| Year | Wine | Variety | Location | Price | Num | Rating |
| 2000 | August Briggs dijon Clone | Pinot Noir | | 35 | 1 | 86 WS |
| Serves up a modest array of ripe plum and black cherry-laced flavor, with touches of herb and vanilla. Fine-grained tannins provide a smooth texture. Drink now through 2006. 404 cases made. –(JL, WS |
| "Precocious Pinot with rich, sweet oak (60% new French barrels), soft acids and velvety finish."Wild berry flavor. Brimming with heady flavors and a big, full finish" (Daniel Dawson) |
| 1999 | BV Reserve Tapestry | Red Wine Blend | | 45 | 1 | |
| Blend of cab sauv, merlot, petite verdot, and cab franc |
| "The wine is elegant with nice concentrated fruit and complex coffee and leather aromas" (Vines) |
| 1998 | Behrens and Hitchcock | Merlot | | 38 | 2 | RP87-88 |
| Smooth and spicy, an elegant, understated style with well-focused flavors of spicy currant, raspberry and black cherry. Best from 2002 through 2010. 442 cases made. –(JL WS); if it is Fortuna Vineyards, WS 88 |
| 1990 | Beringer Private Reserve | Cabernet | | | 1 | RP93, WS 94 |
| Still firm, intense and tannic, but not out of line, with lots of vitality and pure, ripe, rich flavors built around a core of juicy black cherry and blackberry. Turns chocolaty on the finish; has a long life ahead, though it's enjoyable now.--California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010. 9,000 cases made. –(WS JL) |
| "The generously endowed, dark purple-colored (wine) is a rich, opulent, full-bodied wine laded with layers of flavor, copious amounts of juicy fruit, sweet tannin, and moderate amounts of lavish oak" (rp) |
| 1991 | Beringer Private Reserve | Cabernet | | 125 | 1 | RP95 |
| "(This wine) possesses excellent concentration, a smashing bouquet of smoky, unctuously-textured black and red fruits, seet, generous, decadently rich flavors, low acidity, and a voluptuously long, juicy finish" (rp) |
| 1996 | Beringer Private Reserve | Cabernet | | 68 | 2 | RP91+ |
| Tanzer:93 Parker:91 Spectator:90 |
| Licorice, jammy black currant, spice, chocolate, Puckering tannin; ST:'Tangy, seductive aromas of black raspberry, toast, flowers and dark chocolate. Rich, thick, supple and harmonious; very strong extract. Very long finish features sweet tannins. This is superb for the vintage,...' RP:'...The black ruby/purple-colored 1996 offers more licorice, in addition to the obvious levels of pain grille, jammy black currant fruit, and spice notes. Structured, full-bodied, and powerful, this may be a Private Reserve to cellar...' |
| 1997 | Beringer Private Reserve | Cabernet | | | 1 | RP94 |
| Parker:94 Tanzer:94 Spectator:91 |
| RP:'...superb nose of smoked herbs, melted licorice, and black currant jam. Full-bodied, with a silky texture, and an opulent personality...' ST:'Superripe aromas of plum, strawberry, tobacco and loam. Fat, thick, sweet and deep, with the wine huge w eight gracefully supported by firm underlying backbone. A superripe, extremely long cabernet of great richness and depth.' WS:'...cedar, currant, dried cherry and anise flavors that turn supple and firm up nicely on the finish.' |
| 1997 | Beringer Private Reserve Bancroft Ranch Vineyard | Merlot | | 89.99 | 1 | RP92 |
| Tanzer, 93-94; Parker, 92; WS, 93 NOW-2012+ |
| "Quite rich and flavorful, with layers of currant, black cherry, anise, cedar and toasty vanilla-scented notes, finishing long and detailed. Drink now through 2009. (JL)"ST:'...Superripe aromas of dark berry preserves, roast coffee, violet and dark chocolate. Fat, dense, sweet and spicy; a real mouthful of chocolatey merlot. Finishes with huge, chewy but thoroughly ripe tannins and outstanding persistence.' RP:'It is a dense, full-bodied effort exhibiting black cherry liqueur, chocolate, mineral, and lead pencil aromas and flavors. Fleshy, full-bodied, and chewy, it will be undeniably seductive upon release.' |
