by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2010 | Duoro, Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal
Dow’s, Porto, Late Bottled Vintage 2004 Blackberries and prunes mark the nose with an appropriate sense of the fortifying spirit. In the mouth, chocolate combines with nuts and figs and brandy’s strength. Bottled in 2009 by Symington Family Estates in Oporto...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2010 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel
Wilson Winery, Dry Creek Valley, Tori Vineyard, Estate, Zinfandel 2007 The nose expresses sweetness, from the oak to the jammy fruit, with a dusting of black pepper. This then continues on the palate, with some structure to frame the black fruit flavors – ripe...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2010 | Barolo, Italy, Nebbiolo, Piemonte
Silvio Grasso, Barolo, Ciabot Manzoni 2004 This is a very ripe Nebbiolo, giving a sense of New World fruitiness intertwined with new oak and traditional black licorice. In the mouth it is tannic for sure, yet not austere, actually approachable now. That said, I would...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2010 | Chianti, Chianti Classico, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Badia a Coltibuono, Chianti Classico 2007 The nose sports cherries and caramel with some raisins – clean and inviting. In the mouth the acidity is vibrant, the tannins are there yet ripe and there is a creaminess as well – very nice. While the wine is made...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2010 | Italy, San Gimignano, Tuscany, Vernaccia, Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Il Poderi del Paradiso, Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2008 Unfortunately this wine is aging prematurely, featuring a golden color and the smell of ethyl acetate. We’ll try another bottle soon to see if this was a failure of the seal on this bottle. Paradiso has...
