by Ray Johnson | Jul 28, 2009 | Amador County, California, Sierra Foothills, Viognier
Sobon Estate, Amador County, Viognier 2008 The tropical notes are such that this wine reminds me of the banana popsicles that I enjoyed as a boy. There’s also a layer of richness as well, making this wine slippery smooth. Besides the Viognier there’s a bit...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 28, 2009 | California, Clear Lake, Lake County, Sauvignon Blanc
Ceago Vinegarden, Clear Lake, Kathleen’s Vineyard, Estate Grown, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 The nose assertively expresses gooseberries and herbaceousness when first opened and continues with stone fruits. In the mouth it is crisp and clean and reminiscent of fresh...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 27, 2009 | California, Grenache, Paso Robles, Rhone Blend
Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles, Cotes de Tablas 2006 California sunshine comes through in this New World wine, with ripe liqueur-like fruit and polished edges. There’s a sense of tart cherries and cranberries as well, acidity balancing the ripe character....
by Ray Johnson | Jul 27, 2009 | California, Rhone Blend
Jade Mountain, California, La Provencale 2002 Raisined fruit and pruniness combines with caramel to paint a complex picture in the nose. In the mouth it’s starting to dry out and show a bit of spiritousness as it has crested the hill and is coming down the other...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 27, 2009 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Syrah
Provisor, Dry Creek Valley, Syrah 2002 This wine, almost 7 years on is showing quite nicely, with dried fruits and a supple texture. The wine was aged in new and older French oak for 16 months. This was the first vintage of Syrah from proprietors Susan and Doug...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 24, 2009 | California, Lake County, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel
Lake County Wine Studio features the wines of the region on Main Street in the town of Upper Lake, just a stone’s throw from the end of Highway 29. We all know the congested bit of this highway where the cars crawl through St. Helena. Where it ends near Upper Lake is...
