by Ray Johnson | Aug 21, 2008 | California, Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sta. Rita Hills
Artesa, Carneros, Estate Reserve, Pinot Noir 2006 Artesa has been making some great wines and has shown greater success with their still wine program. This is a light-bodied, red fruit expression of Pinot with the warmth of alcohol. Winemaker David Dobson. P&B in...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 21, 2008 | California, Gewurztraminer, Monterey County
Thomas Fogarty, Monterey, Gewurztraminer 2003 Kudos to Fogarty for continuing to produce this wine. Earlier this summer we tasted the ’06 which was showing these youthful characteriestics: spicy floral notes, a hint of RS and the taste of fresh lychee – a...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 21, 2008 | California, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
Dry Creek Vineyard, Sonoma County, Fume Blanc 2006 This wine has been a good standard for a budget Sauvignon. There’s plenty of citrus and ample acidity making this clean and dry. Production is all stainless. 13.5% $14.50 at the winery Dry Creek Vineyard
by Ray Johnson | Aug 21, 2008 | Amador County, California, El Dorado County, Lake County, Napa Valley, Sierra Foothills, Zinfandel
Rombauer, California, Zinfandel 2006 This has always been on the very rich end of Zin styles with perceptible residual sugar – nonetheless a crowd-pleaser. This vintage follows the same path. The fruit is 59% Amador, 24% Napa, 11% lake and 6% El Dorado Counties....
by Ray Johnson | Aug 20, 2008 | Cotes du Rhone, Crozes-Hermitage, France, Grenache, Syrah
E. Guigal, Cotes du Rhone 2005 This wine is typically on the more polished side of Rhone blends with a hint of oak. That sense comes through again with a bit of earth and dried fruits. The blend is 55% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre and some other stuff. Eleve et...