by Ray Johnson | Aug 28, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley
Sequoia Grove, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 The nose combines earth, forest floor, black fruits a bit of bay leaf. In the mouth this wine is structured, yet in a way that shows off the black fruit rather than dominting it. Thus the tannins are ripe, the...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 6, 2009 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot
Chateau Lascombes, Margaux 2005 This wine is super toasty in the nose with hints of dark chocolate and cassis. The mouth is quite structured urging a good 10 years and more in the cellar, yet already the black fruit is popping out. Fire up the grill for a big steak if...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 6, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley
Franciscan, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 This wine features lots of fruit overlayed with sweet vanilla. The oak adds richness. The tannins are ripe; there’s a nice long acidity as well as balance. This wine is quite approachable and ready to drink yet...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 6, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley
We had a great visit to Rubissow with our Wines of California & Europe class on the first day of August. I’ll post the notes on the estate next week but in the meantime here are two of their stars. Rubissow, Napa Valley, Mount Veeder, Rubissow Vineyard,...
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 Sauvignon, Margaux, Merlot
Chateau Giscours, Margaux 2005 The berry fruit is ripe and expressive in the nose, with a sense of cedar and a light touch of earthiness. The fruit comes through on the palate, with some chewy though ripe tannin and a touch of creaminess. 80.5 hectares of vines are...
