by Ray Johnson | Aug 5, 2009 | Cabernet Franc, France, Loire Valley, Rosé, Sparkling Dry
Bouvet-Ladubay, Brut, Rose, Excellence nv There’s a candied red fruit character in the nose while in the mouth, the wine is lean and acidic, perhaps a little green, with a bitter, pithy grip. The grapes are Cabernet Franc and are sourced from within and around...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 29, 2009 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot, Pessac-Leognan
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan 2005 The nose smells of leather, earth, smokiness, horse blanket and a host of descriptors that get at a sense of brettanomycees as complexity rather than a flaw. That said, I know that this level of brett would be too much...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 29, 2009 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Saint-Emilion
Chateau Rolland-Maillet, Saint-Emilion, Grand Cru 2005 Upon first opening this bottle was uncharacteristically rustic for a Rolland wine; patience is rewarded with 10 minutes or so of air. In the mouth however, the fruit is immediately apparent and the texture is...
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 | 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...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 13, 2009 | Cabernet Franc, New Mexico
D.H. Lescombes, New Mexico, Limited Release, Cabernet Franc 2007 I’ve been fortunate to taste this wine 4 times since the Chronicle Wine Competition judging in January and it really is a star. It puts together the best of Bordeaux and New World styles of...
