There are 335 cases of the 1997 Venge Family Reserve Sangiovese Penny Lane Vineyard, which includes a touch of Charbono in the blend. This medium ruby-colored, complex Sangiovese offers up aromas of bing cherries, saddle leather, and strawberry jam. Consume it over the next 3-4 years. Tel. (707) 944-1304; Fax (707) 944-1325

Nils Venge produces two Sangiovese cuvees. The 1996 Venge Family Reserve Sangiovese Penny Lane Vineyard (5% Cabernet Sauvignon is added to the blend) is one of California's finest. The fruit is picked very ripe (14% alcohol), and the wine is aged in Burgundy barrels. There is plenty of sweet, jammy strawberry/cherry/raspberry fruit in the nose, thick, juicy flavors, and soft tannin. Drink this offering over the next 3-4 years for its gutsy, exuberant style.Nils Venge's limited production wines are labeled Venge Family Reserve. These special lots are made in quantities of less than 300 cases. They are aged for two years in small oak casks, 50% of which are new.Tel. (707) 944-1304; Fax (707) 944-1325

The 1995 Venge Family Reserve Sangiovese Penny Lane Vineyard includes 15% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. It is a lush, strawberry-scented wine with a medium garnet color, and an evolved style. Its Asian spice, jammy berry, lush personality suggests it should be consumed over the next 1-2 years.Readers should note that all of this estate's wines that are produced in quantities of more than 1,000 cases carry the Saddleback Cellars label. Smaller lots carry the Venge or Venge Family Reserve label.Tel. (707) 944-1305; Fax (707) 944-1325