Kunin's 2002 Viogner Stolpman Vineyards is one of California's finest. A fleshy fruit coctail, it reveals honeysuckle, apricot jam, and spring flower garden-like scents.  No wimpish effort, it is a full-bodied, brooding, well-delineated, pure white that lingers on the palate. Enjoy it over the next 12-24 months.

Robert M. Parker Jr.

Robert M. Parker Jr.

The dark plum/ruby-colored 2001 Syrah Santa Barbara exhibits complex aromatics of bacon fat, tapenade, and licorice. Dense, sweet, nicely-textured, berry, peppery, spicy flavors in addition to admirable finesse as well as power further characterize this effort. Drink it over the next 5-6 years,

Robert M. Parker Jr.

The Bigger (15.5% alcohol) 2001 Syrah Aliso Vineyard posesses a less saturated color, more green as well as black pepper aromas, and attractive plum, fig, smoke and black fruit characteristics. With ripe tannin, good acidity, and a luscious texture, it will drink well for 7-8 years.

Robert M. Parker Jr.

Robert M. Parker Jr.

The blockbuster 2000 Viognier Stolpman Vineyards may be the finest pure Viognier I have ever tasted from the region. It is no shy wine at 16.6% alcohol, but the alcohol is well hidden behind a marvelously-textured, sumptuous, explosively rich, powerful Viognier offering notes of honeysuckle, peach, apricot, and a hint of oak as well as minerals. Drink this knock-out Viognier over the next 12-18 months.

Robert M. Parker Jr.

The 2000 Syrah French Camp Vineyards displays a Pinot Noir-like delicacy and complexity in the floral, peppery, black currant, cherry and spice box aromas and flavors. Savory, soft, and beautifully knit, it represents an impeccable expression of Syrah made in the Burgundian style. Consume it over the next 5-6 years.

Robert M. Parker Jr.

The 2000 Santa Maria (63% from the Glen Nacido Vineyards and 37% from the Colson Canyon Vineyards) leans more towards a fruit bomb style with notes of bacon fat, crème de cassis, licorice and asphalt in its medium-bodied, soft, exquisitely balanced style.  There is still delicacy to the wine despite its rich, concentrated fruit. It is round and generous yet elegant, a characteristic hard to achieve in California. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.

Robert M. Parker Jr.

The least complex and complete of this quartet is the 2000 Santa Rita Hills, a promising viticultural region in Santa Ynez that is extremely cold., but the hang time for Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, etc. is extraordinarily long, hence adding to the complexity. This is a peppery, currant, and berry-scented effort with fewer nuisances and less substance than the other cuvees.  Nevertheless, it is an excellent, French-like Syrah that will drink well for 5-6 years. Readers should take note of Kunin Wines.

Robert M. Parker Jr.

A very ripe style, with juicy cherry and wild-berry jam flavors, turning elegant and refined on finish. Drink now through 2006. 335 cases made - J.L.

Wine Spectator April 30, 2001

A very extracted, juicy wine brimming with ripe berries, coffee and some added complexity. Very full-bodied and rich. Carries off a nice balancing act despite the 15.4% alcohol.  A little soft, but easy drinking. --S.H.

Wine Enthusiast, May 2000

An impressive Viognier, this full-bodied, surprisingly nuanced effort exhibits this varietal's tell-tale white peach and honeysuckle fruit, considerable glycerin (15.6% alcohol), and a full-bodied, fresh finish. I would not recommend extended cellaring, but for drinking over the next 12-14 months, this Viognier provides a hefty glass of dry white wine.

Robert M. Parkers Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, Issue 132, December 23, 2000

A ripe, jammy style, effusively fruity, with spicy plum, black cherry, boysenberry, and wild berry character that's fresh and lively. Drink now through 2006. --J.L.

Wine Spectator, February 2001

The dense plum/purple-colored 1999 Syrah French Camp Vineyards exhibits a gorgeous French-like nose of crème de cassis intermixed with tapenade and subtle oak. Complex, soft, full-bodied, and distinctive, with a layered, seamless texture and a real opulence as well as elegance and complexity. It is an impressive effort to drink over the next 5-6 years.

Robert M. Parker Jr.

Two Excellent efforts from Paso Robles. The 1998 Zinfandel Dante Dusi Vineyards is a dark, ruby-colored wine with lusciously ripe blackberry, cherry, cola, earth and spice aromas. Full-bodied, with a low acidity, outstanding purity, and a husky, layered mouth-feel. This impressive Zinfandel (15.4% alcohol) should be drunk over the next 4-5 years. The 1998 Zinfandel Westside (14.1% alcohol) reveals a Rhone Valley-like, dried cherry, peppery, garrigue (that Provencal mélange of earth, herbs and underbrush) character, and excellent style, medium body, and a plush texture. Its low acidity and openness suggests consumption over the next 2-3 years is warranted.

Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, Issue 129, June 26, 2000