A spectacular offering is the 1999 Zinfandel Big River. Tasting like a confiture of black raspberries and blackberries, this full-bodied, unctuously-textured, impressively pure, ripe wine is thrilling to smell and taste. It will drink well for 7-8 years. Tel. (707) 938-1960

A smoldering, spicy nose of cedar, raspberry, red plum and mulling spices makes way for deep flavors, given added texture and depth by sturdy tannins: Juicy blackberry and smoke-ash flavors drift all the way through to the finish, where is punctuated by a light green-herb note. A seamless beauty. ——D.T.(3/1/2002)—— 91