Monthly Archives: February 2009

Esterlina Riesling 2007

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Ray

During the Winemakers of Sonoma Class at the Santa Rosa Junior College, we’ve been visiting with some of the region’s most famous stars. Mike Lee charted the history of winemaking in the area and his list of Big Improvements for … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cole Ranch, Mendocino County, Riesling | 1 Comment

Tin Barn Syrah

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Ray

Tin Barn, Sonoma Coast, Coryelle Fields, Syrah 2004 The nose sports loads of oak while in the mouth the oak adds to the richness of this ripe, black fruit driven, supple Syrah. Managing Partner and Winemaker Mike Lancaster 14.2% $28 … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Syrah | Leave a comment

Bonterra Muscat 2007

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Ray

Bonterra, Lake County, Bartolucci Vineyard, Muscat 2007 The muscat perfume is there though not as vibrant and fresh as in previous incarnations. The mouth is moderately sweet and medium bodied, tasting of sweet ginger ale. This wine brings back memories … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Lake County, Muscat | Leave a comment

Innocent Bystander Moscato 2008

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Ray

Innocent Bystander, Victoria, Moscato 2008 The previous vintage was so pretty and this one repeats – the essence of Muscat’s perfume in a light-bodied format, perfect with a light dessert of fresh berries in the summer. Bottled under crown cap … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Leave a comment

Chambolle Musigny 2006

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Ray

Domaine Anne Gros, Chambolle-Musigny, La Combe d’Orveau 2006 The nose is sweet and toasty. The mouth features concentrated cherry fruit with a bit of earthiness, a supple texture and lots of acidity to carry this wine a long, long way. … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, Chambolle-Musigny, Cote de Nuits | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Burgundy 2005

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Ray

Domaine de Montille, Bourgogne 2005 Mint combines with vibrant red fruits in the nose. The mouth is quite concentrated, full of acidity and a tannic veneer. Lay this down for a few years. This is from the famous De Montille … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, Cote de Beaune, Cote de Nuits, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pinot Noir | Leave a comment

Santa Lucia Pinot 2006

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Ray

Belle Glos, Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands, Las Alturas Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 There’s smoke, liquer-like fruit and dusty cedar in the nose while the mouth follows through with warmth and earthiness on a supple blanket. Winemaker Joseph Wagner of … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Monterey County, Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands | Leave a comment

Ventana Riesling 2007

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Ray

Ventana Vineyards, Monterey, Arroyo Seco, Riesling 2007 I only had a fleeting chance to taste this wine during the segment with Henry on KRON when we blasted through the sweeps winners of this year’s Chronicle Wine Competition. Tonight I get … Continue reading →

Posted in Arroyo Seco, California, Monterey County, Riesling | Leave a comment

VinVillage Radio

Posted on February 11, 2009 by Ray

I’ll be on the air with host Lynn Chamberlain later today at 4:00 p.m. pst, on VinVillageRadio, a weekly “wine & dine” talk-radio show.  We’ll be discussing the results of the Chronicle Wine Competition and my upcoming class at Sonoma … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | Leave a comment

Inniskillin Riesling Ice Wine 2006

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Ray

Inniskillin, Niagara Peninsula, Ice Wine, Riesling 2006 The nose is a medley of fruits with lots of honey. The dried apricot essence comes through vividly in the rich and thick palate. RS of 220 grams per litre. Bottled in Niagara-on-the-Lake … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Ice Wine, Late Harvest White, Niagara Peninsula, Riesling, White Dessert | 1 Comment

Cote de Beaune stars

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Ray

Maison Ambroise, Corton, Le Rognet Grand Cru 1997 Quite youthful at this point, with nuttiness and cedar, earthiness and fruit on the ground. In the mouth this wine is still packed with flavor and the structure is still vivid. There’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, Corton, Cote de Beaune, France, Pinot Noir, Volnay | Leave a comment

Dehlinger Goldridge Pinot 2006

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Ray

Dehlinger, Russian River Valley, Goldridge Vineyard, Estate Bottled, Pinot Noir 2006 This wine is all about warm and concentrated sweet fruit. P&B in Sebastopol 14.8% $59.99 at Bottle Barn Dehlinger Winery

Posted in California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County | 1 Comment

Cote de Beaune 2005

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Ray

Domaine des Croix, Beaune, Les Bressandes 1er Cru 2005 There’s earthiness, cinnamon and cloves in the nose, maybe a note of licorice as well. The mouth is quite structured, framing great concentration of flavor in a very young Burgundy. Mis … Continue reading →

Posted in Beaune, Burgundy, Cote de Beaune, France, Pinot Noir | Leave a comment

Paul Hobbs Lindsay Pinot 2006

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Ray

Paul Hobbs, Russian River Valley, Lindsay Estate Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 This wine delivers full concentration in the signature polished style of Hobbs. P&B in Sebastopol 14.8% $79.99 at Bottle Barn Paul Hobbs

Posted in California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County | 1 Comment

Ken Wright Shea 2007

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Ray

Ken Wright Cellars, Yamhill-Carlton District, Shea Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2007 The nose is all sweetness – liquer-like fruit with the richness of vanilla. The mouth is supple with earthiness for complexity. The previous vintage was the hands-down star of its … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton District | Leave a comment

Central Coast Pinot Stars

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Ray

Siduri, Sta. Rita Hills, Cargasacchi Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2007 The nose features lots of fresh, candied fruit. The mouth captures the same essence, fruit driven and ready to drink. P&B in Santa Rosa 14.1% $47.49 at Bottle Barn Siduri Wines … Continue reading →

Posted in Arroyo Grande Valley, California, Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills | Leave a comment

Paul Pernot Les Folatieres 2006

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Ray

Paul Pernot, Puligny-Montrachet, Les Folatieres 1er Cru 2006 The nose features minerals and a bit of fruit. The mouth is rich, buttery and oaky yet the acidity and green sense of green apples balances the picture – very nice. Mis … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, Chardonnay, Cote de Beaune, France, Puligny Montrachet | Leave a comment

Michel-Schlumberger Pinot Blanc 2007

Posted on February 3, 2009 by Ray

Michel-Schlumberger, Dry Creek Valley, Pinot Blanc “La Bise” 2007 This wine consistently smells of the ripe tropical fruits of a sun-drenched land – very fresh. In the mouth, this wine shows the fruitiness of Pinot Blanc in a light-bodied, refreshing … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dry Creek Valley, Pinot Blanc, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Berthoud Pagani Chasselas 2007

Posted on February 3, 2009 by Ray

Berthoud, Sonoma Valley, Pagani Ranch, Chasselas Dore 2007 There’s a flinty character in the nose and the mouth is austere. The fruit is sourced from 100 year-old vines grown in the vineyard known for its very old Zinfandel. P&B in … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chasselas Dore, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley | Leave a comment

Alba Chambourcin 2006

Posted on February 2, 2009 by Ray

Alba, New Jersey, Chambourcin 2006 The nose is smoky and toasty. In the mouth the oak lights up again and rides a nicely acidic frame. The tannins are ripe and there’s a tart black fruit flavor as well. The acidity … Continue reading →

Posted in Chambourcin, New Jersey | Leave a comment