Bouchaine “20th Anniversary” Gee Vineyard Pinot Noir, Carneros 1999 Price $50 Rating 92 Complex aromas of fruit and earth are followed by chewy flavors of bright red cherry, coating the palate with jam-like strawberry and herbal complexity. Though this bottle is a limited production, realize that Bouchaine’s standard pinot noir at about half the price is always a safe bet. For more information, visit www.bouchaine.com.

Fetzer Pinot Noir "Barrel Select", Sonoma 2000
Price $19 Rating 89
Aromas of crisp raspberry, red cherry and balanced oak, followed by flavors of cherry, raspberry and elegant oak influence. Under the direction of Paul Dolan, Fetzer continues to make wines of high quality and great value. They lead the industry with their commitment to sustainable farming and the environment. For more information, go to www.fetzer.com.

La Crema Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley 2000
Price $26 Rating 90
Aromas of cherry and cherry floral are followed by powerful flavors of honest fruit. La Crema is a consistent winner for bot pinot noir and chardonnay. “Aromas are almost floral and delicate, with red cherry, cranberry and hint of black tea,” says winemaker Dan Goldfield. La Crema was one of the first American wineries to employ such traditional Burgundian techniques as fermentation initiated by native yeasts and the use of open-top fermentors. To learn more, visit www.lacrema.com.

MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2000
Price $32 Rating 89
Dark color, dark fruit aromas, and the same in the sip. There are ominous elements of black cherry and steeped tea-like tannic structure. This winery, developed from a ranch founded by actor Fred MacMurray, is one to watch. The wines will continue to improve.

Marcelina Pinot Noir, Carneros 2000
Price $32 Rating 88
An angular red with lots of oak, the fruit within is now a bit out of balance. This well made red will predictably evolve into a masterpiece. Marcelina Vineyards is a collaboration between veteran winemaster Marcello Monticelli and third generation winemaker Gina Gallo to create wines that capture the best of both worlds-Napa Valley and Carneros.

Michaud Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chalone Appellation 2000
Price $45 Rating 87
Michael Michaud became assistant winemaker at Chalone Vineyards in 1979, and then winemaker in 1983. The Michaud pinot noir shows exciting promise. Though the fruit is understated, there is complex mineral and a bit of grip from the tannins. This is indeed a wine label to watch. Details are at www.michaudvineyard.com.

Miner Pinot Noir "Garys' Vineyard", Santa Lucia Highlands 2000 Price $50 Rating 93 Aromas of ripe red cherry with earthy notes wrapped in toasty, there is an almost bacon-like smokiness hidden within. There are flavors again of rich, red cherry, berries, toasted nuts and subtle smoked meat nuances throughout the long length. "The grapes come from a wonderful vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey owned by Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni, thus the name Garys' Vineyard," explains winemaker Gary Brookman (another Gary). For more information, visit www.minerwines.com.

Morgan Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 2000
Price $22 Rating 89
This red is a no holds barred pinot noir, boasting dark, concentrated fruit, dried fruit elements and a bit of spicy gaminess. “The Santa Lucia Highlands appellation of Monterey, from which we source most of our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit, is one of the finest in California for Burgundian varietals,” says co-founder and winemaker Dan Lee. For more information, visit www.morganwinery.com.

Sebastiani Pinot Noir "Appellation Selection", Russian River 1999 Price $24 Rating 90 Imagine an array of fruit. There is blackberry, black cherry and a touch of dried fruit, followed by flavors of expansive and concentrated black fruit. This pinot noir compares favorably with some at twice the price. For the rest of the story, go to www.sebastiani.com.

Talley Pinot Noir, Arroyo Grande Valley 2000
Price $28 Rating 91
Aromas of black fruit and tar are followed by brighter, ripe fruit flavors bound within cocoa-like tannins. The Talley family has been farming in the region since 1948, realizing in the 1970’s that wine production could succeed in a big way. For more information, visit www.talleyvineyards.com.

ZD Pinot Noir, Carneros 2000
Price $34 Rating 93
An earthy nose with aromas of fresh berries laced within, the flavors are a rich spectrum of red and black berries, with delicate earth notes in the finish. Since 1969, ZD has been a leader in the early recognition of the fabulous pinot noir fruit in Carneros. Known for their almost exclusive use of American oak barrels, this is their only wine to be made in French oak barrels.

In 1968, Norman de Leuze and Gino Zepponi, both employed in the aeronatical industry, pooled their resources of $3,000 apiece and applied for a winery permit. At that time, there had not been a winery permit issued in Sonoma County for nearly 20 years. The permit was issued in 1969. From their last names, they derived the winery's name of ZD, which in aeronatical engineering terms means "zero defect". They are now based in Napa. Information is at www.zdwines.com.