Author Archives: RJ

About RJ

Ray Johnson is the Executive Director of the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. He writes about food and wine, his travels and the business of wine. He makes his home in Sonoma County, California.

Sonoma State Sensory Evaluation Workshop

Posted on March 28, 2013 by RJ

Staying ahead of flaws in the cellar and quantifying perceptual differences and consumer preferences are critical to a winery’s bottom line.  Following our return from New Zealand, Sonoma State’s Wine Business Institute will partner with VESTA to again offer this … Continue reading →

Posted in Albariño, Alsace, Alto Adige, Andalucia, Barbera, Barbera d'Asti, Barolo, Bordeaux, California, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Dealcoholized, Fortified dessert, France, Gewurztraminer, Graves, Italy, Jerez, Madeira, Malmsey, Malvasia, Marlborough, Merlot, Napa County, Napa Valley, Nebbiolo, New Zealand, Palomino, Pessac-Leognan, Piemonte, Pinot Noir, Port, Portugal, Provence, Rosé, Russian River Valley, Sancerre, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sherry, Sonoma County, South Africa, Spain, Tawny Port, Var, Vinho Verde, Western Cape | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cyrus 1998

Posted on November 24, 2012 by RJ

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Cyrus 1998 14 years on this wine is looking youthful in the glass, with hues of red and just a hint of orange at the edge.  In the nose an oaky expression entices with an expectation of richness. On … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Valley, Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Sonoma County | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Reata Chardonnay 2010

Posted on November 17, 2012 by RJ

Reata, Carneros, Chardonnay 2010 The nose features freshly baked biscuits dabbed in butter topped with peaches – you get a sense of the fruit accentuated by the winemakers touch. In the mouth the texture is luscious, buttery with the freshness … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Carneros, Chardonnay | Tagged | 1 Comment

Lucien Albrecht Blanc de Blancs

Posted on August 4, 2012 by RJ

Lucien Albrecht, Cremant d’Alsace, Brut, Blanc de Blancs nv In the nose there are fresh fruits like pears and yellow apples.  In the mouth this wine is fruit-forward, moderately acidic with some creaminess, like one finds with the domaine’s rose – … Continue reading →

Posted in Cremant d'Alsace, France, Pinot Blanc, Sparkling Dry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Sonoma State Cellars

Posted on July 10, 2012 by RJ

We spent the morning at Kokomo Winery today, putting the final touches on the first release from Sonoma State Cellars. If you’re in Dry Creek Valley on Saturday, join the party that we’re throwing at Timber Crest Farms.  Bastille Day … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Tagged | 1 Comment

Bollinger La Grande Annee 2000

Posted on July 7, 2012 by RJ

Bollinger, Champagne, La Grande Annee, Brut 2000 The nose is nutty, featuring dried fruits, oranges with brown spices and a note of mushrooms sauteed in butter. In the mouth this vintage is elegant, with subtle orange and apple flavors, and long, … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Wines of British Airways first class

Posted on July 7, 2012 by RJ

During a trip to Italy and Slovenia we had the opportunity to sample a number of delicious wines while in the care of BA. First up was a tasting of 2 bubblies in the lounge at Heathrow. Pol Roger, Champagne, … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Falesco Vitiano 2005

Posted on May 28, 2012 by RJ

Falesco, Umbria IGT, Vitiano 2005 This wine is showing nicely at a point in its evolution over 6 years since the grapes were harvested. It is light-bodied as expected, as it was in bottles tasted early on. Yet what we have … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Italy, Merlot, Sangiovese, Umbria | Tagged | 2 Comments

Bonterra Chardonnay 2010

Posted on May 28, 2012 by RJ

Bonterra, Mendocino County, Chardonnay 2010 The nose features fresh stones fruits and a splash of new oak.  In the mouth the fruit expression is quite lively, citrus, apricots, peaches and the freshness of summer sunshine. Besides the Chardonnay, the grapes behind … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Mendocino County | Tagged | Leave a comment

More Red Wines of Lake County

Posted on May 8, 2012 by RJ

Bell Hill, Lake County, Merlot 2005 When first tasted in July 2009, I wrote: the nose features sweet notes of vanilla and cherries while the mouth repeats with ripe tannins, just to let you know they are there – very … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Lake County, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel | Tagged , , | Leave a comment