Soft and fruity, with good body and a core of black cherry, plum, cassis, spice and herb notes. A bit bright on the finish, but nice nonetheless.

Another stunning offering is Edmeades' 2001 Zinfandel Ciapusci Vineyard. A perfume of plums, figs, earth, black cherries, raspberries, smoke, dried herbs, spice box, and pine forest is followed by layered, fat, fleshy, full-bodied, in-your-face Zinfandel that manages to retain good freshness and vigor in spite of its weight and concentration.

The wine is tremendously heady (one glass will provide and instant buzz), with a gorgeous bouquet of raspberry liqueur, cherries, incense, spice box, and other wondrous scents. Slightly sweet, perhaps because the glycerin is so high given the alcoholic power, this intriguing, fascinating effort should be shared among... many friends.

Exhibits a smorgasbord of aromas, including resiny pine forest notes, black currants, cherry jam, licorice, and incense. Deep and full-bodied, with great fruit, tremendous freshness, and a vigorous, exuberant, flamboyant finish, it will provide pleasure of the next 4-5 years.

This dramatic, perfumed offering reveals resiny notes intermingled with red and black fruits, flowers, and forest floor, medium to full body, outstanding fruit concentration, good underlying acidity, and a touch of tannin. Drink this beefy, bigger-than-life Zinfandel over the next 4-5 years.

The Napa is big-bodied, loaded with texture and fruit, mouthfilling and long on the palate.

Ripe and firm, with a burst of blackberry, violet and black cherry flavors. Herb, cedar and earth tones fold in on the finish, where there's a trace of heat.

Firm and and concentrated, with wild berry, violet, blackberry and plum flavors. Cedary overtones and solid tannins extend through a vibrant, lingering finish.

Filled with charming fruit, with layers of berrylike flavors, good acids and a bracing, coffee-ground finish. This has been a longtime favorite, and is often available for less than $20.

Decanter Wines of the Year - Whites

Fragrant scents of yellow hers and chamomile. flower blossoms and pollen give this clean wine a light touch. Match its honeyed spice to a spring salad of beets and arugula.

Sweet themes of juicy apples play the lead to entirely supportive oak first in the nose and then again in the flavors of this up-front offering, and, while acidity firms up things by mid-palate, it does so without taking away from the wine's generally juicy nature.

Decanter Wines of the Year - Whites

Classic style. New oak. Fantastic weight, depth and flavour. 2-10 years.

Vanilla scents of oak round the sweet ripeness of pear, while the wine remains clean and oriented toward that pear fruitiness. The oak seems to bring a savory bitterness, a supple, waxy base for the lemon and pear flavors to linger on, substantial and satisfying with roast veal.

...would rival any pinot noir in California and even many in Burgundy. Made in small quantities, it isn't available in Maryland but still shows off the producer's ability.

We were pleasantly surprised with this opulent, well-structured Merlot that draws juice from Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Carneros. Ripe berry aromas with dense, rich blackberry and cherry flavors and a touch of vanillin oak. One of the better made Merlots on the market.