by Ray Johnson | Oct 15, 2008 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Nicolas Feuillatte, Champagne, Brut nv There’s a fruity, round expression to this bubbly. The house delivers moderate but fairly priced concentration for Champagne, as most multi-vintage blends have crept toward $40 and beyond. The grapes are 40% Pinot Noir, 40%...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 15, 2008 | Cremant de Limoux, Languedoc, Sparkling Dry, Vouvray
Domaine J. Laurens, Cremant de Limoux, Blanc de Blancs, Brut ,Tête de Cuvée, Méthode Traditionnelle nv There is candied fruit in the nose and a little sense of biscuits. The mouth is a bit hollow, low in concentration and not very acidic. Yet this has proved a good...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 14, 2008 | Italy, Marsala, Sicilia
Duca di Castelmonte, Marsala DOC, Fine Sweet I.P. nv This is caramel and Christmas pudding in a warm glass. Bottled in Marsala 17% $10.99 at Traverso’s
by Ray Johnson | Oct 14, 2008 | Italy, Merlot, Nero d'Avola, Sicilia
Baglio di Pinaetto, Sicilia IGT, Cembali, Nero d’Avola 2004 Unfortunately this bottle was corked. The grapes were sourced from the Noto region of Sicilia. 14% $36 at Traverso’s Baglio di Pianetto Cusumano, Sicilia IGT Sagana 2005 There’s plenty of...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 14, 2008 | Italy, Mendocino County, Monica, Negroamaro, Sardegna
Argiolas, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Perdera 2006 There’s a sense of sweet oak and brown spices in the nose. There’s palpable acidity and red fruit flavors with a little bit of ripe tannin finishing the frame. The grapes are 90% Monica, 5% Carignano and 5%...