by Ray Johnson | Aug 14, 2008 | Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc
Whitehaven, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This is full-throttle gooseberries and herbaceousness with loads of acidity – a delicious mouthful of citrus fruit and green peppers. Our friends Chuck and Barbara brought over the ’06 version to share with us...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 12, 2008 | California, Contra Costa County, Mourvedre
Jade Mountain, Contra Costa County, Evangelho Vineyard, Mourvedre 2005 There are some reductive notes in the nose to accompany the black fruit. In the mouth there’s a fair amount of acidity, light body and a sense of the alcohol’s warmth. The vineyard was...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 7, 2008 | California, Pinot Gris and Grigio
Twisted PiG, California, Pinot Grigio 2006 There’s almost nothing to smell and the mouth is akin to water with a little citric acid and alcohol thrown in. It’s not bad in an offensive way, it’s just so lacking in any redeeming way. Best salvaged with...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 6, 2008 | California, Clarksburg, Petite Sirah, Santa Barbara County, Sylvaner
Rancho Sisquoc, Santa Barbara County, Sylvaner 2007 There’s a bit of flintiness in the nose. Sylvaner isn’t typically an aromatic daredevil so that’s OK. In the mouth there’s a very grapy flavor, almost like a native labrusca, very hard to...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 5, 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Wine Cube, California, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 It’s definitely easier to maintain one’s self-delusional status by not talking about or tasting or drinking wine from a box. Yet we have to speak out when the wine is serviceable and the carbon footprint of...
