by Ray Johnson | Oct 31, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
Williams Selyem, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir 2006 There’s a sweet medley of cherry, berry and vanilla notes in the nose. In the mouth the wine is pure elegance. I consistently see this thread in Bob Cabral’s wines, what the French often look for in expressing...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 31, 2008 | California, Green Valley, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
DuNah, Russian River Valley, DuNah Estate Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 Toastiness and toffee leap out of the glass with a sense of earthiness and crushed leaves. The mouth is deeply concentrated with cherry fruit and toffee with a very supple feel and richness. P&B...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 31, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Russian River Valley
Balletto, Russian River Valley, Estate Bottled, Pinot Noir 2007 There is candied cherry fruit in the nose and a creaminess to the mouthfeel. The fruit really comes through in the palate as well. 20% of the wine was fermented in neutral French oak and there’s a...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 30, 2008 | California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Syrah
Foxen, Santa Ynez Valley, Toasted Rope, Syrah 2006 There are raisins and freshly stewed fruits in the nose, like the smells you get when making a warm compote in the winter. The mouth is extremely supple and sweet appearing, with cocoa and brown spices. 85% Syrah and...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 30, 2008 | California, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Syrah
Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles, Esprit de Beaucastel 2005 The brett is dominating the nose and while it works for this style of wine, it will put off some looking for a cleaner approach in the New World. The gaminess carries through in the mouth. The tannins are...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 29, 2008 | California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Viognier
Zaca Mesa, Santa Ynez Valley, Estate Grown and Bottled, Viognier 2007 This wine is peaches on steroids all the way through with a rich, very viscous mouthfeel that emphasizes fruit rather than oak or butter, as is seen in some of the heavier-handed approaches to this...
