Bill Spohn wrote:

I wonder who one could say has the same approach these days? A few years ago
I'd have nominated David Bruce, who was also all over the place with
interesting idiosyncratic highs and many abyssmal lows, but I get the
impression that he has gone establishment in recent years.

I agree 100%, Bill. Some of Dr. David's Pinots in the '70s and '80s were among
the most bizarre experiments imaginable -- and occasionally fantastic wines!
Nowadays, he's much more reliable (if less interesting). Joe Swan was another
maverick, but he too alas has departed this mortal coil. There are few true
"free spirits" in the CA wine biz these days, largely a product IMHO of the
increased cost of doing business. The closest I can think of is Randall Grahm
of Bonny Doon (for his humor mostly) but for the most part CA winemakers have
become sensible and lost that sense of adventure so prevalent in earlier eras
-- for better or worse.

Mark Lipton