by Ray Johnson | Apr 28, 2010 | California, Grenache, Rhône, Rosé, Syrah, Tavel
This flight is a great comparison of two different approaches to rose, one with rapier-like acidity and the other with a broad and weighty mouthfeel. The Ojai Vineyard, California, Rose 2009 This rose shows an expression of citrus and cherries in the nose, along with...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 28, 2010 | California, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Counoise, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Rhône, Rhone Blend, Syrah
Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles, Cotes de Tablas 2008 The fruit is fresh and lively in the nose, with floral notes and sweet spice. In the mouth it is medium-bodied, very fruity and structured, making it a winner with grilled pork and a fruity but savoury reduction...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 28, 2010 | California, Cote-Rotie, Russian River Valley, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Sonoma County, Syrah
This flight of Syrah takes us from the freshness of new fruit in California, to the development of bottle bouquet in wines from 2003 – excellent all around, featuring different expressions of the same grape over time and over both sides of the Atlantic. Foxen,...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 27, 2010 | California, Mt. Harlan, San Benito County, Viognier
Calera, Mt. Harlan, Viognier 2008 The smell of this wine is rather entrancing. There’s the peachy fruit associated with Viognier, a nice sense of sweet flowers and enriching notes like vanilla and brown spices. In the mouth it is warm and displays a sensuous...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 26, 2010 | California, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Chandon, California, Blanc de Noirs nv This bubbly features cherries, both fresh and cooked, a little sweetness and a touch of bitterness. The grapes behind this wine are the classic black grapes from Champagne, viz., Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Production is...
