1996 Meridian Vineyards California Cabernet Sauvignon Coastal Reserve Score: 90.0 "A fabulous Cab, rich cassis aroma, full-bodied, sweet ripe blackberry fruit on the palate, soft tannin, and a dark chocolate-cherry finish."
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1999 Forest Glen Winery Forest Fire California White Merlot Score: 87.0 "A rose by any other name is still a rose, and this so called 'White' Merlot is a delightful rose, off-dry with good balancing acidity and full of ripe watermelon-berry fruit. It would pair well with chicken, pasta, soups and fish."
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1999 Phillips Vineyards California Viognier Score: 84.0 "Exhibiting the strengths and weaknesses of Viognier - tropical fruit sensations, followed by a dry, medium-bodied palate, and a hot, alcoholic finish (no surprise, as its 15.7% alcohol). "
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1998 Hawk Crest Vineyard Selection California Chardonnay Score: 82.0 "Medium bodied with a silky texture and a crisp acid edge, tart and citrusy, with a warm finish. "
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1998 Kendall-Jackson Vintners California Syrah Reserve Score: 87.0 "Very nice stuffing-ripe plum, vanilla and toast, full bodied and spicy with light tannin, and tart acidity. Like a liquid plum pie."
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1999 Montevina California Pinot Grigio Score: 90.0 "Seductive aromatics of orange flesh melon and lime follow through to the palate with the addition of some sweet spices. Creamy on the mid-palate, tart in the finish, this is a fine match for seafood or poultry, or pasta in cream sauce. "
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1999 Lawrence J. Bargetto California "Pinot Grigio: : Pinot Grigio, like its cousin Pinot Noir, really shows off its origins. The styles Score: 93.0 " It has a prominent nose thats hard to describe-perhaps floral with ripe cantaloupe - while on the palate it adds gentle cherry and tart citrusy notes. Full of fruit with a fleshy mouthfeel and a crisp acid edge, this wine is a pleasure to drink as an apertif, and pairs especially well with poultry or pork."
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1999 Montevina California Pinot Grigio Score: 90.0 "Seductive aromatics of orange flesh melon and lime follow through to the palate with the addition of some sweet spices. Creamy on the mid-palate, tart in the finish, this is a fine match for seafood or poultry, or pasta in cream sauce. "
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1999 Lawrence J. Bargetto California "Pinot Grigio: : Pinot Grigio, like its cousin Pinot Noir, really shows off its origins. The styles Score: 93.0 " It has a prominent nose thats hard to describe-perhaps floral with ripe cantaloupe - while on the palate it adds gentle cherry and tart citrusy notes. Full of fruit with a fleshy mouthfeel and a crisp acid edge, this wine is a pleasure to drink as an apertif, and pairs especially well with poultry or pork."
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1998 Kendall-Jackson Vintners California Syrah Reserve Score: 87.0 "Very nice stuffing-ripe plum, vanilla and toast, full bodied and spicy with light tannin, and tart acidity. Like a liquid plum pie."
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1997 Round Hill California Merlot Score: 84.0 "Good value and consistent quality are the hallmarks of Round Hill. The '97 Merlot is a nicely structured wine with dark cherry fruit. Its somewhat one-dimensional, but an enjoyable everyday wine at an everyday price."
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1997 Round Hill California Cabernet Sauvignon Score: 85.0 "Blackberry, cherry and a hint of red bell pepper anchor the core of this Cabernet. Light tannin and bright fruit make it a joy to drink right now. The perfect hamburger wine."
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1998 Matanzas Creek California Sauvignon Blanc Score: 88.0 "Crisp, grassy, citrus and melon with herbal undertones. "
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Korbel California Chardonnay Champagne Score: 89.0 "'A blanc de blanc by any other name would smell as sweet'-but Chardonnay has more cachet. To my mind this blanc de blancs is Korbels very best, reminiscent of a cremant or 'creaming' style of Champagne: very soft on the palate, with fuji apple overtones and just a touch of yeastyness to give it breadth. Barely off-dry, this is great sipping wine that you could also serve it with poultry, veal or pork chops. "
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1996 Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve California Cabernet Sauvignon Score: 85.0 "Concentrated and chewy, KJ has a lot of herbal-vegetal character to go with the blackberry fruit. Medium tannins make for an astringent finish. Probably better with 3 to 5 years additional aging."
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