by Ray Johnson | May 1, 2009 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Amphora, Dry Creek Valley, Zinfandel 2006 There’s a healthy dose of black pepper in the nose along with jammy fruit. This Zin is very polished in the mouth, very dense and full of fruit. P&B by Hutchinson Wines in Healdsburg 15.4% $26 at the winery Amphora...
by Ray Johnson | May 1, 2009 | Alexander Valley, California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Syrah
Bella, Alexander Valley, Big River Ranch, Syrah 2005 There’s jammy black fruit in the nose and a little bit of tar and reductive character when first open. In the mouth, the wine is chewy and oaky with a bit of bitterness. P&B in Healdsburg 14.9% $40 at the...
by Ray Johnson | May 1, 2009 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Grenache, Mourvedre, Rose, Sonoma County
Quivira, Dry Creek Valley Wine Creek Ranch, Grenache, Rose 2008 In the nose the fruit is ever so fresh, featuring citrus and strawberries. In the mouth there’s plenty of acidity, a little phenolic grip and a sense of the alcohol in the background. The grapes...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 29, 2009 | Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
Andre Brunel, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Les Cailloux 2006 In the nose the fruit goes from fresh to raisin, with black pepper and spices from the cupboard. In the mouth, this wine is approachable already, chewy and dripping with acidity with plenty of extract to fill out...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 29, 2009 | Cinsault, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Rhône, Syrah
Coudoulet de Beaucastel, Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge, 2005 The black fruits are alight in the nose with a liquer-like character. In the mouth the fruit is very expressive with the structure you’d expect – a great combo. The grapes are sourced from the Coudoulet...
