Reviews

On a regular basis Stephen Ross wines are sent to prominent wine publications and writers for their evaluation and comments. This is both an englightening and nerve-racking exercise. For some reason not eveyone believes us when we say our wines are the greatest on the planet - they like to hear it from a third party. Generally, there is anywhere from a two to eight month period between when we send the wine from the winery and when a review may be published and hit the newstands.

In any event, we are very proud of our wines. Here's some nice comments of others:

2010 Chardonnay - Bien Nacido Vineyards

Wine Spectator, June 30, 2012 - 89 pts. Tangy tangerine and nectarine flavors give this a refreshing, vibrant, mouthwatering fruit presence. Sleek and understated, this retains its vibrancy. Drink now through 2019. 201 cases made. - J.L.

Wine Enthusiast - 92 points

2010 Chardonnay - Santa Barbara County

Wine Enthusiast - 89 points

Wine Spectator, April, 2012 - 89 pts. Distributes the loamy earth, dried berry, anise and subtle game meat flavors evenly and elegantly. Firms nicely, with structured tannins. Drink now through 2018. 712 cases made. -J.L.

Wine Enthusiast, December, 2011 - 88 points. One of the richer, riper Edna Valley Pinots, offering waves of raspberry and cherry marmalade flavors. It sure is delicious, if a little direct. Drink now with lusty fare, like cold smoked salmon or chorizo. -  S.H.

Wine Spectator, February, 2012 - 91 pts. Savory juniper berry, dried berry, underbrush and cedar notes are firm and structured, fairly typical of this vineyard, gaining on the finish where the black cherry and crushed rock form a complex union. Drink now through 2018. 151 cases made. —J.L.

Wine Enthusiast, December, 2011 - 89 points. Nice and dry, with a silky texture and firm, fine acidity. Good application of oak, too. This elegant young Pinot Noir brims with raspberry and cherry flavors. A little direct now, but could gain traction with a few years in the cellar. - S.H.

2008 Chardonnay - Edna Valley

Wine Enthusiast, May, 2011 - 92 points. A deliciously complex Chardonnay, nearly as good as the winery's single-vineyard wines, which makes it a great value. Smooth and clean, it shows vanilla cream,pineapple tart, Key lime pie and buttered toast flavors. Vibrant acidity keeps it all uplifted and bright. Editors' Choice. -S.H.

2008 Chardonnay - Oliver's Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast, May, 2011 - 92 points. Very fine, showing the class of this vineyard, at a great price. Although the wine is thoroughly dry, it's vast in pineapple and lime fruit, with a minerally tang from the terroir and
rich, sweet buttered toast and vanilla notes from oak barrel aging. The minerality reprises throughout, giving the wine a steely authority. Editors' Choice. -S.H.

2008 Chardonnay - Bien Nacido Vineyards

Wine Enthusiast, May, 2011 - 90 points. Lots to like in this Chardonnay. It's enormously rich in pineapple, mango and lemon meringue pie flavors, with vanilla and buttered toast from oak. Shows the smooth dryness and crisp
acidity of Bien Nacido. A rich, savory wine to drink now. -S.H.

2008 Pinot Gris – Sierra Madre Vineyard 

Wine Enthusiast, November, 2009 - 87 points.  From an important and famous old vineyard in cool Santa Barbara County comes this crisp, zesty wine. Tart, citrusy acidity brightens the flavors of pineapples, green apples, tangerines, vanilla and honeysuckle.  - S.H.

2008 Pinot Noir - Bien Nacido Vineyards

Wine Enthusiast, May, 2011 - 93 points. A stunningly delicious Pinot Noir, opulent in raspberry, cherry, red currant, red licorice, cola and beef jerky flavors. Impossible not to be impressed by the richness, yet the tannin-acid structure is wonderful and bracing. Doesn't seem likely to age well, so drink now. -S.H.

2008 Pinot Noir - Chorro Creek Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast, May, 2011 - 92 points. A really nice Pinot Noir, rich and silky, with gentle tannins and fine, crisp acidity. It's delicately structured, but powerful in raspberry, rosehip tea, vanilla, spice and sandalwood flavors. An upscale wine that gets better as it breathes in the glass. -S.H.

2007 Chardonnay – Bien Nacido Vineyards 

Wine Enthusiast, September, 2009 - 88 points.  Custardy and yeasty, with tropical fruit, Meyer lemon and mineral flavors, accented with a strong taste of slightly bitter lees.  - S.H.

2007 Chardonnay - Edna Valley

Wine Spectator, July 2009 - 90 pts. Ripe and full-bodied, with sweetish, fig, honeydew melon, green apple and spice. Focused and balanced, ending with a long finish. Drink now through 2011. - J.L.

2007 Chardonnay – Oliver’s Vineyard 

Wine Enthusiast, November, 2009 - 91 points.  This is a fair price to pay for a wine of this pedigree. The vineyard is owned by Talley, and the wine shows the brilliant acidity and fruit of Edna Valley. Massive and complex in grilled pineapples, ripe kiwis, butter, vanilla, spices and smoky oak.  - S.H.

2007 Pinot Noir - Central Coast

Wine Spectator, September 2009 - 87 pts. Trim and earthy, with savory herb, dill and dried berry fruit that's compact and focused, with firm tannins. Drink now through 2012. - J.L.

2007 Pinot Noir – Chorro Creek Vineyard 

Wine Enthusiast, November, 2009 - 87 points.  Ripe and soft, with juicy flavors of blackberries, cherries, mulberries, cola, bacon and pepper, with a sweet, smoky edge of sandalwood from oak barrels. Delicious and easy. Drink now.  - S.H.

2007 Pinot Noir - Stone Corral Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast, May, 2011 - 93 points. A very rich, complex Pinot Noirworthy of consideration for a fine cellar. It's dry, silky and tannic, with massive black cherry, pomegranate, cola and sandalwood flavors, although that just begins to describe everything that's going on. Feels important, but young. Give it three years. Cellar Selection. -S.H.

2007 Zinfandel - Dante Dusi Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast, May, 2011 - 90 points. A good, dry Zinfandel marked by flavors of freshly crushed black pepper sprinkled over ripe crushed blackberry liqueur. The all-important tannins give the richness a firm structure. The wine is a little hot in alcohol, but barbecue and richly sauced beef and chicken dishes will stand up well. -S.H.

2006 Chardonnay - Bien Nacido Vineyards

Wine Enthusiast June, 2008, 92 points. Shows the concentration and richness that this famed vineyard gives to almost every variety it grows. Pineapples, pears, sweet green apples and more exotic flavors of papayas mingle with the smoky caramel of oak, in an unusually concentrated way that's brilliantly balanced with crisp acidity. - S.H.