| 1999 | Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz | Red Wine Blend | | | 1 | |
| 1999 | C.J | Cabernet | | | 1 | |
| 2000 | Calina Merlot Reserve | Merlot | | | 1 | |
| mouth of plum, blackberry, and blueberry; finish of vanilla and toasty oak |
| 2001 | Caymus Conundrum | White Wine Blend | | 24 | 3 | WS 86 |
| Blend of Chard, Sauv Blanc, Semillon, Viogner, and Muscat |
| 1995 | Caymus Special Selection | Cabernet | | | 1 | RP 90, WS 93 |
| Sleek and well-structured, with a braid of exotic smoke, currant, green olive and herbal flavors that drape together nicely, holding a tight focus and showing how ripe, supple tannins can integrate without dominating. Finishes with a dash of mocha and spice.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010. 2,000 cases made. –JL |
| Toasted American oak, black currant, Moderate tannin, good purity |
| 1999 | Caymus Special Selection | Cabernet | | 125 | 1 | 95 WS, RP 90 |
| Dark, rich and intense, a vibrant, deeply concentrated and firmly tannic style. Young and tight, this wine packs in lots of rich, chocolaty plum, black currant, cherry, anise and sage and herbal flavors. Really revs up the flavors on the finish, with unfolding layers of complexity and depth. Best from 2004 through 2014. 1,800 cases made. –JL |
| Sweet oak, toasted oak, swirled with blackberry, currant, vanilla, hint of tar, chocolate, espresso, Sweet and juicy, flamboyant |
| 1995 | Ch. Lafite-Rothschild | Bordeaux | | | 1 | RP95, WS 97 |
| Here's the best Lafite in ages. It's a polished Bordeaux, extremely sophisticated and harmonious, with blackberry, dark chocolate and olive aromas. Full-bodied and very silky, with a lovely fruity chocolate aftertaste. Needs cellaring, but who can wait? Best after 2000. 20,000 cases made. –JS (WS) |
| sweet, powdered mineral, smoky, weedy, cassis-scented (rp) |
| 1995 | Ch. Margaux | Bordeaux | | | 1 | RP95, WS 100 |
| Wine of the vintage and the greatest Château Margaux yet produced. A stunning red. The essence of raspberry, violet and berry, with hints of vanilla and toasted oak. Full-bodied and thick, yet racy, with masses of tannins and a harmonious structure. Long, long finish. Best after 2005. 18,000 cases made. –JS (WS) |
| licorice and sweet, smoky new oak intermixed with jammy black fruit, licorice and minerals (rp) |
| 1997 | Ch. Marsau | Bordeaux | | | 1 | rp85-86 |
| "This Merlot-based wine may be the finest made in the Cotes de Francs, the satellite appelation near St.Emilion. It is consistently a lush, fat, juicy wine with good color, excellent purity, and medium body |
| 1998 | Ch. Marsau | Bordeaux | | 12 | 1 | RP87, WS 87 |
| Silky, fine and delicious. Medium- to full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and a caressing finish. A bit rustic, but very good. Best after 2004. –JS (WS) |
| Caramel, mocha, black cherry liqueur(rp) |
| 1998 | Ch. Pichon-Longueville Comtese de Lalande | Bordeaux | | 69.99 | 1 | RP88, WS 86 |
| Slightly herbaceous on the nose, with roasted bell pepper and berry. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a medium finish. Nice palate. Just as I remember from barrel. Best after 2005. –JS (WS) |
| Tobacco smoke, cedar, cherry, black currant, moderatly intense, delicate, hard tannin; Aromas of tobacco smoke, cedar, cherries, and black currants emerge from the moderately intense, complex bouquet. This wine has evolved nicely, revealing less austerity than it did last year in its medium-weight, delicate personality. Drink it over the next 15-16 years. |
