…exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color in addition to a toasty nose, chocolate, black currant, lead pencil, and smoke. Full-bodied, with high tannin, this pure, concentrated wine needs another 2-3 years of cellaring.

Reminiscent of some of Domaine Parent's old fashioned Pommards I enjoyed in the early seventies, its medium ruby color is followed by aromas of overripe plums, blackberries, cherries, and toast. Full-bodied with a nicely layered, plump texture, this low acid, luxuriously rich, expressive Pinot Noir is one of the sleepers being made in California.

It exhibits honeyed lemon and buttery fruit, sweet, toasty pineapple and honeysuckle-like flavors, a fleshy texture, and an elegant, moderately long finish.

"It displays some tropical fruit, but is more dominated by a flinty, lime, and citrus character. Rich, with medium to full body, this classy, concentrated Chardonnay should drink well for 1-2 years.

Revealing a similar tannic firmness and copious black currant fruit, the 1997 Cabernet is a spicy, lavishly wooded effort.

The 1997 Chardonnay is an excellent value. …it exhibits a big, roasted nut, smoky, Meursault-like nose with copious quantities of honeysuckle and rich, buttery, tropical fruit. Lavishly rich and mouthfilling, this widely available Chardonnay should have immense crowd appeal.

…this tropical fruit and honeysuckle-dominated wine reveals smoke, gorgeous fruit, excellent purity, and a medium to full-bodied, luscious finish. It is a crowd-pleasing Chardonnay with abundant power and intensity.

It is a fat, big, rich delicious effort bursting with peppery, spicy, cherry fruit with a touch of blackberries. Interestingly, the blend was 78% Zinfandel, 8%Sangiovese, 3% Syrah, and 11% Petite Sirah.

All the Zinfandel varietal characteristics - black cherry, pepper, briery fruit - are present in moderately high levels.

Medium ruby-colored, this seductive, sexy Pinot offers candied cherry/strawberry flavors infused with smoke and toasty oak. Full, fleshy, and heady, this is another crowd pleasing, exceptionally well-made wine.

…displays an obvious nose of mocha, white chocolate, and berry fruit. Fleshy, full-bodied, and tannic, it requires 8-12 months of bottle age, and should drink well for a decade.

…exhibit dark ruby/purple color, abundant spicy oak, medium body, and moderate tannin. …cuts a more structured, richer mouthfeel, with tobacco, cassis, and licorice characteristics.

…wine possesses outstanding concentration and purity, as well as a boatload of hard, gritty tannin. If the tannin becomes better integrated, this Cabernet will merit an outstanding score. However, I am concerned about the astringency level, which gives the wine a compressed feel despite its impressive levels of concentration an richness.

The 1998 Pinot Noir Grand Reserve was a surprise offering. There are 222 cases of this light medium ruby-colored, deliciously fruity Pinot Noir offering scents of plums, blackberries, cherries, and earth. This spicy round, high quality Pinot is largely from several Anderson Valley vineyards…

…dark ruby/purple colors, abundant spicy oak, medium body, and moderate tannin. The Merlot reveals more dried herb, berry fruit, and smoke…

It is a medium to full-bodied, juicy, tropical fruit-dominated effort with nicely integrated toasty oak, decent acidity, and fine purity and balance.

…an elegant, fresh, melon, honeyed citrus, grapefruit-scented and flavored 1998 Sauvignon Blanc. This pleasant Sauvignon will be ideal with Asian dishes as well as shellfish/seafood.

It exhibits chocolate, blackberry, and pepper-like aromas, medium body, and abundant fruit in its soft personality.

…was the finest of all the 1997 Vintner's Reserve reds.

...displays the same characteristics as the Vintner's Reserve, but with more fat, succulence, and ripe fruit.

…offers that varietal's tell-tale tropical fruit cocktail nose and flavors. A touch of Chardonnay was added to the blend.

Elegant and refreshing, with intriguing melon and tropical fruit characteristics, it is a pleasant, dry, medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc to drink over the next year.

Once again a fine effort, it exhibits ripe tropical fruit in addition to apple and citrus scents. It reveals more smoky oak than in past vintages, and tastes dry.

Displaying exotic lychee nut, jasmine, and grapefruit-like aromas and flavors, this crisp, dry, medium-bodied effort should be consumed over the next year.

This wine posesses some residual sugar, and should be approached as one would a German Kabinett or lighter-bodied Spatlese.