TasteWine

Ray Johnson’s Wine Blog

Red wines of Mt. Veeder

Posted in December 4th, 2009
by Ray in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley

Hess Collection, Mount Veeder Napa Valley, Estate Grown, 19 Block Cuvee 2006 Unfortunately this bottle is a bit corked. Sourced from their Veeder Summit Vineyard at 2,000 feet, this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Estate Grown, P&B in Napa 14.5% $36 at the winery and a gift [...]

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Hess Collection Estate Cabernet 2005

Posted in November 4th, 2009
by Ray in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley

Hess Collection, Mount Veeder – Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 There’s a minty character attached to the black fruit and plenty of acidity. The structure of the mountain is apparent but again, like other wines we’ve tasted tonight, the tannins are fully ripe and not gripping – very nice. Estate Grown, P&B in [...]

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Napa Valley Wines

Posted in September 22nd, 2009
by Ray in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Diamond Mountain District, Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District, Pinot Noir, Rutherford, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Spring Mountain District, Stags Leap District

Grgich Hills, Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Fume Blanc 2007 This wine is always ripping with acidity, tangy and bright and the same is certainly true today – yes! Sourced from biodynamically grown fruit grown in American Canyon and the Carneros, the wine is fermented and aged in mostly older French oak, with six months of [...]

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Rubissow Wines

Posted in August 6th, 2009
by Ray in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley

We had a great visit to Rubissow with our Wines of California & Europe class on the first day of August. I’ll post the notes on the estate next week but in the meantime here are two of their stars.

Rubissow, Napa Valley, Mount Veeder, Rubissow Vineyard, Merlot 2005 This wine puts together the best of [...]

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California heavyweights

Posted in July 21st, 2008
by Ray in Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Santa Cruz Mountains

Some heavyweights are elegant on their feet, others draw lots of money in their direction and some are quite big. This post explores famous names and rising stars across the price spectrum.
Quintessa, Rutherford Napa Valley, Red Wine 2004 There’s ample black fruit and subtle, integrated oak to smell. In the mouth the tannin is ripe [...]

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