by Ray Johnson | Oct 23, 2009 | California, Fortified dessert, Napa Valley, Port, Tawny Port
Belo, Napa Valley, Vintage Tawny Port, Tinta Isabella 1996 The nose is pruny and spirtitous with some volatility. The mouth shows lots of caramel and nuttiness, like crunching up some almonds, wrapping them in milk chocolate and basting them with caramel. It’s...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 23, 2009 | California, Carneros, Pinot Noir
Etude, Carneros, Estate Grown, Pinot Noir 2007 This is sweet smelling Pinot with caramel and an almost jammy fruit character. The mouth is very concentrated with ripe tannins, punchy acidity and that sweet caramel on top of the black fruit – very nice. Produced...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 23, 2009 | California, Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir
Paul Hobbs, Carneros, Napa Valley, Hyde Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2007 The nose features ripe black fruits, a bit of earthiness, cola and a toasty note. In the mouth you’ll find the characteristic mouthfeel that I find over and over again with Paul Hobbs’ wines...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 23, 2009 | California, Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir
Fotinos, Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir 2005 The nose features very sweet brown spice notes, with ashes of the campfire. In the mouth there’s a fair amount of grip. Produced and bottled in Sonoma 14% $35 at the winery, a gift to the class from the SFCWC...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 23, 2009 | California, Carneros, Pinot Noir
Saintsbury, Carneros, Pinot Noir, Garnet 2008 This has always been a light and elegant Pinot and the ’08 is on target. By light I don’t mean thin and the creaminess enhances the mouthfeel. There’s a screw cap top for added protection. Cellared and...
