For nearly 40 years, Arrowood has been California’s undisputed master of auslese, beerenauslese, and trockenbeerenauslese-styled sweet Rieslings. He has been on target with these wines since he first began making them at Chateau St. Jean 30 years ago. The auslese-styled 2007 Special Select Late Harvest Riesling Saralee’s Vineyard contains 21.7 grams of residual sugar as well as terrific acidity, and gorgeous aromas of lychee nuts, apricots, peaches, and apple butter. This sweet white should drink easily for another 5-6 years.

The 2007 Chardonnay Broken Road and 2007 Chardonnay Red Point, both lighter versions of the Upper Barn. Stonestreet is becoming an excellent source for small lots of Chardonnay, although the basic Alexander Valley cuvee is very plentiful (6,500 cases). The single vineyard offerings (between 120 and 350 cases produced of each) are impressive efforts that are more similar than dissimilar since they all come from single vineyard lots, are aged in 50% new French oak (except for the Gravel Bench), and spend 11 months on their lees before bottling.

The liquid minerality of the 2007 Chardonnay Gravel Bench brings to mind a grand cru Chablis. Abundant wet stone characteristics along with a liqueur of rocks are accompanied by lemon blossom, nectarine, and quince notes. It should drink well for 5-6 years.

The 2007 Zinfandel High Wire Vineyard exhibits more blue and black fruit characteristics along with notions of damp earth and spice, and a full-bodied, brilliant display of briery black fruits. This spicy, peppery Zinfandel is refreshing, full-bodied, and a total delight to drink. Drink this hedonistic effort over the next 5-6 years.

The deep ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Zinfandel Hartford Vineyard exhibits intense aromas of flowers, black raspberries, and cherries, a full-bodied, rich, layered, opulent style, and a hedonistic display of fireworks. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.

Supple red cherry flavors more than match the oak influence of this wine, which deepens those flavors to chocolate richness. It finishes on a savory note. For roast lamb.

Sharing the same winemaker, Graham Werts, as the Stonestreet winery, the 2006 Legacy is a 1,400-case blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec. This gorgeous 2006 boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as aromas and flavors of spicy oak, creosote, burning embers, and copious quantities of black currant and blackberry fruit. Full-bodied with a subtle smoky component, multilayers, a round, generous texture, and sweet tannin in its silky finish, it can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20+ years.

Although the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is a softer wine, it still begs for additional bottle age. A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, it offers graphite, blackberry, cassis, toasty oak, and earth notes in a full-bodied, rich style with slightly less tannin and concentration than its monster sibling.

Nearly as awesome is the 2007 Chardonnay Broken Road and 2007 Chardonnay Red Point, both lighter versions of the Upper Barn. Stonestreet is becoming an excellent source for small lots of Chardonnay, although the basic Alexander Valley cuvee is very plentiful (6,500 cases). The single vineyard offerings (between 120 and 350 cases produced of each) are impressive efforts that are more similar than dissimilar since they all come from single vineyard lots, are aged in 50% new French oak (except for the Gravel Bench), and spend 11 months on their lees before bottling.

The 3,000 case lot of 2007 Chardonnay Carneros is superb. Complex notes of hazelnut, popcorn, orange marmalade, and background oak are subtle yet persistent. Drink this beauty over the next several years.

The 2007 Chardonnay Laura’s is still in barrel, but it almost came across as tannic. However, it is loaded with crisp white peach, white currant, and quince aromas accompanied by strong mineral undertones. It is medium-bodied and more backward than its siblings. All of these Chardonnays have 4-6 years of aging potential, perhaps even longer.

From a 23-acre vineyard planted on the so-called red Rutherford dust, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Bosche Vineyard is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot. While it does not reach the level of some past legends (1974), it reveals a sumptuous perfume of creme de cassis, loamy soil, and spicy oak, followed by tightly-constructed, medium to full-bodied flavors with sweet tannin, outstanding concentration, and admirable overall equilibrium. While it still plays it close to the vest, its quality/pedigree is obvious. Consume it over the next 15+ years.

Very ripe and new oaky, but the acidity is so vibrant, it provides the much-needed balance kick. Flavor-wise, this Chard is a blast of orange Slurpee, pineapple tart, vanilla crème brûlée and cinnamon spice. It sure is an easy wine to drink.

A lovely Viognier that shows the variety's exotic richness while maintaining dryness and elegance despite high alcohol. The tropical fruit, wildflower, spice and honey flavors are deliciously balanced with crisp acidity.

The 2006 Syrah Saralee’s Vineyard exhibits tell-tale tar, roasted meat, and bouquet garni aromas, intense, ripe blackberry fruit, hints of smoke and licorice, and a long, heady finish. Aged in French oak for 18 months, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, this luscious, sexy Syrah should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 6-7 years.

Saturated with blueberry-rich fruit and tannins that give it a cedar and cherry-bark tone, this wine is firmly structured and lasting. It's complex, needing time to develop in bottle.

The earthier 2006 Pinot Noir Russian River displays scents of clove, allspice, licorice, and dark cherries. This is a meaty, earthy example of well-made Pinot. Drink it over the next 3-5 years.

The 2,000 case cuvee of 2006 Pinot Noir Carneros exhibits a dark ruby color followed by aromas and flavors of sweet raspberries, kirsch, forest floor, and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied with lovely fruit and length as well as ripe tannins, it should be drunk over the next 3-5 years.

There are 6,200 cases of the 2007 Chardonnay Russian River. It exhibits plenty of tropical fruit and honeysuckle along with a touch of spice, full-bodied, rich flavors, and a subtle note of oak. This wine was 100% barrel-fermented and was put through 100% malolactic fermentation, but the oak is kept in the background.

The 2007 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast offers up aromas of orange blossoms, lemon oil, and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied with crisp, fresh fruit, a subtle touch of oak (9% is barrel-fermented), a long, pure finish, and fashioned by winemaker Melissa Stackhouse, this impeccably made Chardonnay should provide enjoyment over the next 2-3 years.

One of my favorites of this group is the 2006 Pinot Noir Hailey’s Block Arrendell Vineyard. It exhibits a medium ruby color along with notes of clove and allspice intermixed with pomegranate, red berry, and currant scents. With beautiful fruit, medium body, and no hard edges, it can be drunk now and over the next 2-3 years.

Hartford Court’s 2007 Zinfandel Russian River reveals gorgeous sweet black cherry fruit, medium to full body, loads of spice, supple tannins, and that fresh exuberance that makes Zinfandel so appealing. Enjoy it over the next 3-4 years.

The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa (a blend from various sites) is a soft, sexy combination of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. A big, sweet nose of Asian spices, smoky oak, and plenty of black and red fruits, are followed by a lush, round, generously constituted wine with medium to full body, decent acidity, and velvety tannins. Enjoy it over the next 8-10 years.

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