by Ray Johnson | May 22, 2009 | California, Carneros, Sonoma County, Viognier
Cline, Los Carneros, Viognier 2007 This is beautifully aromatic, very floral and clean. In the mouth there is a fatness to the feel, lowish in acidity with the taste of peaches and a bit of the bitterness that you might get from a bite of the stone inside. Estate...
by Ray Johnson | May 22, 2009 | California, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
Benziger, Russian River Valley, Shone Farm, Sauvignon Blanc 2006 There’s a pleasant grassiness to this wine with plenty of citrus. In the mouth it is bone-dry and very concentrated. This bottle that we’re tasting tonight has evolved a little prematurely....
by Ray Johnson | May 20, 2009 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Egly-Ouriet, Champagne, Grand Cru, Brut Tradition nv In the nose there is citrus, bruised apples and brown spices as in an apple pie. In keeping with the house style, the acidity is quite profound. This wine is quite tight, very long, very much a baby at this point....
by Ray Johnson | May 20, 2009 | Chardonnay, New York, North Fork of Long Island, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Sparkling Pointe, North Fork of Long Island, Brut Seduction 2000 In the nose there are fresh and browned apples. In the mouth there is also a sense of citrus, with pastry richness and note of custard. This is an elegant bubbly – very nice. It took the big award...
by Ray Johnson | May 20, 2009 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Charles Heidsieck, Champagne, Brut Reserve nv This wine has developed toastiness, nuttiness and a sense of bread dough. The texture is lovely, creamy yet refreshingly acidic. This new bottling was disgorged in 2008 and given a hefty price increase over the previous...
