by Ray Johnson | Nov 14, 2010 | Australia, Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia
d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, The Custodian, Grenache 2007 The ’07 shows an encore to the theme tasted with the ’05 vintage: juicy warm fruit and earthy notes in a supple package. I would also add a nice touch of tangy acidity and great length – nice...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 13, 2010 | California, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Foppiano, Russian River Valley, Estate Bottled, Chardonnay 2009 The nose features rich notes of toast and butter with ripe, tropical fruit. In the mouth, the oaky notes continue, with an accent of butter and a bit of refreshing acidity. This is a lighter-bodied...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2010 | Austria, Gruner Veltliner, Kamptal, Niederosterreich
Laurenz V., Kamptal, Charming, Gruner Veltliner 2009 The nose features minerality, fresh red apples and baked green apples accented with brown spices, as if one was handed a freshly made apple tart. It’s this complexity that is so enticing. In the mouth the...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 4, 2010 | California, Sauvignon Blanc
Clif Family Winery, California, The Climber, Sauvignon Blanc 2009 The nose expresses citrus galore, especially with 30 minutes out of the refrigerator. This is something we talk about in class, how a good white wine will become more effusive as it comes up in...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 3, 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena, Zinfandel
While the Napa Valley’s St. Helena AVA speaks the language of Cabernet and its red wine Bordeaux brethren, there are other grapes making delightful wines as well. Thus this showcase of wines begins with a Bordeaux colleague in the white wine family and ends with...