Wine Spectator, July 31, 2008, 87 points.

2006 Chardonnay - Edna Valley

Wine Enthusiast June, 2008, 86 points. Here's a straightforward Chardonnay, with potent fruit and the crisp acidity of this cool, coastal region. The flavors are pure Meyer lemon, lime zest and tangy mineral. - S.H.

Wine Spectator, July 31, 2008, 87 points.

2006 Pinot Noir - Aubaine Vineyards

Wine Spectator, September 2008 - 89 pts. Loamy, claylike earth and tobacco flavors are supple and polished, joined by dried currant and blackberry fruit in a very complete, elegant and complex presentation. Drink now through 2011. - J.L.

2006 Pinot Noir - Bien Nacido Vineyards

Wine Enthusiast June, 2008, 90 points. This is easily the richest of Stephen Ross's three new releases of Pinot. It floods the mouth with ripe cherry, raspberry, fig, date-nut cookie, caramel and sweet Asian spice flavors, and has a luxurious mouthfeel, made elegant by crisp acidity. - S.H.

2006 Pinot Noir - Central Coast

Wine Enthusiast June, 2008, 86 points. A very nice Pinot. You might call it well-behaved. It's clean, dry and crisp, showing good coastal character in the acid-brightened cherry and pomegranate flavors that are enriched with a little smoky oak. - S.H.

2006 Pinot Noir - Edna Valley

Wine Enthusiast June, 2008, 88 points. Showing plenty of richness, this fine Pinot benefits from the cool climate of Edna Valley, which gives it such crisp acidity. The benefits of long hangtime also are evident in the ripe, cherry-inspired fruit, with hints of black raspberries, cola, figs and licorice. - S.H.

2006 Pinot Noir - Stone Corral Vineyard

Wine Spectator, September 2008 - 91 pts. Intense, rich and complex, with loamy earth, wild berry, raspberry and subtle herb and mushroom notes. Smooth and polished, it's graceful and harmonious. Drink now through 2011.- J.L.

2006 Zinfandel – Dante Dusi Vineyard 

Wine Enthusiast, November, 2009 - 87 points.  Shows the ripe fruit and spicy flavors this vineyard is known for, with strong flavors of blackberries, black cherries, raspberries, cola, anise, sandalwood and pepper. The alcohol is high and acidity is low, but it’s a delicious Zin to drink now with barbecue or roasts.  - S.H.

2005 Chardonnay - Edna Valley

Wine Enthusiast, September 1, 2007 - 91 points: Silky and crisp, with those long, penetrating Edna Valley flavors of ripe kiwis, Key lime pie and intense vanilla. Shows real elegance and flair, and this is a good price for the quality.

2005 Chardonnay - Bien Nacido Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast, September 1, 2007 - 91 points: Give this youthful wine some time to settle down. Tasted in late March, its parts had yet to mesh. The acidity, oakiness and fresh grapy flavors are at some odds with each other. By winter of 2007, it should be a fine, complex Chardonnay, and drink wellfor five years.

2005 Pinot Noir - Aubaine Vineyards

Wine Spectator, April 2007 - 91 pts. Dark and plush, with rich, ripe, exotic aromas of blackberry and boysenberry. Plush and concentrated, deep and complex, it coats the palate yet retains a measure of elegance and finesse. Drink now through 2011.

PinotReport, May 15, 2008, 90 points. Medium-deep ruby color; deep, spicy dark cherry aroma with a hint of clove; rich and full, dark cherry, earthy and spice flavors with moderate tannin and oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Lots of depth and complexity in this Pinot; it needs time in the bottle to resolve itself but you patience will be rewarded.

2005 Pinot Noir - Bien Nacido Vineyard

Wine Spectator, April 2007 - 90 pts. A subtle, delicate style, with smooth cherry, cedar, nutmeg and mineral. Fans of graceful, elegant Pinots will find this especially pleasing. Well-proportioned tannins.

Wine Enthusiast, September 1, 2007 - 88 points: Shows all the hallmarks of a good vintage, with terrifically ripe cherry pie, cassis, milk chocolate and smoky, vanilla-infused oak flavors. There's adequate acidity, although the wine ultimately feels soft and could use a little more crispness. Made in acrowd-pleasing style, it trades off complexity for immediate pleasure.

PinotReport, May 15, 2008, 92 points. Medium ruby color; spicy red cherry aromas with a slight herbal note; rich stewed cherry flavor with complexing earthy and herbal notes; some tannin and sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Elegant and complex style of Pinot that has the structure for some age. Rewards about an hour of air before drinking.

2005 Pinot Noir - Edna Valley

Wine Spectator, April 2007 - 90 pts. Dark, intense and chewy, with a rich core of earthy berry, cherry, cedar, mineral and spice. Big and expansive, it needs time for the fruit to soften. Ends with sturdy tannins. Drink now through 2011.

Wine Enthusiast, September 1, 2007 - 87 points: A very nice, well-behaved Pinot. It's a villages-style wine, from a good vintage and a good winery. Dry and luscious, it has ripe, oak-infused cherry, blackberry and milkchocolate flavors, offset by adequate acidity. Drink now.

PinotReport, May 15, 2008, 92 points. Medium ruby color; rich red cherry and spice aromas; ripe, spicy red cherry flavors, silky texture, a touch of oak and tannin; good structure and balance; long finish. Bright and full of fruit, this Pinot is perfect for the summer table.

2005 Pinot Noir - Stone Corral Vineyard

Wine Spectator, September 30, 2007 - 88 points: Dense, big and chewy, with firm tannins wrapped around a closed mix of dried berry, sage and cedary oak notes. Has lots of stuffing and concentration, but reveals little now.Best from 2008 through 2012.

PinotReport, May 15, 2008, 91 points. Deep ruby color; deep, spicy dark cherry aromas; rich and deep, complex dark cherry, earthy, spicy notes; toasty oak, good structure and balance; long finish. Deep, rich Pinot with many layers of flavor waiting for some time and a bunch of air to bring them out. Worth the wait.

2004 Pinot Noir - Bien Nacido Vineyard

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, June, 2006 - 91 pts - Exceptional

Wine Spectator, August 31, 2006 - 89 points, Very good, a wine with special qualities. Well-crafted, with spice, mineral, pebble, wild berry and blueberry scents that are both supple and rich at mid-palate and firm and tannic on the finish. Drink now through 2009.

PinotReport, February 15, 2007 - 91 points. Medium-deep ruby color: deep, earthy, stewed cherry aromas; big, full, rich earthy flavors with some red cherry peaking through; moderate tannin and sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. A big Pinot with some time ahead of it; works wellnow with a deep beef braise.

