by Ray Johnson | May 14, 2010 | California, Carneros, Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Perrier-Jouet, Champagne, Cuvee Belle Epoque, Fleur de Champagne, Brut 2000 The cork was quite compacted and the bottle opened with hardly a whisper. The color is taking on a light golden hue. Yet in the nose it delivers the fresh apples and apple pie, with a dash of...
by Ray Johnson | May 10, 2010 | Albariño, California, Carneros, Clements Hills, Lodi, Napa Valley
Abrente, Napa Valley, Albarino 2009 The fruit in the nose is vibrant, running from citrus through tropical notes. In the mouth the flavor is that of fresh oranges, light-bodied and fresh, with long lingering acidity. The grapes are sourced from the Stewart Ranch in...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 6, 2010 | California, Carneros, Chardonnay
Benziger, Carneros, Chardonnay 2008 The nose features butter and vanilla and a bit of fresh oak. In the mouth the rich theme continues, with viscosity, butter and oakiness, with balancing acidity in the background. V&B in Graton 13.5% purchased for $10.99 at...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 18, 2009 | California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Sparkling Dry
Domaine Carneros, Carneros, Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Le Reve 2002 There is the typical sweetness to this wine with a smokiness and an uncharacteristic herbaceous note. The grapes are Chardonnay with the possibility of some Pinot Blanc and the wine was aged for 6 years,...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 18, 2009 | California, Carneros, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry, Sparkling Lightly Sweet
Gloria Ferrer, Carneros, Methode Champenoise, Blanc de Noirs nv This is a newer bottling than that reviewed back in the fall of ’07, with a change of appellation from Sonoma County to Carneros. The sweeter sense of dosage is there as before with citrus fruits, a...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 18, 2009 | Anderson Valley, California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Clarksburg, Gewurztraminer, Mendocino County
The Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers hosted a seminar and tasting yesterday to showcase the passing of the torch in California’s winegrowing families. Featured speakers included Warren Bogle, whose family has been farming in...
