The big, muscular, deep ruby-colored 2000 Pinot Noir Muirfield Vineyard offers up aromas of mushrooms, raspberries, cherries, cola, and earthy soil. There is well-integrated oak, plenty of power and density, and a firm, structured finish. Give it another year or so of cellaring, and drink it over the next decade. 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

Deep aromatics of plum liqueur, black cherry, cinnamon and clove start it off. Next come flavors of cherry, vanilla, brown sugar and toast. The finish is a mile long, offering coffee, black pepper and firm but friendly tannins. Give it a couple years to fully knit together.——W.E.(10/1/2002)—— 90