Camelot Winery Zinfandel, California 2000
Price $10
Rating 91
Camelot Winery has added a 2000 Zinfandel to its line of affordably priced and critically acclaimed wines from winemaker Mike Leven. Maintaining their fruit-forward style, this red is approachable and easy drinking. The grapes are sourced from traditional zinfandel growing regions including Mendocino. The wine is predominantly zinfandel with small amounts of syrah, petite syrah and valdiguie blended to add depth and complexity.

"This first release has a dark ruby color that is pleasing to look at," says Leven. "with spice and licorice aromas jumping from the glass, followed by raspberry and cherry flavors on the palate. It's a medium-bodied wine with a pleasant finish that I know people ill enjoy."

As with all Camelot wines, Leven keeps the juice from separate vineyard lots until final blending decisions are made, and the lots are aged in small French and American oak barrels for seven months prior to release. Visit Camelot on the web at www.CamelotWine.com.

Camelot Cabernet Sauvignon, California 1999
Price $10
Rating 89
The winemaker describes the 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon as medium-bodied, with a focused core of bright berry flavors. Smoky and plum notes add complexity. The wine is fleshier in the mouth than the nose might indicate, offering a soft mid-palate and an elegant finish. A small amount of tannin adds backbone and balance. Mike Leven is entirely on mark.

Heidi Yorkshire, a respected Oregon journalist comments as follows, "A more balanced and stylish wine than you'd expect for the bucks, this flavorful Cab is blended with dabs of Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel and Petit Verdot. Minimal oak, lots of appealing fruit."

Camelot Syrah, California, 1999
Price $10
Rating 90
Syrah is a trendy variety that is well adapted to a wide range of growing conditions and wine styles. The California vintners that embrace this Rhone based grape from France sometimes call themselves "Rhone Rangers."

This Syrah is a beautiful, dark red wine. There are earthy-styled flavors, imagine aromas of chocolate and meat, with a firm basis of raspberry and stone fruit. Crafted to be consumed while young, the Camelot Syrah is soft and fruit forward in the mouth.

Camelot Pinot Noir, California 2001
Price $10
Rating 91
The color is a beautiful ruby red. There are aromas of ripe red fruits such as strawberry, sour cherry, along with dried herbs. The winemaker observes some dark oak in the nose. "Flavors follow aromas, but with the addition of signature pinot components of earth, mushroom, and forest floor," says winemaker Mike Leven, "A classically-styled Pinot Noir."

The greatness of the pinot noir wine is that this is a red grape that goes with most any food, be that hearty meat or wild game, as well as delicate fish and fowl. Enjoy this flexibility when you dine. It is idiot proof.

Camelot Chardonnay, California 2000
Price $10
Rating 89
"This chardonnay has a beautiful medium gold color. Toasted oak and lees are the initial impressions on the nose," says winemaker Mike Levin, "while golden apple and cream from malolactic fermentation follow. On the palate, apple and pineapple predominate, with coconut nuances from barrel fermentation and aging. It shows a smooth texture with a creamy, oak finish. Fresh fruitiness and balance make this wine best in its youth, but it will age nicely for 1-2 years."

Match the well crafted white wine to hearty seafood or sautéed chicken, either served in flavorful, herb driven sauces. The wine's crisp edge allows it to pair with most any food.

Camelot Merlot, California 1999
Price $10
Rating 89
"Ruby hue and medium density of color. Ripe and toasty with dark stone fruits in the nose," says winemaker Mike Levin, "the palate follows up with medium body and weight. Flavors of plum, black cherry and oak. Hints of herb and chocolate initiate the transition to a medium-firm finish."

Match this luscious, user-friendly red wine with a sautéed veal with lemon, roast duck, or if you are lucky, smoked duck breast. For fun, incorporate some fresh or dried berries within the sauce.