by Ray Johnson | Jan 3, 2010 | California, Lake County, Sauvignon Blanc
This flight provides a nice contrast of Sauvignon styles. You have the same winery, same county, same grape, same vintage, 2 vineyards and 2 takes on how to handle this grape in the winery. Both are great but as you’ll see in the notes, you might gravitate to...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 1, 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley
Paul Hobbs, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 This is a truly delicious wine, showing the polish that you expect from Hobbs. Though it can improve in the cellar it is spot-on drinkable right now. A good friend shared this with us at Christmas, when we paired it...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 27, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Yountville
This summer we had the opportunity to meet with winemaker Dave Galzignato. Our visit took us from Krug’s historical position in the Napa Valley to its modern incarnation, using a new sorting table to isolate the best of the best fruit, from vineyards that the...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 17, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Lake County, Red Hills District
Josh Cellars, Lake County, Red Hills District, Amber Knolls Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 This is an ebulliently fruity Cabernet, featuring blueberries, blackberries and Cassis in the nose. In the mouth it is light-bodied and quite soft, very accessible right now,...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 14, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Spragia Family Vineyards, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 In the nose there is a blend of cedar, vanilla and black fruits. In the mouth there is a spot on integration of oak and fruit in a supple package, the structure of Cabernet behind...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 8, 2009 | California, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Ottimino, Sonoma County, Zinfinity, Zinfandel 2006 The nose features vanilla and caramel, with a bit of black fruit, cocoa and black pepper. In the mouth the fruit comes forward, a little jammy, in a light-bodied format, very supple and easy drinking. The fruit for...
