by Ray Johnson | Aug 3, 2009 | Grenache, Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
Bodegas Palacios Remondo, Rioja DOC, La Vendimia 2007 The nose offers minty green character with liquer-like fruit. In the mouth it is quite fruity, a little chewy with a light body and a lingering creaminess. The grapes are approximately Tempranillo and Garnacha....
by Ray Johnson | Aug 3, 2009 | Carignane, Grenache, Priorat, Spain
Cims de Porrera, Priorat, Solanes 2004 This wine expresses ripe black fruits with a supple mouthfeel. The grapes behind this wine are are 40% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Syrah, from 60-100 year-old vines grown at 400-600 metres on...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 3, 2009 | Albarino, Galicia, Rias Baixas, Spain
Condes de Albarei, Rias Baixas DO, Albarino 2008 Notes on this vintage parallel the previous: Fully aromatic and lip smacking with a sweet/tart character – delicious. Check that – I don’t mean that the wine is literally sweet, but rather the fruit is...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 31, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Clear Lake, Lake County, Mendocino County, Merlot
Like Rosenblum Cellars on the San Francisco Bay, you can literally arrive by boat when you visit Ceago Vinegarden. The estate takes its name from a Pomo Indian word and is pronounced in the same way as Diego. It is situated in a gem of a spot on the northeastern shore...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 31, 2009 | California, Grenache, Lake County, Tempranillo
With the 2005 vintage, Byron Kosuge is fully in charge of the winemaking at Tejada. In June we sampled the 05s with Ibo Tejada and his family at their estate in Lake County. The estate is noted for its focus on the grapes of Spain, cultivated organically. Tejada, Lake...
