Liparita Chardonnay Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard 2000
Price $30
Rating 91
Aromas of fresh thyme with hints of cashew butter, then flavors of Asian
pear, hazelnut, refined oak elements and more diverse white fruit and
tropical through the resounding length.

"This is the fourth crop we have harvested from the Beckstoffer 'Carneros
Lake' Vineyard. These vines are growing in some of Napa Valley's
southern-most lands, just north of San Pablo Bay. Located so close to San
Francisco, the cool climate allows for a gradual development of grape
flavors and ripeness coupled with low yields." observes winemaker Kerry
Signoracci. "We mix two clones of Chardonnay, the Robert Young clone and the
Dijon #76 clone, to achieve a well-balanced wine with natural fruit and
acidity, plus the added richness from fermenting and aging in French oak
barrels, and partial malo-lactic fermentation. A creamy vanilla, apple pie
aroma rises from the glass when first poured. The Malo-lactic fermentation
and nine months of barrel aging create a rich and mouth-filling palate
balanced with a spicy acidity. Caramel apple, lemon curd, pineapple and
spice flavors contribute to one of our finest chardonnays to date."

Liparta Merlot, Napa Valley 1999
Price $28
Rating 92
Aromas of French plum and subtle black olive, then flavors of earthy plum
and blueberry, ending with intense elements of elegant cocoa powder.

"Over the years we have produced merlot from vineyards that give us intense
flavors and structure from a grape that is stereotyped as the soft, simple
cousin to cabernet sauvignon," says winemaker Kerry Signoracci. "This year
is no exception. With a combination of Carneros and hillside vineyards, this
wine is an example of great concentration and character. Condensed aromas of
black cherry, vanilla, jam and licorice are present in this intensely
colored merlot. A broad palate of flavors in the mouth accompanies the firm,
medium-heavy structure. Cherry and currant tones are evidence of ripe fruit.
Chocolate and tobacco notes contribute to a rich, well- balanced wine that
shows an attractive oak contribution and a polish from the 14 months of
bottle age prior to release."

Liparita Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa 1999
Price $30
Rating 92
A beautiful, seemless nose of black olive and dark currant, then flavors of
cocoa dusted raspberries, refined leather, currant, black olive and nice
earthiness through the good length.

"This Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon is a blend of several mountain and
valley vineyards, creating a complex and balanced wine." explains winemaker
Kerry Signoracci. "My goal was to layer the wine with flavors from the
individual vineyards on Spring Mountain, Howell Mountain, Pope Valley,
Rutherford and St. Helena. In addition, the contribution of Merlot from
Carneros and Napa increases the complexity and richness. Our wines have
their beginning in the vineyard with mature, flavorful fruit."

Signoracci adds that "this vintage was a great example of what ripe fruit
contributes to a wine. Along with the aromas from the barrels like cedar,
toast and vanilla, this wine has black fruit, cassis, cherry, cocoa and
spice. Plenty of dense but velvety tannins are balanced with the broad mouth
of flavors and long finish. This cabernet sauvignon is has often been
described as yummy, a technical enology term, and will continue to improve
with cellaring." The Wine Spectator rated the 1999 cabernet sauvignon as one
of the best under $50. Both the 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Reserve
received 90 points from The Wine Spectator.

Liparita Cabernet Sauvignon "Vineyard Reserve" Napa, 1998
Price $50
Rating 93
Ponderous aromas of freshly tilled garden soil with tapinade/olive
complexity, then flavors of bright red fruit, like raspberries dusted in
cocoa powder, along with black cherry, currant and a touch of mint/pepper in
the long finish.

"Liparita's 1998 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of our best barrels."
boasts winemaker Kerry Signoracci. "During the barrel aging of this wine,
each vineyard's wine is kept separate from harvest through the 21 months of
cellaring. In preparation for bottling we select our favorite barrels,
predominately new oak, and experiment with trial blends. This year we had
less to work with due to the impact of El Nino and made a blend that is half
from the mountain vineyards and half from valley vineyards."

For more information, visit www.liparita.com. Call the winery at
800-LIPARITA or 707-963-2775.