Here is a pleasant if somewhat smaller wine whose light-medium intensity, green apple, quietly leesy and oak-enriched aromas are all within the pleasing norms for Chardonnay, but which, in both nose and in flavors, comes up just a tad short on overall stuffing to earn full commendation. Nonetheless, this moderately well-stuffed bottling stands out at the top of the list of wines not receiving star-ratings.

From its clean, if faintly piney aromas, to its pert, berry-like flavors, this mid-sized offering shows a comparatively narrow bit of fruit. Balanced to firmness, it is fairly lively in style and remains vital well into its lightly tannic finish. Always wanting a little more richness (especially at the price), it is nonetheless a pleasant and very functional Zin that will do nicely in washing down tomatoey pasta dishes.

More saturated color. Knockout aromas of plum, tobacco, tar, lead pencil and game. Big, rich and fat; a seductive style of wine but does it have as much substance as flash? Not quite as sweet on the palate as on the nose, and ultimately a wine of very good rather than outstanding depth and intensity of flavor.

More saturated color. Knockout aromas of plum, tobacco, tar, lead pencil and game. Big, rich and fat; a seductive style of wine but does it have as much substance as flash? Not quite as sweet on the palate as on the nose, and ultimately a win of very good rather than outstanding depth and intensity of flavor.

A rich yet elegant zin, with a floral blackberry aroma, plus soft and succulent fruit flavors. Shows great balance, good acidity, long finish.

"Lean and spicy, with more herb and dried cherry than ripe fruit flavors. Unexpectedly modest, given the price and reserve status." (Also appeared 8/31/96).

Delivers a ripe, complex, supple core of blackberry and cherry flavors, dashes of spice and sage and adds subtle earth notes. Turns elegant and complex on the finish, where the tannins are soft and fleshy. Ready now through 2000.

Smooth, ripe and spicy, with a pretty core of plum, cherry and wild berry flavors that turn elegant and supple on the finish.

This luxuriously rich, tropical fruit-scented and flavored wine has its boundaries well-defined by high quality oak. As with many Kendall-Jackson wines, this medium-bodied, pure Chardonnay offers plenty of crowd appeal. The wine's length, richness, and ripeness make me wonder if I am not being too conservative in my judgment. Drink it over the next year.

Stonestreet's medium ruby-colored, unfined and unfiltered 1994 Pinot Noir exhibits a lusty, smoky, sweet berry-scented nose that reveals copious quantities of both ripe fruit and oak. This medium-bodied, softly-textured, delicious Pinot is not the most concentrated or profoundly complex wine, but it offers a sexy glass of Pinot Noir for drinking over the next several years.

The 1995 Chardonnay is a solidly built wine with a Burgundian-like, roasted nut, buttery, leesy nose. This lavishly oaky, medium-bodied, fleshy, uncomplicated but tasty and satisfying Chardonnay should be drunk over the next year.

Has everything you expect in a Cabernet: aromas of cocoa, cedar, berry, and oak, with good structure, silky flavors and a nice finish.

Lean and spicy, with more herb and dried cherry than ripe fruit flavors. Unexpectedly modest, given the price and reserve status. (Also appeared 8/1/96).

Tarry, smoky oak scents dominate over low-intensity fruit in the nose flavors of this likeable yet never quite distinguished wine. Medium-full bodied, it has nice elements of fruit but gets a bit coarse and dry in its slightly earthy finish.

Kendall-Jackson 1995 Vintner's Reserve delivers lots of oaky spice and brushy varietal complexities along with a good measure of plummy fruit.

Saturated blackish red. Full-bodied. Highly extracted. Heavily oaked. Moderately tannic. Reminiscent of plums, brown spices, earth. Deep rich black fruit nose. Dense extracted mouthfeel with earthy richness and ample tannins in balance through the finish.

Deep crimson red color. Medium-bodied. Moderately extracted, oaked and tannic. Dried cherries, prune, brown spice. Big spicy nose. Rich baked fruity flavors give way to dry tannins through the finish.

Young, tight and tannic, with a complex array of herb, spice, leather, mineral and cherry flavors. It all adds up to a distinctive style of Pinot Noir, with racy fruit and earthy tannins. Give it a year or so to soften; try in 1998 to 2000. (Also appeared 12/31/96).

"Hits a lot of the right notes, with its ripe plum and cherry flavors, picking up a trace of oak and spice on the finish. Best to let it soften a bit." (Also appeared 3/31/96).

Ripe and fruity, in a lighter style, with delicate fruit notes, hints of cherry and wild berry flavors that linger nicely. (Also appeared 2/28/97).

Dark and intense, with a solid core of tannin, but the plum and wild berry flavors that peek through are appealing. Best to age a little to let this soften somewhat.

Dark and intense, with a solid core of tannin, but the plum and wild berry flavors that peek through are appealing. Best to age a little to let this soften somewhat.

"Shows off earthy cola and wild berry notes with a leathery edge that carries over to the finish, where a funky note chimes in. Tastes like an old-style California Pinot Noir." (Also appeared 2/28/97).

Exquisite...a lush and smooth wine with superb oak, spice and intense fruit.

A smooth and sleek wine with balance and complexity.