by Ray Johnson | Aug 29, 2009 | Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal, Touriga Nacional
Graham’s, Porto, “Six Grapes”, Reserve nv The nose combines blackberry liqueur, raisins and a spiritous note. In the mouth you taste something akin to blackberry candy poured over a Tootsie Roll – chocolate and black fruit with a healthy shot...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 29, 2009 | Italy, Muscat, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet
Il Conte d’Alba, Moscato d’Asti DOCG nv This wine smells of ginger and flowers while in the mouth it is sweet and lightly fizzy. It’s almost perfect except for a bit of TCA which unfortunately is adding a bit of wet cardboard and astringency....
by Ray Johnson | Aug 29, 2009 | California, Muscat, Sparkling sweet
Martin & Weyrich, California, Moscato, Allegro 2007 The orange blossoms are alight in the glass when you pick it up. In the mouth it is light, airy, fruity, flowery, sweet and delightful. Fermentation was stopped early to lock in the sugar from the vine. We...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 29, 2009 | California, Riesling
Kendall-Jackson, California, Vintner’s Reserve, Riesling 2007 Stone fruits come to mind when you raise this glass, a sense of peaches and apricots. In the mouth the apricot flavor is delightful, augmented by the residual sugar and balanced by the acidity....
by Ray Johnson | Aug 29, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
La Crema, Sonoma Coast, Chardonnay 2007 In the nose there’s a sense of biscuits, croissants and other freshly baked doughy things with hints of oak and vanilla. In the mouth this wine is rich with oak yet the apples and pears come through, showing a sensible...