BRUNO GIACOSA
Bruno Giacosa is one of Italy’s—make that the world’s—finest winemakers. An “Old World” craftsman & artisan in winemaking, with very limited production...“poco ma buono”...“little but good”. Although most of his grapes were purchased in the past, Bruno’s production epitomized those by the vineyards. One of the few vineyards that he owns is Faletto (20.7 acres) where outstanding Nebbiolo is grown for the following wine.

Barolo, Faletto Di Serra Lunga D’Alba, 1995
This 1995 Barolo possesses a medium dark ruby color with some “fire” at its edge. On the nose there’s a plethora of fragrances like rose petals, spice box, dried herbs, soy, cedar, tar, and black fruits. On the palate, the attack is sweet, followed by a full body, with dense, layered, concentrated, spicy flavors. This is a muscular wine, so the culinary dish you select in complement should be hearty enough to balance its power...“oh baby, it does not want to behave!”

PLUMPJACK WINERY
The Plumpjack Winery’s Estate Vineyard is nestled in the nape of the Vaca Mountain range on the eastern side of Napa Valley. Vineyards have been located at this Oakville site since the late 1800s. Under the esteemed tutelage of Nils Venge, Plumpjack produces some of Napa’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon. Formerly the site of the Villa Mt. Eden Winery, and its winemaker, Nils knows this vineyard, and combined with his success at Saddleback & Groth, and his own winery, this is definitely a winery worth watching.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville-Napa, 1998
This particular release is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon made entirely from the grapes grown in its Oakville vineyards. In general, you’ll find the aroma to be warm, sweet spice, vanilla extract, mint, bittersweet chocolate, extracted black cherries and a hint of sweet smoke. Its firm, pleasant acidity and moderate tannins are followed by nutmeg, ripe raspberries and more ripe cherries, bittersweet chocolate and coffee, following into sweet, light toasted oak. The finish is lingering and complex.

CAYMUS VINEYARDS
Caymus Vineyards is known for its classically proportioned, richly flavored Rutherford-grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Owner and winemaker, Chuck Wagner, was born on this estate. His family has been farming the Rutherford land since the early 1900s. Besides his excellent farming ability, Chuck has a “nose” for sourcing excellent vineyards in the Napa Valley for purchased grapes.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 1996/97
This release is a product of Chuck’s great vineyard connections. About two-thirds of the fruit is harvested from the most select vineyards on the valley floor, while the balance is brought in from hillside vineyards. The profile of the berries range from the areas selected. For example, the hillside berries are smaller, more concentrated, with firmer tannins. Whereas the valley fruit (esp. blackcurrant & cherry) features a lusher, more elegant character. In sum, we get a balance of fruit & structure.

The 1996 release is blended with small amounts of Cabernet Franc (6%) and Merlot (7%) to express an attractive, intense, spicy green olive and red currant aroma. Distinctive, forwardly rich, with toasty oak, ripe currant and cassis flavors, a rather precocious style enjoyable from entry to finish. The 1997 release is redolent of classic Napa Cabernet... with a dark, serious bouquet brooding black-cherry, leather and cedar aromas. In the mouth, flavors of ripe black plums, mint-menthol and tobacco fill the palate. A supple texture is followed by a long, toasty finish with fine tannins. Both wines appear to be Medium-full to full body.

Cabernet Sauvignon, "Special Selection", 1995/97
Caymus Vineyards "Special Selection" Cabernet Sauvignon is synonymous with classically proportioned, richly flavored Rutherford-grown Cabernet. Winemaker, Chuck Wagner, produces one of Napa Valley's finest & most consistent Cabernets in this wine... 100% SERIOUS CABERNET! Highly definitive of good Rutherford Cabernet, the '95 release offers a rather subtle structure devoid of any abrupt astringency...dense & rather lush, with a chalky texture (unfined). Ripeness of fruit is very evident, along with sweet tannins. Broad flavors of cassis, cinnamon coffee, and slight bitter berry. This wine finishes extremely long and alluring. Full body.

What can you say about the '97 Vintage for Napa Cabernet... extraordinary!! Pure, intensely concentrated, cassis extract floods the palate; a sweet entry yields to a firmly tannic, yet generous and amazingly long finish. Finely grained tannins give a sensuous texture. A rich, smoky spice character lingers in the aftertaste. A very complete, balanced, and unctuous wine. Full body.

