The 1994 Zinfandel Reserve (with a gold rather than bluish/green capsule) exhibits a more saturated, denser, ruby/purple color than the 1994 regular cuvee, and a tighter but more intense set of aromatics, consisting of black-raspberries, licorice, and spicy oak. Rich and full-bodied, with significantly more structure and definition than the 1994 regular cuvee, this is an impressively endowed wine for drinking over the next 6-7 years. It should easily merit an outstanding rating with 6 more months of cellaring, but it is the least flattering of the four 1994 Zinfandels reviewed in this segment. Cline Cellars has been on a hot streak, offering extremely well-made wines at realistic prices. They have long been popular with consumers because of the richness of their Zinfandels, as well as their obvious value. The 1994 Zinfandels are beautifully made, pure wines that are a must purchase for Zinfandel enthusiasts. It is splitting hairs to try and pick a favorite, but I have stated what my palate recorded. NOTE: All the wines in this article were tasted in May, 1996. Tel. (707) 935-4310

The 1993 Zinfandel Reserve is the best-balanced of the large, full-throttle 1993 offerings from Cline Cellars. It offers an opaque ruby/purple color, a big, spicy, berry-scented nose, full body, light to moderate tannin, adequate acidity, and superb purity and richness. It should last for 20 years. The 1993's reviewed in this issue may be the most impressive group of wines Cline Cellars has yet produced. Tel. (707) 935-4310

The reliable Cline Cellars winery has again produced two excellent Zinfandels, the regular bottling and the Reserve. Even more opaque than the regular bottling, the 1992 Zinfandel Reserve offers a stunningly rich, concentrated perfume of black fruits, minerals, and spice. With great breadth and expansiveness, this super-concentrated, immensely impressive, full-bodied Zinfandel possesses superb harmony and balance for its generous size. Although approachable now, 2-3 years of cellaring will be beneficial; it should last for 15 years. Tel. (707) 938-2615

This underrated winery continues to turn out reasonably priced, well-made, boldly flavored wines. In their youth, there is not much difference between Cline's regular and reserve Zinfandels. Both 1991 cuvees are excellent wines. The 1991 Reserve offers a slightly more opaque purple color, some noticeable vanillin in the bouquet that suggests new oak was employed, a black-cherry, raspberry, peppery-scented nose, wonderful purity and richness, full body, and a heady, intensely spicy, immensely satisfying, opulent finish. It should continue to drink well for another 7-8 years. Tel. (707) 938-2615

Note to Readers: This wine was included in issue 103 in a section titled "Time and Chance Reveal All Secrets" in which Robert Parker described the characteristics of top American Zinfandels (robust, exuberant, supple, velvety-textured generosity displayed in an ostentatious manner) and emphasized the fact that they are meant to be drunk within 6-7 years of the vintage. The wines were tasted blind in December, 1995.