Wine Enthusiast, December 2006 - 93 pts. This is Stephen Ross's best Bien Nacido Pinot in recent years, showing a great marriage of power and refinement. The wine shows primary fruit, dusty spices and acids. It's a little dry and angular, but will reward some cellaring. So complex, yet you can drink it now, but decant first. Cellar Selection. 

2004 Pinot Noir - Aubaine Vineyards

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, June, 2006 - 89 pts - Highly Recommended
PinotReport, February 15, 2007 - 92 points. Medium-deep ruby color; deep, smoky, clove, cinnamon and cherry aromas; big, full, moderate tannin, stewed cherry and earthy flavors, some forest floor complexity; good structure and balance; long finish.  This Pinot is made in a big style with a lot of depth and complexity; needs time in the bottle and in the glass.

Wine Enthusiast, December 2006 - 88 pts. This is a somewhat heavy and enormously concentrated wine. It reminds me of Calera's Mount Harlen wines. It has a lot of extracted cherry jam flavor and tannins you can feel. A little ponderous in youth, it seems likely to improve. Cellar Selection.

Wine Spectator, December 15, 2006 - 87 points, Very good, a wine with special qualities.

2004 Pinot Noir - Stone Corral Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast, December 2006 - 92 pts. This is a new vineyard, co-owned by Talley. The vines are young but enormously promising, and this wine already shows the fruit purity and crisp acidity of Edna Valley Pinot. The vibrant black cherry, cola, mint and dusty spice flavors are supported by a silky smooth mouthfeel and a rich, long finish.

Wine Spectator, December 15, 2006 - 86 points, Very good, a wine with special qualities.

2004 Pinot Noir - Edna Valley

Wine Enthusiast, December 2006 - 89 pts. Has that magical Pinot Noir quality that combines weight and power with an effortless silkiness. The result is a super-drinkable wine. It shows red, blue and stone fruits with a coating of ripe, sweet tannins.

2004 Chardonnay - Bien Nacido Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast, March 2006 - 90 pts.  There's a minerality to this wine that makes it angular and steely clean, despite well-ripened peach and pineapple flavors.  It has a smooth, creamy texture and good acidity for balance, not to mention a rich coat of oak.

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, April, 2006 - 90 pts - Exceptional

2004 Chardonnay - Edna Valley

Wine Enthusiast, March 2006 - 89 pts.  Classic Edna Valley Chard, bright and zippy in acidity, with rich, purely etched flavors of Key lime pie and toasty oak.  This sophisticated wine has a long, spicy finish 

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, April, 2006 - 88 pts - Highly Recommended

2003 Chardonnay - Bien Nacido Vineyard

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, April, 2005 - 91 pts - Exceptional. Brilliant yellow hue. Honey, toasted almond, pear and vanilla aromas. Medium-full with excellent concentration, this is a ripe and lush Chardonnay that is very appealing. There is beautiful structure and the finish is extremely long with great persistence of fruit, lively acidity, nicely integrated oak and a light touch of spice. Delicious, especially with grilled seafood! (Tasted on February 1, 2005)

Wine Enthusiast, March 2006 - 86 pts.  Extracted and soft, this single-vineyard Pinot has a full-bodied mouthfeel framing cherry, coffee, blackberry and cassis flavors.  It tastes almost like a Cabernet, except for the silky texture.  Heavy now, but it might lighten up in a few years.    

2003 Chardonnay - Edna Valley

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, April, 2005 - 89 pts - Highly Recommended. Brilliant straw-yellow hue. Pear, vanilla, honey and lemon oil aromas. Medium-full with very good concentration, this is a delicious Chardonnay with a finish offering lively acidity, fine persistence of fruit, nicely
integrated oak and a light touch of spice. (tasted on February 1, 2005)

Wine Spectator, May 31, 2005 - 86 points, Very good, a wine with special qualities.  Core fruit flavors are built around creamy fig, pear and nectarine.  A touch of hazelnut and nutmeg seasoning adds a nice flavor dimension.

Wine News, June/July 2005 - 87 points. White gold hue. Light citrus and floral scents.  Sweet, toasty flavors of peach and cream show a metallic bite.  Sweetness prevails in the finish.  

2003 Petite Sirah - Thomann Station

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, February, 2006 - 90 pts - Exceptional. Bright purple hue. Black raspberry, boysenberry and mint aromas. Medium-full to full-bodied, this is very rich with superripe blackberry and black raspberry fruit and a finish with nice persistence of fruit, refined tannins and nicely integrated oak. (tasted on December 1, 2005)

Wine Enthusiast, March 2006 - 90 pts.  This is the quintessential Napa Petite Sirah: rich, balanced and enormously fruity.  It's really as good as Pet gets; it's a firm, chunky dry wine, with the variety's distinctively shabby-chic personality. 

Wine Spectator, March 31, 2006 - 86 points, Very good, a wine with special qualities. The aromas capture ripe blueberry and boysenberry fruit and it has the tannic muscle you expect from Petite Sirah. Finishes with a burst of fruit wrapped in chewy tannins. Decant. Drink now. 

2003 Pinot Noir - Bien Nacido Vineyard

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, December, 2005 - 90 pts - Exceptional . Brilliant garnet-ruby red hue. Cherry, sage and dried brown herb aromas. Medium-full with very good concentration, this has the usual herbal overtones from this vineyard along with ripe fruit and an earthy finish with lively acidity. (tasted on October 1, 2005)

PinotReport, April 15, 2006 - 91 points. Deep, ruby purple color; deep, rich; lots of red cherry and strawberry notes, earthy with some sweet oak, good structure and balance; long finish. Full and rich style of Pinot with just enough earthy notes to add complexity.

Wine Spectator, May 15, 2006 - 87 points, Very good, a wine with special qualities. A mix of delicate wild berry, sage and raspberry fruit that's firm and intense, with a tight focus and fine balance. Drink now. - J.L. 

2003 Pinot Noir - Edna Valley

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, December, 2005 - 88 pts - Highly Recommended. Brilliant garnet-ruby red hue. Red plum, cherry, vanilla and thyme aromas. Medium-full with very good concentration, this offers ripe cherry fruit, ample oak and a spicy finish with youthful tannins and lively acidity. Fine now (if a bit oaky), but better in a few years. (Tasted on October 1, 2005)

Wine Enthusiast, March 2006 - 87 pts.  This Pinot is richer and softer than other Edna Valley Pinots.  It's a little heavy now, with dry, sticky tannins, and is not showing well, a function no doubt of youth. Two or three years should let the cherry flavors break out. 

