I have followed Nils Venge's distinguished career for over twenty years. Even though he is a remarkably low profile guy, it should come as no surprise that his resume includes some of the greatest Cabernet Sauvignons California has produced. After fashioning the extraordinary 1974, 1976, 1977, and 1978 Villa Mt. Eden Cabernet Sauvignons (which all remain remarkable wines in 1995), Venge moved on to make the fabulous 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. (The 1985 Groth Reserve is one of only two California Cabernet Sauvignons that have ever received a perfect score from this taster.) Venge now has his own 17-acre vineyard, called Saddleback Cellars, situated just down the street from his previous place of employment, Groth. Much of his wine is sold via a mailing list. Anyone familiar with Nils Venge's red wine making style knows he aims for maximum extraction from super-ripe fruit. His wines are often dramatic, even ostentatious, but in top years they are authentic models of intensity, buttressed by adequate acidity and plenty of oak.Current and upcoming releases include an attractive, tangerine-scented, soft, fruity, medium-bodied 1994 Pinot Blanc. American wine consumers need to wake up and realize just how delicious Pinot Blanc can be, whether it is from Alsace or California. It is a wine that does not require oak aging as its orange/tangerine/marmalade-like fruit is so lively and crisp. As with most Pinot Blancs (except those from Alsace), this wine should be drunk within 1-2 years after bottling. Saddleback Cellars is another winery where getting on the mailing list makes sense for consumers who love boldly-styled Cabernet Sauvignons. Tel. and Fax (707) 944-1305