Although its overtly leesy nose is almost singularly keyed on nutty, burnt bread elements, this offering comes through with a generous dose of sweet pear-like fruit on the palate and its open flavors find a creamy streak of oak instead of the expected repeat of toast and char. Nicely rounded and a touch oily in feel, it finishes with a lingering mix of apples, pears and oak and should do fine service as a juicy partner to grilled chicken dishes.

recommended wine

Our favorite of the experimental clones. The smoked bacon and underbrush aromas turn to a big mouthful of juicy black cherries and licorice, accented with a dusting of earth. It's a big, lush Pinot that finishes with chocolate-covered cherries.

The density of this wine is surprising. Not a wine for the meek, the rich, heady flavors of plum pudding and spice cake integrate well with dark fruits and earth.

Much meatier than the 115 bottling, 2A also folds in portobello mushroom aromas. The candied, dark cherry flavors are so rich there is a perception of sweetness. This wine finishes with great length and a touch of tea.

Fred Holloway's first full vintage started off with a bang. This big, complex Chardonnay has aromas of tropical fruit underscored by butterscotch and mint. The flavors burst with pineapple and a touch of menthol, while the long, buttery finish is perfectly complemented by racy acidity.

This wine has aged about like we expected to since we rated it 91points in our July 2001 issue. Big tropical fruit is still going strong, backed up by toasty, mentholly oak.

Clearly an exceptional wine … the plummy fruit coming up after plenty of air, the texture rich and mouth coating … that of a wine packaged for age … completely black, the oak more apparent in a cinnamon savor. For me, it's just about great ingredients, made well, built to age.

This is deep and earthy, with leather and herbal accents. A powdery quality softens the full-blast cherry and plum fruit, which carries a touch of cola and oaky vanilla. The finish is top-shelf, with citrus peel, tea, dried spices, espresso and burnt toast. It's simultaneously rustic yet refined; the perfect match. Editor's Choice

Juicy dark fruit, toasty oak, nutmeg, caramel and pepper elements combine nicely in this substantial wine. It's juicy but structured, and turns more serious on the finish where firm tannins show on the long, tea- and spice- accented fade.

The toasty, smoky nose is a result of eight months in French oak. Sweet yellow-fruit flavors integrate well with a full creaminess in this simple but enjoyable quaff.

One whiff of the powerful hickory smoke and menthol announces that this was given full oak treatment. Some herbacious notes mix on the tongue with plum, tomato and creamy vanilla. It's fairly soft in feel but not in flavor, especially on the finish, where espresso-like coffee comes on full force.

Matchstick and tar start this Syrah off. Then tart, mixed-berry flavors appear on the palate- they're pleasantly juicy, just lacking a little depth. The finish is smoky and peppery.

Strong caramel, butter and brown sugar aromas. Flavors of vanilla, licorice and tree bark come ahead of some sturdy plum fruit. The finish is arguably a bit hot and woody.

Impeccably balanced, ripe, rich and concentrated, tightly wound and jam packed with rich earthy currant, coffee, mineral and blackberry flavors. Tightens up on the finish, where the tannins bite and don't let go. Best from 2004 through 2012.

Supple textured, with a mix of creamy mocha, earth, mineral, and currant flavors and a touch of rustic earthiness. Complex and concentrated, with a twinge of vegetal herbaceousness and gritty tannins.

Round with a supple texture to black currant, earth, herb and black cherry flavors framed by modest tannin and toasty oak.

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

Ripe raspberry and smoked bacon aroma, forward berry flavors, refined tannins, long, balanced finish.

Black currant and cranberry nose, richly textured flavors, tobacco notes, sweet fruit finish

Very deep color; lovely black cherry aroma; layered fruit, silky and sensuous; long balanced finish.