nz

The proprietors spray the vines with water to encourage botrytis formation, then turn off the water and let nature take its course. The result is a fabulously rich dessert Riesling, full of dried apricots and tangerines. There's a musky, spicy character too, and a strong undercurrent of acidity keep sit from being cloying.

es

Nose of ripe spicy fruit with tobacco and earth accents. Similar full, chewy flavors ride the plush mouthfeel. The long finish is dense and dark.

nz

Steer clear of this one if you like your Sauvignons done in stainless. This one is 100% barrel fermented, yielding some toasty, smoky aromas that blend well with the forceful tropical fruit flavors. There's guava and pineapple, smoke and menthol on the long finish.

nz

With only a hint of residual sugar, this wine leaves you free to focus on the intense peach, pear and lime fruit. Great balance and racy acidity prolongs the extended finish.

nz

There's an herbaceous streak to this wine but it's more than compensated for by black-cherry fruit and exciting smoked meat aromas that kept me going back for another sniff. Supple and ready to drink now and over the next few years.

nz

A dry, steely Riesling that demands time in the cellar. Aromas of lime, with a hint of peach; assertive lime-citrus finish. Displays great depth and intensity, possibly due to the relatively low (by nz standards) yields of 2.5 tons per acre.

nz

Almost seems creamy, perhaps because half of the juice was fermented in neutral barrels. Grapefruits, green plums and a pinch of black pepper lead into a long, broad finish.

US

The deep, dark red color and richly ripe fruit and berry aromas tell you just how fine the grapes got in this wonderful vintage. The essence of plums and blackberries jumps out of the glass. Full and rich; those who think Monterey can't ripen a Bordeaux varietal just might be surprised. Yes, it's a little soft, and don't look for rich, complex tannins like you find in the North Coast. But this is a deeply satisfying, serious red wine.

US

They call this their Alsatian-style wine, and indeed, it contains smaller amounts of Gewrztraminer, Riesling and Sylvaner. This explains the pretty flavors, which range from citrus and straw through flowers and lusher spices and fruits. Yet it's very dry and crisp and finishes tart and racy. Editors' Choice.

nz

Very fragrant, loaded with toasty, crme br?le aromas and followed by oranges, vanilla and custard. A big, ripe wine with some oatmeal character that finishes spicy and complex.

nz

A luscious wine with considerable residual sugar that manages to stay balanced because of its healthy acid levels. The rich pear and citrus flavors are thick in texture. Stylistically, this is reminiscent of Zind-Humbrecht's vieilles vignes bottling from Alsace.

US

Smells and tastes ungenerous, probably due to unripe grapes that give an earthy, vegetal taste to the wine. Not going anywhere, so drink up.

US

This falls prey to the overly sweet, residual sugar attempt to mask stemmy character. Tannins still a bit green and hard.

ar

Snappy, prickly, red-currant aromas fail to improve with airing. The palate is high in acidity, creating a sheer feel to the cherry and raspberry fruit that drives the flavor profile. Drying and hollow on the finish. Very regular wine, with bramble and tartness.

US

A strongly flavored, rather heavy ros that's almost as full-bodied as a Grenache, which forms half the blend, with Syrah. It shows flavors of cherries and raspberries, and lacks delicacy.

ar

Dark, crusty aromas mix with sweet coconut on the nose, while the palate seems lactic and oaky despite fairly pointed acidity. Berry and plum flavors are entirely regular, and the finish is sharp due to the aforementioned acidity. A bit leafy tasting as well.

ar

Burnt rubber, roasted generic berry and rooty tobacco aromas define the nose, which sets up a tangy, sharp, angular palate that shows little more than tart, quick cherry and raspberry flavors. Short and light on the finish.

US

A tough, gritty, ordinary wine, with a drily tannic mouthfeel and earthy flavors of berries, cola and oak. Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.

ar

Flat on the nose, with neutral, slightly floral aromas. The palate is zesty and tart, with midland flavors of lemon, sour apple and lime. Chalky but o.k. on the finish. A one-dimensional white with hardly any lasting potential.

pt

Get past the pharmacy aromas and this is a pleasant, if rather fat, wine. It has some pear juice flavors along with a final light acidity.