by Ray Johnson | Apr 24, 2009 | Alexander Valley, California, Chardonnay, Sonoma County
Dutcher Crossing, Alexander Valley, Stuhlmuller Vineyard, Chardonnay 2007 There’s toasitness, nuttiness, fresh oak and bread dough in the nose. The mouth features fresh apples and vibrant acidity with oaky richness as an enhancement rather than a cover over the...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 17, 2009 | Alexander Valley, California, Sonoma County, Syrah
Palmeri, Alexander Valley, Van Ness Vineyard, Syrah 2004 This Syrah features meaty, gamey notes in the nose. In the mouth it’s a big wine, with plenty of structure and extract. Many Syrah have moved into a candy-like, no structure direction while this one shows...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 15, 2009 | Alexander Valley, Barbera, California, Sonoma County
Seghesio Alexander Valley, Barbera 2007 The new vintage of this wine smells as fetching as ever, exploding with a freshness of fruit as if still in the making at the winery. There’s also a sense of the rather immense alcohol showing itself before you even put it...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 13, 2009 | Alexander Valley, California, Chardonnay, Sonoma County
Stonestreet, Alexander Valley, Chardonnay 2006 The nose is toasty and oaky while the mouth combines red and green apples with silky, buttery richness. P&B in Healdsburg 14.5% $28 at the winery Stonestreet Wines
by Ray Johnson | Nov 7, 2008 | Alexander Valley, California, Late Harvest White, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sonoma County, White Dessert
deLorimier, Alexander Valley, Estate Bottled, Late Harvest, Lace 2004 The nose combines bananas, caramel and minerality. The mouth is viscous without being cloying showcasing the tropical fruit in a rich way, as if dazzled with honey. The botrytised grapes behind the...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2008 | Alexander Valley, Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, Knights Valley, Meritage, Sonoma County
Adobe Road, Knights Valley, Cabernet Franc 2005 This is perfectly ripe Cab Franc – no veg to smell at all, just lots of berries. The structure of Cab Franc is in the mouth combining with the fruit and filled out by the oak. This is very long and has time to age....
