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Cyrus 1998

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...

Falesco Vitiano 2005

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...

The Wines of Donnafugata

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...

Leeuwin Art Series Cabernet 2003

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...

Clif The Climber Red 2009

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....

The Wines of Silver Oak and Twomey

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...
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Wine Regions & Grapes

Sampling of Wineries

Acorn Allegrini Atlas Peak Balletto Blandy's Blue Wing Cafe Bodega Navarro Correas Bollinger Bonterra Burgans Cantina Terlano d'Arenberg Domaine Carneros Domaine de la Mordoree Dow's Dr. Loosen Elena Walch Famega Fonseca Foppiano Foxen Glen Ellen Innocent Bystander J. Keverson Korbel Madeira Wine Company Martin Codax Masi Merryvale Mulderbosch Navarro Vineyards Noceto Plantagenet Redwood Creek Reynoso Roederer Estate Sbragia Shed Horn Shooting Star Sonoma State Wine Business Institute St. James Trione Vietti Wildhurst William Fevre