A barrel sample of the 2000 Great Estates Pinot Noir Arroyo Secco was big and rich with sweet cherry and strawberry fruit as well as additional smoke, earth, and meaty notes. It may turn out to be outstanding. This Pinot is fairly priced for its quality. Tel. (800) 769-3649; Fax (800) 600-5895

The 2000 Great Estates Pinot Noir Monterey exhibits aromas of strawberries, cherries, minerals, and smoke. The wine is made in a style reminiscent of Burgundy's Domaine Dujac Morey-St.-Denis. It is a medium ruby-colored, earthy, plum, cherry, herb, and spice-filled effort with an open-knit, expansive personality. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. This Pinot is fairly priced for its quality. Tel. (800) 769-3649; Fax (800) 600-5895

The dark ruby-colored 1999 Pinot Noir Great Estates Monterey offers a sweet nose of currants, cherries, earth, and spice. This well-textured, fleshy Pinot is best drunk over its first 4-5 years of life. Tel. (800) 769-3649; Fax (707) 579-3419

This dark and spicy Pinot is built on a solid tart-cherry foundation that’s accented by black pepper, and cinnamon. Oak is prominent, providing menthol shadings, and the wine finishes long and toasty.——W.E.(10/1/2002)—— 89