Very black-fruited and equally heavy on the toasted oak, which together yield a menthol-and-mint aroma package. A bit of a love-it-or-leave-it wine, as its extreme oaking leaves the impression of espresso and char. The finish is on the short side, and the ody a bit hollow given its gigantic proportions.

"This wine typically requires years to open up; now it's very tight and only offers a modicum of leather, toast and black-currant aromas. The plum and blackberry fruit is hunky, not stylish. The acids are bold, and the tannins are bulky, which masks what charm might be hidden beneath.'

An approachable wine with blueberry, blackberry and dried cherry flavors. A bit soft but varietally correct.

Deep black fruit aroma, plums and black cherries; toasted oak backnotes; full tannins, cherry-berry flavors; long finish.

…boasts a brawny, full-throttle character reflective of its rugged origins..

Combining scents of nicely ripened apples, pears, and crea,y oak in its easy-access aromas, this rounded and fairly weighty Chardonnay has plenty of palatal presence…

An intensely flavored, mountain-grown Cabernet that ranks as one of the best California reds from a blockbuster vintage. Highly recommended.

'Amazing depth, richness, complexity and concentration here -- and an impeccable balance. Offers layers of plush black cherry, wild berry, currant, plum, anise and sage, finishing in a long, detailed aftertaste. Has the tannic strength to age; drink through 2012.

Wonderfully proportioned, smooth & ripe, with rich black cherry, currant, wild berry & spice, offering depth & complexity, turning elegant & sophisticated. Cabernet Sauvigon & Merlot. Best from 2001 through 2009. 3900 cases made.

dark, firm and concentrated, with chewy tannins wrapped around a core of earthy currant, mint and cedar notes, focused and long on the finish…tasted twice with consistant notes.'

Ultraripe and jammy, with layers of black cherry, wild berry and raspberry, finishing with a dose of heat and ripe tannins. Best from 2002 through 2010.

Concentrated and brawny, with almost viscous flavors of chocolate, dried fruit and smoke that linger on the thick finish…Tasted twice, consistent notes.

Dense, tannic and earthy, with spicy herb, pepper and wild berry flavors. The tannins are industrial strength, bu tpolished enough to drink in a year or two. Best from 2002 through 2012.

Features tangy yet rich blackberry, black cherry, currant, vanilla and mocha flavors, all framed by very firm but ripe tannins…

'Here's a pretty youthful zin, its aroma already devveloping subtle and intriguing aspects while the fruit in the mouth holds to a simple, firm berry character. It's gentle and generous, an easy-going red…

One of the most exciting early fall wine releases is this extrodinarily complex chardonnay from a small, but well-funded, California winery. In a blind tasting, you might think this is a very expensive white Burgundy. It has the many layers of fruit flavor you look for in a California wine: pear, lemon, melon and fig. What grabs your attention, however, is the magnificient bouquet of the oak and yeast lees combined with the fruit. Aromas of toast, spice fig and brulee are seductive. Yet the wine is in no way awkward or overdone. It comes together as an impressively elegant package that is delicious now and will live on for several years.

Austere, with a firm tannic edge to the dried cherry, cola & berry flavors. Rich & concentrated, but also quite dry. Drink now through 2004. 446 cases made.

Supple & balanced, with earth, cedar & beef flavors, picking up dry cherry & berry notes. Drink now through 2004. 415 cases made.

Austere, with a twinge of stemminess. Mostly tea & herb notes, though some cherry peeks through. Drink now through 2003. 320 cases made.

Rich, fruity aroma; smooth and medium-bodied with herbal and chocolate flavors.

Clean, correct and eminently likeable, the sweet appley and moderately creamy aromas find attractive parallel in flavors o fmedium depth and richness. Apples and oaky notes reach into the light but lingering finish of this nicely focused presentation.

…there's no denying the 'grip' this wine has on the market…

Edmeades has made some great single-vineyard Zinfandels from Mendocino over the years, but this Petit Sirah delivers everything I love about Petit Sirah -- it's concentrated, brawny, and almost viscious with flavors of chocolate, dried fruit and smoke that linger on its tannic finish. It's a bargain at the price.