Another Wow! Wine, this gorgeous blend of Merlot and Cabernet from four different vineyards was my own pick for best wine of the tasting. It was smooth, elegant and complex on the palate, with raspberry and spice flavors that segued into a long, seductive finish. Not as heavy as some of its compatriots, it would go well with lighter dishes such as chicken or fish, as well as spicy dishes that would be piquant counterpoint to its refined nature.

Here's an example of syrah from a single vineyard (and a cooler region in California that brings out that deep, fleshy character of the grape with all its exotic spiciness and smoke.

Up-front oak and fruity nose, layered fruity flavors, toasty oak and ripe pineapple, hint of sweetness; long, fruity finish. Perfect with chicken with fruit salsa, calamari salad.

.wonderfully outgoing opus, and the wine seems to have gained added depth while its central fruit has blossomed beautifully. Intensely varietal, but with juice aplenty to balance the presence of its ample herbaceousness, it uses rich oak to perfect advantage and finishes with a very long, multi-faceted finish. In short, this one is even better now than when first reviewed and counts complexity, smoothness and keen integration of its many parts as proof that Sauvignon Blanc of ambition is well served by age.

Simple and quite unpronounced aromas on the nose. Quite crisp, refreshing orange flavours on the palate with limey overtones and a good tangy length.

"Simple and quite unpronounced aromas on the nose. Quite crisp, refreshing orange flavors on the palate with limey overtones and a good tangy length." Also appeared 9/98

Here Steve Test of Stone street defines what classic North Coast chardonnay should be. The focus is on excellent varietal flavors, balance and careful use of excellent oak. It's medium-bodied and ready now.

This solidly oaked California chardonnay shows butterscotch flavor in moderation, with plenty of lovely fruit and its natural acidity in balance. Here's a match for thick-cut swordfish steaks, lemonbasted, grilled and scattered with pepper.

.the Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition, recently named the 1996 Sauvignon Blanc as one of the 10 finalists of wines best with raw oysters.

.texture and a certain delicacy.

Rich and sweetly oaked with a patina of butter and lees over deep, appley fruit at the heart of the aromas, this tasty wine is nicely assembled and well-structured. Lively, firm and crisp edged on the palate with a good display of apples and oak from entry to its lingering, focused finish.

A little closed on the nose for now but there is good dusty bramble fruit somewhere in there. Fine, gamey palate with savory leather intensity. Classic New World Merlot. Beautiful wood quality and layers of complexity.

Mango and lemon intensity on the nose-delicate and very appealing. Crisp and sweet on palate with apple and peach flavors quickly stepping pat the acidic structure and a quite firm mid-palate tang.

Full ruby red. Medium-bodied. Moderately extracted. Moderately oaked. Moderately tannic. Rich tobacco and vanilla aromas lead a seductively rounded palate with well-framed cherry fruit flavors and textured soft tannins showing great integration. Very polished style.

Dark red with a garnet rim. Moderately full-bodied. Highly extracted. Moderately oaked. Mildly tannic. Full-throttled spicy, mature aromas. Rich flavors of stewed cherries and berries with a distinctly earthy quality throughout. Tannins are grainy but not excessive for current drinking. Substantial style.

Bright pale cherry red with purple highlights. Medium-bodied. Moderately oaked. Mildly tannic. Bright tart cherry flavors have tobacco and spice accents. Lengthy astringent finish. Dry and some-what austere. Some complex chocolate notes.

Dark reddish purple. Medium-bodied. Highly extracted. Moderately oaked. Moderately tannic. Generous black cherry and raspberry aromas have a chocolate richness. Plenty of stuffing but also lots of toasted oak through the finish.

Bright cherry red. Medium bodied. Moderately extracted. Moderately oaked. Moderately tannic. Brown spice nuances on the nose. Crisp focused cherry-berry flavors have plenty of firm oak flavors in support , with dry tannins coming through on the finish.

Medium cherry red. Moderately light-bodied. Moderately extracted. Moderately oaked. Mildly tannic. Red berry fruit aromas. Cranberry and strawberry flavors have an astringent backbone with sweet tobacco notes lingering on the finish.

Medium reddish purple. Medium-bodied. Moderately extracted. Moderately oaked. Moderately tannic. Oak-dominated nose leads a mild black cherry and pepper palate with bitter notes on the finish.

Complex and flavorful, with a range of black cherry, cola, earth and mushroom flavors, I lacks focus and finish with slightly muddled tannins. Aging into 1999 may do the trick; give more finesse and grace.

Tough, earthy and leathery, with just enough rupe plum and black cherry. Cellar into 1999 in hopes the fruit pushes to the fore.

Dark color, concentrated ripe blackberry fruit, great black pepper and spice notes and surprisingly firm tannins to give it body.

We loved this wine. Dense, plummy fruit, chunky texture, hints of tobacco and chocolate and long finish. The complexity of this serious and brooding merlot puts it up there with Duckhorn, Matanzas Creek, and other big California merlots.