| 1998 | Ch. Pichon-Longueville Comtese de Lalande Reserve de la Comtesse | Bordeaux | | 29.99 | 6 | rp88 |
| "Aromas of tobacco smoke, cedar, cherries, and black currants emerge from the moderately intense, complex bouquet" (rp) |
| 1997 | Ch. Sociando-Mallet | Bordeaux | | 40.00 | 6 | RP 87, WS 88 |
| Very well done. Beautiful nose of ripe berry and raspberry with a smoky undertone. Medium- to full-bodied, with silky tannins, medium finish. Slightly hollow center palate. Drink now through 2005. –JS (WS) |
| This excellent effort displays a dark ruby color as well as sweet, jammy fruit, moderate elegance, copious cassis flavors, and a medium-bodied, soft, low acid finish. It is one of the few Sociando-Mallets with flavor and concentration that can actually be drunk young. WA |
| 1996 | Ch. St. Jean Cinq Cepages | Red Wine Blend | | 34 | 1 | RP 92, WS 95 |
| WS wine of the year in 1999. Spectator:95 Parker:92; Dense, rich and complex describes this '96 California Cabernet--with its layers of currant, mineral, plum, cherry and toasty oak and its broad, intense and deeply flavorful finish. An extraordinary wine, scoring classic and well-priced. Best from 2000 through 2008. 11,300 cases made. –JL (WS) |
| Black cherry, chocolate, smoke, dried herbs, toasted oak, fruitcake, Fruit, glycerin(WS); BLACK CHERRIES, CHOCOLATE, SMOKE, DRIED HERBS, AND TOASTY OAK(RP) |
| 1999 | Ch. St. Jean Cinq Cepages | Red Wine Blend | | 74.99 | 1 | RP90, WS 95 |
| WS #2 wine of the year in 1999. blend of cab sauv, cab franc, malbec, merlot, and petit verdot; Gorgeous Cabernet, offering a mix of ripe, rich, fleshy currant and blackberry fruit, with hints of herb, olive and sage. Finishes with a firm, structured backbone and ripe tannins giving it depth and richness. Drink now through 2014. 13,000 cases made. –JL (WS) |
| Gorgeous Cabernet, offering a mix of ripe, rich, fleshy currant and blackberry fruit, with hints of herb, olive and sage. Finishes with a firm, structured backbone and ripe tannins giving it depth and richness. Drink now through 2014.(JL) "This New World version of a high class St.-Emilion boasts an opaque ruby/purple color in addition to a sweet bouquet of licorice, dried herbs, tobacco, smoke, black cherries, and cassis. It is medium to full-bodied, with a lovely texture, admirable complexity, and a long finish. The question mark relates to the notion of elevated, dry tannin in the finish. My instincts suggest this characteristic will age out given the wine's overall concentration and intensity." (RP) |
| 1999 | Chasseur Dutton Vineyards | Chardonnay | | 45 | 1 | |
| rp-87 |
| Tropical fruits, subtle wood, butter, Higher acidity, clean |
| 1999 | Chimney Rock Stags Leap District | Cabernet | | 45.00 | 1 | RP 89, WS 92 |
| Dark, rich and polished, with ripe currant, black cherry, plum and mocha. It's dense and concentrated, with a long, focused and persistent stream of flavors. Ripe tannins are plush and complex. Best from 2004 through 2012. 9,200 cases made. –JL |
| this wine "exhibits a deep ruby color along with a sweet nose of plums, cassis, cherries, subtle new oak, medium body, and a restrained style" (rp) |
| 2000 | Codice Vino de la Tierra de Castilla - Red Table Wine | Tempranillo | | 6.49 | 1 | |
| Aromas of sweet vanilla, ripe cherry, black currant; taste of sweet spice, soft tannin |
| 2000 | Cousino-Macul Antiguas Reservas | Cabernet | | 13.00 | 2 | rp90 |
