by Ray Johnson | Jul 10, 2008 | Alexander Valley, Australia, Bordeaux Style Blends, Guenoc Valley, Idaho, Lake County, McLaren Vale, Meritage, Merlot, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, South Australia
Clarendon Hills Clarendon Brookman Merlot 2005 Roman Bratasiuk pulls no punches with his opulent wines. This Merlot features ripe fruit and the cigar box characters we often associate with Bordeaux. The texture is oh so plush. P&B in Blewitt Springs 14.5% $60...
by Ray Johnson | Jun 24, 2008 | Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Carneros, Napa Valley, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County
Here we take another look at variations on the taste and feel of dry red wine. ZD Carneros Pinot Noir 2006 Lots of sweet cherries and palpable acidity make this a refreshing Pinot. This wine originates with Pinot grown in certified organic vineyards. The wine is then...
by Ray Johnson | Jun 23, 2008 | Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Lodi, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sonoma County
Like white wine, red wine comes in many shapes and sizes, from the silky, flowing ribbons to brawny, square-jawed brawlers. Here are 3 takes on red wine style. Lincourt Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2004 Easy drinking cherries in a glass. This wine is a compilation...
by Ray Johnson | May 25, 2008 | Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sonoma County
Stryker Sonoma sits on a little hill with a broad view of the Alexander Valley. We recently visited with Jen Berman on the winemaking team and the Bordeaux varietals were top-notch. I thoroughly enjoyed the chocolaty Merlot and the supple and vanilla spiced Petit. As...
by Ray Johnson | May 2, 2008 | Alexander Valley, California, Dry Creek Valley, Primitivo, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Collier Falls Dry Creek Valley Primitivo 2005 This is lovingly slathered in oak. P&B in Geyserville 15.2% $32 at the winery Collier Falls Bella Alexander Valley Big River Ranch Zinfandel 2005 A very balanced Zin with tannic structure and dense fruit. Sourced from...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 30, 2008 | Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Frank Family Vineyards Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 This Alexander Valley Cab was made by the Napa winery known for its deft hand with the local fruit. Tonight we taste a wine from grapes sourced a little farther north. This wine is working its way up the...
