| 95 - 100 / WORLD CLASS: A very complex wine that is almost perfect in every respect. Very few wines ever achieve this height and are worthy of a dedicated, perservering search. 90 - 94 / OUTSTANDING: A complex, rich expansive wine with complexity, texture and style that sets it apart, well worth a diligent search. 85 - 89 / EXCEPTIONAL: A wine with some complexity, depth and structure; generally a highly recommended wine. 75 - 84 / VERY GOOD: A clean, fresh wine with some special attributes; a recommended wine. 70 - 74 / GOOD: A technically correct wine with no noticeable flaws. |
The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, "Reserve", Napa Valley (Punched Cap Fermented-Unfined And Unfiltered) (86% Cab S., 9% Cab Franc, 5% Petite Verdot) has a perfumed bouquet of black cherry, cassis, chocolate, mint, licorice and roses. The flavors of black cherries, currants, licorice, cocoa, mint and toasty oak are bright and complex followed by a fruity, spicy finish. (91)
The 1999 Chardonnay, California (Barrel Fermented) has a perfumed bouquet of ripe apples, carnation, melon, tropical fruit, lemon and vanilla. The flavors of pineapple, citrus, vanilla and apples are bright and forward followed by a rich, fruity, creamy finish. (89)
The 1999 Chardonnay, Napa County (Barrel Fermented) has a perfumed nose and flavors of apples, tropical fruits, citrus and toast with faint hint of clove and butterscotch. The flavors are balanced with moderate depth followed by a fruity, toasty finish. (85)
The 1999 Chardonnay, Napa Valley has a perfumed bouquet of tropical fruits, apple, vanilla, and lemon/lime with hints of peach and pear. The flavors of pineapple, apple, citrus and sweet oak are complex with good depth followed by a very fresh, crisp, creamy, fruity finish. (91)
The 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley has a complex bouquet of black cherry, black currants, licorice, coffee, spice, cedar, tobacco and vanilla. The flavors of cherries, plums, blackberries, clove, toast and mint are very rich and concentrated followed by a fruity, spicy finish. (90)
The 1998 Chardonnay, "Reserveo/oo, Napa Valley (Unfiltered) has an intense bouquet of tropical fruits, coconut, apples, toast, citrus and vanilla. The flavors of pineapple, citrus, mango, clove and vanilla are very rich and concentrated followed by a long, complex, creamy finish. (91)
The 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stag's Leap District, Napa has a very lush bouquet of black currants, black cherries, plums, licorice, violets, coffee, cedar, mint and vanilla. The flavors of black pit fruits, coffee, dry orange zest, clove, toffee and herbs are very complex with exceptional depth and texture followed by a long, fruity, spicy, cocoa etched finish. Delicious! (94)
The 1998 Pinot Noir, Carneros has a perfumed nose of raspberry, strawberry, roses, green tea, cedar, mint and spice. The flavors of raspberry, bacon, vanilla and toast are flavorful with moderate depth followed by a fruity, expansive finish. (87)
The 1999 Late Harvest Riesling, Dry Creek Valley-Sonoma County has a lush bouquet and flavors of apricot, peach, pear, pineapple and ripe apples. The flavors are rich and complex, followed by a long, fruity, apricot and pear etched sweet finish. (91)
The 1998 Chardonnay, Napa Valley has a perfumed bouquet of tropical fruits, roasted nuts, apple, citrus and floral highlights. The flavors of green apple, vanilla, almond and tropical fruits are balanced followed by a fruity, toasty finish. (88)
First Offering New Producer
The 1998 Pinot Noir, Marin County has a perfumed nose of cherries, raspberries, root beer, dry orange zest and mint, cardomom and subtle toasty oak. The cherry/berry, mint, white pepper and toasty vanilla flavors are rich and concentrated followed by a very fruity, expansive finish. (91)
The 1997 Pinot Noir, Marin County has a perfumed bouquet of black cherry, ripe strawberry, cedar, roses, cinnamon, dry citrus zest and green tea. The flavors of cherries, berries, toast, truffle, citrus, red plum and smoky vanilla are complex with good depth and texture followed by a lush, fruity, spicy, toasty finish. (90)
Both releases highly recommended!