by Ray Johnson | Apr 15, 2009 | California, Dolcetto, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Acorn, Russian River Valley, Alegria Vineyards, Dolcetto 2006 There’s a great complexity of smells working in the nose, including fresh and stewed fruits, green herbs and eucalyptus as well as a sense of oakiness. In the mouth, Bill has worked the tannin into...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 15, 2009 | Alexander Valley, Barbera, California, Sonoma County
Seghesio Alexander Valley, Barbera 2007 The new vintage of this wine smells as fetching as ever, exploding with a freshness of fruit as if still in the making at the winery. There’s also a sense of the rather immense alcohol showing itself before you even put it...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 14, 2009 | Bordeaux, France, Late Harvest White, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, White Dessert
Chateau Gravas, Sauternes 2005 The nose features honey, flowers and minerality with an appropriate amount of volatility. In the mouth, the honey-essence and caramel are there in a light-bodied format with a touch of spiritous character. Previously I wrote: This wine...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 14, 2009 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot, Pauillac
Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse, Pauillac, Grand Cru Classe 2005 The nose features sweet black fruit, earthiness and wet stones. In the mouth there is an appropriate amount of acidity, a little on the tart side with ripe tannins and a moderate level of concentration. The...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 14, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, France, Grenache, Les Baux de Provence, Provence, Syrah
Mas de Gourgonnier, Les Baux de Provence, Rouge 2006 As in previous vintages, the band-aids are working in tandem with the black fruits. The mouth also repeats a similar profile in that it is quite gripping with much astringency. The Reserve du Mas has always been a...
