by Ray Johnson | Oct 5, 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
This week I had an opportunity to visit with Joseph Otos to talk about his winemaking philosophy and the brands that he is putting on the map, Willowbrook and Owl Ridge. Both brands are crafted in Sebastopol’s rabbit warren of entrepreneurship that I described...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 2, 2008 | California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Cole Ranch, Mendocino County, Riesling, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
Angeline, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 In the nose there are the competing smells of citrus, candy, flowers and a bit of mown grass. You taste the citrus with a sense of the lemon zest as well. There’s a frame of acidity as well to make this wine...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 2, 2008 | California, Petite Sirah, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Bogle Vineyards, California, Petite Sirah 2006 With notes back to 2001 this wine has been a favorite for showing some tannin in an affordable package. The prices has been steady as well. In October ’08 this ’06 sported sweet smells of vanilla and cinnamon...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 22, 2008 | California, Central Coast, Monterey County, Riesling, Santa Barbara County
Firestone, Central Coast, Vineyard Select, Riesling 2006 The smell of stone fruits and citrus greets you in the glass. In the mouth the wine is fresh, moderately acidic and graced by obvious residual sugar. The acid levels will seem faint to those who live on the...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 21, 2008 | California, Carignane, Dry Creek Valley, Mendocino County, Sangiovese, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Fred Peterson has a winemaking resume to rival many. He’s been at some of California’s most famous estates, working in Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains and Sonoma County. Just over 20 years ago he took up the building of his own brand under his name....
by Ray Johnson | Sep 20, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Small Vines, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir 2006 This is a wine of dense concentration from biodynamically farmed grapes. Upon first pouring the nose is quite tight so give it some time to open. The mouth is packed with red fruit flavors, framed by ample acidity and...