PinotReport, April 15, 2006 - 91 points/Smart Buy. Deep ruby purple color; rich cherry and spice aromas; rich, ripe, cherry flavors, silky with a touch of oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Delicious middle of the road style, with a lot of great fruit flavor-perfect with a wide range of foods.

Wine Spectator, May 15, 2006 - 88 points, Very good, a wine with special qualities. Firm, rich and complex, with concentrated wild berry, blackberry, floral and mineral notes are tight and focused, gaining intensity and momentum on the finish, where the flavors are complex and persistent. Drink now through 2009. - J.L.   

2003 Pinot Noir - Stone Corral Vineyard

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, December, 2005 - 92 pts - Exceptional. Brilliant ruby red-violet hue (deep color for a Pinot Noir). Black cherry, strawberry, rhubarb and vanilla aromas. Medium-full with excellent concentration, this is a ripe and meaty Pinot Noir with layers of flavor and a well structured finish with excellent fruit persistence, youthful, but refined tannins and lively acidity. Built for several years of pleasure. (Tasted on October 1, 2005)

Wine Spectator, December 15, 2005 - 88 points, Very good, a wine with special qualities.  Dark plum in color, rich and complex, offering well-proportioned, concentrated plum, blackberry, spice and nutmeg scents, supported by firm, ripe tannins that give it a nice backbone. Drink now through 2009.

Wine Enthusiast, March 2006 - 87 pts.  This is certainly the darkest, most tannic of the winery's current Pinot lineup.  Like the others, it has a heavy, extraripe thickness that's not especially varietal, but it's a fairly complex wine, with its dry coffee, blackberry and oak flavors.  Give it a few years. 

PinotReport, April 15, 2006 - 92 points. Deep ruby purple color; deep, rich, cherry, spice, cinnamon on nose; rich and deep, lots of complex cherry fruit, cinnamon, earthy notes, toasty oak, good structure and balance; long finish. Big and rich Pinot with lots of depth and concentrated flavors.   

2003 Zinfandel - Dante Dusi Vineyard

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, February, 2006 - 91 pts - Exceptional. Brilliant ruby red hue. Cedar, sage and raspberry aromas. Medium-full with a rich entry on the palate, this has textbook Zinfandel fruit (raspberry) and spice (sage, oregano) and a lengthy finish with youthful tannins and nicely integrated oak. (Tasted on December 1, 2005)

Wine Enthusiast, March 2006 - 85 pts.  Soft and voluptuous in texture, with amazingly rich blackberry pie, cherry marmalade and cocoa flavors, this Zin finishes a little on the sweet side.  But it's a friendly charmer.

2002 Chardonnay - Bien Nacido Vineyard

Wine & Spirits Magazine, April, 2005 - 92 pts., Top 10 Chardonnays of the Year. Stephen Dooley preserved the fresh complexities of Bien Nacido fruit in this chardonnay, in scents of apple blossom, in flavors of pear and peach, in the satisfying contrast between an austere structure and rich texture. All the dry, gentle fruit would fill in the grain of a thick cut veal chop; or age this and let the flavors develop further  

2002 Pinot Noir - Bien Nacido Vineyard

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, June, 2004 - 91 pts - Exceptional.

Connoisseurs' Guide, October, 2004 - 85 pts. Smelling at first of sweet, slightly candied cherries and slowly picking up an edge of toasty oak spice, this bright and somewhat perky wine shows slightly leaner lines to its flavors. We like its energy and we like its essential fruit, but we would like it better if a little more of the latter came in the deal. A year or two of time in bottle should help it fill out some, but its limits are clear.

Wine Enthusiast, November 2004 - 87 pts.  Complex aromatics here, with cherry, cola, root beer, orange peel and smoky oak among other notes. Drinks crisp in acidity and clean, with a polished, supple texture. Some tannins on the finish provide grip.

PinotReport, December, 2004 - 92 points. Medium-deep ruby purple color; earth, herbal and chocolate on nose; big, intense and concentrated blackberry fruit, lots of complex spice and sweet oak flavors, moderate tannin, long finish. This Pinot shows the depth and complexity you expect from the Bien Nacido Vineyard - it definitely needs some time in the bottle.

Wine News, June/July 2005 - 90 points. Deep crimson hue. Forward aromas of strawberry, cedar box and black pepper.  Bright flavors of cherry and wood spice show great integration of fruit and tannin. Lively, persistent close.  

2002 Pinot Noir - Edna Valley

Wine Enthusiast, November 2004 - 91 pts., Editors' Choice.  A marvelously plush, complex wine.  Earthy aromas, sautéed mushrooms, cola, smoked meat, ripe cherries and raspberries and Oriental spices combine in a dense, lush mouthfeel.  Fabulous length and harmony in the finish.  This is seriously fine Pinot Noir.  Drink now or through 2006. 

Connoisseurs' Guide, October, 2004 - 86 pts. Led in the nose by lightly oaked, cherryish fruit, this clean, no-frills Pinot delivers mild and moderately fruity flavors that do not wander far from the cherry-like basics of the varietal. Medium-bodied and slightly rounded in feel, it is decently balanced but closes with a brief, slightly narrow finish that is punctuated by touches of chalk and stones.

PinotReport, December, 2004 - 91 points.  Medium-deep ruby purple color; deep, spice and concentrated berry aromas; big and deep, moderate tannins, toasty oak, berry and spice flavors, good structure, long finish. This is bigger style than I'm used to from Steve Dooley at Stephen Ross; still it has the terrific flavors and nuance that you always get. This wine needs some time in the bottle and in the glass.

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, December, 2004 - 87 pts - Highly Recommended.

Wine News, June/July 2005 - 88 points. Ruby-purple hue. Pungent aromas of red fruit, pine resin and bubble gum. Settles down somewhat in the mouth with flavors of juicy strawberry, vanilla and cinnamon. Long finish.  

2002 Petite Sirah - Thomann Station, Napa Valley

Wine & Spirits Magazine, February, 2005 - 91 pts.  You could curse this wine when it stains your black sweater.  You could try to dismiss it as a cheap date with a hamburger.  But how could you not give in to the delicious burst of fruit?  And you have to admit, there are some fine, stony tannins behind all the juice.  Put this away for ten years, and it may turn out to be much more than a sweet, immediate pleasure.  

2002 Chardonnay - Edna Valley

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, April, 2004 - 89 pts - Highly Recommended.  Brilliant straw hue. Apple peel, pear, hyacinth and subtle oak aromas. Medium-full with very good concentration, this is a typically subtle and elegantly made offering from this premier Chardonnay estate. Not a big wine, but one that is harmonious and seamless. (tasted on 02/01/2004)

Wine Spectator, June 30, 2004 - 87 points, Very good, a wine with special qualities.  Appealing for its ripe, fresh, zesty pear, citrus and green pineapple flavors that give it fruit complexity, though the flavors taper off on the finish.  Drink now.    

