Monthly Archives: May 2009

Balletto Rose 2008

Posted on May 22, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Balletto, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Estate Bottled, Pinot Noir 2008 Fruity and dry rose for the upcoming heat! P&B by Laguna Oaks Vineyards & Winery in Santa Rosa 13.6% $10.99 at Bottle Barn Balletto

Posted in California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Trione Chardonnay 2006

Posted on May 22, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Trione, Russian River Valley, River Road Ranch, Chardonnay 2006 The smell of this wine is quite rich and the mouth follows suit. Yet the rich buttery oakiness is balanced by a lemony essence, keeping it bright – delicious. The wine … Continue reading →

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

Cline Carneros Viognier 2007

Posted on May 22, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Cline, Los Carneros, Viognier 2007 This is beautifully aromatic, very floral and clean. In the mouth there is a fatness to the feel, lowish in acidity with the taste of peaches and a bit of the bitterness that you might … Continue reading →

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Benziger Shone Farm Sauvignon 2006

Posted on May 22, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Benziger, Russian River Valley, Shone Farm, Sauvignon Blanc 2006 There’s a pleasant grassiness to this wine with plenty of citrus. In the mouth it is bone-dry and very concentrated. This bottle that we’re tasting tonight has evolved a little prematurely. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition Disgorged 2008

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Egly-Ouriet, Champagne, Grand Cru, Brut Tradition nv In the nose there is citrus, bruised apples and brown spices as in an apple pie. In keeping with the house style, the acidity is quite profound. This wine is quite tight, very … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry | Leave a comment

Sparkling Pointe Brut Seduction 2000

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Sparkling Pointe, North Fork of Long Island, Brut Seduction 2000 In the nose there are fresh and browned apples.  In the mouth there is also a sense of citrus, with pastry richness and note of custard. This is an elegant … Continue reading →

Posted in Chardonnay, New York, North Fork of Long Island, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry | Leave a comment

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Charles Heidsieck, Champagne, Brut Reserve nv This wine has developed toastiness, nuttiness and a sense of bread dough. The texture is lovely, creamy yet refreshingly acidic. This new bottling was disgorged in 2008 and given a hefty price increase over … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry | Leave a comment

Bouillot Perle de Vigne

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Louis Bouillot, Cremant de Bourgogne, Perle de Vigne, Grande Reserve, Brut nv There’s a moderate level of concentration and a good deal of complexity for the price. The grapes behind this methode traditionnelle are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay and Aligote. … Continue reading →

Posted in Aligote, Burgundy, Chardonnay, Cremant de Bourgogne, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry | Leave a comment

Korbel Natural 2006

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Korbel, Russian River Valley Champagne, Natural’ Méthode Champenoise 2006 As in previous vintages, there’s a nice sense of green apples through and through, making this arguably Korbel’s best and most refreshing sparkler. 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay; the style was … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry | Leave a comment

Robert Oatley Pinot Grigio 2008

Posted on May 18, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Robert Oatley, South Australia, Pinot Grigio 2008 This is 100% Pinot Grigio; most of the grapes were sourced from Currency Creek, south of my alma mater Adelaide and a bit came in from the Alpine Valleys of Victoria. Production was … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Pinot Gris and Grigio, South Australia | Leave a comment