Bright ruby. Lively, nuanced aromas of raspberry, cherry compote, allspice and smoke, lifted by a note of orange peel. Sweet, spicy and deep, with a tanginess to the spicy red berry and orange peel flavors. The gently tannic finish features sweet red fruits and closes with very good grip and length.

Saturated red. Smoky cherry and dried flowers on the nose, with hints of Asian spices and cured meat adding complexity. Deep, spicy cherry and dark berry flavors are enlivened by a peppery quality and framed by silky tannins. The tannins gain strength on the persistent, gently chewy finish.

Medium red. Sexy aromas of strawberry, raspberry, rose and orange peel, with a slow-building spicy quality. Sweet, energetic and focused, offering lively red fruit flavors and racy minerality. The orange and floral notes resonate on the long, juicy finish. This is ready to drink.

This wine has a lot going for it, starting with its light red color. Why it actually looks like Pinot Noir for heaven's sake, not Syrah as far too many California Pinots do. And-surprise! surprise!-it even tastes like a delicate Pinot instead of a fruit-filled Syrah (another pet peeve of mine is California Pinto Noir in Syrah drag). This elegant wine is light in body, with classic notes of strawberry and cranberry. It you love simple, well made Burgundies as I do, this California version will undoubtedly please you.

A delicious opening of dark chocolate and black pepper leads to a rich earthy center, and explosion of blackberry fruit, and a velvety texture. The finish is long and satisfying, with echoes of the opening of fruit.

Deep ruby-purple color, limpid and brilliant to the rim. Generous vanilla and black-fruit flavors. Firm entry. Moderately drying tannins. Bright, succulent fruit is not obscured by heavy oak...

Full acidity. Lots of fruit. Ripe berries, earth, sesame, vanilla. Firm acids make this succulent and zesty in the mouth, but the wine remains in balance.

Impressive. This dark ruby/purple-colored 1992 displays a forceful nose of spicy, peppery black-cherries and blackcurrants, opulently rich, full-bodied flavors, considerable extract, and a moderate tannin level. The wine is loaded with rich, concentrated fruit and is easy to drink. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.

Lastly, plums, blueberries, smoked herbs and pepper all show from the rich, medium to full-bodied, lively, nicely fruited and textured 2013 Syrah Tepusquet Vineyard. Aged just over a year in 28% new French oak, it has solid freshness, good purity and ne tannin, and at 22 bucks is a terrific value.

This wine's youthful, blueberry-scented fruit is cooled by a conifer forest tone. It's a smoky, juicy syrah that lasts on sweet scents of jam, a soft, pleasing match for roast venison.

Inky purple. Textbook syrah aromas of dark berries, olive, smoke and anise, with a strong floral overtone. Rich and weighty but energetic, offering fresh black raspberry and cassis flavors and a jolt of cracked pepper. Fine-grained tannins add support to the persistent, spicy finish. This is complex enough to drink now.

Top Value of 2008

Chunky, intense and concentrated, with wild berry, spice, mineral and hints of fresh earth. Focused, with an aftertaste of leather and berry. Drink now through 2012.

You get a lot of bang for your buck with this dry, complex young Syrah. Although the tannic structure is rich and sturdy, it shows a wealth of blackberry, black currant, grilled meat and pepper flavors. Drink now through 2010.l

Wonderful purity of fruit. Ripe, rich and creamy, with layers of fig, citrus, tart pineapple, tangerine and melon, finishing with an elegant touch of toasty oak. Drink now through 2004. 85,000 cases made.

Aged primarily in French oak with a touch of American wood, this barrel-fermented, lush, medium -weight Chardonnay is put through full malolatic fermentation, yet retains strong, vivacious acidity. Notes of tropical fruits, tangerines, and smoke are present in this attractive, California style Chardonnay.

Bright, spicy aroma of lemon ice. Dense, lush and sweet in the mouth, with nicely integrated acidity. Lingering, slightly sweet finishing flavor is spicy and firm.

…possesses tangy underlying acidity, and a broad, tropical fruit-dominated personality with a degree of delicacy. A crowd-pleasing style of Chardonnay, with everything in the correct place…

More vinous, deeper pitched aromas of dried fruits, game, truffle and hazelnut. Fat, sweet and quite rich, with just enough acidity to maintain its shape. A finishing note of curry powder adds to its appeal.

Full gold. Medium-bodied. Highly extracted. Rich toasty aromas. Rounded with a textured mouthfeel showing elegant stone fruit and apple spice flavors on a long finish.

Oozing with honeyed tropical fruit accompanied by a touch of oak. There is crisp acidity, full body, and a bold, dramatically flavored personality.

Rich, toasty, honeyed, buttery Chardonnay with admirable intensity and an up-front appeal.

Explosive richness, great intensity, and a huge, luscious finish make for a flamboyant mouthful of Chardonnay fruit.

This shows good length and depth to the suave pear, apricot and ripe apple flavors that are accented by floral and spicy notes. The creamy finish offers toasty and buttery accents.

This sustainably farmed vineyard was named after proprietor Katherine Jackson in 1986. Clones 76, 96 and Wente. Aged 6.5 months in 83% French oak barrels, 21% new. Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. An appealing wine offering aromas of lemon, pineapple, peach, gravel and toasty oak. Giving in the mouth, with flavors of apple, lemon creme, white peach, pineapple and toast. Soft in texture, with agreeable acidic verve and some finishing fruit flavor. A consistently dependable wine in this price category.