1999 Top-Rated Wines

Cabernet Sauvignon

• Estancia  Meritage, Alexander Valley, 1996, $19  Exc-
• Dry Creek  Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek, 1996, $13  VG+
• Ridge  Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mtns, Monte Bello, 1991,   VG+
• Marietta  Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, 1995, $15  VG+
• David Bruce  Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Clara, 1996, $16  VG+
• Heitz  Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 1994, $20  VG+
• Keenan  Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, Spring Mt. District, 1994, $18  VG+
• Raymond  Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 1996, $17  VG+
• Estancia  Meritage, Alexandar Valley, 1995, $17  VG+

Merlot

• Swanson  Merlot, Napa, 1996, $18  VG+

Zinfandel

• Ridge  Zinfandel, Geyserville, 1997, $28  Exc-
• Turley  Zinfandel, ???, Old Vines, 1997, $40 (rest.)  Exc-
• Beaulieu  Zinfandel, Napa, Signet, 1997, $23  Exc-
• Ravenswood  Zinfandel, Sonoma, Old Hill Vnyd Special Edition, 1986, $25 (auction)  Exc-
• David Bruce  Zinfandel, San Luis Obispo & El Dorado, 1994, $10  VG+
• Konrad  Zinfandel, Mendocino, 1992, $10  VG+
• David Bruce  Zinfandel, Paso Robles, Ranchita Canyon Vineyard, 1997, $12  VG+
• Ridge  Zinfandel, San Luis Obispo, Dusi Ranch, 1995,   VG+
• Karly  Zinfandel, Amador, Ten Point Vineyard [3/22], 1997, $22  VG+
• Karly  Zinfandel, Amador, Sadie Upton [3/22], 1997, $16  VG+
• Ravenswood  Zinfandel, Mendocino, Lalanne, 1996, $15  VG+
• Ravenswood  Zinfandel, Sonoma, Monte Rosso, 1997 (barrel sample), $24  VG+
• Ravenswood  Zinfandel, Dry Creek, Teldeschi Vineyard, 1997 (barrel sample), $24  VG+
• Renwood  Zinfandel, Amador, Grandmere, 1996, $25  VG+
• Kenwood  Zinfandel, Sonoma, Jack London Vineyard, 1996, $15  VG+
• Rancho Zabaco  Zinfandel, Dry Creek, 1997,   VG+
• Renwood  Zinfandel, Amador, Old Vines, 1995, $16  VG+
• Schuetz Oles  Zinfandel, Napa, Korte Ranch?, 1997 (barrel sample), $16?  VG+
• Storrs  Zinfandel, Santa Cruz, 1996, $20  VG+
• Storrs  Zinfandel, Santa Clara, Lion Oaks Vineyard, 1996, $25  VG+
• Frog's Leap  Zinfandel, Napa, 1997, $14  VG+
• Murphy-Goode  Zinfandel, Sonoma, Liar's Dice, 1997, $13  VG+
• Young's  Zinfandel, Shenandoah Valley, 1997, $13  VG+
• Ravenswood  Zinfandel, Sonoma, Monte Rosso, 1997, $22  VG+

Syrah

• Daniel Gehrs  Syrah, Paso Robles, 1996, $16?  Exc-
• Konrad  Petite Sirah, Mendocino, 1993, $10  Exc-
• Ravenswood  Petite Sirah, Sonoma, 1997, $12  Exc-
• Pirramimma  Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia, 1996, $16  VG+
• Qupe  Syrah, Central Coast, 1997, $12  VG+
• Ridge  Petite Sirah, York Creek, 1996,   VG+
• Karly  Syrah, Amador, 1997, $17 (half, rest.)  VG+
• Qupe  Syrah, Santa Barbara, Bien Nacido Reserve, 1997, $24  VG+
• Young's  Syrah, Shenandoah Valley CA, 1997, $14  VG+
• Penfolds  Shiraz, South Australia, Bin 28, 1996, $19  VG+

Pinot Noir

• David Bruce  Pinot Noir, Sonoma, 1996, $15  VG+
• David Bruce  Pinot Noir, Sonoma, 1997,   VG+
• Laetitia  Pinot Noir, Arroyo Grande Valley, 1997, $17  VG+

Chardonnay

• Landmark  Chardonnay, Sonoma, Damaris, 1996,   Exc-
• Pine Ridge  Chardonnay, Carneros, Dijon Clones, 1997,   Exc-
• Cottonwood Creek  Chardonnay, Napa, 1997, $11  VG+
• Groth  Chardonnay, Napa, 1997, $16  VG+
• Martin Ray  Chardonnay, California, Mariage, 1995,   VG+
• Villa Mt. Eden  Chardonnay, Santa Maria, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Grand Reserve, 1997, $13  VG+
• Byington  Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mtns, 1997,   VG+
• Edna Valley  Chardonnay, San Luis Obispo, Edna Valley, 1997, $10  VG+
• Cambria  Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, Katherine's Vineyard, 1996?, $6.75 (glass)  VG+
• Talley  Chardonnay, Arroyo Grande Valley, San Luis Obispo, 1997, $17  VG+
• Lin Court  Chardonnay, Santa Barbara, 1997, $10  VG+
• Ojai  Chardonnay, Arroyo Grande Valley, Talley Vineyard, 1997, $18  VG+

Sauvignon Blanc

Other

• Yalumba  Antique Tawny, Australia, Museum Release, 15 year, $?? (375ml)  Exc-
• Schuetz Oles  Zinfandel/Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 1997 (barrel sample), $25?  Exc-
• Chateau Megyer  Aszu, Tokaji, 5 Puttonyos, 1988, $20  Exc-
• La Suffrene  Mellisme, Bendol, 1996, $12  VG+
• Da Vinci  Late Harvest Riesling, Sierra Foothills, 1987, $5/half  VG+
• Ridge  Carignane, Santa Cruz Mtns, Sommer Ranch, 1993,   VG+
• Rosemount  GSM, McLaren Vale, Australia, 1996, $15  VG+
• La Gioia  Red, Riecine, Toscana, 1995, $30  VG+
• Penfolds  Cabernet-Shiraz, South Australia, Bin 389, 1996, $19  VG+
• La Crau de ma Mere  Red, Chateauneufdupape, 1996, $19  VG+
• Pulcino  Vino Nobile, Montepulciano, riserva, 1990, $24  VG+
• Tenuta Trerosa  Vino Nobile, Montepulciano, ``simposio'', 1996,   VG+
• Casanova di Neri  Brunello, Montalcino, 1994, $35  VG+
• Casanuova delle Cerbaie  Brunello, Montalcino, 1994,   VG+
• Fanetti  Vin Santo, Toscana, Saint Agnese Cellar, 1989, $12  VG+
• La Gerla  ``Barbi'', Toscana, 1996, $24 (rest.)  VG+
• Le Presi  Brunello, Montalcino, 1994, $38 (rest.)  VG+