by Ray Johnson | May 8, 2009 | California, Chalk Hill, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
Chalk Hill Estate Winery, Chalk Hill, Sonoma County, Estate Bottled, Sauvignon Blanc 2006 This wine is quite smoky and full of toasty notes. In the mouth, the impression is of richness, a wine that is quite viscous despite the suppression of malolactic fermentation....
by Ray Johnson | May 6, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
von Strasser, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 The sense of the mountain comes through in this wine, structured and able to age. The palate is chewing (I meant to say chewy, didn’t I – though it is interesting to think of the...
by Ray Johnson | May 6, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley
Crossbarn, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 The fruit is lovingly on display in this wine – think cassis with a hint of tobacco for complexity. In the mouth it is a delight, ripe yet with a polished structure. This label is the second wine from Hobbs....
by Ray Johnson | May 6, 2009 | Alexander Valley, California, Merlot, Sonoma County
Robert Young, Alexander Valley, Merlot 2005 California Merlot in which the fruit is alive and the acidity is not shy – now that is beautiful. A bit of leafiness and caramel complements the fruit, adding complexity. There’s a hint of tannin in ripe way and...
by Ray Johnson | May 6, 2009 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
Peterson, Dry Creek Valley, Timbercrest Farms, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 This wine is vibrant with citrus and accentuated by oakiness. The fermentation began in stainless. To add complexity the lees were stirred and the wine finished in French oak, 20% of which was new,...
by Ray Johnson | May 5, 2009 | California, Grenache, Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
Bodegas Palacios Remondo, Rioja DOC, Crianza, La Montesa 2005 In the nose there are brown spices and a sense of the forest floor while the mouth is supple and fruity, with the acidity I associate with the wines of this region – delicious. The grapes are...
