I liked their range of wines quite a bit. The 2006 Carneros Pinot Noir, while showing a bit the oak which has not yet been fully integrated (I say 2 years!) was extremely Burgundian in style, with light cherry, mushroom, earth, and excellent acidity. Bought for the cellar.
Their Zinfandel, at well under 15% nominal abv, was quite balanced as well. Definitely some good bramble fruit, earthyness, and good fruit flavors.
Then they compared their 2003 and 2004 Estate Cabs. The 2003 is now fully open and, frankly, singing a lovely Bordeauxesque melody. Medium to light in body, with plenty of savory cedar, fine grained tannins, decent acidity, and good leather and tobacco notes. The vanilla side of oak, which was somewhat obtrusive 2 years ago, is now fully integrated with the cedary background remaining. 1 more bottle for the cellar.
The 2004 was a riper, hotter year, and there is definitely a darker, riper character to the fruit. This fruit can handle the oak a little better than the 2003 did in its infancy,. but I still probably prefer the classical? structure of the 2003. Still, even with the ripe hot year, the winemaker managed a very balanced, even impressive wine. Sometimes the usual suspect wine reviewers are NOT "wrong" as I agree with their ratings in the 90s.
Oh...by the way...the winemaker's name is "Pierre" so no UC Davis curse in flavor profile.
He signed my two bottles!
(but friendly) yesterday. Ray Signorello still apparantly plays a major role, although the tourist book they had at the counter emphasized M. Birebent.