by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Sangiovese, Sonoma County, Super Tuscan
Ramazzotti, Sonoma County, Raffinto, Red Wine 2005 This smells like a walk in the oak forest where some of the trees have been freshly felled – an intertwining of oak and earth. The mouth is vivaciously fruity with the oak to match and a smooth texture. This...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 8, 2008 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, France, Haut-Medoc, Merlot, Sonoma County
Chateau Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Medoc 2004 The smells are a mix of earth, cedar, toasty oak and a fitting amount of the barnyard. The mouth if full of plummy fruit with grip. This is definitely leaner and tighter than the ’05 which is quite seductive already. Give...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 5, 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
This week I had an opportunity to visit with Joseph Otos to talk about his winemaking philosophy and the brands that he is putting on the map, Willowbrook and Owl Ridge. Both brands are crafted in Sebastopol’s rabbit warren of entrepreneurship that I described...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 2, 2008 | Bardolino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colli Euganei, Corvina, Della Venezie, Italy, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Veneto
Corte Gardoni, Bardolino, DOC Le Fontane 2006 The previous vintage sported a Beaujolais-like character, in the Nouveau vein, a carbo-mac fruit bomb with very light body – ideal for lunch in the sun when you demand red wine. This current vintage was quite stinky at...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 5, 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Wine Cube, California, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 It’s definitely easier to maintain one’s self-delusional status by not talking about or tasting or drinking wine from a box. Yet we have to speak out when the wine is serviceable and the carbon footprint of...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 21, 2008 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Santa Cruz Mountains
Some heavyweights are elegant on their feet, others draw lots of money in their direction and some are quite big. This post explores famous names and rising stars across the price spectrum. Quintessa, Rutherford Napa Valley, Red Wine 2004 There’s ample black...
