| 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 Merlot, Stag's Leap District has a perfumed bouquet of black cherry, black currants, licorice, cigar box, herb and forest floor. The flavors of cherries, berries, cocoa, roasted meats and Asian spice are extremely well balanced with very good depth and texture followed by a long, fruity, spicy finish. (91)
The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stag's Leap District has a perfumed nose of black cherry, currants, green olives, violets, cassis and toasty oak. The flavors of cherries, berries, herb, chocolate and spice are very concentrated followed by a fruity, expansive finish with moderate tannins. (85)
The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Richard Chambers Vineyard, Stag's Leap District, Napa Valley has a perfumed bouquet of black cherry, blackberry, herb, plum, violets and green olive with dusty notes. The flavors of cherry/berry/plum, spice, mint and faint licorice notes are balanced with good depth and texture followed by a fruity finish. (86)
The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley has a lovely perfumed nose of black cherry, black currant, berries, cigar box, violets, pralines, mint and spice. The flavors of cherry/berry, spice, toast and licorice are complex with exceptional depth and texture followed by a fresh, expansive finish. Suggest 3 to 4 years cellaring, but delicious now. (93)
The 1997 Red Table Wine, "E'Loge", Napa Valley has a lovely perfumed bouquet of black cherry, black currants, mint, cedar, violets, pepper and underbrush spice. The flavors of black cherry, black currants, chocolate, mint, brown spices, roasted meats and toasty oak are rich and complex followed by an expansive, fruity finish. (90)
The 1998 Chardonnay, Fournier Vineyard, Carneros-Napa Valley has a perfumed bouquet of tropical fruits, hazelnut, citrus, apple and buttery vanilla. The flavors of pineapple, apple, vanilla, clove and toasty oak are clean and balanced followed by a fruity, toasty finish. (88)
The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley has a perfumed nose of black currants, black cherries, violets, cedar and licorice with subtle, spicy, toasty notes. The flavors of cherries, berries, red licorice, dry orange zest, vanilla and spice are concentrated with good depth followed by a fruity finish with moderate tannin. (90)
The 1997 Merlot, Summers Ranch-Knights Valley has a perfumed nose of raspberry, cassis, cranberry, herb, pepper and earthy notes. The flavors of berries, tart cherry, cranberry, cocoa and mint with spicy highlights are balanced with good texture followed by a fruity, chocolaty finish. (88)
The 1997 Merlot, Juliana Vineyards, Napa Valley has a perfumed nose of cherry, berry, cocoa, olive, tobacco and spicy oak. The flavors of berries, licorice, pepper, toast and vanilla are rich and concentrated followed by a bright, fruity, expansive finish. (87)
The 1997 Red Table Wine, Napa Valley (73% Cab S., 17% Merlot, 7% P.V., 2% Cab Franc, 1% Malbec) has a perfumed bouquet of black cherry, black currant, violets, plum, cola, blueberry and toasty, spicy oak. The flavors of cherries, berries, cassis, clove, licorice and vanillan are rich, complex and expansive followed by a long, fruity, spicy finish. (94)
The 1997 Merlot, Napa Valley has a perfumed nose of black cherry, blackberry, mint, clove, red licorice, passion fruit and spicy oak. The lush flavors of cherry, plum, blackberry, cocoa and spice are round, complex and balanced followed by a long, fruity, spicy finish. (91)
The 1998 Chardonnay, Napa Valley has a lush perfumed nose of pineapple, citrus, hazelnut, butter, floral notes and toasty vanilla. The flavors of tropical fruits, lemon/lime, minerals and spicy oak are rich and complex followed by a fruity, buttery, creamy finish. (93)
The 1998 Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Sonoma Valley has a lovely perfumed bouquet of briary berries, pie cherry, black pepper, brown spice with floral highlights. The flavors of red pit fruits, red berries, licorice, toast and spice are lush and complex followed by an exotic, fruity, spicy finish. A winner. (93)
The 1998 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley has a bright perfumed nose of cherries, strawberry, spice, pepper, minerals and cedar. The flavors of cherry, berry, pepper, clove and toasty oak are bright and forward followed by a fruity, toasty, spicy finish. (90)
The 1998 Pinot Noir, Edna Valley has a perfumed nose of cherry, bacon, ripe strawberry, cassis, green tea and cedar. The flavors of cherries, berries, spice and toast are rich with moderate depth followed by a fruity toasty finish. (88)
The 1998 Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley has a lovely perfumed nose of tropical fruits, red apple, coconut, citrus, cinnamon and minerals. The flavors of pineapple, mango, papaya, lime and vanilla are rich and flavorful followed by a very fruity, crisp finish. Terrific! (91)
The 1998 Chardonnay, Edna Valley has a perfumed nose of tropical fruits, quince, pear, apple and vanilla. The flavors of pineapple, apple, melon and spicy oak are very fresh and bright followed by a long, creamy, fruity finish. (88)
The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, "Estate", Napa Valley (Unfiltered) has a lush bouquet of black cherry, black currants, mint, chocolate, roses and coffee. The cherry/berry, spice, toast, mint and Suggest 2-3 year cellaring. Very Attractive. (92)
The 1998 Chardonnay, "Hopes Cuvée", Napa Valley (Estate) (28 cases produced) has a perfumed bouquet of ripe tropical fruits, ripe apples, butter, toast and vanilla. The flavors of pineapple, mango, citrus, butterscotch and peachy pear are very complex with good depth followed by a long, fruity, spicy, creamy finish. (91)
The 1998 Chardonnay, "Estate", Napa Valley (unfiltered) has a perfumed nose of ripe apple, pineapple, mango, pear, spice and toasty oak. The flavors of tropical fruits, apples, spice and toast are bold and forward followed by a fruity, buttery finish. (87)
The 1998 Semillon, Napa Valley (Barrel Fermented) has a perfumed nose of honeysuckle, melon, citrus, apple and spice. The flavors of melon, citrus, hazelnut, apple and spicy oak are rich and concentrated followed by a medium long, fruity, spicy, creamy finish. (85)