| 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 1998 Zinfandel, "The Zin", California has a lush perfumed nose of blackberries, cassis, cherry, violets, red licorice, root beer and sandalwood. The flavors of berries, cherries, pepper, licorice, green tea and Asian spice are complex with exceptional depth and texture followed by a concentrated, fruity, spicy finish. Delicious! (91)
The 1998 Red Table Wine "Il Chiaretto", California has a perfumed nose of strawberry, cranberry, passion fruit, rose petal, dry citrus zest and Asian spice. The flavors of tart cherry, raspberry, spice, toast and mint are clean, fresh and flavorful followed by a fruity, spicy finish. (90)
The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon, "Reserve", Napa Valley (Unfined and Unfiltered) has a perfumed bouquet of black cherries, currants, cedar, green olive, pepper and spicy oak. The flavors of cherries, berries, pepper, herb and toasty, spicy oak are complex and rich followed by a fruity expansive finish with firm tannins. (90)
The 1998 Red Table Wine, "Tenero Rosso", California has a perfumed bouquet of raspberry, cranberry, ripe strawberry, white pepper with hints of mint and spice. The flavors of multi layered berries, spice, citrus and brown spice are bright and forward followed by a very fruity, spicy finish. (88)
The 1998 White Table Wine, The Novelist "Meritage", California has a perfumed nose of fig, citrus, grass, smoke and melons. The flavors of melons, grapefruit, toast and spice are balanced with good depth followed by a fruity, smoky finish. (85)
The 1997 "Paraduxx", Napa Valley (Merlot and Cab S.) has a lovely perfumed nose of jammy black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, cedar, mint, violets, fennel and underbrush spice. The flavors of black cherries, rich jammy berries, fresh plum, licorice, cinnamon and toasty oak are followed by a long, lingering, complex finish. Delicious. (93)
The 1997 Red Wine, "Decoy-Migration", Napa Valley has a perfumed bouquet of black cherry, cassis, violets, citrus zest, pepper and clove. The flavors of black pit fruits, licorice, cedar, spice and toasty vanilla are bright and forward followed by a fruity finish. (90)
The 1997 Merlot, Napa Valley has a perfumed bouquet of black cherry, blackberry, herb, violets, cedar and spicy vanilla. The flavors of cherries, berries, mint, toast and chocolate with spicy highlights are balanced with good depth followed by a fruity, spicy finish. (88)
The 1998 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley has a lush perfumed nose of grapefruit, fig, melon, green apples and cinnamon. The flavors of apples, lemon/lime, coconut and subtle vanilla are balanced with good depth followed by a lovely, crisp, fruity finish. (88)
The 1998 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley has a perfumed bouquet of grapefruit, fig, jalapeno, apricot, pear and almond with floral highlights. The flavors of citrus, pear, melon and herb are very flavorful with good depth followed by a long, fruity, herb etched finish. A winner year after year. (91)
The 1997 Red Wine, Napa Valley (80% Cab.S., 8% Cab. Franc, 8% Merlot, 4% Petite Verdot) has a fabulous bouquet of black cherries, currants, blackberries, licorice, lavender, toffee, lead pencil and cinnamon with faint hints of sage and pepper. The complex flavors or black cherry, blackberry, ollieberries, licorice, mint and Asian spice are exquisitely balanced with silky texture and depth followed by a long, lingering, fruity finish. Terrific! (95) Very Highly Recommended!
The 1997 Zinfandel, Benito Dusi Ranch, Paso Robles has an exotic perfumed bouquet of blackberry, strawberry, clove, cedar, violets and dry orange zest. The flavors of blackberry, blueberry, ollieberry, sarsaparilla, cloves and rhubarb are exceptionally well balanced with fabulous depth followed by a long, lingering, fruity, spicy, peppery finish. (91)
The 1997 Zinfandel, Snow Vineyard, Paso Robles has a lush perfumed bouquet of boysenberry, fresh plums, cola, cigar box and cinnamon. The flavors of cherries, plums, strawberry, black pepper and Asian spice are followed by a fabulous, fruity, spicy finish. (88)
The 1997 Zinfandel, "Especial", Paso Robles has a lovely perfumed nose of tart cherry, plum, roses, cigar box, mint and minerals. The rich flavors of jammy berries, plums, black pepper, sage, mint and toasty oak are very lush and flavorful followed by a long, fresh, spicy finish. (87)
The 1997 Zinfandel, "Westside", Paso Robles has a jammy nose of cherries, berries, violets, plums, tarragon and citrus zest with hints of white pepper and cedar. The flavors of cherries, berries, cassis, cola and spicy oak are balanced with good depth followed by a fruity, spicy finish. (87)
The 1997 Zinfandel, "Eastside", Paso Robles has a perfumed bouquet of boysenberry, raspberry, cranberry, black pepper, cinnamon and cigar box. The flavors of plums, cherries, berries, cedar, toast and spice are rich and balanced followed by a fruity finish. (87)
The 1998 Zinfandel, "Incredible Red-Bin 108", Paso Robles has a perfumed bouquet of mulberry, passion fruit, pie cherries, dry citrus zest, pepper and underbrush spice. The flavors of cherry, cranberry, raspberry, pepper and spicy oak are bright and flavorful followed by a fruity, expansive finish. (85)
The 1997 Zinfandel, Lakeview Vineyard, Paso Robles has a perfumed nose of briary berries, tar, plums, cigar box, black pepper, crushed rose petals with hints of cardamom. The flavors of berries, cedar, cassis, black pepper with hint of woodsy earthy notes are balanced followed by a fruity, spicy finish. (85)
The 1997 Merlot, Napa Valley has a perfumed bouquet of blackberry, fresh plum, cherry, cocoa and spicy, toasty oak. The flavors of berries, plum, cassis, herb and toasty vanilla are balanced with good depth followed by a fruity, expansive finish with firm tannins. (90)
The 1998 Chardonnay, Napa Valley has an exotic perfumed bouquet of pineapple, lemon/lime, cinnamon, pear and vanilla with a faint hint of nectarine and coconut. The flavors of tropical fruits, citrus, spice and subtle vanilla are very well balanced with exceptional depth followed by a long, lingering, fruity, mineral etched finish. A winner! (93)