2002 WHITEHALL LANE Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, CA): Sweet oak comes close to stealing the scene here, and fruit has to fight to show itself from behind a veil of caramel, cocoa and cream. Fight it does, however, and, if always ripe and oaky, this fat and fleshy wine sneaks into one-star territory by dint of its undeniable richness. 2004 RoBLAR SYRAH, (Santa Ynez Valley, CA): Fruit forward, plum and tart cherry characteristics with a smooth vanilla finish makes this syrah a very food friendly wine. 100% syrah, aged for 18 months in all neutral French oak baarrels. Extremely smooth, very jammy with cherry, berry flavors.