The 1995 Zinfandel Vintner's Reserve is a light-bodied, fruity wine that quickly dries out in the mouth. It offers clean, correct, but thin varietal aromas and flavors. Drink it over the next year.

What it lacks in power it makes up for with finesse. Lean and soft, it has bright aromas and flavors of black cherry and black pepper.

The nose offers gingersnap and black cherry. Forward fruit fills the palate; berries, cherry and ginger spice. Tasty and ripe, full bodied and generous. This is a wine for serious fruit lovers.

Very deep color; dark spicy-jammy aromas; textured flavors, firm tannins, jammy fruit, plums and spicy oak; long finish.

Well-integrated with overwhelming flavors of concentrated blackberry. Sweet, deep, long and balanced. A very drinkable wine with a straightforward style.

From its clean, if faintly piney aromas, to its pert, berry-like flavors, this mid-sized offering shows a comparatively narrow bit of fruit. Balanced to firmness, it is fairly lively in style and remains vital well into its lightly tannic finish. Always wanting a little more richness (especially at the price), it is nonetheless a pleasant and very functional Zin that will do nicely in washing down tomatoey pasta dishes.

Drinks well now.

Spice, attractive berry fruit, medium body, and a clean, crisp finish.

"Lean and spicy, with more herb and dried cherry than ripe fruit flavors. Unexpectedly modest, given the price and reserve status." (Also appeared 8/31/96).

Flavors are just as light and engaging as its nose. Medium-bodied and almost juicy in the mouth, this is a zippy, quaffable offering.

Leather, black fruit, vanilla from oak, orange zest. Massive extraction with woodsy aspects dominant. Mouthwatering acids in perfect harmony with lush oak and gripping tannins.

One of the 12 top-rated wines tasted since December 1994. Spicy-jammy Zinfandel aroma, oak accents; well-balanced flavors packed with bright fruit; a complete wine. Good with venison chili, hearty cheeses.

Appealing aromas offer ripe-ish, berryish scents with hints of dark chocolate as well as the forward presence of creamy oak. Medium-full bodied and supple, the wine shows fruity, berryish qualities.

Hints of wild berry and spicy raspberry come through on the finish.

Warm and spicy style of fruit on the nose, with well blended oak and fruit characteristics on the palate. Quite a serious wine, and one that will improve.

Excellent.

Excellent. With deep ruby/purple colors, wonderful aromas of ripe fruit, and rich, concentrated personality. This will drink well through the turn of the century. A terrific Zinfandel.

If you can find it, grab it. Sensational, rich and fruity.

A light, refreshing style. Best while the fruit's fresh and lively; drink now to 1995.

Recommended.

Excellent. With deep ruby/purple colors, wonderful aromas of ripe fruit, and rich, concentrated personality. This will drink well through the turn of the century.

Highly recommended.

The generous oak is well-supported by ripe berryish varietal fruit, and the nose is further enriched by nuances of oregano, spice and butter. Rich, round, well-balanced and full of fruit.

What a surprise! Delicious. Lots of deep, berry fruit.