| "Aged in 60% American and 40% French oak barrels, it is dark ruby-colored and sports a nose of tar, licorice, coconut, as well as spiced blackberries. This medium bodied wine has superb purity, freshness, and richness. It coats the palate with loads of red cherry, blackberry, spice, and mocha flavors. In addition, its extensive finish revelals loads of ripe tannin which will assure this extremely well-made effort a long life" (rp) |
| 1998 | Cristom Special Reserve | Pinot Noir | | | 1 | RP89+, WS 89 |
| Polished and silky, with bright red cherry and red pepper aromas and flavors on a wiry frame with fine-grained tannins that let the flavors echo nicely. Approachable already. Best after 2001. 955 cases made. –HS (WS) |
| juicy black cherries, cookie dough, and raspberries (rp) |
| 1999 | Cypress | Cabernet | | | 3 | |
| blackberry, black pepper |
| 2000 | Darioush | Viogner | | 24.99 | 1 | |
| An aromatic floral bouquet of apricots, honeysuckle, citrus blossoms and honeydew melon, that marries seamlessly with juicy flavors of citrus, passion fruit and pineapple. A delightful, crisp and refreshing wine to be enjoyed now and into the future. |
| 1999 | Delectus Beckstoffer Vineyard, Georges III | Cabernet | | | 1 | WS 87 |
| A well-oaked style. The wood dominates. Fairly tannic, too, with creamy vanilla-scented oak holding the upper hand on raw, intense currant and blackberry flavors, finishing with sharp tannins. Drink now through 2007. 675 cases made. –JL (WS) |
| 1999 | Domaine Batard-Montrachet Verget | White Burgundy | | 260.00 | 1 | rp90-91 |
| Grand Cru |
| rp: Toasted white fruits and minerals characterize the aromatics of this wine. Ths concentrated, rich, and well-made wine has an impressive streak of dense apples and pears that last from the attack through its long, supple finish. It is flavorful, powerful, yet elegant and detailed. |
| 1999 | Domaine les Pallieres | Rhone | | 24.99 | 1 | RP 90-93, WS 84 |
| The decent black fruit seems sweet. Medium-bodied, with a touch of spice, grilled meat and leather. Savage character. May improve with age. Drink now through 2005. 7,500 cases made. –PM |
| Daniel Brunier calls it the Chateau Rayas of Gigondas. Made from 80% Grenache,15% Syrah,and 5% Mourvedre kept in foudre(14.3% alcohol achieved naturally), the 1999 Gigondas is an elegant,perfumed,dark ruby-colored effort with full body,sweet tannin,and a layered,velvety texture.Notes of smoked herbs,black cherries,kirsch liqueur,and minerals are found in the beautiful wine, one of the finest of the vintage.It should drink well for 10-12 years. |
| 1997 | Dominus Proprietary Blend | Red Wine Blend | | 129.99 | 1 | RP94, WS 93 |
| Tanzer:95 Parker:94 Spectator:93, A wine of substance and depth. Dark, rich and polished, with complex notes of earthy, meaty currant, anise, spice, cedar and leather, fanning out on the finish. Young and concentrated. Better than previously reviewed. Best from 2002 through 2012. 8,500 cases made. –JL |
| Roasted herbs, coffee, jammy black cherry, plumlike fruit, Asian spice, licorice, blackberry, cherry notes, tobacco spice, cassis |
| 1999 | Dominus Proprietary Blend | Red Wine Blend | | | 1 | RP88, WS 95 |
| A wine of great intensity, depth and complexity. Beautifully crafted, ripe, rich and creamy, showing off pretty vanilla and mocha-scented oak before a deep core of currant, blackberry, black cherry and minerally flavors fold in. Firm tannins add structure on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2004 through 2014. 7,000 cases made. –JL |
| Green pepper notes, cedar, blackberries, coffee, prunes; "Exhibits an attractive perfume of roasted herbs, coffe, tobacco, and sweet black cherries and plums, medium body, noticeable tannin, and a ripe, austere personality" (rp) |
