by Ray Johnson | Aug 6, 2009 | Bordeaux Style Blends, California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Raymond Vineyards, Napa Valley, Small Lot, White Wine 2008 This wine is crisp and ripe with the flavor of limes and oranges. The grapes behind this wine are 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon. The Sauvignon was fermented and aged sur lie for 3 months in French and...
by Ray Johnson | May 15, 2009 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Knights Valley, Merlot, Sonoma County
Peter Michael Winery, Knights Valley, L’Esprit des Pavots 2005 There’s chocolate, oak, leather and Cassis in the nose. In the mouth this wine is quite structured, with great depth of flavor, a sense of glycerine adding to the viscosity while at the same...
by Ray Johnson | May 8, 2009 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain
Benziger, Sonoma Mountain, Tribute 2005 There’s a beautiful expression of fruit graced by oak in the nose. In the mouth the fruit is juicy, vibrant. The wine is structured for aging yet is accessible now along side a nice New York. The grapes are farmed...
by Ray Johnson | May 8, 2009 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Petite Sirah, Rockpile, Sonoma County
Rockpile Winery, Rockpile, Buck Pasture, Red Wine 2005 The nose is rather closed upon first opening this wine, with hints of Cassis and new oak. The mouth shows demonstrable acidity and lots of fresh oak to accent the black currants. I don’t have the varietal...
by Ray Johnson | May 1, 2009 | Alexander Valley, Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Sonoma County
Trione, Alexander Valley, Geyserville Ranch, Red Wine 2005 In the nose there is cassis and tobacco, a blend of California and Bordeaux. In the mouth, there is the taste of dark chocolate and berries and a fully-structured palate – just a baby. The grapes behind...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 24, 2009 | Alexander Valley, Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Malbec, Meritage, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sonoma County
Geyser Peak, Alexander Valley, Reserve Alexandre, Meritage 1999 The nose is drying out yet there is quite a bit of chocolate to enjoy. The mouth has reached a rather astringent phase, drying out. The acidity is carrying some nice elements of dried cherry along but...
