by Ray Johnson | Apr 9, 2010 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, California, Merlot, Paso Robles
Justin Vineyards & Winery, Paso Robles, Justification 2006 The nose features crushed leaves, black fruits, cookie dough with vanilla and sweet tobacco. In the mouth it is quite structured, tight at this point, just a baby. Yet the fruit is there to savor so if...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 1, 2010 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Napa Valley
Jayson, Napa Valley, Red 2005 This Bordeaux-style blend is opulently fruity and imminently approachable – no need to let this dawdle in the cellar. Our good friend Richard Trost brought this to dinner last night and we enjoyed it with a roasted pork tenderloin,...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 17, 2009 | Australia, Bordeaux Style Blends, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Western Australia
hazard hill, Western Australia, semillon sauvignon Blanc 2008 Breezy and fresh, this wine shows grass and citrus in the nose. In the mouth it is crisp and clean, with concentrated flavors of lime and lime zest and a little petilance for lift – very nice. The...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 4, 2009 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Cliff Lede, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Fresh fruit and new oak leap from the glass when you smell this wine. In the mouth the tannins are polished making this Cab approachable now. The length is great. With time though, the oak will...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2009 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Meritage, Napa Valley
Conn Creek Winery, Napa Valley, Limited Release, Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 The fruit is flagging in the nose where the sense of spirit has taken over. But the fruit still puts in an appearance when you put the wine in your mouth, with a sense of cranberries on a spread...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2009 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Meritage, Merlot, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Trinchero Winery, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Chicken Ranch Vineyard, Merlot 2005 Give the wine a bit of air for 10 minutes or so to blow off a bit of funk. Then the plummy fruit combines with the wet forest floor and a bit cedar in the nose. In the mouth plums and...
