by Ray Johnson | Oct 30, 2008 | California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Syrah
Foxen, Santa Ynez Valley, Toasted Rope, Syrah 2006 There are raisins and freshly stewed fruits in the nose, like the smells you get when making a warm compote in the winter. The mouth is extremely supple and sweet appearing, with cocoa and brown spices. 85% Syrah and...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 30, 2008 | California, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Syrah
Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles, Esprit de Beaucastel 2005 The brett is dominating the nose and while it works for this style of wine, it will put off some looking for a cleaner approach in the New World. The gaminess carries through in the mouth. The tannins are...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 29, 2008 | California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Viognier
Zaca Mesa, Santa Ynez Valley, Estate Grown and Bottled, Viognier 2007 This wine is peaches on steroids all the way through with a rich, very viscous mouthfeel that emphasizes fruit rather than oak or butter, as is seen in some of the heavier-handed approaches to this...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 28, 2008 | Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Rhône
Andre Brunel, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Les Cailloux 2005 The nose sports smoke and a healthy but appropriate dose of brett for this wine, accentuating a meatiness. The earthiness repeats in the mouth with an explosion of red fruits. The structure provides the frame around...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 28, 2008 | Burgundy, France, Marsannay, Pinot Noir
Give this wine some time to blow off the stink. Then you can see the cherries, cola and earthy forest floor notes in the nose. There are gamey flavors in the mouth, with the acidity you’d expect and a rather light-body and light to moderate concentration. This...
