Elegant, subtle aromas. Juicy, ripe, rich palate. Tannins provide structure with acidity carrying flavours to long length. Up to five years.

Intense aromas and ripe, almost jammy flavors of blackberry, plum and brown spice, sweet vanilla, hints of toast and licorice; a big, juicy, very ripe style.

An elegant wine with a velvety texture. Aromas and flavors of black cherry, plum, strawberry, cola, nutmeg and orange peel. Firm tannins. Balanced. Long finish.

A ripe pinot, with complex flavors of concentrated cola, cherry, mint and eucalyptus. Lean texture. Tasty with turkey.

Zesty black cherry, spice.

From one of Sonoma County's best pinot noir producers, this La Crema packs a lot of raspberry fruit with additional notes of nutmeg and spice on the finish. A wonderfully fruity wine with lots of class and complexity.

Jammy, sweet & lush /dark spice; cranberry, rose petal nose w/black pepper, spice, deep berry fruit; moderate tannin; rich, soft, lush in the mouth.

A core of cherry fruit with a good dollop of oak. Notes of ginger and orange peel.

...more distinctive with herbal, strawberry and raspberry tones...they are fascinating in that even though they are above 14 percent alcohol, they are lighter in color than many of the other French clone pinot noirs, and yet more deeply flavored.

Ripe, moderately fruity and graced with an attractive streak of lightly toasty oak, this ripe and fairly sizeable Pinot wanders to dryness in the mouth and is betrayed at the finish by a bit more heat than it can comfortably support.

...is more herbal and complex, but slightly less succulent...they are fascinating in that even though they are above 14 percent alcohol, they are lighter in color than many of the other French clone pinot noirs, and yet more deeply flavored.

Slightly stewed black cherry fruit and spicy oak. Sweet fruited, black cherry fruit, velvet texture, allspice and clove, balanced structure. Up to 5 years.

A bit closed, but black cherry and plum on the nose, hint of earth, pine and herb; similar flavors plus black currant, tea and light spice; firm, integrated tannins.

...has violet aromas and delicate cherry and mint aromas and a deep flavor...they are fascinating in that even though they are above 14 percent alcohol, they are lighter in color than many of the other French clone pinot noirs, and yet more deeply flavored.

Ripe cherry and Blackberry aromas, creamy texture, great fruit, balanced acidity and tannins, lingering finish.

But by far, the most exciting thing for everyday consumers is La Crema's new 2000 pinot noir. All things equal, the taste of barrel samples may be an insider's cherished dream, but one sip of the final product tells you that the art of the winemaker is still one of mystery and magic. My wine of the week this week tells the tale. About as complete a wine as you will find for the money, this handsome wine offers strawberry, cherry and clove aromas and a succulence rarely found in a red wine. Not to be missed.

...one of the finest pinot values on the shelf. The aroma here is pure pinot, with faint herbal and spinach notes amid bright cherry, strawberry and cranberry fruit. The taste is lush and rich, with a faint note of smoke and chocolate from barrel aging. A wine that will improve for at least two years, but simply tastes great now.

Medium-Full body; Dry; Forward berry/spice aroma; slightly jammy flavors, big tannins, hint of mint; good length.

Its ripe, well-oaked, eminently spicy aromas make for a very fine start here, and, while the wine's ample flavors similarly begin on a positive note, they run afoul of elevated acidity and palpable heat in the latter going. Still, there is enough depth and solidity evident to make this one worth a gamble, and a wait of three to five years should help immeasurably.

This concentrated, complex wine reminds me of Hermitage from a ripe vintage in that it needs time to fully express itself.

An appealing syrah with good balance. Complex, with notes of toast, leather and black pepper. Nice Oak.