The upcoming white wine releases include a 1995 Sauvignon Blanc Estate, which was fermented in old oval wood containers. Made in a crisp, elegant, slightly tart style, this wine offers some of the obligatory fig, melony fruit, but it is a non-malolactic style of Sauvignon that is designed for freshness, light body, and crisp, pure fruit. It should be drunk over the next year. Joseph Phelps' winemaker, Craig Williams, was enthusiastic about the potential quality of the 1996 vintage, and at the same time, lamented the fact that yields were down once again, with production for the Cabernet Sauvignon off 10%-25% from the relatively modest yields of 1995. As I have indicated in past issues, this winery has been on top of its game since the 1991 vintage, turning out a bevy of top-notch Cabernets, along with their increasingly popular Vin de Mistral wines. Current and upcoming releases continue to reflect a commitment to high quality and innovative thinking. Tel. (707) 963-2745; Fax (707) 963-4831