by Ray Johnson | Oct 23, 2009 | California, Carneros, Pinot Noir
Saintsbury, Carneros, Pinot Noir, Garnet 2008 This has always been a light and elegant Pinot and the ’08 is on target. By light I don’t mean thin and the creaminess enhances the mouthfeel. There’s a screw cap top for added protection. Cellared and...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 23, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, Chardonnay 2007 In the nose there’s a sense of brioche while the mouth sports green apple, with a patina of silkiness and very long acidity – very nice and always a personal favorite. P&B in Calistoga 13.7% $39.99...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 22, 2009 | California, Sauvignon Blanc
Pomelo, California, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 The nose sports citrus and freshly mown grass. In the mouth you’ll find lemon with a sense of both its juice and pith. The wine is soft, clean and light with a bit of petillance and moderate acidity. Produced and bottled...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 21, 2009 | Bennett Valley, California, Grenache, Sonoma County
Grey Stack, Bennett Valley, Dry Stack Vineyard, Grenache 2007 Grenache’s candy-like character comes through in the nose, sweet smelling and ebulliently fruity. In the mouth there is structure to match the fruit, a vision of Chateauneuf, where Grenache shows that...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 21, 2009 | Bandol, France, Mourvedre, Provence
Chateau de Pibarnon, Bandol 2005 The nose is quite spicy, borrowing both brown and green entries from the spice rack. In the mouth this wine is quite substantial, big in structure and acidity that drives the flavor for a long time. This is just a baby now – give...
