Deep ruby. Sappy, sweet aroma dominated by black raspberry; impressively ripe for '98. Lush & sweet, with black fruit & lead pencil flavors of noteworthy depth. Finishes very long, with dusty, even tannins. Almost magically escapes the herbaceousness that plages most '98 cabernet-based wines from California's North Coast. This was made possible but severe selection, according to winemaker Pierre Seillan, who added that he used SO2 to protect the fruit & delay the onset of fermentation, then used a faster yeast in order to avoid extracting green tannins.

Deep medium ruby. Bright, ripe aromas of cassis, black cherry, tobacco and minerals. Quite dense but more backward and less sweet than the Vérité Merlot (1998). But this is ripe, layered and deep. Finishes with big tannins that avoid dryness. The 1999 is huge, thick and silky; still rather unformed but has all the elements to make an outstanding bottle.

Bright medium ruby. Intriguing, highly aromatic nose combines tart dark berries, smoked meat and espresso. Thick, rich, deep and concentrated; conveys an impressively full, sweet impression. Finishes with ripe, even tannins. I like this!

Aromatic nose of orange blossom, ripe pineapple and stony minerality. Fresh and full in the mouth, with brisk flavors of grapefruit and wet stone. Strong acidity contributes to the impression of firmness. Finishes quite dry and minerally. Rather uncompromising, firmly built wine from grapes harvested into early November.

Aromas of pineapple & subtle nutty oak. Fat, round & buttery; lush & full, but with sound framing acids. Flavor dominated by pineapple. Holds its shape nicely on the lingering, buttery back end.

Leesy aromas of honey & flint. Fatter & riper than the Katherine's, with more depth of flavor. Citrus & spice flavors nicely firmed by fresh acids & complemented by toast & vanilla from the all-new French barrels. This offers a good chewy middle & excellent persistence.

Good medium ruby. Oaky aromas of wild blackberry and Provencal herbs. Juicy, intensely flavored and penetrating; less opulent than the Marin County wine, but offers lovely fruit and has plenty of material to buffer its firm tannins. Finishes with subtle persistence.

Big nose of coconut & resiny oak. Opulent & large-scaled but quite dry in the mouth; fat & oaky with substantial alcohol. Finishes quite oaky & long.

Full red-ruby. Aromatic nose combines raspberry, cherry, blueberry, mint and white pepper. Uncompromisingly dry in the mouth, with strong, somewhat aggressive dark berry flavors. The wine's acids and tannins have not yet harmonized, and the wine finishes with a slight dry edge. But this still-tight wine, from a vineyard next to Gary Pisoni's in the Santa Lucia Highlands, will not be released until early next year.

Red-ruby. Aromas of wild berries, cherry, earth & eucalyptus. Fat & full, with interesting flavors of wild berries & cherry. Offers a glyceral mouthfeel & a faint impression of heat. Finishes with firm dusty (oak-enhanced) tannins.

Bright, deep red-ruby. Slightly reduced, meaty aromas of raw wild berries, dark chocolate and maple syrup. Sweet and lush, with flavors of crushed dark berries and spices. Yes, it's velvety, and attractively open-knit. Finishes with dusty tannins.

Deep red. Liqueur-like aromas of cassis, raspberry, smoked meat & high-toned, spicy oak. Juicy & firm in the mouth, with fairly intense flavors of dark berries. A step up in shape & concentration from the Julia's. I would have scored this wine higher were it not for the substantial oak component that somewhat dried its finish.

Aromas of pungent resiny oak, clove, honey, earth, spiced pear & pineapple. Then supple & fruity in the mouth with a note of truffle. Finishes slighly aggressive and could use a bit more grip.

Aromas of white grapefruit and grass. Supple in texture, but with Loire-like flavors of grapefruit and earth. Offers good fruit but only moderate complexity.

Aromas of crystallized lemon peel & yellow plum. Fat & sweet but rather diffuse, with modest nuance. Finishes with persistent, buttery fruit.

Medium-deep red. Very ripe, slightly roasted aromas of plum preserves & raspberry. Soft & a bit dull in the mouth, with modest flavor development & delineation. Finishes with dusty, tight tannins & a slight peppery greenness.

From this very noble vintage comes a bottling that is softer than the Camelot bottling but no less rich and fruity. Filled with tremendous fruit flavors --apples and peaches specifically -- all ultraspicy, cinnamon notes from both the grape and the oak. Made in the fashionable style, round and sweet...

From one of the best Chardonnay regions in the state, a cool-climate wine with pronounced peach, apple and tropical fruit flavors and a blast of zesty, spicy, smoky oak. Clean and crisp, with a creamy, rich texture. Finishes with a vanilla note.

Our goal was to create as complete a package as possible, says Antonakeas. It's hard to quibble with the results. The wine bar's selection of ontouchable cult Cabernets by the glass, such as Lokoya Mount Veeder 1995 ($55) makes teetotaling nearly impossible.

Rustic, with cedar, black cherry, earth, mineral & iodine flavors, turning oaky. Drink now through 2005. 2,822 cases made.

A bit brambly and zin-like. A syrah--wannabe. Boysenberry fruit flavors as opposed to blackberry.

Very fresh & intense, spicy, black currant inviting aromas. Lovely depth of fruit. This is a wine full of character, rich, spicy, firm tannins & excellent balance of weight. Good length. Will keep.

Quite good.

Reductive nose. Very rich, very oaky and a bit jammy, but with open tannic support. This is a blockbuster with more power than finesse -- but sumptuous and concentrated with a chewy finish...Oak and fruit aromas. Very young ripe fresh berry fruit combined with good acidity and tannin balance. Some complexity, with a long alcoholic, rich finish.

If never all that convincing with respect to distinctive varietal character, this clean, bright, slightly sweet wine suggests apples, lemons and an appealing hint of honey in both aroma and flavor. Quite well-balanced and kept alive by a bracing bit of acidity, it is sure to serve nicely in the coming warmer months with picnic fare.