From the Russian River Valley, this pinot noir has distinctive black cherry flavors and tantalizing spice.

Menthol and herbal notes dominate, with underlying crisp red currant flavors.

dry, medium-bodied, medium tannin, medium acidity; A lovely wine full of dried-cherry flavor, with some notes of bitter herbs and a bit of smokiness.

Simple, with red currant and dried berry flavors.

Bright berry flavors with medium tannins and wonderful tangy acidity.

Appealing aromas of oak and cherry. A burst of strawberry on the palate, bright and ripe. Vibrant.

Medium red. Deeply pitched aromas of raspberry, chocolate, tobacco and earth. Vinous, textured and quite dry, with good texture and fairly substantial alcohol. Comes across as more tannic than the '99 which may be lower in acidity.

"Medium, dry, Bright raspberry and black currant aroma, spicy backnote; luscious fleshy flavors, good tannins, big fruit, good length. Value."

Although suggesting a wine of size and fruity extract in the nose, this young, medium-full-bodied working is not quite so generous in the mouth, yet its cherry-like qualities provide a clear and inviting varietal stamp.

With great fruit from the Russian River Valley, this pinot is deeply colored and has a rich black cherry fruit.

…oak and a touch of dusty spice overly subdued elements of lightly herbal, mildly cherryish fruit first in the low-keyed aromas and then again in the open, slightly rich flavors of this mid-sized Pinot.

Any Pinot Noir fan will quickly find that this wine, just now coming into supermarkets nationwide, is classically silky, with deep plum flavors and a soft vanilla taste. Clearly, this is not a wine anybody should miss, especially at this price. Suggested retail is $15, but you're sure to find it around $10 on special.

Vanilla spice and richly flavored dark cherry fruit. Still youthful

Rich, fine, sweet red fruits on the nose and vanilla spice with richly flavored dark cherry fruit and a sweet middle.

Ripe blackcurrant and sweet oak nose. Mouthfilling, ripe, sweet blackcurrant fruit with a smoky complexity.

"These two wines, [the reserve and the non-reserve] should, as often as it is possible, be purchased together and drunk back to back. Both are classic, cold climate Pinot Noirs that have amazingly aromatic noses, soft tannins and gobs of the blackberry, raspberry and cherry red fruit flavors that make this varietal almost the perfect accompaniment to any kind of dinner. There is a distinct nutty flavor imparted in both wines from its oak aging; 10 months for the reserve, 11 months for the non-reserve. The reserve offers a denser structure with deeper flavors;...

…from California is supple and seductive, with ripe cherry-berry fruit in sweet vanilla, white chocolate and spicy nuances.

This medium-bodied, fruity wine was an appealing blend of different flavors--herbs, tobacco, licorice--all culminating in a complex and lingering finish. It would be good with roasted chicken or veal dishes with light sauces, even grilled tuna or salmon.

Deep black-cherry aroma, chocolate and toffee accents; up-front oak, good concentration, layered fruit, good tannins; length. Perfect with roasted squab, pork satay.

These two wines, [the reserve and the non-reserve] should, as often as it is possible, be purchased together and drunk back to back. Both are classic, cold climate Pinot Noirs that have amazingly aromatic noses, soft tannins and gobs of the blackberry, raspberry and cherry red fruit flavors that make this varietal almost the perfect accompaniment to any kind of dinner. There is a distinct nutty flavor imparted in both wines from its oak aging;...11 months for the non-reserve. The...non-reserve differs only in its degree of the same characteristics as its noble cousin here.

Forward black-cherry, toasty oak, coffee back notes; rich texture, layered fruit, spicy oak, good concentration; long finish. Try with dried cherry risotto, duck confit.

Nicely focused in the nose, yet a bit shy on intensity throughout, this well-polished, medium-bodied Pinot gets good marks for its proper fruit, its extra bit of oaky richness and a lengthy finish. Never a flamboyant, it can improve for a few years in bottle.

Rich oak is everywhere, to be sure, but ripe fruit abounds in both the creamy aromas of deep, neatly extracted flavors of this sweet and spicy youngster.

"With its great black cherry aroma and fleshy, supple texture, this pinot is a real winner. It shows considerable depth, has a hint of toasty oak." (Also appeared 11/27/96 & 11/26/97).

Bright and bouncy fruit is buttressed by a bit of sweet oak in this direct and relatively lively young, medium-bodied Pinot.