| 1963 | Dow's Vintage Port | Port | | 234.99 | 1 | RP 92, WS 92 |
| Tasted from magnum. This is a wonderfully silky and rich wine. Deep and concentrated raspberry and cherry character, with a hint of spice. Full-bodied and very sweet, with layers of fruit and a long finish.--Dow vertical. Drink now. –JS |
| 1997 | Dry Creek Vineyards | Merlot | | | 1 | WS 87 |
| Dry Creek Valley; Ripe and spicy, with a core of jammy wild berry- and cherry-laced fruit that reminds you of Zinfandel. Mild tannins. Drink now. 5,000 cases made. –JL (WS) |
| 1999 | Elderton CSM | Red Wine Blend | | 35.00 | 7 | RP 90, WS 89 |
| Bright and open-textured, with red pepper-tinged blackberry and currant flavors. More fruit than oak here, echoing softly on the generous finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot. Drink now through 2005. 700 cases imported. –HS (WS) |
| "boasts a saturated ruby/purple color as well as a big, aromatic blast of soy, cedar, chocolate, vanilla, and black fruits. Ripe, savory, and full-bodied, with no hard edges" (rp) |
| 2000 | Ermitage du Pic S'Loup Cuvee Sainte Agnes | Red Wine Blend | | | 1 | WS 84 |
| Berry and plummy flavors are framed by spicy and toasty notes in this medium-bodied red. Drink now. –KM (WS) |
| Ravaille Frères Coteaux du Languedoc Ermitage du Pic St.-Loup Cuvée Ste.-Agnès |
| 1999 | Estancia Meritage Alexander Valley | Red Wine Blend | | | 1 | WS 86 |
| 76 Cab, 24 Merlot; Plenty of ripe, up-front currant, cedar, herb, sage and dill flavors. Turns austere and tannic, but it's better balanced than many 1998s. Drink now through 2005. 26,000 cases made (WS) |
| 2000 | Estancia Pinnacles | Chardonnay | | 13 | 1 | WS 84 |
| Tasty, with sleek lemon, pear, grapefruit, spice and toasty notes that are well-focused. Drink now. 250,000 cases made (WS) |
| 2000 | Flowers Perrenial | Blend | | 29.99 | 1 | |
| 2000 | Fox Hollow Barrel Select | Shiraz | | | 6 | |
| 1997 | Franus | Cabernet | | 30.00 | 1 | rp89 |
| "Peter Franus has fashioned an opaque ruby/purple-colores Cabernet with powerful flavors as well as well-integrated tannin and acidity. Notes of damp earth, black currants, minerals, spice box, and wood emerge from the moderately intense aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, muscular, with firm tannin, and plenty of sweet fruit |
| 1999 | Girard | Red Wine Blend | | | 1 | |
| 50% cab sauv, 32% cab franc, 18% merlot |
| 2000 | Grand Cru Vineyards Premium Selection | Merlot | | | 3 | |
| 1999 | Groth Oakville | Cabernet | | | 4 | |
| 1997 | Harlan Estate | Cabernet | | | 1 | RP100 |
| Vanilla, minerals, coffee, blackberries, licorice, cassis (rp) |
| 2000 | Hartford Family Wines | Pinot Noir | | | 2 | |
| aromas and flavors of blackberry, vine-ripened raspberries, and grilled herbs; cherry flavors, lingering finish |
| 1997 | Heitz Cellars Bella Oak Napa Valley | Cabernet | | 64.99 | 1 | |
| "Deftly balanced, with pretty currant, floral, black cherry and blackberry flavors that pick up anise, cedar and spice nuances. Shows a trace of heat on the finish. Missed out on 1997s? This is a welcome edition. A big, yet gentle, Rutherford Cabernet. Drink now through 2012. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 7,603 cases made. (JL)" Wine Spectator |
| 2000 | Howell Mountain Vineyards Black Sears Vineyard | Zinfandel | | 42.00 | 1 | rp89 |
| coffee; "the medium plum/ruby colored (wine), from a highly regarded source, reveals jammy kirsch liqueur-like aromas intertwined with plum and cherry notes. THere is sweet fruit on the attack, an elegant, surprisingly symmetrical palate (particularly in view of the high alcohol, 16.8%), and plenty of length, symmetry, and balance in this stylish, gracious Zin. It tastes more Burgundian than a typical CA Zin" (rp) |
