A pale straw gold color delights the eye while aromatic floral notes join with lemony citrus and oaken vanilla. Tropical fruit - pineapple and guava, accented with gingery spice - bursts on the tongue. Barrel fermented and aged eight months sur lies in French oak, the wine brings toasty oak into harmony with luscious fruit and spice. Simultaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentations produce a wine with breadth and texture, but with uncommon balance and elegance. Subtle butter notes on the nose ...

Rating: 89/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 11/15/99

Rating: 91/100 - As reviewed by Wine Enthusiast

Rating for United States-California: 92 (good year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: quite possibly over the hill<br/>