and conentration of fruit, some complexity and very good structural integration ..

fruit forward in new world style - some oak yet not overwhelming 

2007 Rusack Pinot Noir Reserve (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills)   87
purple/fushia med+ intensity, semi transparent
nose: shy, concentrated berry, floral, fragrant
palate: dry, acid is med+ tannin is low, body med alc est 14+ length med+ concentrated ripe tart berries 

2006 Rusack Pinot Noir (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley)   91
color: purple fushia, ppr, wwm
nose: med- intensity, slight floral and berry aroma, that which is detectable is very full concentrated and lush
palate: dry, acid is med, tannin is med- body is med alc is est 14.5 length is med plus
flavs include very candied cherry, rich concentrated fruit (cherry, rasp, very full) some finesses, med+ length, good intensity of fruit and flavor, good concentration of fruit, complexity (6/10) can age and improve five years ...

style: This is a very rich, concentrated, fruit forward style of CA Pinot Noir that has much depth on the palate, Very elegant and suitable for various dishes, especially lamb with a raspberry sauce. 

2006 Rusack Pinot Noir (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County)   88
color: light purple/violet med transparency
nose: med+ intensity, very perfumed
palate: dry, acidity is med+ tannin is med- body is med alc is est 14 (14.2) length is med+, flavors include sweet ripe tart cherry, some smoke, cranberry, raspberry

style note: This is a tart, refreshing, fruit forward wine to enjoy with a wide variety of foods, especailly poached salmon.

2006 Rusack Sangiovese (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley)   83
color, purple, pale purple rim, watery white miniscus
nose: med+ intensity. spice, pungent plum,
palate: med+ intensity due to overwhemling oak, raspy and raspberry flavors, dry acid is med tannin is med, dark fruit flavors, black cherry ... still very young and seems as if will benefit from further bottle age
very jammy and unlike old world sangiovese ... very much its own anima 

2006 Rusack Anacapa (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County )  80
color: med intensity, purple, med transparent
nose: med+ ripe acidic blackcurrants, some sharp plum, some purple flowers, black cherry, some jamminess
palate: dry acid is med+ tannin is med, body is med alc is med+ 14.5 est (14.7) finish is high alc fresh berries (blueberries too) spice, many layers of complexity)

some finesse, more perhaps with time, good length, good intensity of fruit and flavors on nose, good balace yet oak is a bit out of balance now, concentration of fruit, complexity of flav, 

 2009 Rusack Sauvignon Blanc Santa Barbara County (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County)  89
yellow, med- intensit
nose: med+ intensity, tropical fruit, some pineapple, guava,
palate: dry, acid is med+ tannin zero body med+ alc est 13.8, finish is med+ length, pineappple, grapefruit (yellow, pith), slightly pleasant bitter finish