by Ray Johnson | Oct 10, 2009 | Alexander Valley, Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, Malbec, Merlot, Sonoma County
Spragia Family Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley, Home Ranch, Merlot 2006 The nose features a strong blast of fresh oak. In the mouth that note carries through, with plummy fruit, a little warmth and a supple texture. V&B in St. Helena 15.6% $19.99 at Bottle Barn...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 8, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Syrah, Zinfandel
Clif Family Winery, California, The Climber, Red Wine 2006 This wine features a boatload of juicy fruit with the berries of Zin and the currants of Cab. The light body and soft texture make it drinkable immediately, perfect to imbibe while you’re warming up the...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 1, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley
The identity of some wineries can be expressed in a single word. For Spottswoode, that word is elegance. The theme of elegance resonates through the manicured landscape, the persona of its team and the wine in the bottle. We visited with the family and the winemakers...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 29, 2009 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Malbec, Merlot, Napa Valley, Petit Verdot, Stags Leap District
Franciscan, Napa Valley, Magnificat 2004 This wine exudes sweet ripe fruit in the nose. This profile follows through in the mouth with chalky tannins and lingering acidity. Produced and bottled in Rutherford 14.5% $50 at the winery for the latest vintage ’05...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 22, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
Terra Valentine, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District, Yverdon Vineyard, Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 This dense wine sports cedar in the nose, as well as black fruits and cigar box. In the mouth it is quite dense and structured, built to age, full of fruit and...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 22, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Diamond Mountain District, Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District, Pinot Noir, Rutherford, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Spring Mountain District, Stags Leap District
Grgich Hills, Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Fume Blanc 2007 This wine is always ripping with acidity, tangy and bright and the same is certainly true today – yes! Sourced from biodynamically grown fruit grown in American Canyon and the Carneros, the wine is...
