by Ray Johnson | Jul 28, 2010 | Fortified dessert, France, Late Harvest White, Muscat, Muscat Beaumes de Venise, Rhône, White Dessert
Paul Jaboulet Aine, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, Le Chant des Griolles 2007 The nose features the expected orange blossom of Muscat with the region’s typical spiritous character in the subtly in the background. In the mouth you’ll find oranges and...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 28, 2010 | California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Syrah
JC Cellars, Santa Barbara County, Fess Parker’s Vineyard, Syrah 2007 Give this wine a bit of air, 10 minutes or so to blow off a bit of reductive character. Then the black fruit will emerge, wrapped in a jacket of leather. In the mouth there are notes of tar and...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 28, 2010 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Grenache, Sonoma County
Unti, Dry Creek Valley, Grenache 2007 There’s a lovely, candy-like fruitiness to this Grenache. It’s also not a flabby one, but rather a red wine with structure, reminiscent of its Old World roots yet kissed by New World sunshine. The 2007 is reinforced by...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 28, 2010 | Anderson Valley, California, Mendocino County, Pinot Noir, Rosé
Goldeneye, Anderson Valley, Vin Gris of Pinot Noir 2009 The nose features fresh strawberries. On the palate there is a creamy mouthfeel, a silky texture, with a thickness not often found in rose – very nice. The wine is made by the saignee method, bleeding off a...