Delarche's two offerings from the Corton hillside are absolutely fabulous examples of what excellent vineyard work and uncompromising winemaking will produce in an excellent vintage. The medium-to-dark ruby-colored Corton Renardes possesses a beguiling nose filled with candied cherries plums and animal/wild game-like notes. This thick chewy and full-bodied wine explodes with flavors of layered blueberries blackberries and black cherries as well as notes of sauteed wild mushrooms coffee minerals and Asian spices. Its admirably long finish ends on soft ripe tannins boding well for its future. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2007. Note: In issue # 109 I wrote that "Delarche is a believer in non-interventionist winemaking and doesn't fine or filter his red or whites." I have since been informed that Delarche only practices non-interventionist techniques on wines sold by North Berkeley Imports in the US market. All other cuvees are both fined and filtered.