by Ray Johnson | Oct 11, 2007 | Barbera, California, Rosé, Sangiovese, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel
D’Argenzio Sonoma Valley D’Alfonso Sangiovese 2005 I had an opportunity to taste this wine twice in the past 2 weeks, once at the sweeps round and again during the D’Arenzio Harvest Party at the winery on Cleveland Avenue. This wine sports fresh red...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 11, 2007 | California, Grenache, Rosé, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Kunde Estate Sonoma Valley Grenache Rose 2006 A clean wine with parfum and strawberries framed by great acidity. We awarded this wine a Gold Medal and it won best of Class of the 10 pink wines tasted. The wine also showed well during the sweepstakes round....
by Ray Johnson | Oct 11, 2007 | Blanc de Noirs, California, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
Gloria Ferrer Sonoma County Methode Champenoise Blanc de Noirs nv This is a perennial favorite in my classes. The silky, lowish acid profile combined with the dosage earns this wine many fans. 92% Pinot Noir and 8% Chardonnay, color from the addition of 5-7%...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 10, 2007 | California, Italy, Lombardia, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
After a flight of sparkling wines from Franciacorta, this round goes still. Ca’ del Bosco Terre di Franciacorta DOCG Maurizio Zanella 2005 This is a concentrated white wine with layers of flavor and lots of acidity to frame it. 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Bianco,...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 10, 2007 | California, Cote-Rotie, Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhône, Sonoma County
This flight features 3 Syrah from both sides of the Atlantic. Domaine des Entrefaux Crozes-Hermitage 2005 Black pepper and structure in a good value Northern Rhone Syrah. Charles & Francois Tardy a Chanos-Curson 12.5% $14.49 at Bottle Barn Lewis Cellars Sonoma...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 8, 2007 | California, Fortified dessert, France, Grenache, Maury, Muscat, Paso Robles, White Dessert
Robert Hall Paso Robles Margaret’s Vineyard Orange Muscat 2006 A lighter version of dessert wine that is perfect with fresh raspberries. With only 4.3% RS and a light mouthfeel, this wine could do double duty with spicy prawns in a Thai curry sauce that...
