Wine Regions & Grapes
Sampling of Wineries
- Acorn
- Allegrini
- Atlas Peak
- Balletto
- Benziger
- Blandy's
- Bodega Navarro Correas
- Bollinger
- Bonterra
- Burgans
- Chronicle
- d'Arenberg
- Domaine Carneros
- Domaine de la Mordoree
- Dow's
- Dr. Loosen
- Famega
- Fonseca
- Foppiano
- Foxen
- Glen Ellen
- Innocent Bystander
- Kendall-Jackson
- Korbel
- Madeira Wine Company
- Martin Codax
- Masi
- Merryvale
- Mulderbosch
- Napa Cellars
- Navarro Vineyards
- Noceto
- Paul Hobbs
- Reynoso
- Roederer Estate
- Ruggeri
- Sawyer Cellars
- Sbragia
- Shed Horn
- Sonoma State Wine Business Institute
- St. James
- Trinchero Winery
- Vietti
- Wildhurst
- William Fevre
Monthly Archives: June 2010
Cynthus Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Cynthus, Napa Valley, Stagecoach Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 The nose features Cassis, bay leaves and the sweetness of oak, expressed as vanilla and caramel. Give this some time to open up; with 30 minutes more black fruits emerge. On the … Continue reading
Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir 2009
Innocent Bystander, Victoria, Pinot Noir 2009 There are lively black fruits in the nose, especially after 30 minutes. Add to that brown spices, a hint of thyme, spearmint and bubble gum sweetness. In the mouth this light-bodied Pinot delivers on … Continue reading
Heartland Viognier Pinot Gris 2006
Heartland, South Australia, Viognier, Pinot Gris 2006 The nose features fresh peaches, candied tropical fruits and spicy flowers. On the palate this wine is quite broad, lowish in acidity, conveying a richness yet emphasizing the vineyard over the winemaking. The … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Langhorne Creek, Pinot Gris and Grigio, South Australia, Viognier
Tagged Heartland
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Luna Merlot 2006
Luna, Napa Valley, Merlot 2006 The nose features sweet oaky notes and black fruit. In the mouth the black fruits come through with cherries too. The suppleness of Merlot that most consumers seek is on full display in a light-bodied … Continue reading
Scala Dei Cartoixa 2003
Scala Dei, Priorat, Cartoixa 2003 I found this bottle rattling around in the cellar and was delighted to have the opportunity to taste it again. A few years ago it was still rather tannic and while good, I knew that … Continue reading
Foppiano Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Foppiano, Russian River Valley, Estate Bottled, Sauvignon Blanc 2009 The nose is clean and expresses ripe citrus, as in fresh oranges. Add to that an accent of tropical fruit, a whiff of bananas and floral notes, of the sweet and … Continue reading
Posted in California, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
Tagged Foppiano
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Penfolds Club Reserve Aged Tawny
Penfolds, South Australia, Club Reserve, Aged Tawny nv In the nose you’ll find raisins and butterscotch with a sense of the spirit in the background. This all carries on in the mouth with nuttiness, sweetness and well-integrated alcohol. Like the value-oriented … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Fortified dessert, Grenache, Mourvedre, Port, South Australia, Syrah, Tawny Port
Tagged Penfolds
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Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos 2006
The Royal Tokaji Company, Tokaji, Aszu, 5 Puttonyos 2006 The nose weaves notes of caramel of honey with dried tropical fruits. The mouth shows the rich bounty of good Tokaji, viscous yet tangy, dried apricots and brown sugar – delightful. … Continue reading
Posted in Furmint, Hungary, Late Harvest White, Tokaji, White Dessert
Tagged Royal Tokaji Company
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Pichot Vouvray 2009
Domaine Le Peu de la Moriette (Domaine Pichot), Vouvray 2009 The nose is a little dead on the first bottle opened – I suspect a low level of TCA. Fortunately, the second and third bottles have a much more vivid … Continue reading