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.

Supple and balanced, with earth, cedar and beef flavors, picking up the dry cherry and berry notes. Drink now through 2004.

Menthol and herbal notes dominate, with underlying crisp red currant flavors.

Simple, with red currant and dried berry flavors.

Lean, with charry, smoky berry, notes.

Classic Anderson Valley Gewürztraminer. A fragrant wine, brimming with floral, litchi, tangerine, and cinnamon-allspice aromas. Rich, ripe, supple, and frankly delicious. Bone dry, but the fruit is so ripe the wine tastes sweet. Steely, with great balance and harmony.

A very nice Syrah balancing supple, polished fruit with silky, finely-meshed tannins and crisp acidity. Bright and pure, with enough complexity for fine food.

Crisp and lively, with bright red currant and anise flavors that will match well with food.

Lively strawbeery aroma, spicy back notes; forward, fruity flavors, ripe berries and plums, toasted oak; medium finish…

"…rich, chocolatey, plummy…

…great value…fruity, fragrant…juicy tasting…

It's got great texture. There are hints of honey, pear and ripe apple, and it's got a really nice, smooth finish. A lot of people tend to say it's buttery. It's a good wine if you're moving into fall, when the bodies of wine are usually a little deeper.

…it is a banner year. While some of these wines are almost impossible to find, they will be among the most compelling efforts ever made in California.

1997 will rival 1994 and 1991 as one of the greatest years…it is a banner year. While some of these wines are almost impossible to find, they will be among the most compelling efforts ever made in California.