1990 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne France. A nice champagne made from Chardonnay. Had a slightly fruity nose. Notes of marzipan on the palate and hazelnuts on the medium, crisp finish. Overall, I thought it was a bit on the tired side, but pleasant, none the less. 6 Bunches 1990 Dom Pérignon Champagne France. Made from Pinot Noir, had more character than the Taittinger. Interesting nose of minerals. Flavors of green apples and apricot were well balanced. I thoroughly enjoyed the tight bubbles and crisp, clean finish. 8 Bunches

1991 Harlan California. WOW! A fabulous nose of violets and cassis. The palate displayed wonderful interplay between ultra-ripe blackberries, dark currents and hints of cedar was spectacular. The big finish went on for at least 45 seconds! 9 Bunches

1995 Verget Bâtard-Montrachet France. Wonderful nose of sweet minerals with a hint of vanilla. Interesting combination in the mouth of ripe apricots, soft peaches and a slightly lemony finish. This is one of the most interesting white wines I have had the privilege to taste. The balance was near perfection and the finish was long and elegant. A real treat! 9 Bunches 1995 Ramonet Bienvenue-Bâtard-Montrachet France. I really enjoyed this wine as well. I loved the combination of creamy oak and forest undergrowth on the nose. The flavors of vanilla and peaches played out nicely on the palate. The finish was long and clean. 8 Bunches 1999 Kistler Chardonnay Durell Vineyard California. Definitely not a Burgundy! Great nose of creamy apples and nectarines. On the palate, notes of apples and ripe nectarines dance gracefully across the tongue. The buttery finish was absolutely elegant, well balanced and lasted at least 40 seconds. 8 Bunches

1992 Harlan California. Not as big or rich as the 1991 vintage. The cedary nose was no where near as expressive. I thought this wine really had a hard time opening. There were hints of soft fruit (cassis) and weak tannins. Not sure if it couldn't or wouldn't open. 5 Bunches

1993 Harlan California. Again, a very closed wine. Maybe a victim of proximity to the 1994. The wine was tight and lean (slight austere). You could definitely tell that the fruit was there and I'm sure that time in the bottle will do wonders for this vintage. I would love to try this wine again in 10 years. 6 Bunches 1994 Harlan California. I swear, this is what my notes actually say: "Va Va Va VOOM!" I think that about sums it up. This is a huge wine with a wonderful, mind blowing bouquet of ripe blackberries, cedar and violets.  Black plums, dark fruits and rich, sweet cassis played out beautifully. The fruit theme was complimented with hints of exotic spices on the one+ minute finish, which left my toes curled. I noticed the guest on my left was not drinking all of his pour, (due to a busy work schedule the next morning he felt compelled to moderate his intake) so I offered to relieve him of his share... which was a great idea until my wife confiscated it claiming she was no longer the designated driver. Easy come, easy go. 10 Bunches

1995 Harlan California. Fabulous. Again, on it's own, this wine would be a remarkable treat. But following the 1994 is a little like Wings following the Beatles (a great band but hard to live up to the benchmark!) This wine had a great nose of cedar and plums. The palate was well balanced with ripe blackberries, Cassis and hints of anise. The soft tannins contributed to a long, lush finish. Great structure that should continue to evolve well over the next decade. 9 Bunches 1995 Shafer California. Nose of burnt toast and Cassis. I have had this wine in the past when it has shown better. I can't help but think that maybe, once again, it is suffering from pairing envy. It seemed that the sweet dark berry fruit, while enjoyable (creamy?), was missing on the mid-palate and had a medium finish with cocoa/chocolaty notes. I liked the wine, just not at the end of the evening after drinking the '91, '94 and '95 Harlan. 7 Bunches

1995 Domaine des Baunard Quarts de Chaume France. A charming nose of passion fruit and mango. Flavors of honey, dried apricots and ripe peaches are very pronounced in this unctuous, multi-layered dessert wine. The long, ultra-rich and focused finish was a perfect end to a very hedonistic evening. I could still taste this wine on the drive home. 9 Bunches