Santa Barbara Winery ‘01 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir has become the primary red grape of Santa Barbara County, where some of the best Pinot Noir is being produced. Brick red color with cranberry, leather, straw and earthy hay in the nose. Rich, ripe strawberry jam on the palate with a nice, creamy, mid-palate light body with a velvety, lingering finish.

Byron ‘02 Santa Maria Valley Rich aromas of dark cherry fruit are accented by hints of tobacco, chocolate and spice. On the palate, the wine reveals ripe Pinot Noir flavors in a firm structure with fully developed, silky tannins.

Au Bon Climat Estate Bien Nacido ’02 Santa Maria Valley We ran into Jim at the Taste of the Town Benefit. We were pouring our “Conga Line” cocktail, he was pouring this, so we traded. We then experienced Nirvana! This Pinot has the purest flavor profile ever, perfection! Very limited. Very exciting. Very Wow!

Sanford ‘00 Santa Barbara County A rich and focused Pinot Noir, broad and supple with a touch of spice, black cherry, anise and mineral. Shows remarkable depth and complexity with a long finish.

Whitcraft ‘Bien Nacido ‘00 Santa Barbara This pinot noir by local wine maker Chris Whitcraft is full of the spices the area is known for; coffee, chocolate, both black and white pepper (slight), cola and berries. The mouth is along the same lines with the added lushness from the toasty oak barrels. Sometimes the pinots from this area are reminiscent of cherry cough syrup (in a good way) and this is one! Good long finish.

Artesa ‘00 Sonoma Valley Warm plum and dark fruit fill the nose of this wine along with hints of vanilla and spice. On the palate, it offers juicy, ripe cherry.

Sunstone ‘01 Santa Barbara County Merlot is the flag ship of Sunstone Vineyards. This organically grown wine offers smoky oak, black cherry, herb and blackberry flavors. A bit dry on the palate, it finishes moderately with a hint of earthiness.

Wild Horse ’01 Paso Robles Fruity aromas of ripe berries and plums are combined with barrel toast when first poured. Complex flavors of mulberry, cherry, mocha and sweet oak are held up by bright acidity and moderate tannins with a clean finish.

Rouselle Chevalier ’01 Santa Barbara County This wine is for you if you enjoy huge fruit forward in your Merlot. We Love the deep red ink color and heavy flavor, uncommon to even the best reds. Blackberry and cassis with a balance of French oak has produced a taste to be experienced.

Ferrari -Carrano Merlot ’00 Sonoma County Rich, deep flavors of fine red Bordeaux grapes without the heavy tannins of youngCabernets characterize this merlot. Ferrari-Carrano’s Alexander and Dry Creek Valley vineyards produce superior Merlot grapes for a soft, velvety wine with rich concentrated fruit and supple tannins. An outstanding red dinner wine.

Groth ‘00 Napa Valley A mix of some sharp edges and complex flavors, with strong shoe leather (freshly polished), herb, bell pepper and a touch of earthy currant, olive and cedar. Finishes with muscular tannins, so it\'s best to cellar short term.

Liberty School ‘99 Paso Robles A rich, full bodied wine with intense color, which makes this wine enjoyable to all. This syrah’s floral nose and soft berry qualities on the palate lend itself to a wide array of cuisine, making it and everyday kind of wine.

Morgan ‘00 Monterey On the nose, the wine exhibits aromas of cassis and olives with white pepper and licorice notes. The palate is full of vibrant red fruit and blueberry notes with great balance and soft, ripe tannins.

Beckmen ‘00 Santa Barbara County An impressive estate wine that shows why Syrah is coming on like gangbusters. The flavors are richly ripe and fill the mouth with cherry, blueberry, and blackberry notes that are sweetly lush. These flavors are balanced by near-perfect tannins, soft and luxurious, and nice, crisp acids. A touch of smoky oak adds spice and vanilla accents.

Qupe Bien Nacido Hillside ‘00 Santa Maria Valley Smooth and complex with layers of black cherry, blackberry and spice, picking up anise in the finish, a huge Santa Barbara County Syrah.

Murphy Goode “Liar’s Dice” ‘01, Sonoma County The late Tim Murphy was the architect of our Zinfandel program in a plan conceived over 20 years of breakfasts and “liar’s dice” games at Mickey’s Café in Geyserville. Dense black cherry, raspberry jam, and currant notes are brought together in layers with sweet vanilla oak.

Ravenswood Teldeschi ‘01 Dry Creek Valley Black pepper, vanilla, hints of smoke and tar intermingled with ripe fruit flavors-lots of luscious Bing cherries and sweet plums.

Ridge ‘02 Lytton Springs The resulting wine is full-bodied yet well-defined, its layers of fruit readily apparent. Approachable when young, this excellent zinfandel will continue to mature over the next ten years.

BV “Beaulieu Vineyard” ‘01 Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Strong black currant, cedar, herbs and a hint of pipe tobacco indicate classic Cabernet aromas from fully mature grapes grown in moderate to cool climates. Medium full-bodied on the palate, the flavors show excellent fruit concentration combined with moderate yet supple tannins, a hint of vanilla-oak, and a rich chewy finish.

Barnwood ’01 Santa Barbara County Big black purple ink. Earthy nose. Ripe, big, fruit forward with a complex well integrated tannic finish. Very easy drinking!

Franciscan Oakville ‘00 Napa Valley This powerful Cabernet Sauvignon captures the essence of Napa Valley's Oakville region. Oakville Estate, in the heart of the renowned red wine appellation, produces Cabernet Sauvignon of exceptional concentration. Characteristically rich, with ripe fruit flavors and soft, supple tannins, it is a wine to drink and enjoy. The Cabernet Franc contributes a floral character with notes of herb and spice and adds richness to the initial palate impression of this fine wine. Merlot adds a touch of softness and round mouthful.