| 2000 | J.L. Chave Offerus | Rhone | | | 2 | rp87-89 |
| St. Joseph, Rhone--Syrah |
| elegant, mineral, and berry-scented effort w/ medium body as well as a burgudian-like floral/black cherry character with a hint of cassis (rp) |
| 1999 | Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Valley | Red Wine Blend | | 100 | 1 | RP 94 |
| WS-93 |
| A dark, deliciously rich and complex youngster, brimming with layers of curant, blackberry, plum, mineral, spice, chocolate and cedar. Finishes with a gush of flavors, yet maintains its finesse and grace. "Melted licorice and creme de cassis (rp)" |
| 2000 | Ken Wright Guadalupe Vineyard | Pinot Noir | | 45.00 | 1 | rp91 |
| "blackberry-scented (wine) is dense, deep, thick, and velvety-textured. Cassis liqueur, jammy blackberries, and hints of licorice can be found in its exuberant character" (rp) |
| 2000 | Ken Wright Nysa Vineyards | Pinot Noir | | 45.00 | 1 | wa91 |
| Herbs and dark berries can be found in the aromatics of the medium to dark ruby-colored (wine). Medium bodied, satin textured, and juicy, this plush wine has a superb mouth-feel. This dense offering's long finish displays loads of ripe tannin." (pr) |
| n.v. | Korbel | Sparkling Wine | | | 1 | |
| 2000 | Landmark Grand Detour Van Der Kamp Vineyards | Pinot Noir | | 36.00 | 2 | rp86 |
| "the soft, medium ruby-colored (wine) offers cinnamon, earth, game, raspberry, cherry, and foresty characteristics. It is French-like in its aromatic and flavor profiles" (rp) |
| 1999 | Larrikin Barossa Valley | Shiraz | | 25 | 6 | WS88 |
| Black cherry, ripe fruits, light, juicy; ""Polished in texture and generous with its gamy cherry and tobacco flavors, all of it swirling nicely through the fine-grained finish" (ws) |
| 1999 | Lava Cap Petite Sirah El Dorado Granite Hill Reserve | Petite Sirah | | | 1 | |
| Granite Hill Vineyard |
| 1999 | Lindemans Bin 40 Merlot | Merlot | | | 1 | |
| 2000 | Louis Latour, Vin de Pays Domaine de Valmoissine | Pinot Noir | | | 1 | |
| 1999 | Luna Vineyards Merlot | Merlot | | 36.00 | 1 | rp88 |
| 80 Merlot, 11 Sangiovese, 9 Cab Franc |
| "the sexy, fruit-driven 1999 offers earthy overtones intermixed with black cherries, leather, and spice" (rp) |
| 1998 | Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvée | Red Wine Blend | | | 1 | |
| Alexander Valley; Zinfandel, Petit Sirah, Carignane |
| 1993 | Michele Chiarlo Cannubi Barolo | Piedmont | | | 1 | |
| 2001 | Montes Folly | Syrah | | | 1 | |
| 2000 | Morande Terrarum | Merlot | | | 5 | |
| 1999 | Mt. Eden Santa Cruz Mtn | Cabernet | | 65.00 | 1 | rp88 |
| "the opaque ruby/purple colored (wine) reveals leathery, animal like notes intermingled with classic aromas of creme de cassis, smoke, and underbrush. ripe, medium-bodied, and moderately tannin" |
| 2000 | Mt. Eden Vineyards Edna Valley, MacGregor Vineyard | Chardonnay | | 19.99 | 9 | |
| 2001 | Neyers | Chardonnay | | | 1 | |
| 2000 | Neyers Syrah Hudson Vineyards | Syrah | | 52.00 | 1 | rp91 |
| "boasts an opaque dense purple color as well as a big, sweet, smoky, bacon fat-scented nose with notions of chocolate, blackberries, and graphite. This stunning effort is full-bodied, large scaled, fleshy, and rich" (rp) |
| 1998 | Northstar Columbia Valley | Merlot | | | 1 | RP 92+ |
| rp-92 |
| rasberry, vanilla, white chocolate "black cherry, cassis, blackberries (rp)" |
| 1997 | Opus One Proprietary Blend | Red Wine Blend | | 150 | 1 | RP 88 |
| RP-88 |
| Plums, black cherry, currant. Smoke, leather, Oak, hard tannins |
| 1998 | Opus One Proprietary Blend | Red Wine Blend | | 150 | 1 | |
