by Ray Johnson | Aug 4, 2010 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Small Vines, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir 2008 This wine is a star. In the nose the fruit has a liqueur-like character, showing off its ripeness. In the mouth there is again that straddling of the Old and New Worlds that Small Vines pulls off vintage after...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 4, 2010 | Beaune, Burgundy, Chambolle-Musigny, France, Pinot Noir
Domaine G. Roumier, Chambolle-Musigny 2007 Give this some air to allow the fruit to emerge. Then there’s a mix of cherries, moist black earth in the garden and brown spices. In the mouth this is just a baby, with plenty of structure and bright cherry fruit. The...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 4, 2010 | Anderson Valley, California, Mendocino County, Pinot Noir
Toulouse Vineyards, Anderson Valley, Estate, Pinot Noir 2007 In the nose there is a sense of the forest floor and toasty, smoky oak. In the mouth it shows as an elegant style of Pinot Noir, very supple and approachable. We tasted a few weekends ago at the winery and a...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 4, 2010 | Germany, Mosel, Riesling
Dr. Loosen, Mosel, Urziger, Wurzgarten, Riesling, Spatlese 2008 Give this some air to blow off a little reductive character and then limes, peaches and nectarines will come through. In the mouth you’ll find the fruit has a candied character, sweet yet...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 4, 2010 | Burgundy, Chablis, Chardonnay, France
William Fevre, Chablis Premier Cru, Fourchaume 2008 In the nose you’ll find the smell of bread dough and butter with a healthy whiff of stone fruits. In the mouth the concentration of fruit is evident, with buttery richness adding a sheen of slippery texture and...
