by Ray Johnson | Feb 1, 2010 | Austria, Kamptal, Riesling
Weingut Brundlmayer, Kamptaler, Terrassen, Riesling 2008 The nose features limes circled by flowers, very perfumed. In the mouth it is the concentrated essence of limes tempered by a touch of RS – delicious. Estate bottled in Langenlois in Kamptal 12% $19.99 at...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 1, 2010 | France, Loire Valley, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc
Domaine Vacheron, Sancerre 2008 The nose sports minerality and lime. In the mouth you’ll find concentrated citrus, a sense of austerity, a very dry wine with overt minerality – very nice and very long. The only thing missing is the chevre. The family tends...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 1, 2010 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Napa Valley
Jayson, Napa Valley, Red 2005 This Bordeaux-style blend is opulently fruity and imminently approachable – no need to let this dawdle in the cellar. Our good friend Richard Trost brought this to dinner last night and we enjoyed it with a roasted pork tenderloin,...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 31, 2010 | California, Santa Cruz Mountains, Syrah
Kathryn Kenndy, Santa Cruz Mountains, Maridon Vineyard, Reserve, Syrah 2002 This was a delicious wine and I can’t tell you why for the notes are in a journal that I’ve misplaced. Yet I feel compelled to share the story – sometimes the deliciousness...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 30, 2010 | Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Proprietor Mike Hengehold was on hand at ZAP today in San Francisco to showcase his Zin portfolio. He is sourcing fruit from vines that were planted in the Russian River long before I was born. The fruit hangs well into October yet achieves sugars of only 24 brix. Why...
