by Ray Johnson | Jul 30, 2008 | California, Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg
Bogle, California, Chenin Blanc 2005 This back vintage was lingering in the cellar. There’s a sense of candied tropical fruits, roundness in the palate augmented by a touch of RS and braced by an appropriate amount of acidity. It’s all stainless steel for...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 29, 2008 | California, Mendocino County, Sangiovese
J. Keverson, Mendocino County, Janes Vineyard, Sangiovese 2005 If you like your New World Sangiovese heavy on the oak, this is your wine. There’s loads of sweet-oaky essence all over this supple wine. The moderate acidity will feel a disappointment for the fan...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 23, 2008 | California, Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Italy, Moscato d'Asti, Muscat, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet
J, Russian River Valley, cuvee 20 nv Clean, fresh, fruit, tasted at the winery in May. This wine has the zip of fresh green apples. The base wine is from a recent vintage with 25% oak-aged reserves adding to the final blend. The wine is aged for 3 years on the lees...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 22, 2008 | Anderson Valley, Burgundy, California, Mendocino County, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County
Husch, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir 2006 Cherries and earth in a light-bodied package – a little rustic and a touch bitter. Aged for 9 months in French oak. P&B in Philo 13.9% $22.99 at Traverso’s Husch Navarro, Anderson Valley Mendocino, Methode a...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 21, 2008 | Burgundy, California, Carneros, Chablis, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
Charles Creek, Napa County Carneros, Chardonnay, Por Favor 2006 There’s minerality and a touch of cheese in the nose and a bracing taste of stone fruits with some creaminess in the mouth. This Chardonnay is fermented in stainless and aged in neutral oak. V&B...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 21, 2008 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Santa Cruz Mountains
Some heavyweights are elegant on their feet, others draw lots of money in their direction and some are quite big. This post explores famous names and rising stars across the price spectrum. Quintessa, Rutherford Napa Valley, Red Wine 2004 There’s ample black...
