Monthly Archives: April 2012

Napa Cellars Dyer Vineyard Syrah 2009

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Ray

Napa Cellars, Carneros, Dyer Vineyard, Syrah 2009 This is a sweet smelling Syrah, forecasting ripe fruit on the palate. That comes through without a doubt, with loads of berries and a very supple texture. A bonus to the experience is … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Carneros, Syrah | Tagged | Leave a comment

St. Rose Pinot Noir 2099

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Ray

St. Rose, Russian River Valley, Nunes Vineyard, Ten Block, Pinot Noir 2009 The nose features cherries and raspberries – ebulliently fruity and graced with a touch a vanilla. In the mouth the theme of fresh Pinot fruit continues on a … Continue reading →

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Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Ray

Bonterra, 58% Lake County, 42% Mendocino County, Sauvignon Blanc 2010 The nose is a full-on experience of citrus, as in a slice fresh grapefruit and a wedge of lemon. The flavors follow suit in the mouth with the zippiness that … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Lake County, Mendocino County, Sauvignon Blanc | Tagged | Leave a comment

Pierre Sparr Cremant d’Alsace

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Ray

Pierre Sparr, Cremant d’Alsace, Brut, Reserve The nose features sweet flowers, a perfumed character, with pears and apples.  In the mouth there is a soft impression, fruity with moderate acidity – nicely crafted as an aperitif. The grapes behind this … Continue reading →

Posted in Alsace, France, Pinot Blanc, Sparkling Dry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Glenugie Gamay Noir 2005

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Ray

We recently enjoyed a mature wine from Beaujolais so I thought it a good idea that we try a wine from the cellar made from the same grape in the New World. Some years ago we enjoyed a week’s holiday … Continue reading →

Posted in British Columbia, Canada, Gamay, Okanagan Valley | Tagged | Leave a comment

d’Arenberg Custodian 2009

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Ray

d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, The Custodian, Grenache 2009 The nose features sweet, lolly-like berry notes that follow through in the mouth. The flavor profile is driven by the fruit, emphasizing the grapes in the vineyard while the texture is quite silky … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia | Tagged | Leave a comment

Pellegrino Marsala

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Ray

During my visit to Pellegrino I had the opportunity to learn first-hand about one of Europe’s most famous fortified wines, Marsala. While the market has faded and consumer interest in these wines has waned, a few producers soldier on making … Continue reading →

Posted in Grillo, Italy, Marsala, Sicilia | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Wines of Donnafugata

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Ray

During our recent trip to Sicily I had the opportunity to visit with the team at Donnafugata both on the main island in Marsala and on the small and windswept island of Pantelleria. The wines run the spectrum from fresh, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ansonica, Cabernet Sauvignon, Catarratto, Italy, Moscato di Pantelleria, Muscat, Nero d'Avola, Pantelleria, Sicilia | Tagged | Leave a comment