2002 Zinfandel - Dante Dusi Vineyard

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, February, 2005 - 90 pts - Exceptional.

Wine News, June/July 2005 - 90 points.  Vibrant ruby hue. Spicy cherry aromas blend with tobacco and cedar notes. Plump cherry and strawberry flavors with an aggressive charred oak overlay. Lingering sweetness in the close. 

2001 Pinot Noir - Edna Valley

PinotReport, August, 2003 - 92 points. Medium-deep ruby color; pepper, spice, nutmeg, black cherry and plum on nose; big, full and tannic on palate with spicy fruit emerging; good structure, balance and a long finish.  Stephen Dooley scores again with another terrific Pinot from Edna Valley - give this one time to open up in the glass.

Wine Spectator, December 15, 2003 - 88 points, Very good, a wine with special qualities.  Medium-bodied, with pleasant ripe cherry, plum and berry scents, a smooth texture and a firm tannic backbone that gives it structure.  Finishes with a touch of herbs and tealike tannins.  Drink now through 2008.  

2001 Pinot Noir - Bien Nacido Vineyard

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, July, 2003 - 90 pts - Exceptional. Brilliant garnet-ruby red hue.  Black cherry, sage and oak aromas. A rich entry leads to a moderately full-bodied palate and a well-structured finish that has layers of ripe black cherry fruit, youthful tannins and lively acidity. Quite impressive, this is more fruit-driven and less spicy than many of the Pinot Noirs from this site.

Wine Spectator, September 15, 2003 - 88 points, Very good, a wine with special qualities.  Vibrant and well-structured, with ripe, spicy black cherry, wild berry and plummy notes that pick up a nice mineral and fresh earth flavor on the finish, where the tannins are firm. Drink now through 2007.

PinotReport, August, 2003 - 91 points. Medium-deep ruby purple color; slightly closed, berry, plum aromas with toasty oak notes; dry, some tannin but balanced with the beautiful plum and berry fruit; crisp acidity, moderate amount of toasty oak, long finish.  Combine the great Bien Nacido fruit with Stephen Dooley's deft touch and you have on special Pinot.

Connoisseurs' Guide, October, 2003 - 87 pts: Very much influenced by the bright, slightly herbal fruitiness often seen in the Central Coast, this balanced, relatively restrained youngster reins in ripeness in favor of a more open and easy-going style and succeeds more on polish than for any notable sense of depth. If fairly tasty now, it ends with a minor bit of acidy coarseness that will be remedied by a bit of time in bottle.

Wine & Spirits Magazine, December, 2003 - 90 pts. Light in body, persistent in flavor, this wine's fruit component is saturated with dark berries, quiet yet strong and solid in its presence.  The flavor is as direct as sitting in a sunny field of wild strawberries, and the finish brings you back to the beginning, wanting another sip. 

Decanter, January, 2004 - Three stars ***  Recommended. Ripe, slightly jammy raspberry nose, but quite pretty. Medium bodied, fresh, lively, vivid and concentrated, light tannins, has finesse. Good length. 2 - 10 years.    

2001 Petite Sirah - Thomann Station, Napa Valley

Wine Spectator, January 15, 2004 - 88 pts: Burly, with deeply concentrated blackberry, blueberry and earth flavors. Chewy, brawny tannins pound on the finish. Hints of cedar and pencil lead poke through. Drink now through 2009.

The Wine News, April/May 2004 -  90 points.  Black-purple hue. Complex aromas of fresh berries, black cherry, mulberry, tar and cedar.  Vibrant flavors of blackberry, citrus peel, clove, black licorice and cedar. Dry, spicy finish accented by coffee and evergreen.

Decanter, December, 2004 - Four stars **** Highly recommended. Impossibly dark colour, huge density and richness but somehow exudes grace.  Up to six yours. Gorgeous.

Wine & Spirits Magazine, April, 2004 - 93 pts.  Stick-to-the-ribs petite sirah, to your own or, more sensibly, to the barbecued ribs you serve with it.  Following up on an equally great 2000, this latest release from Stephen Ross strikes a delicious balance of ripe blueberry and sweet cherry flavor that makes the hard-edged mineral tannin feel like velvet.  Fresh acidity cuts through what might otherwise be thickness to leave a bright, vivid impression. Ready to enjoy for the floral tones of its youth, this will transform to a grand old Napa red with ten years of age.  

2001 Zinfandel - Dante Dusi Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast , November 2003 - 90 pts., Editors' Choice.  Full bodied and firm textured, with layers of black cherry, plum, raspberry, cola, tea, spice and toast flavors. The wine is muscular, yet sleek, showing the elegance of this grape variety as well as its effusiveness.

Connoisseurs' Guide, January, 2004 - 88 points, One Star: Up-front fruit and unabashed ripeness add up to a tasty and very obvious Zinfandel whose drift to dryness is halted by a welcome splash of sweetening oak. A solid, well-filled wine that wants richer foods as a foil to its underlying heat, it should come into its own when teamed with pot roast simmered in a spicy tomato sauce.

The Wine Advocate, Issue 149, October, 2003 - 86 pts. From a vineyard planted in 1945, the unfined/unfiltered 2001 Zinfandel Dante Dusi Vineyard was aged 15 months in oak. Its dense ruby color is followed by an emerging nose of plums, cherries, and dark currants along with woodsy tree bark-like characteristics. The acidity is sharp in this medium to full-bodied, spicy, gutsy wine. It carries its 15.2% alcohol surprisingly well. Drink this uncomplex Zinfandel over the next 2 - 3 years.  

2001 Zinfandel - Monte Rosso Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast, November 2003 - 89 pts.  Smooth textured and rich, with plush tannins framing a core of pretty black cherry, plum, blackberry, anise, toast, vanilla and spice flavors. The wine is well integrated and shows plenty of class. Big and rich on the finish.

The Wine Advocate, Issue 149, October, 2003 - 87 pts. The dense ruby-colored 2001 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard (15.2% alcohol) emerges from 100+ year old vines. The bouquet offers up abundant quantities of briery, berry fruit, underbrush, pepper, and spice. Although the acidity is not totally integrated, this is a fleshy, rich, medium to full-bodied, impressive Zinfandel made in a big, muscular, tangy/tart style. It will drink well for 2 - 3 years.

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, July, 2004 - 91pts - Exceptional.  

