by Ray Johnson | Aug 24, 2010 | Alexander Valley, California, Chardonnay, Sonoma County
Murphy-Goode, Alexander Valley, Minnesota Cuvee, Chardonnay 2008 This is a richer style of Chardonnay with notes of oak, brown spices, butter and vanilla in the nose. On the palate there’s a sense of stone fruits, oak, a moderate amount of acidity, a light body...
by Ray Johnson | Jun 10, 2010 | Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Sonoma County
Reynoso Family Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 The nose features cocoa and vanilla with a dash of mint, quite sweet-appearing, in the way that dry wines echo the sweet smells we associate with dessert. In the mouth it’s reminiscent of a milk...
by Ray Johnson | May 18, 2010 | Alexander Valley, California, Chardonnay, Sonoma County
Geyser Peak, Alexander Valley, Water Bend, Block Collection, Chardonnay 2008 This Chardonnay speaks richness on all fronts, toasty, buttery, ripe tropical fruit and a thick, rather unctuous texture in the mouth. Produced and bottled under Stelvin in Geyersville 14.1%...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 18, 2010 | Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Before moving to California, I worked in a flash French restaurant back in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was the mid-eighties and all of the staff were died in the wool Francophiles, disdaining New World wine while seldom ever tasting it. Local wine critic Peter...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 14, 2010 | Alexander Valley, Barbera, California, Sonoma County
Seghesio, Alexander Valley, Barbera 2008 The nose screams fresh fruit galore. It’s pretty in the way the black fruit melds with floral notes. In the mouth it is supple and rich, with a viscosity not often seen in Barbera. This has been a consistently ripe crowd...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 9, 2010 | Alexander Valley, California, Sauvignon Blanc
Reynoso Family Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 There’s a nice waft of citrus in the nose with stone fruits like peaches and nectarines. In the mouth the story of citrus continues, with a soft profile and long flavors of tangerine and grapefruit...
