Published in the Year's Best 1999

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the the Year's Best 1999 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Robert Mondavi 1997 Reserve Chardonnay (Napa Valley)

Price $36

Powerful aromas of oak, oriental spice and citrus, especially lemon, dominate. Citrus flavors are powerful, too. This is a lean, tart wine layered with lavish oak. Don’t look for tropical fruit in this El Niño wine, but it’s stylish and elegant. — S.H. (12/31/1999)

points

Chateau St. Jean 1995 Belle Terre Vyds Special Selec Johannisberg Riesling (Sonoma County)

Price $30

A slightly musky nose of spiced apricots and orange marmalade. Rich and mouthcoating, there’s just enough acidity to prevent it from being flabby. A high level of botrytis makes this a delectable wine that finishes with spice and honey notes. — J.C. (12/31/1999)

points

Simi 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)

Price $24

Aromas of black cherries, chocolate and cedar burst out of the glass. Flavors similarly are cherry and blackberry. Very focused, very pure, very sweet. Wonderful tannins; soft and voluptuous. Pretty dry, with some dusty tannins in the finish. A terrific wine for tonight, or age it a little. — S.H. (2/1/2000)

points

Marc Kreydenweiss 1997 Kritt Gewurztraminer

Price $23

Has grapefruit, lychee, tangerine, earth and vanilla aromas. Unctuous and very extracted, with huge, sweet citrus and peach fruit; rich and ripe, but it drinks dry. Very steely and elegant. A big wine that will age. — S.H. (12/31/1999)

points

Roc de Cambes 1996 Red (Côtes de Bourg)

Price $29

Heavy black cherries and sweet vanilla oak mark this classy unclassified Bordeaux that carries itself like a big-reputation label. Somewhat Californian with its forward fruit, but the earthy, leafy side is all France. A lot of wine here; the fruit is piercing and the wood touch is right on. — M.S. (12/31/1999)

points

Cale 1997 Vintner's Reserve Merlot (Sonoma Valley)

Richly spicy aromas of black tea, allspice and cinnamon lead off, followed by dark berry, chocolate and earth flavors. Understated fruit lets the varied spice notes shine through, particularly on the finish. — W.E. (12/31/1999)

points

Foris 1998 Pinot Blanc (Rogue Valley)

Best Buy

Price $11

A lovely wine with ripe honeyed fruit balanced by crisp acidity. It was fermented and aged in stainless steel, so what you get here is pure spicy Pinot Blanc fruit with a silky mouthfeel and a long, delicious finish. Best Buy. — L.W. (12/31/1999)

points

Fisher 1997 RCF Merlot (Napa Valley)

Price $28

A blast of blackberries, plums and smoke. Tastes rich, ripe, round and soft. Lots of pretty fruit; ripe and sweet. The tannins are velvety fine. Elegant, although maybe a tad one-dimensional. — S.H. (12/31/1999)

2009 Mira Hyde Vineyard

The esteemed Hyde Vineyard is in Carneros, and is the source for some…

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