by Ray Johnson | Nov 19, 2008 | Colombard, France, Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne
Haut-Marin, Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne, Cuvee Marine 2007 This wine is profoundly herbaceous with a hint of hard working body odor. The mouth is quite crisp and the overall pungency is reminiscent of Kiwi Sauvignon – very nice. The only challenge is that...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 18, 2008 | Bordeaux, France, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, White Dessert
Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne, Sauternes 2001 This wine displays lots of tropical fruit in the nose, a sense of bananas and pineapple mixed with the mineral edge of appropriate volatility, though too much for some of the class. In the mouth, there is caramel, warmth and...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 18, 2008 | Douro, Portugal, Tempranillo, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional
Quinta dos Quatro Ventos, Douro DOC 2005 The smell is a mix of black fruits, brambles and earth. In the mouth there is minerality and tart fruit, the acidity making this great with roasted meats. At the same time, there is an integrated oaky richness and a sense of...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 18, 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, South Africa, Syrah, Western Cape
Sebeka, Western Cape, “Cape Blend”, Shiraz Pinotage 2007 There’s a sense of sweet black fruit and oak in the nose that carries through in the mouth as well. The wine is extremely soft and low in acidity with a touch of residual sugar. The grapes are...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 16, 2008 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Petite Sirah, Primitivo, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Barry Collier has created a paradise for his grapes above the Dry Creek Valley. If you were a grape, you would want to be planted under his care. The hillside vineyards are steep and the views are incredible. The highest points are above the fog line, where the grapes...
