It was a pleasant surprise to note how accurately this wine reflected its varietal origin. It is a cleanly made, soft, exuberant, fruit-driven wine to be drunk as an aperitif, or with light fish and poultry dishes over the next 12-18 months.Tel. (707) 944-2807

Among the three 1996 offerings of Pinot Grigio, Tocai Friulano, and Malvasia Bianca, the first two were straightforward, pleasant, but essentially one-dimensional wines (no different than 99% of their Italian counterparts). Robert Pepi is emerging as one of the leaders of the Etruscan gang of California winemakers seeking to turn out wines from grapes primarily associated with Italy. However, Pepi has other offerings as well.Tel. (707) 944-2807; Fax (707) 944-5628