by Ray Johnson | Aug 11, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Flora, Mendocino County, Napa Valley, North Coast, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Lightly Sweet
Schramsberg, North Coast, Cremant, Demi-Sec 2004 There’s sweet tropical fruit in the nose, with flowers and perfume. In the mouth this wine is lightly sweet, with a fruity core and a little bitterness. The grapes are 84% Flora, 9% Chardonnay, 6% Pinot Noir and...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 11, 2009 | Anderson Valley, California, Chardonnay, Mendocino County, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley, L’Ermitage, Brut 2002 The nose opens with fresh biscuits, citrus and stone fruits, also calling to mind a freshly baked fruit tart. In the mouth this wine is very concentrated and full of the flavor of green apples in all of...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 11, 2009 | California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Gloria Ferrer, Carneros, Vintage Reserve, Royal Cuvee, Brut 2002 Let this open up a bit and after 10 minutes the fruit will start to show. There are apples both red and green and refreshing acidity in this light-bodied sparkler. Tasted again in July ’10, the...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 11, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Mendocino County, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
Schramsberg, North Coast, Mirabelle, Brut Rose nv There’s a red-fruited sweetness in the nose, reminiscent of the cherries jubilee that I used to whip up table side back in the day. In the mouth the fruity theme continues with moderate acidity and a touch of...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 5, 2009 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Louis Roederer, Champagne, Brut Premier nv The nose smells of fresh bread, mushrooms and biscuits topped with cinnamon. In the mouth this highly acidic sparkling tastes of green apples and peaches and lasts for a long time. The grapes behind the wine are 40% Pinot...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 31, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Clear Lake, Lake County, Mendocino County, Merlot
Like Rosenblum Cellars on the San Francisco Bay, you can literally arrive by boat when you visit Ceago Vinegarden. The estate takes its name from a Pomo Indian word and is pronounced in the same way as Diego. It is situated in a gem of a spot on the northeastern shore...
