Noreen Fetzer

Von Strasser Vineyards – 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain Vineyards – medium garnet color – pleasing Cabernet fruit on the nose – good intensity on the front of the palate – well integrated oak and smooth tannins – needs a little time – not a "blockbuster" wine, but I doubt that’s what they are striving for - it’s really a nice glass of Cabernet – unfortunately badly overpriced at $45 retail.

Fisher Vineyards – and my first time meeting Fred Fisher who is a very nice man –

1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia – very deep garnet color – shy notes of blackberry and spice in the nose – very pretty fruits on the palate – a moderate amount of relatively smooth tannins in the midpalate - the aromatics come up more as the wine is swirled – a lovely effort that obviously needs a little time.

Laurel Glen and winemaker Patrick Campbell – and, incredibly, they are pouring the 1987 Cabernet from a six liter gollybum! Very pretty ruby color – a little murky, but the bottle has been jostled a bit (my only complaint is that they did not decant this wine off of the sediment) – still showing fresh and rich distinguishably Sonoma County fruit in the nose – on the palate the wine is very much alive – extremely smooth fruit with just a hint of tannin – it’s real pleasure to taste a wine that has aged this gracefully.

Boy! This is just a beauty!!

Navarro Vineyards – and I enjoyed a brief chat with Deborah Cahn – 1995 Pinot Noir "Methode l’Ancienne" – deep garnet color – surprisingly, lots of high notes in the nose – more strawberry and rhubarb-like, with some floral qualities – on the palate, the flavors are more in the middle of the spectrum, rather than high – good intensity and weight – a worthy successor to the wonderful 1994 - not as impressive overall, but still a tremendously enjoyable Pinot that reflects the vintage.

Babcock Vineyards – it was a real pleasure to meet Mona Babcock, a very congenial and enthusiastic lady.

Mona Babcock

1997 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara – dark color – appealing high notes of Pinot in the nose – very pretty sweet red fruits in the mouth – good body with a slightly briery finish. Nice Pinot!

1996 Syrah Cuvee Lestat – a wine intended for a restaurant project that never materialized – dense color – mysterious nose of black fruits – lovely deep Syrah fruit on the palate – good intensity and good balance – a very lovely wine.