by Ray Johnson | Jul 7, 2008 | Amador County, Barbera, California
Yorba Amador County Barbera 2005 A touch rustic but the fruit comes out showing nicely after 15 minutes. One of the students suggested stewed rhubarb as a descriptor, which was right on, when you think of the tartness of rhubarb and the classic acidity of Barbera,...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 7, 2008 | Amador County, California, Port, Sierra Foothills
Macchia Amador County Linsteadt Vineyard Dangerous Port 2004 In the house style of ripeness and richness with integrated alcohol. The grapes are a combo of Barbera and Zinfandel. P&B in Lockeford 20.1% $25 at the winery Macchia
by Ray Johnson | Jul 7, 2008 | California, Monterey County, Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
Joelle Santa Lucia Highlands Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 Stony and warm with vanilla overtones. P&B in San Francisco 14.8% $44 at the winery Joelle Truckee River Winery Santa Lucia Highlands Garys’ Vineyard 2005 Black fruits, cola, green herbs and...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 7, 2008 | California, Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg, Mendocino County
Vinum Cellars Clarksburg CNW Wilson Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2006 From the ABC crowd at Vinum, these guys are willing to bet on the ‘other grapes’. Barrel fermented and aged 6 months in oak for complexity yet the bracing side of Chenin shines through....
by Ray Johnson | Jul 7, 2008 | California, Lake County, Mendocino County, Organic grapes, Viognier
Bonterra 73% Mendocino 27% Lake Counties Viognier 2006 This has been a consistently fresh, aromatic wine across the vintages. The flowers and peaches are in full bloom followed by a lowish-acid fresh mouthfeel. All certified organically grown grapes from a brand that...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 1, 2008 | California, Sardon de Duero, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Spain
Abadia Retuerta, Sardón de Duero, Seleccion Especial 2004 Herbaceous notes like in Cab Franc in the nose. The mouth is full-bodied with acid and ripe tannins at the time of the original post with an oaky backcurrent. A year later the tannins are drying out and...
