2008 Chardonnay Melville Vineyard Santa Rita Hills ($45) Hazy yellow. Ripe, lees-accented citrus
and pear aromas are complicated by honeysuckle and dusty minerals. Bright lemon and orchard fruit
flavors are deep and chewy, perked up by gentle minerality and a touch of anise. Clings nicely on the
long, juicy finish, which features a suave floral quality. Offers an enticing blend of richness and vivacity. 91
2008 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard Santa Maria Valley ($50) (raised in all Francois Freres barrels,
60% of them new): Bright ruby-red. Captivating aromas of cherry-vanilla, licorice, mocha and smoky
Indian spices. Sweet, concentrated and chewy, with powerful but lithe dark fruit flavors and a sexy note
of allspice. Displays a very suave aromatic character and finishes with silky, fully integrated tannins and
impressive length. 92
2008 Pinot Noir Cargasacchi Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills ($50) Ruby-red. Explosively perfumed nose
offers aromas of red and dark berry preserves, flowers and incense, along with notes of woodsmoke and
star anise. Sappy and penetrating, with excellent clarity to its sweet black raspberry and cherry-cola
flavors. Rich yet impressively vibrant, finishing with outstanding thrust and persistent florality. 93
2008 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills ($50) Bright red. Highly perfumed
aromas of red berries, potpourri and spicy oak. Sweet, silky and seamless, with captivating strawberry
and raspberry preserve flavors and an array of Asian spice nuances. In a distinctly elegant style, with
noteworthy focus and vivacity. Finishes with excellent length and lingering florality. 92
2008 Pinot Noir Melville Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills ($50) Ruby-red. The richest and most powerful of
this year's set of pinots, offering aromas and flavors of black raspberry, cherry and licorice, with a touch
of cola. Deeply pitched, smoky dark berry flavors are lifted by tangy acidity and gain spiciness with air.
Finishes juicy and long, with the cola note recurring. 91
2008 Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills ($50) Vivid red. Pungent, intensely perfumed
aromas of raspberry, cherry pit, fresh flowers and minerals. Fleshy red fruit flavors coat the palate,
showing excellent energy and sneaky depth. A deeply flavored but lively style of pinot, with no excess
weight and serious finishing punch. 92