A beautiful white, the 2005 Pinot Blanc (the white clone of Pinot Noir) exhibits plenty of orange rind, apricot, and melon notes, good underlying minerality, crisp acidity, and loads of flavor. Consume this sexy, dry, food-friendly white over the next 1-2 years. Previously recommended: 2002 Venge Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (97), 2003 Venge Family Reserve Merlot (90).Saddleback Cellars tel. (707) 944-1305; fax (707) 944-1325; Venge Winery tel. (707) 967-1008

Here’s a fresh young wine with flavors that are really kind of interesting, suggesting citrus fruits, peaches, apricots and limes. Barrel fermented, it resembles a creamy Chardonnay, but with a zippy tangerine zest brightness and good, crisp acidity. ——S.H.(12/31/2006)—— 86