HELP! (Please...)

[mark esselman]

I am a relative novice in regard to fine wines. At a recent charity event, some friends and I bid for a number of bottles of wine and, for a very good cause, we paid a considerable sum for this wine. Now, we must divide the "gains."

Most of my colleagues are well versed in this art. I was hoping that I could get some advice relative to ratings, assessments, etc., of the various wines we have purchased so I can "draft" intelligently. Our purchase includes:

PINOT NOIR
Steele Carneros 1997
Etude Carneros 1997
David Bruce Sonoma 1997
Kings Estate Oregon 1997

MERLOT
Swanson 1997
Sinsky Reserve 1995
Duckhorn Howell Mountain 1995

CABERNETS
Chateau Montelena 1996
Chateau Montelena 1995
Beringer Private Reserve 1993
Beringer Private Reserve 1992
Fisher Wedding Vineyard 1995
Conn Creek 1996
Mondavi Private Reserve 1993
Frogs Leap Rutherford 1996
Dalle Valle 1993
Fife Reserve 1997
Groth 1997
Arrowood 1996
Silver Oak 1995
St. Francis 1996

MERITAGE
Conn Creek Anthology 1996
Dominus 1997
Napanook 1997
Rubicon 1995
Rubicon 1994
Kathryn Kennedy Lateral 1997

MISCELLANEOUS REDS
Ferrari Carano Siena 1997
Fife Cabernet Franc 1996
Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel 1997
Swanson Alexis 1997

AUSTRALIA
Rosemount Balmoral Syrah 1996
Rosemount Traditional 1997
Rosemount Mountain Blue 1996

FRENCH
Chateau Duhart-Milon 1996
Chateau Duhart-Milon 1995
Chateau Cantemerle 1995
La Chappelle De Lafon-Rochet 1995
Chateau Armailhac 1996

ITALIAN
Luce 1995
Banfi Summus 1994
Castello Di Brolio Chianti 1993
San Felice Vigorello 1994
Antinori Tiganello 1996
Bertani Amarone 1967
Bertani Amarone 1968
Bertani Amarone 1975
Bertani Amarone 1976

On the following, I have the "Wine Spectator" list info. but would appreciate any and all comments:

Taylor-Flagate Port 1994
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 1995
Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages 1996
Opus One 1996
Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet 1996
Bollinger Brut Grand Annee 1990
Chateau Latour Paullac 1996
Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay 1997
Beaulieu Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay 1996
Penfolds Grange 1994
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay 1997
Roederer Estate L'Ermitage Anderson Valley 1993
Sterling Cabernet Reserve 1996
St. Francis Old Vine Zinfandel 1997
Columbia Crest Chardonnay Estate 1997
Mount Eden Chardonnay Macgregor Vineyards 1997
Hess Collection Cabernet 1995
Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet 1995
St. Francis Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay 1997
Steele California Chardonnay 1997/375 ml
Beaulieu Vinyards Tapestry Reserve 1996
Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay 1997
Raymond Reserve Cabernet 1997
Chateau Lynch-Bages 1996
Chateau Pichon-Longueville-Baron 1996
Whitehall Lane Cabernet 1997
Bernardus Chardonnay 1997
Chateau Souvrain Chardonnay 1997
Hess Collection Chardonnay 1997
La Granja Nuestra Senora De Remelluri 1996