by Ray Johnson | Jun 24, 2008 | California
Another round of variations on the theme of dry white wine. Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Citrus and herbs in a high acid profile with citrus peel in the mouth. This Sauvignon is mostly done in stainless with a touch of fermentation and...
by Ray Johnson | Jun 23, 2008 | Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Lodi, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sonoma County
Like white wine, red wine comes in many shapes and sizes, from the silky, flowing ribbons to brawny, square-jawed brawlers. Here are 3 takes on red wine style. Lincourt Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2004 Easy drinking cherries in a glass. This wine is a compilation...
by Ray Johnson | Jun 23, 2008 | California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
So many of us enjoy dry white wine. Yet what is dry is not one thing, as we see in the case of these two dry white wines. Benziger Sonoma Valley MacLeod Family Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006 This is crisp citrus in a bottle. The Benziger family is a leaders in...
by Ray Johnson | Jun 4, 2008 | California
Heron Hill Finger Lakes Ingle Vineyard Riesling 2005 The smell is a combination of lime, flowers and that Riesling petrol quality. The mouth features the sweet tart character often associated with German Riesling. It is very concentrated with great length –...
by Ray Johnson | May 30, 2008 | California, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Over the past few weekends I’ve had the opportunity to visit some of the wineries in Sonoma’s famed Russian River Valley. This region is rightfully known for its Pinot Noir, a red wine of suppleness coupled the food-friendly charm of acidity. Yet there are...
by Ray Johnson | May 25, 2008 | Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sonoma County
Stryker Sonoma sits on a little hill with a broad view of the Alexander Valley. We recently visited with Jen Berman on the winemaking team and the Bordeaux varietals were top-notch. I thoroughly enjoyed the chocolaty Merlot and the supple and vanilla spiced Petit. As...
