Fresh and cooked blackberry bouquet, with mocha and fruitcake spice aplenty; rich, warm and showing generosity and depth of fruit to conclude

A beautiful Viognier that showcases the variety's rich, exotic side. Offers a mouthburst of ripe grilled peaches, pineapples, green apples, honeysuckle and vanilla wrapped into a creamy, buttery texture. Try as an offbeat alternative to Chardonnay.

Made in a forward, drink-me-now style, this Bordeaux blend contains 1% of Petite Sirah. The jammy flavors of blackberries and cherry are joined with vanilla, smoky cedar and spices. Drink this direct wine before 2012.

Here's a nice Pinot Noir that shows cool, coastal influence in the crispness and overall balance. It's not a big, rich wine, but quite elegant, with suggestions of cherries, herbs and sandalwood.

A fine everyday Zin. It's bone-dry, tannic and peppery, with briary flavors of blackberries, currants, cola and herbs.

Tasted in a flight of great and famous Napa wines, this Cardinale stood at the head of the pack. Starts with a very fine nose of cedar, cassis, ripe blackberries and violets, then turns dramatic and refined in the mouth. Shows vast depth and length, with the finish a full minute of sweet fruits and spices. Marvelous tannins, so plush and elegant, so powerful yet refined. The grapes hail from Mt. Veeder, Howell Mountain, Stags Leap and Oakville, and the blend contains 14% Merlot. As good as it is now, it will improve for a least eight years.

The 2008 Chardonnay Lower Rim is another compelling effort displaying enormous flesh, richness, succulence, minerality, and acidity. Notes of steely nectarines, bright oranges, lemon zest, butter cookies, and nutmeg emerge from this serious Chardonnay. These are far and away the most impressive group of Stonestreet Alexander Mountain estate wines that I have ever tasted.

These high elevation Cabernet Sauvignons, culled out from a larger vineyard, are remarkable offerings with aging potential of 25+ years. Readers looking for slightly more structure and Mouton Rothchild-like nose of creme de cassis, licorice, black currants, cedar, and a hint of bay leaf should check out the Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota. The tannic, impressively endowed, full-bodied Helena Dakota is clearly meant for true connoisseurs with cold cellars as well as the patience to wait 5-6 years for it to evolve. It is a 25- to 30-year wine...at a minimum.

The monster 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Rockfall is an extraordinarily dense, full-bodied, rich wine boasting notes of violets, blueberries, blackberries, cassis, cedar, graphite, and flowers. But patience is essential. These are far and away the most impressive group of Stonestreet Alexander Mountain estate wines that I have tasted.

The medium straw-colored 2008 Chardonnay Gold Run is a full-bodied, rich, vibrant style of wine packed and stacked with honeyed citrus, marmalade, creme brulee aromas and flavors. It should evolve 6-8+ years. These are far and away the most impressive group of Stonestreet Alexander Mountain estate wines I have ever tasted.

From a vineyard made famous by Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer, the 2008 Chardonnay Upper Barn offers lemon zest, nectarine, honeyed brioche, citrus, and crushed rock-like characteristics in its full-bodied, beautifully textured, pure, dense, complex personality. It should drink well for a decade or more. These are far and away the most impressive Stonestreet Alexander Mountain estate wines I have ever tasted.

As hard as it to believe, the 2008 Chardonnay Gravel Bench is even better. A prodigious effort, it tastes like liquid rocks intermixed with tropical fruits, shortbread, subtle butterscotch, caramelized oranges, and candied apples. This beautifully textured, stunningly pure, loaded, long Chardonnay can be enjoyed over the next 6-10 years. These are far and away the most impressive group of Stonestreet Alexander Mountain estate wines I have ever tasted.

Kirsch liqueur, lavender, licorice, raspberry, and blueberry aromas jump from the glass of the 2007 Pinot Noir Arrendell Vineyard. From one of the estate's oldest vineyards (34 years of age) planted with the Martini clone, it possesses a dark ruby/purple color, fabulous intensity, full-bodied power, and a 35-second finish, unusually long for a Pinot Noir. This beauty should age for a decade or more. One of the best wineries in Sonoma, Hartford Family Winery, under the guidance of winemaker Jeff Mangahas, continues to fine tune an impressive portfolio of wines, all from cool climate sites.

The powerhouse 2008 Zinfandel Hartford Vineyard, from 95-year old vines, hides its rather formidable alcohol level beautifully (it's a great example of why technical numbers add up to nothing). A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by glorious aromas of blackberries, boysenberries, raspberries, earth, and spice. Full-bodied as well as remarkably elegant and textured, this beauty is an exquisite example of old vine Zinfandel from northern California. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. …proprietors Don and Jennifer Hartford not only produce superb Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, but also some of the finest Zinfandels made in northern California.

