by Ray Johnson | Oct 14, 2008 | Grillo, Italy, Sardegna, Vermentino
Argiolas, Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, Costamolino 2007 The current vintage is just as vivaciously New World in appearance as the previous vintage. There’s plenty of perfume and citrus fruits with ample acidity to top it off. Notes from the ’06 vintages:...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 9, 2008 | Campo De Borja, Grenache, Ribera del Duero, Spain, Tempranillo, Valladolid
Bodegas Borsao, Campo de Borja DO 2006 There’s cherry fruit and a sense of cherry pie leaping out of the glass. The mouth is full of juicy fruit in a a light-bodied, easy to drink format. This is certainly the last of the ’06 as the ’07 is on the...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 9, 2008 | Albarino, Galicia, Portugal, Rias Baixas, Spain, Vinho Verde
Fâmega Vinho Verde Denominação de Origem Controlada Vinho Branco 2007 This is a personal favorite for lean white wine on a budget. There’s citrus in the nose and the petillance is quite palpable on this date, adding to the livliness. Notes on the ’06:...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 8, 2008 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cotes de Castillon, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Merlot
Chateau Bertineau St.-Vincent, Lalande-de-Pomerol 2004 The nose is restrained upon first pouring with a little sense of stewed fruit coming through. When I opened this wine, there was some carmelized remnants of wine that leaked earlier. Thus I don’t know what...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 8, 2008 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, France, Haut-Medoc, Merlot, Sonoma County
Chateau Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Medoc 2004 The smells are a mix of earth, cedar, toasty oak and a fitting amount of the barnyard. The mouth if full of plummy fruit with grip. This is definitely leaner and tighter than the ’05 which is quite seductive already. Give...