by Ray Johnson | Feb 22, 2010 | California, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
Korbel, Russian River Valley Champagne, Natural’ Méthode Champenoise 2007 In the nose you’ll find green apples and strawberries while in the mouth it is acidic, with a sense of apples that have been baked with brown sugar – nice. 65% Pinot Noir, 35%...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 8, 2010 | Blush, California, White Zinfandel, Zinfandel
Beringer, California, California Collection, White Zinfandel 2008 You remember those hard candies, watermelon flavored? Well here you have them in a glass, sweet and tart at the same time – very nice. 3 hours of skin contact provide the color. Based on previous...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 8, 2010 | California, Mendocino County, Rosé, Zinfandel
Carol Shelton, Mendocino County, Rendezvous Rose 2008 The nose is vibrantly fruity, evocative of fresh raspberries and herbs. In the mouth it is dry and fruity, with a little warmth. The RS adds some weight, filling our the wine and amplifying the fruitiness. The...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 1, 2010 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Napa Valley
Jayson, Napa Valley, Red 2005 This Bordeaux-style blend is opulently fruity and imminently approachable – no need to let this dawdle in the cellar. Our good friend Richard Trost brought this to dinner last night and we enjoyed it with a roasted pork tenderloin,...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 31, 2010 | California, Santa Cruz Mountains, Syrah
Kathryn Kenndy, Santa Cruz Mountains, Maridon Vineyard, Reserve, Syrah 2002 This was a delicious wine and I can’t tell you why for the notes are in a journal that I’ve misplaced. Yet I feel compelled to share the story – sometimes the deliciousness...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 22, 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Sonoma County
We had a great visit today with Kryss Speegle at Kenwood Vineyards. She took the class through a tasting of wines through the years so that everyone could experience the evolution a wine goes through, form early days to long term bottle aging. The crowning jewel of...