by Ray Johnson | Mar 8, 2010 | Aperitif, California, Vermouth
Quady, California, Vya, Extra Dry Vermouth nv The nose combines mint, ginger and a host of spices. In the mouth it is dry and spicy with a reminiscence of quinine’s bitterness – an intense mouth refresher! The grapes are Colombard and Orange Muscat and the...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 6, 2010 | Bual, Fortified dessert, Madeira, Portugal
Blandy’s, Madeira, 5 Year Old, Bual nv Toffee meets raisins with a spriritous character in the nose. In the mouth the weight is there, with nuttiness, caramel and a lighter shade of residual sugar than you find with Blandy’s Malmsey. I would break out the...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 6, 2010 | Moscato d'Asti, Muscat, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet
La Caudrina, Moscato d’Asti 2008 There’s a lovely sense of orange blossoms in the nose while the mouth is sweet and ethereal – very nice. Estate bottled in Castiglione Tinella 5.5% purchased for $15.99 at Bottle Barn
by Ray Johnson | Mar 6, 2010 | Dealcoholized, Merlot
Ariel, Dealcoholized, Merlot 2007 Simple and light-bodied. Made and bottled by J. Lohr in San Jose. Contains less than one half of one percent alcohol by volume, purchased for $6.49 at Bottle Barn Ariel Vineyards
by Ray Johnson | Mar 6, 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Glen Ellen, California, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 There’s a sense of whole berries, sweet and a little tooty-fruity with a vanilla veneer. In the mouth this wine is a bit sweet, quite fruity and fairly gripping – disappointing. Vinted and Bottled...