Stags Leap ‘00 Napa Valley This vintage resulted in a linear structure supporting spicy, big, red-fruit characteristics. Clove, anise and red cherry aromas are drawn into concentrated, spicy, red berry, red cherry, cassis and red plum flavors with complementary flavors of liquorice and cinnamon-clove.

Mt. Veeder ‘98 Napa Valley Intense flavors of blackberry and plum enriched by notes of chocolate, spice and cinnamon. Refined, supple tannins and fruit blended from Mt. Veeder ranch with small lots of other Napa Valley hillside grapes add complexity and depth to the wine. The result is a wine that is rich, soft and supple immediately with the potential to age.

Robert Mondavi Reserve ‘99 Napa Valley Expressing the diversity of Napa Valley’s soils and mesoclimates, this wine unfolds in ripe cassis and blackberry character, with nuances of sweet spice, mocha and violet. Fermentation with both native and cultured yeast strains, extended skin contact and 18 months of aging in French château barrels enhanced the Cabernet expression.

Ridge Monte Bello Vineyard ‘98 Santa Cruz Mountains Offering a mix of ripe, rich, fleshy currant and blackberry fruit, with hints of herb, olive and sage. Finishes with a firm, structured backbone and ripe tannins giving it depth and richness.

Caymus Special Select ‘01 Napa County Deep, powerful aromas of sweet, ripe black currants dominate, followed by lighter notes of fennel/anise, lightly caramelized spices (clove, cardamom) and vanilla. In the mouth, the flavors expand and deepen, adding suggestions of dark chocolate and roasted coffee beans. The finish is long and expansive, with a lingering impression of sweet summer fruit.

Rasberry Bliss Martini By combining Bacardi Razz, Triple Sec, Chambord, Sweet and Sours, and lime we\'ve created a mouthwatering martini. Splash a touch of Champagne to finish this libation… Simply blissful!

Beckmen Cuvee Le Bec ‘01 Santa Barbara County This southern Rhone blend is made up of 53 % Grenache, 22% Mourvedre and 25% Syrah. Putting your nose to the glass will reveal intense red berry fruit and rich spicy aromas. Great upfront berry flavors meld into the mid palate of earthiness and spice, finishing off with a wonderful balance between tannins and acidity. Temporarily Sold Out

Tandem Peloton ‘02 Sonoma County Medium dark with bright red rim in the glass. Sweet and floral tones of wild rose first greet the nose, followed by complex, kaleidoscopic aromas of soft red tree fruits, persimmon, blueberry, savory spices and even cola that seem to dart in and out of the picture. The complexity continues in the mouth, almost defying description.

Justin Isosceles ‘00 Paso Robles Layers of raspberry, blueberry, strawberry and cherry blend seamlessly with vanilla and toasted oak notes. The wine\'s luscious, soft entry is followed by gobs of deep dark fruit with just enough vanilla and toasted oak to add complexity without being overbearing. This wine is powerful but silky and balanced throughout the entire palate.

Geyser Peak Meritage ‘00 Alexander Valley This wine is a stylish, full-bodied and extremely complex wine. Layers of black cherry and berry fruit aromas fold into elements of sage, spice, cedar, and subtle vanillin oak. The structure of the palate is rich and intense. Artful blending has crafted a beautiful balance of fruit flavors, oak and fine tannin with great length.

Swanson Alexis ‘00 Oakville Their flagship wine, Alexis, is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based proprietary blend, assembled from the finest lots grown on the Schmidt Ranch. Beautifully dark red in color, the 1999 vintage is loaded with ripe, deep aromas of black cherry, blueberry and toasty oak. The palate is concentrated and rich with supple tannins and good acid structure.

Byron IO ‘99 Santa Barbara County Flavors are ripe and well-focused with hints of dark cherry and earthiness framed by a firm structure and smooth, mature tannins. Plush and supple, the texture carries through to a long, velvety finish -- a sign of even greater complexities to come with additional bottle age.

Chateau St. Jean Cing Cepages ‘99 Sonoma Valley Offers a mix of ripe, rich, fleshy currant and blackberry fruit, with hints of herb, olive and sage. Finishes with a firm, structured backbone and ripe tannins giving it depth and richness.

M Cosentino “M Coz” Meritage ’99 Napa Valley Ripe, rich and wonderfully focused, with a complex core of ripe plum, black cherry, currant, olive and cedar notes fanning out and turning elegant and polished with a long... complex finish. (i.e. lingering glory!) Wine Spectator 93 points.

Opus One ‘98, ‘99, ‘00, ‘01 Napa Valley A partnership between Baroness Philippine de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild in Pauillac, France and Robert Mondavi of the Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, California.

Opus One ‘98 Packed with wonderful perfumed currant, floral and spice notes atop a wall of berry, cherry and currant. Should be long-lived.

Opus One ‘99 Elegant, polished, supple and complex with pretty currant, cedar, anise, sage and tar notes. Turns firmly tannic. This wine offers a resilient middle body, with seamless texture, sweet tannins, and a long, persistent finish.

Opus One \'00 Sofe and plush in texture, the 2000 Opus One offers aromas of sandalwood, leather, caramel and a hint of anise. Showing flavors of blackberrry and herbs, the wine is harmonious with sweet tannins and long intense finish.

Opus One \'01 Witharomas of black currant, black cherry liquer, plum and fresh vanilla, the 2001 Opus One hints of graham cracker and black peppersorn. A supple, creamy entry is followed by intense flavors of ripe black cherry, cassis and dark chocolate, finishing with lingering black fruit and savory spice.