by Ray Johnson | Mar 26, 2011 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Mudgee, New South Wales
This tour starts in California, moves to Bordeaux and finishes down under, featuring Merlot and both Cabernets. Redwood Creek, California, Merlot 2009 This is an easy-drinking quaffer, quite light, fruity and hinting at a bit of structure. Winemaker Cal Dennison....
by Ray Johnson | Mar 10, 2011 | Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Sonoma County
Reynoso Family Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 This is another immediately accessible Cabernet from the Reynoso family. They get texture right in the expression of suppleness that is at the same time balanced by the wine’s...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 3, 2010 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, Knights Valley, Merlot, Napa Valley, Oakville, Rutherford, Sonoma County
Paul Hobbs, Oakville Napa Valley, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 The sense of Cassis is quite vibrant in the nose. The vividness of the fruit continues in the mouth with the structure of Cabernet. You know it’s Cabernet by its tannic...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 3, 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena, Zinfandel
While the Napa Valley’s St. Helena AVA speaks the language of Cabernet and its red wine Bordeaux brethren, there are other grapes making delightful wines as well. Thus this showcase of wines begins with a Bordeaux colleague in the white wine family and ends with...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 27, 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Lake County, Zinfandel
Six Sigma, Lake County, Cuvee Pique-Nique 2007 As the name implies, this wine is fruity and immediately accessible, light-bodied and quaffable, with underlying acidity to make it refreshing and some earthiness to give it complexity. Proprietors Else and Kaj Ahlmann....
by Ray Johnson | Aug 7, 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Clos Du Val, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, Estate Bottled, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 The nose features a complex mix of black fruit, chocolate and earthiness. In the mouth it is quite dense and structured. At this point it is just a baby but a long sleep in the...