by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | Amador County, California, Port
Quady Winery, Amador County, Starboard 1996 The raisins are in full force, chocolate and lots of sweet smells melded with a hint of the fortifying spirit. The mouth sports chocolate and caramel with a strong but appropriate sense of the brandy that was added. The...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain
Siduri, Sonoma Mountain, Van der Kamp Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 The nose combines fresh and dried fruits along with the forest floor. The mouth is warm and silky. P&B in Santa Rosa 14.1% $36.99 at Bottle Barn Siduri
by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains
Sonnet, Santa Cruz Mountains, Muns Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2005 There is bright berry fruit, and a bit of Bandaid in the nose. The mouth is still rather tight and the fruit is starting to break out and shine. The vineyard, owned by Ed Muns, is perched in spots above the...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains
Thomas Fogarty, Santa Cruz Mountains, Estate Reserve, Pinot Noir 1999 There’s quite a sense of the horse saddle at this point in time, with brown spices and prunes and dried fruits. The mouth is drying out and the brett is starting to dominate. Serve with...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards, Russian River Valley, Gunsalus Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2005 The fruit is almost liquer-like in the nose, with a jammy character. In the mouth, the fruit is also vibrant. P&B down in Saratoga. 14.5% $50 at the Winery...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 11, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, San Benito County
Williams Selyem San Benito County, Vista Verde Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 Tasted at the Wine & Spirts Magazine panel tasting last week, this was one of the eleven of 45 wines passed through to the next round. In the nose, there is sweet red fruit and oak. In the...
