California Wine Tasting Notes

1998 Domaine St. George Barrel Fermented
California Chardonnay Barrel Reserve
Score: 86.0
"Fresh ripe appley fruit with light vanilla, silky texture and crisp acidity. Rather simple but verynicely structured and balanced for food."

Fetzer Vineyards
California Johannisberg Riesling
Score: 85.0
Medium full bodied and moderately sweet with dried apricot character and very good length.

Fetzer Echo Ridge
California Sauvignon Blanc
Score: 84.0
"Crisp, austere and aggressively herbal, with firm acidity and a long finish, Fetzers Echo Ridge is best suited to ham, burritos, or fish sauteed in a lemon butter sauce."

1996 R.H. Phillips Toasted Head
California Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah
Score: 87.0
"R.H. Phillips is an underrated producer, as this non-traditional blend of Cabernet (55%) and Syrah (45%) attests. Full-bodied, smooth, with soft tannin, the fruit is all berry and plum with a wisp of green olive. It has excellent balance and a tart fruity finish. Begs for steak."

1998 Pine Ridge
California Chenin Blanc - Viognier
Score: 89.0
"Pine Ridge has previously put out a Viognier with a little Chenin in it. This is just the opposite; a Chenin with a little (13%) Viognier in it. Its bone dry with a floral nose and a touch of tangerine, as well as full-blown mineral character on the palate and through the finish. A fine accompaniment to fish, shellfish, poultry, veal or pork."

1997 Round Hill
California Zinfandel
Score: 88.0
"Like a bowl of ripe berries and plums, sprinkled with vanilla, bittersweet chocolate, nutmeg and toast. Silky smooth and dry, but so fruity it leaves a sweet impression through the long finish. A great bargain, his is the quinessential hamburger wine."

Domaine Chandon
California [sparkling] Brut Classic
Score: 91.0
"The current release of Domaine Chandons standard bearer is the best ever, a large step forward in refinement. Balanced citrus and apple fruit with subtle creme brulee notes, drier, with creamy texture on the mid-palate, and a crisp lemony finish. "

Canyon Road
California Chardonnay
Score: 83.0
"Vanilla nose, intense red apple flavor, juicy finish. Pair with chow mein or pork buns."

1997 Kendall-Jackson Vintners Reserve
California Zinfandel
Score: 84.0
"A lush, smokey, grapey wine, soft and almost sweet on the palate. Easy drinking now with such foods as pasta marinara, hamburger and beef steak. "

1995 Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve
California Merlot
Score: 90.0
"Big and spicy, good berry fruit, hints of tobacco, moderate tannin, chewy finish. An excellent wine, but is it really worth $30 more than the Vintners Reserve? Pair with beef steak or ostrich fans."

1995 Kendall-Jackson Vintners Reserve
California Merlot
Score: 93.0
"Not your usual KJ Merlot, this is classically structured, firm, well-balanced and extremely long, with cherry-berry fruit, sweet spices and tobacco leaf. Very fine now, it will also age gracefully. A fine accompaniment to grilled beef steak, grilled ahi, venison etc. To my mind, this is the best Merlot KJ has ever produced."

Kendall-Jackson
California Chardonnay Grande Reserve
Score: 80.0
"A sweet, round Chardonnay that would be best paired with pound cake. "

1998 Sobon Estate
Shenandoah Valley of California Roussanne
Score: 92.0
"Intrinsically more interesting than Chardonnay, this particular Roussane is also enhanced with the addition of 15% Viognier. It has the same rich, velvety mouthfeel of Chardonnay, with layers of mineral, pear and butterscotch flavors. Mouthfilling and persistent with a fabulous finish thats worth the price of admission. "

Domaine Chandon
California [sparkling] Brut Classic
Score: 91.0
"The current release of Domaine Chandons standard bearer is the best ever, a large step forward in refinement. Balanced citrus and apple fruit with subtle creme brulee notes, drier, with creamy texture on the mid-palate, and a crisp lemony finish. "

1988 Simi
California Rose of Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 90.0
"If rose ever comes back into favor, this one will be up on the top. Big strawberry-raspberry flavor, wonderfully aromatic, its just off-dry and if chilled the impression is decidedly dry. In either case, it has excellent balance, so enjoy."