PINOT NOIR
The "Elizabeth Taylor" of the red wine grapes, it can be elegant and graceful, yet very difficult to cultivate. Like the Riesling grape, Pinot Noir possesses a "transparency" of varietal character. Burgundian Pinot Noir often suggest true "gout de terroir" or "barnyard" character. Most California winemaking practices avoid this result ("Lees Factor"). In general, this variety yields wines that are medium~to~full bodied, dry, medium~to~full flavored intensity. "Versatility" is a Pinot hallmark... flavor intensity, sweet fruit, medium body, and finer tannins make it a very flexible food complement. With age, this variety develops greater complexity, finesse, and length.

GARY FARRELL, Russian River Valley, 1999
Gary Farrell is a prodigious winemaker who works sheer magic with some of the best grapes in North America. Since the early 1980s, his wines have been synonymous with excellence representing exceptional vineyards mainly from Sonoma County's Russian River Valley. Highly esteemed vineyards like Rochioli & Allen. Some of California's most decorated Pinot Noirs are sourced from these two Russian River vineyards. This particular Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is crafted from some of the regions most highly sought after vineyards such as Rochioli, Allen, and Olivet Lane. It is a fine example of how the many individual vineyard nuances express themselves in harmony with one another... creating a more complex & intriguing wine. This is a deep, rich and intense wine, with a wonderful array of fruit flavors centered around a complex core of dark cherry, wild berry & plum. The lavish, spicy oak elements compliment and add depth. The finish is long, clean & refreshing, with generous acidity. Medium-full body.

AU BON CLIMAT, Santa Barbara County, 2000
Jim Clendenen produces some of California's most expressively idiosyncratic wines. Whether it's Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or Pinot Blanc, they often are stylistic, complex, and intriguing. Clendenen is an unabashed lover of Burgundian wines, and winemaking style. However, he often stretches the "practice" to achieve uniqueness in character. Clendenen owns some 50-acres in Santa Barbara, but most of his grapes are sourced from premier vineyard holdings in the Arroyo Grande, Santa Maria, and Santa Ynez Valleys. This Santa Barbara release offers a "taste" of Clendenen's unique approach to producing a Pinot Noir with expressively individualistic character. It incorporates 25% of estate grown Mondeuse or Mondeuse Noir (prolific in E. France- Savoie). This varietal typically blends very well with Pinot Noir & Gamay to add color, depth of flavor, and spicy character. This particular 2000 release is brimming with blackberry, foresty, and mushroom flavors. It is classically structured, with long, soft tannins, bright acidity, balanced fruit, and nice complexity. A medium body wine.

The “Cybil” or chameleon of the white wine grapes has its roots in Burgundy, especially the Cote de Beaune. This variety generally yields wines that are medium~to~full body, dry, medium~to~full flavor intensity. Often luscious and creamy in character with depth and finesse. Warmer climates generally yield richer, fuller fruit flavors. A winemaker’s dream, this grape can be shaped into a variety of different styles. Chardonnay does not have particularly strong varietal character. Therefore, its personality is very much the result of winemaking techniques like oak barrel fermentation & aging, lees contact, and malolactic fermentation(MLF). Chardonnay is distinguished by its vinosity or “mouth~feel”, richness & fruit flavor.

FLOWERS, Sonoma Coast, 1999
Flowers has risen among the “ranks” as one of California's premier new wineries. It was the esteemed Kistler Vineyards using their Camp Meeting Ridge Vineyard fruit which helped to persuade the owners, Walt & Joan Flowers, to release their own wines. They now bottle intriguingly complex, rich, and highly focused Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is no exception. The winery is well designed with a “nonintervention” approach to winemaking... from gravity fed whole cluster pressings & native yeast inoculations...to bottling unfined and unfiltered. A rather floral and aromatic wine, with crisp, well defined Chardonnay fruit. This cool-climate wine offers clean citrus peel and rose petal aromas balanced by more Burgundian notes of mineral and animale. The oak is restrained and in the background. On the palate, the intense, clearly delineated Chardonnay fruit is richly textured from sur lie aging. The finish is persistent with a crisp, refreshing acidity. Medium-full to Full body.

BERNARDUS VINEYARDS & WINERY, Monterey, 1998
Bernardus (Ben) Pon has built a fine reputation for this small Carmel Valley winery around the textural aspects of fine Chardonnay. “Mouthfeel” is the most important expression of Bernardus wines. Don Blackburn, an American, is a French winemaker. He blends rich, ripe fruit from prized vineyards like Ventana (Monterey), Sagiacomo Home (Carneros) and Paragon (Edna Valley), just to name a few. The “spice rack” approach is followed in selecting different types of French oak cooperage for this wine. Most of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, and is aged sur-lie with bâtonnage for added complexity & creamier mouthfeel. Typically, this wine expresses buttery, spicy apple & pear fruit. It's never over-oaked, with pretty shadings of honey & hazelnut. A seriously delicious wine. Medium-full to full body.