by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2008 | California, Chardonnay, Marin County, Mendocino County, Napa Valley, North Coast, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
Schramsberg, North Coast, Reserve 2001 The nose is very smoky and toasty, with a sense of freshly buttered pastry. In the mouth, the wine is reminiscent of a fresh pastry made with lemon and custard and topped with lots of lime cordial – a sweet-tart essense...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2008 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Egly-Ouriet, Champagne, Grand Cru, Rose, Brut nv Concentrated red fruits mark the nose. The mouth repeats this expression of fruit on a layer of minerality. – very young, very dense and very long – yes. The grapes are sourced from Ambonnay, Bouzy and...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2008 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Jacquesson, Champagne, Cuvee No.732, Brut The name of Jacquesson’s nv brut changes with each successive base wine, the current release being No. 732. The nose features floral notes, sweet in nature, like jasmine with a sense of candied fruits – very...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2008 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Tarlant, Champagne, Brut Zero The nose features minerality, toast and citrus fruits. The mouth is bone dry and austere, like biting into the pith of an orange. The grapes are roughly 1/3 each of the players in Champagne, namely Chardonnay and each of the Pinots. The...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 14, 2008 | Burgundy, Chardonnay, France
Domaine Anne Gros, Bourgogne, Chardonnay 2001 The last time I poured this it wasn’t a big hit but it really showed nicely. Today it’s pushing a little further over the hill with more nuttiness and volatility that will put off some. Yet I love the...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 13, 2008 | Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits, Burgundy, Chardonnay, France
Domaine Anne Gros, Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits, Cuvee Marine 2006 The nose sports a nice combo of minerality and toastiness. The mouth is thick, rich and buttery yet balanced by a sense of green apples and their acidity, which keeps this wine from being cloying...
