The opaque purple-colored 1999 Zinfandel Teldeschi Vineyard exhibits complex aromatics consisting of incense, crushed black pepper, and black cherry/berry fruit. Dense, full-bodied, opulently-textured, and powerful, with tannin and acidity for structure, it requires another year of cellaring, and should drink well for a decade.Tel. (707) 938-1960

Deep chalk, forest floor and stewy red berry aromas morph into homey wheat and burnt sugar notes after a few minutes in the glass. Earthy in the mouth, it has subtle cedar, black cherry and blackberry notes and a well-balanced but not-so-velvety, gritty-earth mouthfeel. Tannins give the Teldeschi lots of texture on the finish—its charred, even unfiltered-textured finale outlasts even the blackberry flavors. Not huge, and has lots of character.——D.T.(3/1/2002)—— 90