by Ray Johnson | Dec 6, 2009 | California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
This fall we visited Robert Mondavi with our Napa Valley class. We regained a sense of the historical significance of this winery and its founder while tasting some beautiful wines. Here is a look at their trademark Fumes from the ’07 vintage. Robert Mondavi,...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 5, 2009 | California, Chalone, Chenin Blanc, Monterey County
Chalone Vineyard, Chalone, Estate Grown, Chenin Blanc 2006 I’m a huge fan of Chenin so I come at this review in a bit of a quandary. We visited the winery last week and had an opportunity to see the vines that produce this wine. They are truly old soldiers,...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 4, 2009 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Cliff Lede, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Fresh fruit and new oak leap from the glass when you smell this wine. In the mouth the tannins are polished making this Cab approachable now. The length is great. With time though, the oak will...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 4, 2009 | California, Late Harvest White, Napa Valley, Semillon, White Dessert
Dolce, Napa Valley, Late Harvest Wine 2004 As I usually find with this wine, the emulation of Sauternes is quite apparent. In the nose there is honey, caramel, oak, tropical fruits and volatility. In the mouth the memory of my last creme caramel is rekindled, that...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 4, 2009 | California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
Rutherford Grove, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Estate, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Give this a little about 20 minutes of air when you open it to blow off a bit of reductive character. After that a light sense of citrus will come through. In the mouth this is a very creamy...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 4, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley
Hess Collection, Mount Veeder Napa Valley, Estate Grown, 19 Block Cuvee 2006 Unfortunately this bottle is a bit corked. Sourced from their Veeder Summit Vineyard at 2,000 feet, this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc....
