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 | May 28, 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Italy, Merlot, Sangiovese, Umbria
Falesco, Umbria IGT, Vitiano 2005 This wine is showing nicely at a point in its evolution over 6 years since the grapes were harvested. It is light-bodied as expected, as it was in bottles tasted early on. Yet what we have now is complexity beyond the primary fruit...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 1, 2012 | Ansonica, Cabernet Sauvignon, Catarratto, Italy, Moscato di Pantelleria, Muscat, Nero d'Avola, Pantelleria, Sicilia
During our recent trip to Sicily I had the opportunity to visit with the team at Donnafugata both on the main island in Marsala and on the small and windswept island of Pantelleria. The wines run the spectrum from fresh, aromatic whites to full-bodied reds, finishing...
by Ray Johnson | Jun 19, 2011 | Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia
Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River, Art Series, Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 The nose sports cherries, both dried and fresh, cocoa, dusty and sandy Cape Leeuwin pathways and pipe tobacco. In the mouth, this wine, less than ten years on since the harvest, is silky and ready to...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 21, 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Zinfandel
Clif Family Winery, California, The Climber, Red Wine 2009 This is abundantly fruity, with a profound sense of blackberries, plums and I’m not sure what else. This recalls a recent discussion among with a group of colleagues who write and teach about wine....
by Ray Johnson | Apr 16, 2011 | Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, Sonoma County
We had an opportunity to take a deeper look at the wines of Silver Oak and Twomey in Oakville today. Below are notes on two of my favorites. Silver Oak, Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 The nose speaks of Cassis, vanilla, lots of caramel – a strong...