2001 Chardonnay - Bien Nacido

Wine Spectator, January 15, 2004 - 90 pts: Vibrant and lively, with intense, concentrated citrus, pear, quince and orange-lemon blossom scents that give it a tasty range of flavors and a long, lively finish. Drink now through 2007.

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, April, 2004 - 91 pts - Exceptional.  Brilliant medium yellow hue. Toasted almond, pineapple, dried earth, turmeric and oak aromas. Medium-full to full-bodied, this is a multilayered wine that has a lovely creaminess onthe palate and a long, delicious finish with ripe, spicy, earthy fruit and precise acidity. (tasted on 02/01/2004)  

2001 Chardonnay - Edna Ranch

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, April, 2003 - 90 pts - Exceptional. Brilliant straw-yellow hue. Yeast, lemon rind and pineapple aromas. A rich entry leads to a moderately full-bodied palate and a lengthy finish with pretty spiciness and delicacy of fruit highlighted by pinpoint acidity.

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine - September, 2003 - 89 points. Attractive aromas of ripe apples tinged with a touch of white peach and honey give a rich, almost 'unctuous' quality to the nose of this handsome wine, and its somewhat rounded, nicely balanced flavors follow through in fine fashion. Hints of chalk and stones fit well with the tasty yet brisk finish, and the wine is likely to fill out fully over the next year. 

Wine & Spirits Magazine, December, 2003 - 92 pts. Dry and austere when first poured, this takes its time opening up to fresh white peach flavors.  But when it does open, it seems to glisten and glow, like that peach just cut open in the sun.  There's also a crushed mineral acidity to keep it fresh as it ages and evolves.  A chardonnay for the cellar, this needs five or six years to begin to show its best.

Wine Spectator, September 15, 2003 - 90 pts: A deliciously rich and creamy style, highlighted by spicy floral, grapefruit, orange blossom and ripe peach flavors that are complex and long on the finish, where the acidity adds backbone. Solid value. Drink now through 2006. 661 cases made. 

2000 Pinot Noir - Chamisal Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast, October 2002 - 90 pts. The palate is fairly dense and concentrated with flavors of black cherry licorice and herbs.

Connoisseurs' Guide, November, 2002 - ** 91 pts: Of the Ross trio, this one is our clear favorite.  Its ripe cherry, cola-scented, quietly herb-tinged aroma is followed on the palate by a velvet-textured wine of medium depth and admirable intensity.  Late-arriving acids keep the wine bright and alive at the finish while lending a certain pert, bright quality to the affair. Try it as a mate to marinated fowl dishes.

Wine Spectator, September, 2000 - 87 pts: Intense and tight, with layers of dill, vanilla-mocha extract and blackberry flavors that turn tart and tannic, with a touch of greenness. Drink now through 2006.

Global Vintage Quarterly, October - December, 2002 - 94.4 pts.

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, October, 2002 - 87 pts. "Highly Recommended" Brilliant garnet-ruby red hue. Black cherry, clove and oak aromas. A rich entry leads to a moderately full-bodied palate that offers ripe, spicy cherry fruit blacked by firm tannins and balanced acidity.  

2000 Pinot Noir - Bien Nacido Vineyard

PinotReport, June, 2002 - 93 pts. Medium-deep ruby purple color; spice, slight dried fruit, but not a lot on the nose; big, full, incredible depth, great concentrated and extracted black cherry, spice flavors and slight meaty; great structure and balance. Very long finish. Intense style with everything in place; this is a small-production Pinot that's definitely worth seeking out.

Connoisseurs' Guide, November, 2002 - ** 91 pts: Of the Ross trio, this one is our clear favorite. Its ripe cherry, cola-scented, quietly herb-tinged aroma is followed on the palate by a velvet-textured wine of medium depth and admirable intensity. Late-arriving acids keep the wine bright and alive at the finish while lending a certain pert, bright quality to the affair.Try it as a mate to marinated fowl dishes.

Wine Enthusiast, October 2002 - 89 pts. Fine balance and a winning tart-cherry profile mark this medium-weight Pinot.  Hickory smoke, tea, green herb and coffee accents handsomely accent the bright fruit. Tasty and seductive, this shows its fine fruit right through the mildly peppery, evenly tannic finish. Drink now - 2006

Global Vintage Quarterly, October - December, 2002 - 93.1pts.

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, December, 2002 - 88 pts. Highly Recommended.

Wine & Spirits Magazine, February, 2003 - 95 pts. Number 1 wine rated out of 422 wines. Tasters may find a memory in this wine's aroma: Is it a hike in the autumn forest? A reflective moment among the boxwood and flowers of an English garden? The rush of a deep breath on a hill above the sea, as a wave crashes below reflecting the sun back up from the surf? The wine might seem aquamarine. But it's red. It might smell of pressed flowers, of seaweed, of cumin and red spice. The density of red berry fruit may blanket the tongue, even as the freshness of the acidity pierces upward, releasing beautiful aromatics for minutes after each sip. Brilliant pinot.  

2000 Pinot Noir - Edna Valley

PinotReport, June, 2002 - 91 pts. Medium-deep ruby purple color; deep, spicy, rose, pepper, berry aromas; big, full, rich, good violet, raspberry and spice flavors, nice structure and balance, lingering finish. Lots of extract in this Pinot and the fruit doesn't hide.

Wine Enthusiast, October 2002 - 86 pts. Slightly overripe-tasting blackberry and cherry fruit shows some earthy mushroomy accents. The mouth fills out with a sturdy feel and plum and spicecake notes. A mild bitter-almond quality plays on the finish.

Wine Spectator, September, 2000 - 87 pts: Well-oaked, with mocha and creamy vanilla scents. Good intensity, with black cherry, raspberry and plum flavors that are tight and firm, with good tannins. Drink now through 2005.

Affairs of the Vine "Pinot Noir Shootout," November, 2002 - 93 pts ("Love at First Sip") Round and lush with blackberry and cherry fruit on the nose replicating on the palate with additions of concentrated vanilla and licorice flavors. A delicious wine with many nice things happening on the nose and palate. [This wine was rated 3rd out of 171 wines tasted.]

Wine & Spirits Magazine, February, 2003 - 92 pts. It's a potent, big bruiser of a wine when first poured, growing more particular with air. The fat raspberry juice in the middle turns darker, to sunset tones and woodland spices. In the finish, the gravelly taste of the earth lasts as red fruit breezes through. Rose scents add floral complexity to the firm fruit core. Several years of age will bring the complexity forward.

