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 | May 8, 2009 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Petite Sirah, Rockpile, Sonoma County
Rockpile Winery, Rockpile, Buck Pasture, Red Wine 2005 The nose is rather closed upon first opening this wine, with hints of Cassis and new oak. The mouth shows demonstrable acidity and lots of fresh oak to accent the black currants. I don’t have the varietal...
by Ray Johnson | May 6, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
von Strasser, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 The sense of the mountain comes through in this wine, structured and able to age. The palate is chewing (I meant to say chewy, didn’t I – though it is interesting to think of the...
by Ray Johnson | May 6, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley
Crossbarn, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 The fruit is lovingly on display in this wine – think cassis with a hint of tobacco for complexity. In the mouth it is a delight, ripe yet with a polished structure. This label is the second wine from Hobbs....
by Ray Johnson | May 6, 2009 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot, Pomerol
Chateau Rouget, Pomerol 2005 This wine shows the classic example of tolerated brett. There are Band-Aids competing with ripe fruits in the nose. With 30 minutes the fruit starts to strut into the open. The mouth features the same with a supple texture, rustic yet...
by Ray Johnson | May 5, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Grenache, Priorat, Spain
Alvaro Palacios, Priorat DOC, Les Terrasses 2006 There’s an appropriate amount of brett in the nose, offering complexity to the red fruit notes. In the mouth this is a chewy wine, showing the structure we associate with this rugged region. Let this wine settle...
