by Ray Johnson | Dec 11, 2008 | Alsace, Cremant d'Alsace, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Lucien Albrecht, Cremant d’Alsace, Brut, Rose nv In the nose are candied fruits and flowers. The mouth is quite fruity, moderately acidic with some creaminess – nice value. This wine is all Pinot Noir and the wine spends 9 months on the lees after the...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 11, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, San Benito County
Williams Selyem San Benito County, Vista Verde Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 Tasted at the Wine & Spirts Magazine panel tasting last week, this was one of the eleven of 45 wines passed through to the next round. In the nose, there is sweet red fruit and oak. In the...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 10, 2008 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Sonoma County, Viognier
This flight provides an interesting contrast in California Viognier. Both are well-made but different animals entirely. The Preston is lighter, fresher, with aromatics that might remind one of a dry California Gewurztraminer. The Cold Heaven is rich, thick and...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 10, 2008 | California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
Duckhorn Vineyards, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Ripe citrus and floral notes dazzle your nose when you smell this wine. In the mouth, it is round and softer than many SBs, with ripeness of fruit and a little warmth. When we visited the winery in the summer, Matt...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 5, 2008 | Oregon, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Cloudline, Oregon, Pinot Noir 2007 There’s vegetative characters and compost with a sense of carbonic maceration. The nose on this wine never seemed to come around. The mouth repeats on the smells and is very light-bodied and low in concentration. Cellared and...