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, October, 2002 - 90 pts. Exceptional. Brilliant garnet-ruby red hue. Black cherry, herbal tea, wild strawberry and oak aromas. A rich entry leads to a full-bodied palate and a lengthy, elegant finish with layers of ripe fruit backed by perfectly balanced tannins and acidity. 3-6 Yrs from 10/01/2002

The Wine News, June/July 2003 -  89 points. Ruby-purple hue. Forward aromas of cherry, black raspberry, cedar, cinnamon and wet stone. Lively, lavish flavors of red cherry, raspberry, chocolate, espresso and cedar. Tart cherry in the close.  

2000 Pinot Noir - Santa Maria Valley

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, October, 2002 - 88 pts. "Highly recommended." Brilliant garnet-ruby red hue. Black cherry, soy sauce and oak aromas. A rich entry leads to a full-bodied palate and rich, spicy finish with layers of fruit, big tannins and balanced acidity.  

2000 Zinfandel - Monte Rosso Vineyard

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, May, 2002 - 91 pts. Brilliant ruby red hue. Cedar, black cherry and raspberry aromas. A full-bodied palate offers excellent concentration of fruit while the finish has firm tannins and vibrant acidity. An old vine Zin with finesse.  

2000 Zinfandel - Dante Dusi Vineyard

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, May, 2002 - 88 pts. "Highly recommended." Brilliant ruby red hue. Cherry, red licorice, vanilla aromas. A medium-full palate displays perfectly ripe fruit, while the long, elegant finish offers well-integrated tannins and fine acidity. 

The Wine News, February/March 2003 -  89 points. Deep ruby hue. Aromas of boysenberry, cherry, dried tobacco, mocha and cedar. Tangy acidity enlivens extracted flavors of blackberry, black cherry, chocolate, anise and cedar. Clean, sweet close.

Wine Enthusiast magazine, September, 2003 - 89 pts

Wine Enthusiast, September, 2003 - 89 points, Good value, recommended.  Only a touch of jammy raspberry aromas to the nose, and then a little bit of char on the edges.  Beyond that, this is a lighter-framed, more elegant Zin.  The palate is round and fresh, with spicy berry flavors.  The finish is warm and expands, exposing the wine's depth and balance.  Not a stud but a solid performer.   

2000 Petite Sirah - Thomann Station, Napa Valley

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, May, 2002 - 90 pts. "Exceptional." Brilliant deep purple hue. Oak, blackberry, iris and caramel aromas. A full-bodied palate leads to a big finish with ample fruit, balanced tannins and vibrant acidity. Meant for the long-haul. 

Wine & Spirits Magazine, February, 2003 - 94pts. A classic California red, this dynamic wine grows more potent and saturated as it takes on air. And yet it holds clean as rain, even as the density of juicy red currant and powerful black berry fruit fills every pore in the mouth, the wine continues to feel fresh. The changes that air brings on show how the tarry astringency will be soaked up into the red zone of fruit as the wine ages. Keep it for ten years or more, and drink some along the way with mushroom dishes.

Wine Enthusiast, April, 2003 - 88 points. There's plenty of pleasure in this wine. With its bright, focused flavors of cherries and blackberries. Tasters noted a range of herbal, earthy notes, including eucalyptus and mint.  The forward flavors drink soft but are held in place with firm tannins that melt on the long, slightly hot finish.

The Wine News, August/September 2003 - 92 points. Fragrant, appealing nose of freshly crushed blackberry and brown spice.  Smooth,  

2000 Chardonnay - Bien Nacido Vineyard

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, September, 2002 - 90 pts. "Exceptional." Brilliant yellow-straw hue. White peach, honeysuckle and quince aromas- very exotic! A medium-bodied palate leads to a very long finish that keeps unfolding in the glass. Lovely subtle fruit and balanced acidity are finely tuned in this elegantly made Chardonnay. 

Global Vintage Quarterly, October - December, 2002 - 90 pts.

Wine & Spirits Magazine, February, 2003 - 87 pts. Oak meets the salinity of coastal fruit to create a buzz, a little frazzled but firm. The wine has a meaty texture, with flavors of dusty pear and bitter almond, a good choice for a chicken curry.

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, February, 2003 -  88 points. Moderately fruity and fairly lively if not quite as expansive as it might be, the aromas of this nicely make wine are paralleled in tone and timber by ripe, pleasant flavors that show enough fruit to balance against the evident oak and roast grains elements. Its firm finish and medium-intensity aftertaste suggest service with broiled fishes.  

2000 Chardonnay - Edna Ranch, Edna Valley

Tastings: The Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, February, 2002 - 88 pts (Highly Recommended). Brilliant yellow-straw hue. Apple, pear and vanilla aromas. A rich entry leads to a moderately full-bodied palate with a supple mouthfeel and a long, balanced finish with very fine acidity. A great food wine.

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, February, 2003  - 87 points. Seemingly a bit riper than its mate at first sniff, then showing a decided citrusy edge to its moderately rich, oak-influenced nose, this wine starts off smooth and supple on the palate, then like its mate, becomes tighter and crisper towards the back. Overall, it is a well-made Chardonnay. 

1999 Pinot Noir - Edna Ranch, Edna Valley

Wine Enthusiast magazine, December 15, 2001 - 89 pts. A bit riper than this winery's Chamisal bottling, this one has blackcherry aromas well framed by earthier, herbal notes that include tomato and beet.  Oak adds chocolate and vanilla notes.  It's fairly tannic, with rich berry fruit and earthy complexity.  Cellar it for a year or two. - S. H. 

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, November 2001 - 89 pts. * This compact, finely tuned youngster zeroes in on pure, pristine, cherry-like fruit while allowing a sideways glance at sympathetic oak and the lightly herbal elements of Edna Valley Pinot. It is a stylish wine rather than a dramatic one, and it smacks of vanilla, violets and sandalwood in the nose and on the palate. If still a touch firm in balance, it should soften and expand nicely with a few years of age. 

Beverage Testing Institute, February, 2002 - 90 points "Exceptional." Dark ruby hue. Rich aromas have a black fruit and tobacco character that follows through on a medium-bodied palate with a rich mouth feel and smooth tannins on the finish. A generous, sweetly-fruited Pinot Noir with impressive concentration.

The Wine News, February/March 2002 - 91 pts. Opaque purple hue. Complex aromas of mulberry, orange peel and cherry with intriguing scents of barnyard, mushroom, menthol and coffee. Sweet fruit punctuates the big, tannic close.

1999 Pinot Noir - Chamisal Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast magazine, December 15, 2001  - 87 pts.Classic South Coast Pinot.  The aromas and flavors veer toward herbal and vegetative: tomatoes, sage, hard spices and rich, black earth.  It's a smooth wine, with peppery tannins that hide a core of dark stone fruit. - S. H. 

