At first whiff, the smoky, grassy smells are reminiscent of Sancerre, but the nose soon reverts to typical Kendall-Jackson form in its presentation of very lively, near juicy fruit of melons, pears and figs. Relatively mouthfulling on the palate and smoothly polished from front to back, the wine repeats its oak and toast impressions and follows through with the expected fruit in support.

Oily, viscous and lushly textured in the mouth. Highly extracted spicy tropical fruit and buttery floral notes are complex and elegant.

The new-look 1991 exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, and a moderately intense bouquet of toast, black-cherries, and cassis. Flamboyantly rich, full-bodied, with fabulously juicy, succulent fruit, this hedonistic Cabernet should drink well for at least another decade. The Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is more typically Californian in proportions as it is a bigger, more blockbuster-styled wine.

More natural, layered taste, and elegance allied to considerable richness. The 1991 Cardinale should drink well for 15 or more years. The turnaround in quality of this winery's red wines is profoundly obvious when tasting the new vintages of the Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and the proprietary wine called Cardinale.

More natural, layered taste, and elegance allied to considerable richness. The 1991 Cardinale should drink well for 15 or more years.

Exhibits all the seductive, voluptuous qualities of Pinot Noir. It possesses a lovely, sweet, black-cherry-scented nose with a whiff of herbs and oak. It is fat, juicy, and succulent, with low acidity and a generous finish.

Mint and oak notes over a decent layer of fruit. Excellent flavors.

Best wine of nearly 50 tasted. Its deep dark red hues and vanillin accents are both a prologue for the explosive flavors of raspberries and cherries. It is a rich and elegant wine, indescribably delicious.

Smooth in texture, with a pretty band of cherry, herb, spice and cola notes that are ripe and focused. Finishes with firm tannins.

Extremely flavorful and rich.

Ripe, quaffable.

1994 Wines of the Year, Top 20 White Wines.

Ripe black fruits and fragrant spices accent this medium to full-bodied blend. A soft, succulent texture with sandalwood, eucalyptus and mint. Easy tannin and acid balance with a touch of pine needles in the finish.

Medium-bodied and forward with rich black cherry, currant and plum flavors. Mineral and mild herbal notes help balance the fruit and provide complexity and interest.

The texture is opulent and lovely. Considerable earthiness is well-managed and not compounded by undue weight--this is a big mouthful of wine by any measure.

This is a big mouthful of wine by any measure.

Dark cherries, clove and black pepper round off this medium-bodied wine. Acids and tannins are well-balanced. Rich earthy notes and tabacco finish well.

This wine makes you sit back in your chair and take another thought. Its aromas and flavors are simply majestic in the sense of the finest Pomerols, and the texture is the finest cut velvet. In fact, the texture speaks about how thick can still be graceful. This is a simply amazing bottle, and it needs to be hunted down before it disappears.

Sweet black jammy fruits with a hint of mint highlight this medium to full-bodied blend. Well-balanced tannins and a good use of wood provide a creamy vanilla and cedar finish.

For a relatively young wine, this one offers a remarkable developing bouquet of cassis and herbs, and follows through with a gorgeous palate impression which continues the aromas against a background of velvet. Finishing tannins are soft, and maximum enjoyment is likely over the next three years or so.

Vanilla and earth notes mingle with ripe plum and currants. Full-bodied and straight forward with flavor to spare.

This is just the sort of Cabernet Franc you would experience in Bordeaux --a soft gracious yet fully flavored evocation of the cabernet family.

This medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend combines ripe red fruit with black pepper and eucalyptus. Well-balanced tannins with a touch of cedar.

Big and rich with distinct varietal character.