by Ray Johnson | Nov 7, 2009 | California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
Merryvale, Napa Valley, Starmont, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 There is a bright sense of satsuma and grapefruit through and through with a nice touch of capsicum. The wine is crisp, with a little petillance, very fresh and very long – nice. 4% Semillon augments the...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 5, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
Ernest & Julio Gallo, Sonoma Coast, Estate, Chardonnay 2005 The nose features toasty oak and freshly baked biscuits. In the mouth the richness of the notes described in the nose is accentuated by a thickness and viscosity yet there is nerve, acidity as if from...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 4, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley
Hess Collection, Mount Veeder – Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 There’s a minty character attached to the black fruit and plenty of acidity. The structure of the mountain is apparent but again, like other wines we’ve tasted tonight, the...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 4, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
Terra Valentine, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 There’s a very sweet expression of fruit in the nose. In the mouth the wine is dense, structured but ripe, filled-out with lots of berry and vanilla – very nice. GP&B in...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 4, 2009 | California
Chateau Petit Bocq, Saint-Estephe 2005 Plums and earthiness mark the nose while in the mouth there is moderate concentration, the tannins are present but not green, giving a chewiness to augment the creaminess – nice for the price. The grapes are Merlot and both...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 4, 2009 | California, Merlot, Napa Valley
Newton, Napa Valley, Unfiltered, Merlot 2002 In the nose you’ll find chocolate, the beginnings of nuttiness and a little spike of alcohol. The palate is a soft expression of fresh and raisined fruits laced with brown spices. Produced and bottled in St. Helena,...