Slightly more opulent with a sumptuous perfume of espresso roast, chocolate, and creme de cassis as well as superb fruit density, richness, and length, this killer Cabernet can be drunk now or cellared for 20-25 years. These are far and away the most impressive group of Stonestreet Alexander Mountain estate wines I have ever tasted.

Selected from the finest lots, the brilliant 2007 Chardonnay Reserve Speciale is a superb offering. It displays deep, rich honeysuckle notes intermixed with notions of nectarines, orange blossoms, butterscotch, vanilla, white peaches, baked apples, and pears. This complex Chardonnay should drink well for 4-5 years. This is another impressive group of wines from one of the most consistent winemakers and long-time veterans of the California wine scene, Dick Arrowood. He has always had the Midas touch with white varietals, yet he also continues to impress me with what he can do with red varietals.

These high elevation Cabernet Sauvignons, culled out from a larger vineyard, are remarkable offerings with aging potential of 25+ years. The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana's inky purple color is followed by a rich, sumptuous bouquet of espresso roast, melted chocolate, black currants, charcoal, and subtle background oak. Full-bodied and dense with silky tannins as well as slightly more velvety texture and opulence than its sibling, this beauty should drink well for 20-25+ years.

The biggest production cuvee, the inky/purple-tinged 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Monument Ridge is fabulous. Composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc aged 16 months in 76% new French oak casks, it reveals abundant aromas of creme de cassis, graphite, ink, licorice, and fruitcake in a full-bodied, Pauillac-like style with plenty of sweet tannin. These are far and away the most impressive group of Stonestreet Alexander Mountain estate wines I have ever tasted.

Another brilliant effort is the 2007 Pinot Noir Jennifer's, from a hillside vineyard in the cold Sebastopol hills area of Russian River. It exhibits a flowery bouquet with both blue and red fruit scents, tart acids, a generous mouthfeel, and impressive density. Everything is still playing it close to the vest in this rich, concentrated wine. It will benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age, and should keep for 10 years. One of the best wineries in Sonoma, Hartford Family Winery, under the guidance of winemaker Jeff Mangahas, continues to fine tune an impressive portfolio of wines, all from cool climate sites.

The similarly-colored, expressive 2007 Pinot Noir Fog Dance Vineyard (another Green Valley site) is one of my favorite Pinots in this line-up. Loads of rose petal, black raspberry, and other floral characteristics emerge from this full-bodied, layered, multidimensional wine. It reveals a subtle hint of oak, very good acidity, and unmistakable amounts of minerality. One of the best wineries in Sonoma, Hartford Family Winery, under the guidance of winemaker Jeff Mangahas, continues to fine tune an impressive portfolio of wines, all from cool climate sites.

A reference point offering, the 2008 Zinfandel Highwire Vineyard exhibits abundant aromas of blackberries, cassis, sweet cherries, and earth as well as blockbuster flavors. Rich and full-bodied with oodles of fruit, a layered texture, a velvety style, and a luscious, concentrated finish, this superb Zinfandel should age nicely for 5-7 years. However, it is impossible to resist at present because of its seductive power and richness. …proprietors Don and Jennifer Hartford not only produce superb Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, but also some of the finest Zinfandels made in northern California.

From even older vines (102 years), the 2008 Zinfandel Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard boasts abundant aromas (black raspberries, blackberries, spring flowers, spice) reminiscent of a top-notch Pomerol. Silky-textured and full-bodied with a superb texture and a long finish, this is another exquisite Zinfandel to consume over the next 5-7 years.. …proprietors Don and Jennifer Hartford not only produce superb Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, but also some of the finest Zinfandels made in northern California.

Another massive, highly extracted monster that begs for a decade of patience is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon West Ledge. (234 cases produced). It should last for 50 years. These are far and away the most impressive group of Stonestreet Alexander Mountain estate wines I have ever tasted.

Another winner, the impressive 2007 Journey Proprietary Red is a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. An elegant, medium to full-bodied, pure, rich, Bordeaux-styled red, it offers up scents of cedar wood, licorice, smoked herbs, creme de cassis, and background oak.

The lemon and orange blossom-scented 2007 Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard (an incredibly cold windswept site) offers up copious notes of caramelized citrus, marmalade, crushed rock, and subtle wood, along with high acidity, and impressive layers of concentration. This vineyard is normally harvested in November because it is such a cold, windy zone. All three of these Chardonnays are best drunk in their first 3-4 years of life, although my instincts suggest they will last longer. One of the best wineries in Sonoma, Hartford Family Winery, under the guidance of winemaker Jeff Mangahas, continues to fine tune an impressive portfolio of wines, all from cool climate sites. The three Chardonnays among the current releases are all outstanding.