by Ray Johnson | Apr 25, 2008 | Bandol, California, Central Coast, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Uncategorized
Les Restanques de Pibarnon Bandol 2003 This is a good value offering from Pibarnon, showing ripe fruit overlaid with ripe tannins. This wine gets better each time I taste it. The complexity is there and the edges are softening when tasted August 27, 2008. Tasted again...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 25, 2008 | California, Central Coast, Syrah, Uncategorized
Bridlewood Central Coast Winner’s Circle Selection “Blue Roan” Syrah 2004 Just a few evenings ago we tasted another of the Winner’s Circle Selection Syrah and it was true to the the house style showing lots of oak essence wound into a dense...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2008 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Zinfandel
Ridge California Lytton Springs 2005 This traditional field blend comes from the site on Lytton Springs Road running between the heart of Dry Creek and Highway 101 in Sonoma County. There is plenty of black pepper on top of the jammy fruit. The vines are intermixed in...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2008 | California, Grenache, Santa Barbara County, Syrah
The Ojai Vineyard Santa Barbara County Grenache 2005 This wine comes from the specialist known for their dense Syrah. This Grenache is no slouch either with layer upon layer of fruit in a very supple package. P&B in Oak View 14.5% $27.99 at Bottle Barn Ojai...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Santa Barbara County, Sonoma County, Sta. Rita Hills
Williams Selyem Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2006 Winemaker Cabral can be modest as his Pinots do the talking, with a worldwide fan base. This wine is Pinot Perfection!, the essence of red fruits served on velvet. P&B in Healdsburg 14.3% 70 at Traverso’s...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2008 | Anderson Valley, California, Mendocino County, Riesling
Think rapsberry tart with this Riesling and your cares will melt away. Navarro Anderson Valley Late Harvest Cluster Select White Riesling 2006 Richness personified with acidity to balance. There is plenty of honey on top of the tropical fruit. There is an echo of...