| rp-86, ws-88 |
| Cedar, plum, cherry, spice box, sweet oak, roasted peanuts |
| 1999 | Opus One Proprietary Blend | Red Wine Blend | | 150.00 | 2 | rp88 |
| Spectator:93 Tanzer:92 |
| rp: while it is a big, rich effort, the 99 O.O. exhibits a distinct earthiness as well as a sweaty saddle-like characteristic. IT buils nicely on the attack and mid-palate, but finishes short, displaying hints of herbs, chocolate, and black currants." ST:'Sappy nose combines currant, smoked meat, tobacco and exotic spices. Rich, sweet and tactile, with complex, tangy flavors of crystallized blackcurrant, caraway seed and smoked meat.' |
| 1998 | Pahlmeyer | Red Wine Blend | | 90 | 1 | RP 91 |
| ws-92; Blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot, cabernet franc, and malbec |
| 2000 | Pride Spring Mountain | Merlot | | 56 | 1 | rp88-90 |
| 61 Napa V, 39 Sonoma V; 93 Merlot, 7 Cab Sauv |
| "this wine offers plenty of sweet black fruits, and an elegant, medium-bodied personality without the grip, depth, and concentration of the 99 and 98" (rp) |
| 1999 | Reininger Walla Walla Valley | Cabernet | | | 2 | |
| needs decanting |
| 1999 | Rosemount Estate Balmoral | Syrah | | | 1 | |
| 2000 | Shea Wine Cellars Shea Vineyard | Pinot Noir | | | 1 | |
| 2000 | Siduri Gary's Vineyard | Pinot Noir | | 48.00 | 1 | rp87 |
| "the dark ruby-colored (wine) reveals earthy overtones in its aromatics of smoke, minerals, root beer, and cherries. A blast of fruit hangs in the mid-palate, but there is gritty tannin in the austere finish" (rp) |
| 1997 | Silver Oak Alexander Valley | Cabernet | | 60 | 1 | |
| rp-89, ws-88 |
| Sweet, spicy, new oak, licorice, olive, tobacco, Sweet jammy cherry fruit, cedar, over-ripe black currant |
| 1998 | Silver Oak Alexander Valley | Cabernet | | 66.00 | 1 | rp87 |
| "reveals complex aromatics of spice box, fruit cake, new oak, and dried herbs. Its frontal attack offers plenty of black currant fruit, licorice, olives, and Provencial herbs. Although it does not possess the size of previous vintages of the 90s, it is built along the lines of a good Bordeaux. Its deficiency is its short finish" (rp) |
| 1999 | St. Francis Winery | Merlot | | 20.69 | 1 | |
| 3 Vineyards |
| 1999 | Stonestreet Russian River Valley | Chardonnay | | | 1 | |
| rp-88 |
| Big, sexy, smoky, Notes of bacon fat, new oak, cream, pineapple, buttery fruit |
| n.v. | Taylor Fladgate 40 year old | Port | | | 1 | |
| 1998 | Treana Red Meritage | Red Wine Blend | | | 1 | |
| Blend of syrah, mourverde, cab sauv, merlot, petite sirah, and grenache |
| 1999 | Treana White Meritage | White Wine Blend | | 25.00 | 2 | rp87 |
| 46% marsane; 54 viogner |
| grassy; hayfield; meadow "displays loads of citrusy, tropical fruit notes, excellent texture, and fine ripeness" |
| 2001 | Tresantos Vino de la Tierra Castilla y Leon | Red Wine | | | 1 | RP 90 |
| black currant, cherry, and blackberry |
| 2000 | Venta Mazzaron | Tinta de Toro | | 9.50 | 1 | rp86 |
| nose of strawberries and sweet spices; mouth of plums, blackberries, with hints of licorice, cinnamon, cloves, and leather: "exhibits a medium dark ruby color , copious quantities of cherry and raspberry fruit, and a briery character reminiscent of Zinfandel." (rp) |
| 1993 | Veuve Cliquot La Grande Dame | Champagne | | | 1 | |
| 2001 | Yellow Tail | Shiraz | | 5.99 | 7 | WS84 |
| In the mouth, the onslaught of fruit continues with layers of cherries, blackberries, black currant and a juicy hint of raspberries. There also is anise, minerals and wood going through the midpalate and then there is a lingering smooth, but not so subtle finish. |
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