Beverage Testing Institute, February, 2002 -  91 points "Exceptional." Deep ruby hue. Rich dark fruit aromas have a hint of earthy complexity. Follows through well with crisp fruit flavors and a medium-bodied palate that finishes with light-but-firm tannins. An elegant, well balanced Pinot Noir with food friendly levels of acidity.

The Wine News, February/March 2002 - 91 pts. Deep garnet with a diffused ruby rim. Well-balanced aromas of stewed fruit, tart cherry, earth, tea and toasty oak. Soft, sweet fruit flavors meld with anise, cedar, smoke and oak. Meaty, rich close.

1999 Zinfandel - Monte Rosso Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast magazine, December 15, 2001 - 92 pts.This Zin has lots of alcohol, nearly 16%, but you'd never know it because it's so balanced. It's rich, harmonious, fruity and very dry, with that wild, savage quality that marks this variety.  In its own way, it's classic Sonoma Zin, and from a great vineyard.  Editors' Choice. - J. M. 

The Wine Advocate, Issue 137, November, 2001 - 85 pts. The 1999 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard offers a medium ruby color in addition to a straightforward, simple bouquet of black cherry and berry fruit mixed with spicy pepper and earth. Additional notions of oak emerge on the palate. Drink this elegant, restrained Zinfandel over the next 12-18 months. 

The Wine News, February/March 2002 - 90 pts. Concentrated fuchsia hue. Penetrating scents of plum and eucalyptus with a hint of tar. Thick and juicy with ripe flavors of plum, blueberry and blackberry. Polished tannins and continued blackberry notes resonate in the supple close. 

1999 Zinfandel - Dusi/Martini Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast magazine, December 15, 2001 - 85 pts. Very ripe, it displays raisiny aromas riding over wild berry and spice.  There's heat and tannins in the mouth, and acids, too, resulting in a certain austerity and angularity.  It's not a hedonistic Zin, although rich, oily foods will coax outthe underlying sweet berry flavors. - S. H. 

The Wine Advocate, Issue 137, November, 2001 - 85 pts. The darker - colored 1999 Zinfandel, Dusi/Martini Vineyard (86% from the former and 14% from the latter) displays a moderately intense late harvest, briery, berry character. In the mouth, there is more tangy acidity, medium body, and a compressed finish. Drink it over the next year. 

1999 Chardonnay - Edna Ranch

Wine Spectator, July, 2001 - 88 pts. Intense and full of complex flavors of mint, pear, fig and hazelnut, with a hint of flowers.  Young and tight, it should evolve nicely. Drink now through 2005.

Beverage Testing Institute, February, 2001 - 85 pts. "Highly Recommended." Deep yellow-straw hue. Rich, ripe creamy, yeasty nose. A crisp entry leads to a zesty, medium-bodied palate. Taut, clean, mildly buttery finish. Drink now or later   

1999 Chardonnay - Bien Nacido Vineyard

Wine & Spirits, April 2001 - 92 pts. Lively granny smith apple flavors fill this wine with a cool, crisp intensity. Chalky and tight, it makes its presence felt with energy rather than weight or fleshiness, driving to every corner of the mouth with a lifted, orange and lime-like acidity that will perk up any white-fleshed fish. Enjoy this now for its transparent finesse, or put it away for a few years to let the complexity build.

Wine Spectator, July, 2001 - 91 pts. Defines elegance, with subtle yet rich fig, butterscotch, hazelnut and citrus, all woven together nicely, finishing with a long, intricate aftertaste. Drink now through 2005.

Beverage Testing Institute, February, 2001 - 88 pts. "Highly Recommended."  Deep yellow-straw hue. Very ripe, creamy melon and grapefruit nose. A crisp entry leads to a spicy medium-bodied palate with a firm edge of acidity. Citrusy, mildly buttery finish. Drink now or later

The Insiders' Wine Line, Fall, 2001; Volume 4, Number 4 - The 1999 Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley has a perfumed bouquet of tropical fruits, citrus, coconut, green apple and vanilla. The flavors of apples, pineapple, pear, peach and cinnamon are complex with good depth followed by a fruity, spicy, vanilla etched finish. 90 points.

1998 Pinot Noir - Edna Valley

Connoisseurs' Guide, February, 2001 - ** Nicely defined cherryish fruit is joined in the nose by a bit of toasty oak, and the comfortable partnership of ripe cherries and wood spice continues unabated in this engaging offering's deep and lengthy flavors. Medium-full-bodied and slightly velvety in feel, it carries a light bit of tannic grip as it finishes. It is open and enjoyable today in a straightforward, easy-to-like way, but it may gain a bit on complexity with a few years of age.  GOOD VALUE

2000 California State Fair - Double Gold Medal, Best of Class 94 pts 

2000 Global Vintage Quarterly, Second Quater - 90 pts, Best Buy 

Beverage Testing Institute, June, 2000  - Highly Recommended 89 pts  Bright ruby-red with a fading rim. Jammy, ripely-fruited aromas. Richly-flavored on the attack with a medium body and a lightly-gripped finish featuring spicy oak flavors. Drink now or later

2000 International Eastern Wine Competition - Silver Medal

Wine Spectator, September, 2000 - Very Good, 85 pts: A tasty if lighter style that offers enough cherry, herb, cola and spicy notes to keep it interesting.

2000 Los Angeles County Fair - Bronze Medal

The Insiders' Wine Line, October 2000 - 88 pts: It 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.  

1998 Pinot Noir - Bien Nacido Vineyard

Connoisseurs' Guide, February, 2001 - * Geared to the dried brush, herbal, tea-leaf end of the Pinot Noir spectrum, this ripe and rich wine is composed with plenty of sweet fruit and has an inviting, supple texture that adds to its charms. Its open feel and low tannins make it one to enjoy over the next few years with rich beef or pork roasts.

Wine Spectator, September, 2000 - Very Good, 86 pts: Weaves together ripe and spicy cherry, cola and herbal notes, striking a nice balance, if on the lighter side. Drink now through 2003.

The Insiders' Wine Line, October, 2000 - 90 pts: It 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.   

1998 Zinfandel - Monte Rosso Vineyard

The Insiders' Wine Line, October, 2000 - 93 pts: It 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.

1998 Chardonnay - Edna Ranch

2000 Global Vintage Quarterly, Third Quarter - 89 pts. The Insiders' Wine Line, October, 2000 - 88 pts: It 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.   

1998 Chardonnay - Bien Nacido Vineyard

The Insiders' Wine Line, October, 2000 - 91 pts: It 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!

2000 Global Vintage Quarterly, Third Quarter - 89 pts