I enjoyed the outstanding 2008 Pinot Noir Cargasacchi Vineyard. It boasts a deep plum/ruby color in addition to lots of blueberry and black currant flavors with hints of vanilla and forest floor in the background. This lush, rich, medium to full-bodied, accessible Pinot is ideal for drinking over the next 3-4 years. Tel. (707) 578-3882; Fax (707) 578-3884

Released too young, at just over a year of age, this Pinot tastes sugary, with primary fruit essence, glycerine, alcohol and caramelized oak giving it an uncomfortable sweetness. It’s probably technically dry, and should actually taste dry by 2011, but it’s certainly not ready to drink before mid-2010.——S.H.(3/1/2010)—— 88