by Ray Johnson | Oct 16, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley
Honig, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 I’ve long been a fan of Honig’s wines and the fairness of their pricing. This Cabernet has structure to hold up the fruit, showing California ripeness with the a chewiness and long acidity – very nice. 3%...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 16, 2009 | California, Merlot, Napa Valley
Grgich Hills, Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Merlot 2004 There’s lots of plummy fruit in the nose. In the mouth you’ll find the characteristic Merlot suppleness, with nice density, a healthy kiss of oak and a lingering creaminess. The grapes for this wine are...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 16, 2009 | California, Lake County, Sauvignon Blanc
Bell, Lake County, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This wine speaks of grapefruit, crisp and refreshing. The grapes are all Sauvignon Blanc grown in the Rosenthal Vineyard in southern Lake. The wine was made exclusively in stainless. Cellared and bottled in Yountville 12.5% $15...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 15, 2009 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Ancien, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir 2006 The nose speaks of sweet cherries sprinkled with brown spices. In the mouth this is a supple Pinot with polished oak in the background to enhance the fruit – very nice. The majority of the fruit is sourced from 2...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 14, 2009 | California, Gewurztraminer, Grape juice, Mendocino County
Navarro, Mendocino, Gewurztraminer, Grape Juice 2008 This has long been a personal favorite of mine and during our trip to Mendo in March we were treated to a new way to enjoy it. At Cafe Beaujolais the juice was made into a spritzer with soda water. Throughout the...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 12, 2009 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Graton Ridge, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Paul Family Vineyard, Estate, Pinot Noir 2007 There’s a lovely cherry pie essence in the nose, a sweet expression of fruit and oak. In the mouth there is vanilla, caramel and cherries baked in the oven, with a...
