by Ray Johnson | Nov 12, 2007 | Chenin Blanc, France, Furmint, Hungary, Late Harvest White, Loire Valley, Quarts de Chaume, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Tokaji
The previous tasting in the California and Europe class in San Francisco pitted Baumard against Oremus. Tonight’s flight brings in a different top-flight producer, this time from Sauternes. Both the Raymond-Lafon and the Oremus will be tasted side-by-side. In...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 12, 2007 | France, Vermentino
Inexpensive, clean and perhaps a hint of residual sugar. Jean-Paul and Michel Dardé maintain a 70+ hectare vineyard near the bassin de Thau in the commune of Meze, where they grow Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Terret, Muscat, Syrah, Merlot and Vermentino. Mis at the domaine...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 10, 2007 | Italy, Tuscany
Biserno, Insoglio del Cinghiale IGT 2005 Last weekend I tasted the 2004 vintage of this wine and it was supple, warm and loaded with oak. The 2005 is a similar animal – very approachable and more New World in style than the traditional Italian wines against...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 10, 2007 | Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino 2001 Earlier in the year one bottle was corked while the second was fine. That bottle was very complex, silky and evolved with a little less acidity than I expected, making it ready to drink without delay. Today we opened three bottles,...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 10, 2007 | France, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc
Jean Reverdy Sancerre La Reine Blanche 2006 My notes from the previous two vintages show a consistent thread of grapefruit and grass in a high acid frame; today’s 2006 bottle was again high acid with substantial minerality. Produced from vines over 25 years old...
