by Ray Johnson | Nov 24, 2012 | Alexander Valley, Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Sonoma County
Alexander Valley Vineyards, Cyrus 1998 14 years on this wine is looking youthful in the glass, with hues of red and just a hint of orange at the edge. In the nose an oaky expression entices with an expectation of richness. On the palate the wine is supple, a swatch...
by Ray Johnson | Jun 7, 2011 | Bordeaux Style Blends, California, Napa Valley
St. Supery, Napa Valley, Elu 2005 The nose features Cassis and cigar box, some leafy, Bordeauxish character, complex and sprinkled as if with fresh tobacco. In the mouth this wine is chewy yet approachable, enhanced with oak. Think of serving this with Ribeye and...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 3, 2010 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, Knights Valley, Merlot, Napa Valley, Oakville, Rutherford, Sonoma County
Paul Hobbs, Oakville Napa Valley, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 The sense of Cassis is quite vibrant in the nose. The vividness of the fruit continues in the mouth with the structure of Cabernet. You know it’s Cabernet by its tannic...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 26, 2010 | Bordeaux Style Blends, California, Napa Valley
Pahlmeyer, Napa Valley, Red Wine 2006 In the nose the fruit is quite sweet and ripe, reminiscent of Cassis accented with vanilla and brown spices. In the mouth this Bordeaux-style blend is ripe and approachable, quite silky and ready to drink without delay –...
by Ray Johnson | May 12, 2010 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Petit Verdot
These wines were first tasted during a visit with Alan Viader at the estate on April 30. I bought two of my favorites to share with the UC Berkeley class in San Francisco on May 12. The notes below are a combination of observations from the two tastings. Dare by...
by Ray Johnson | May 10, 2010 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Knights Valley, Merlot, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Virginia
Kendall-Jackson, Knights Valley, Highland Estates, Trace Ridge, Red Wine 2006 Unfortunately this bottle is corked. The grapes behind this wine are 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. The wine was aged for 19 months in French oak, 45% of which was...
