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.

Pay attention to this brand because the wines are truly remarkable. The 1994 Stonestreet Pinot Noir, a tangy and elegant Russian River Valley wine with smoky, complex and charming flavors.

A tangy and elegant Russian River Valley wine with smoky, complex and charming flavors.

Nicely focused in the nose, yet a bit shy on intensity throughout, this well-polished, medium-bodied Pinot gets good marks for its proper fruit, its extra bit of oaky richness and a lengthy finish. Never a flamboyant, it can improve for a few years in bottle.

Suggestions of earth and dried brush mingle in the somewhat lower intensity aromas, and with air, oaky and slightly gamy notes also emerge. Supple on the palate with youthful flavors centered on ripe plums and cherries, the wine runs into a streak of oakiness that adds further sweetness to the flavors while imparting a certain coarseness to the latter-palate texture. Good value.

Although scoring points for its hefty feel and ample sense of stuffing, this ripe and fairly oaky wine treads a bit heavily on the palate and is slightly muddled with regard to defined fruit. Sizeable, but never graceful, it should be useful with strongly seasoned veal stews over the next two or three years.

Varietal grassiness, ripe melon and creamy oak scents are all present in the attractive aromas. Well-balanced, rounded, moderately fruity and polished, the wine carries a rounded texture on the palate and will be a very dependable choice in most occasions calling for Sauvignon Blanc.

Deep cherry red. Moderately full-bodied. Highly extracted. Moderately oaked and tannic. Chocolate, toast, ripe blackberry. Deep dark brooding nose leads a seamless and rich palate with some attractive toasted oak flavors through the finish. Overall a firmly structured style.

Deep cherry red. Moderately full-bodied. Highly extracted. Moderately oaked and tannic. Chocolate, toast, ripe blackberry. Deep dark brooding nose leads a seamless and rich palate with some attractive toasted oak flavors through the finish. Overall a firmly structured style.

Deep ruby red. Full-bodied. Highly extracted. Moderate oak. Chocolate, plums. Rich extracted palate with layered fruit through to the balanced tannins on the finish. Impressively proportioned and rich.

Bright red with a purplish rim. Medium-bodied. Highly extracted. Mildly oaked. Mildly tannic. Cherries, red berries, minerals. Youthful bright fruity palate with a rounded midpalate carried by good acidity and warm astringent notes on the finish.

Spicy, herbal, cedary nose. Spicy, rich black fruit flavor, with soft tannins and much structure. Needs time.

Deep red color. Moderately full-bodied. Mildly oaked. Cherry, plum, brown spice. Extracted ripe and full style with good tannin and acidity to balance. Solid palate presence with concentrated fruit flavors persisting through the finish.

Deep opaque ruby red. Medium-bodied. Moderately extracted. Mildly oaked. Mildly tannic. Plums, vanilla. Pleasant black fruit nose dominates the palate with some good tannins on the finish. A ripe attractive style.