by Ray Johnson | Feb 28, 2010 | California, Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County
Rusack, Santa Barbara, Chardonnay 2008 This is a toasty Chardonnay,with the oak out in force. You smell it immediately as your nose approaches the glass. In the mouth the oak is joined by tropical fruit and a bit of butter, making for a rich style of Chardonnay....
by Ray Johnson | Feb 26, 2010 | California, Lake County, Sauvignon Blanc
Robledo, Lake County, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This is a delightful Sauvignon. The nose sports citrus and floral notes. In the mouth the wine is clean and vibrantly citrussy with a pleasant acidic zip. Produced and bottled in Kelseyville 14.3% $20 at the winery, a gift...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 25, 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, France, Provence, Syrah
I was fortunate to visit Chateau Vignelaure back in the 80s – was it ’84 or ’85? Some of my memories are fuzzy. The memory that isn’t fuzzy however, is that Vignelaure was a trend setter, planting Cabernet Sauvignon in Provence, despite the...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 25, 2010 | California, High Valley, Lake County, Sauvignon Blanc
Brassfield Estate, High Valley, High Serenity Ranch, Estate Bottled, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Give this a little air to allow the fruity aromatics to come to the fore. Then you’ll find pineapple and lemon laced with crushed green herbs. The mouth features a soft...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 22, 2010 | California, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Domaine Chandon, California, Brut, Classic nv Unfortunately this wine was corked. The aromatics are dampened and the mouth is astringent. A sense of the dosage is the only element coming through. I was concerned when I removed the foil from the top of the bottle. The...
