The dark ruby-colored 2000 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard reveals earthy overtones in its aromatics of smoke, minerals, root beer, and cherries. A blast of fruit hangs in the mid-palate, but there is gritty tannin in the austere finish. That astringency kept my score low. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. Over the last few years, Siduri has garnered a high reputation for limited production, interesting, high quality Pinot Noirs made from some of California and Oregon's finest Pinot Noir vineyards. One might quibble over the number of offerings, but they are all individualistic efforts, even though they are treated much the same (i.e., aging in Francois Freres barrels - 15% to 65% new, little racking, and bottling without fining or filtration). Pricing is realistic for wines of such caliber.Tel. (707) 578-3882; Fax (707) 578-3884

The bouquet is big, black and bordering on syrupy and there’s even an uncanny aroma of cinnamon buns. The mouth is equally dark and rich, potentially too much so for fans of leaner, Burgundian Pinots. But if a big wine is up your alley, then you’ll love the blackberry fruit, barrel char, sugar beets and brown sugar that swarm the palate here. Coffee and caramel flavors grace the layered finish.——W.E.(10/1/2002)—— 90