Thick, sweet fruit; tannic.

Intriguing aromas of black cherries, vanilla, olive and sweet coffee make for a fine start here, and much of the richness and complexity of the nose is echoed by the wine's ripe and open flavors.

Rich and loaded with winemaking complexities on top of its evident fruit, this one is memorable for its high toast and loads of leesey tones. Fairly full-bodied and a bit alcoholic, this big, toasty wine has oak and roasted grain flavors galore. It is rounded at entry and carries a very respectable center of fruit yet is not at all a fruity version of Chardonnay. Nicely developed, it will serve as an appealing offering with foods like roast chicken.

Bright, youthful aromas show lemon, lees and sweet oak tones in a light yet fairly intense nose. Rounded with a slightly viscous texture, the wine has a very pleasant palatal feel and shows only moderate length but will be quite enjoyable with fish like Orange Roughy.

This is a grape that is difficult to make well and sell at a price less than $30, but the boys at K-J have done their homework. At $14.50, this is a good example of how tasty and fruity (but not sweet) a pinot can be, clean cherry/cigar box nose that has great fruit-to-acid balance.

Soft but austere berry fruit

Ripe fruit, spice and balance.

Deep ruby cast. Moderately full-bodied. Balanced acidity. Moderately extracted. Mildly oaked. Mildly tannic. Spice, minerals, tomato. Quite aromatic with real complexity. Generous yet firm in the mouth with an angular spicy finish. Shows fine persistence and intensity.

Smoky, oaky, blackberry nose. Fruity, complex... velvety in the mouth, black fruits, black pepper and spices, very firm, very high-toned.

Deep cherry red with a subtle garnet rim. Medium-bodied. Moderately extracted. Mildly tannic. Brown spice, red fruits. Rich gamey aromas follow through on the palate with sweet red-fruit flavors and a delicate earthy persistence. Finely wrought and generous, with a spicy finish.

Pale violet-red. Moderately light-bodied. Moderately extracted. Mildly tannic. Vanilla, berry fruits, cherry. Bright berry and vanilla aromas lead to a supple, fruity palate and a clean, crisp finish.

Bright saturated ruby purple cast. Moderately full-bodied. Balanced acidity. Highly extracted. Mildly oaked. Moderately tannic. Minerals, chocolate, black fruits. Bright aromas lead to a weighty and intense mouthfeel……

Bright saturated ruby cast. Medium-bodied. Full acidity. Moderately extracted. Mildly tannic. Minerals, black fruits. A racy fruit-driven nose leads to a firm and intense palate. Crisp, lean and vibrant through the finish.

Elegant and complex, offering layers of cedar, black cherry, and wild berry with spicy nuances, turning sleek and earthy on the finish where the tannins are mild but firm.

Elegant, with spicy, toasty oak, picking up complex pear, tart apple, citrus and subtle earthy nuances.

Lean and a touch earthy, with spicy wild berry, black cherry, sage and cedar and dry tannins.

Intense, with rich and spicy pear, vanilla and earth notes, picking up touches of anise and cedary oak.

Lean and focused, with a solid core of wild cherry, strawberry and herb flavors. Finishes clean and fairly long, with moderate acidity and ripe, firm tannins.

Tight, with a trim, attractive band of berry, cherry, cedar, sage and spice. Turns elegant and simple on the finish.

This wine had a certain rustic quality to it, as well as a thick, sweetish texture… …a pleasing wine with good fruit-to-tannin balance and would go well with assertively seasoned Thai or Szechuan dishes.

Dark, concentrated and tangy, with lots of dark berry and cherry flavors, some tannin ad a long finish. A mouth-filling wine.

Sweet and opulent, with coconut and vanilla flavors and a little tangerine on the finish.

I'm not much of a fan of late harvest chardonnays, but this one is terrific. It has honeyed flavors of apricot and peach, with some refreshing, citrusy acidity to cut the sweetness.

Hefty, with lots of black cherry and berry flavors, as well as quite a lot of oak and tannin. There's lots to this wine; it just needs a few years of cellaring.