RHONE STYLE

Beringer Vineyards 1998 Rosé de Saignée California (Address: 1000 Pratt Avenue , St. Helena, CA 94574, 707-963-7115) A blend of primarily Pinot Noir along with Syrah and Grenache. Aromas of ripe berries, earthy spice, orange and lime accent. Ripe and gallant flavors layered with spice and fruit. Bright full-bodied and a long finish. Drink now. Retail: 16.00

Joseph Phelps 1998 Pastiche Red California. (Address: 200 Taplin Rd., St. Helena, CA 94574, 707-963-2745, www.jpwines.com). 47% Mourvedre, 28% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 4% Merlot, 4% Alicante Bouschet. This is a medium-bodied dry wine with good fruit that displays spicy, strawberry aromas. Berry-like flavors, with a smooth, well balanced finish. A nice approachable red wine It is a perfect choice for stews, and spicy Mediterranean-style meals. Drink now

Pedroncelli, 1999 Zinfandel Rose Sonoma County Vintage Selection, (707) 857-3531 Geyserville, CAThe Pedroncelli winery has been producing Zinfandel Rose since 1955, longer than any other winery. This experience and refinement of style is evident in the abundant fresh fruit flavors of ripe red berries and spicy accents with a long, pleasant, velvety finish on the palate.

Perry Creek 1997 Mouvedre - Wenxell Vineyard. (Address: 7400 Perry Creek Rd., Somerset, CA 95684, 530-620-5175, www.perrycreek.com) Deep complex blackberry and cinnamon spice smells combining for a beautiful aroma. The cinnamon spice holds up through the palate, accompanied by a hint of licorice. This Mourvedre has great legs with silk-like tannins and a long complex finish. Excellent for now but will build character when held. Varietal blend 84% Mourvedre, 8% Syrah, 8% Carignane. Retail $12.00

Mazzocco Vineyards 1997 Carignane Alexander Valley. (Address: 1400 Lytton Springs Rd., P.O. Box, Healdsburg, CA 95448, 707-433-9035) Dark red color to the top, deep blueberry aromas with notes of chocolate and a hint of smoke in the nose make this a wine you looking foreword to tasting. Inviting taste of bing cherry components accentuate textured layers of spice and current. This wine has rich jammy flavors that complete the long creamy finish...a wine with smooth easy soft tannins very drinkable now. Retail: $14.00

Rey Sol 1997 Roussanne Temecula Mt. Palomar Winery (Address: 33820 Rancho California Rd., Temecula, Ca 92591, 909-676-5047, www.mountpalomar.com) Enjoyable aroma from a deep golden color. Tropical flavors combine with ripe fruits of peaches and apricots. A blend of 92% Roussanne and 8% Chardonnay. It's full and long with a buttery-honey accent on the finish. Well suited for spicy foods or with rich cream sauces. Retail: 18.00

Rey Sol 1997 Le Mediterrane Blanc  Temecula Mt. Palomar Winery, (Address: 33820 Rancho California Rd., Temecula, Ca 92591, 909-676-5047, www.mountpalomar.com) Very refreshing and full-bodied. Rich with abundant flavors. Unique, moderately extracted blend of 45% Roussanne and 20% Marsanne with soft, dry finish. Great with Asian cuisine or grilled seafoods. Retail: 16.00

Rey Sol 1997 Le Mediterané Blanc Mount Palomar Winery (Address: 33820 Rancho California Rd. Temecula, CA 92591, 909-676-5047) Deep golden color, moderately extracted wine has excellent nose appeal with aromatic honey, yeast, tropical fruits, leading into butter with big ripe, honeyed flavors. Full and rich in the mouth, though well balanced with juicy acidity gives this a soft dry finish. This Rhône style white wine will go well with grilled chicken or mesquite grilled seafood. Retail: 18.00

SOBON Estate 1998 Rhône Rose - Shenandoah Valley of California (Address: 14430 Shenandoah Rd. , Plymouth, CA 95669, 209-245-4455, www.sobonwine.com) Refreshing light and very drinkable blend of 46% Grenache, 16% Syrah, 38% Mourvedre. Fruit and floral forward nose, with a fresh fruity taste hinting of cherries and berries. A round dry refreshing finish with intense old growth character. You will find it crisp and refreshing. Drink it with grilled fish or other summer fare.

Tablas Creek Vineyard Tablas Blanc 1998 - Paso Robles (Address: 9339 Adelaida Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446, 805-237-1231) Rhône varietal blend of 50% Roussanne, 25% Viognier, 25% Marsanane culminate into a color of pale straw-gold. Aromas of peach and rose lead to a big and rich palate of spicy fruit. A fine example of vines cloned from Chateau de Beaucastel. Deep and lengthy. Retail 32.00

Tablas Creek Vineyard Tablas Rouge 1997 Paso Robles (Address: 9339 Adelaida Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446, 805-237-1231) Dark red color with aromas that grows into ripe berry nose with leather. A blend of 34% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 6% Counoise shows deep flavors of jammy fruit providing a linger presence on the palate. Layers of flavors. Cases: 725. Retail 27.00

Tablas Blanc 1998 Tablas Blanc - Paso Robles (Address: 9339 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446, 805-237-1231) Blend of 50% Roussanne, 25% Viognier, 25% Marsanne. The color is a pale straw-gold. The fruit forward nose is of floral rose and peaches. Big and intense, rich palate with spicy ripe fruit and a hint of spice. A round and savory flavor with depth. This dry, but round wine attains nice complexity and length. Drink now but it will improve with time.

Tablas Blanc 1997 Tablas Rouge - Paso Robles (Address:9339 Adelaida road, Paso Robles, CA 93446, 805-237-1231) Blend of 34% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 6% Counoise. The wine shows very deep cherry red color to the rim and presents a ripe berryish nose with smoky leather overtones. Complex and layered with jammy red fruit and a whisper of oak. Good and full tannins hold their depth and finishes long. Holding this wine will bring out more complexity as it matures. Good wine with gourmet foods and cheeses.

Zaca Mesa 1998 Roussanne, Santa Barbara County (Address: P.O. Box. 899 , Los Olivos, CA 93441, 805-688-9339) A golden color opens to a rich, full-bodied, and focussed wine. Rich aromas of peach, floral and fruit. Full-bodied mouthfeel with balanced acidity. Smooth finish with a mineral texture. Drink now. Retail: 16.50

Zaca Mesa 1997 Z Cuvee, Santa Barbara County (Address: P.O. Box 899, Los Olivos, CA 93441, 805-688-9339) A bright violet-red color with aromas of ripe cherry fruit. Medium-bodied palate alive with flavor of berries. plum, strawberry, cherries and earth. Layered with textures and a solid backbone. Chateauneuf-du-Pape styled blend of 51% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre, 12% Syrah, 10% Cinsaut, 5% Counoise. Drink now or hold. Retail: 16.50

Zaca Mesa 1998 - Z Gris Santa Barbara County (Address:P.O. Box 899, Los Olivos, CA 93441, 805-688-9339) This dry, Rhône style rosé is a royal red blend of 47% Syrah, 31% Mourvedre, 12% Grenache, 5% Cinsaut, 5% Viognier. Up-front aromas of cherries, mint, jasmine lead to flavors of plum and strawberries with dark fruit with spice on the back end. Dry and drinkable now or hold. Retail: 9.00