by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2008 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Taft Street, Sonoma Coast, Rose of Pinot Noir 2007 Mild but muted strawberries and an astringent profile. Unfortunately this wine has a sub-threshold level of TCA that’s blocking the fruit. The grapes come from the Pasta King, Art Ibletto. P&B in Sebastopol...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2008 | California, Chardonnay, Dry Creek Valley, Pinot Gris and Grigio, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
Clarbec, Sonoma County, Pinot Gris 2007 There’s fresh tropical fruit and subtle oak in the nose. The fruit comes through in the mouth with a caress of acidity and a little bit of richness – very nice. The grapes were sourced from the Lila Lane and Clarbec...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 8, 2008 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, France, Haut-Medoc, Merlot, Sonoma County
Chateau Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Medoc 2004 The smells are a mix of earth, cedar, toasty oak and a fitting amount of the barnyard. The mouth if full of plummy fruit with grip. This is definitely leaner and tighter than the ’05 which is quite seductive already. Give...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 5, 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
This week I had an opportunity to visit with Joseph Otos to talk about his winemaking philosophy and the brands that he is putting on the map, Willowbrook and Owl Ridge. Both brands are crafted in Sebastopol’s rabbit warren of entrepreneurship that I described...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 21, 2008 | California, Carignane, Dry Creek Valley, Mendocino County, Sangiovese, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Fred Peterson has a winemaking resume to rival many. He’s been at some of California’s most famous estates, working in Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains and Sonoma County. Just over 20 years ago he took up the building of his own brand under his name....
by Ray Johnson | Sep 20, 2008 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
Dutcher Crossing, Dry Creek Valley, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This Sauvignon smells of sweet and ripe tropical fruit. The fresh fruit continues on the palate where there is a softer, rounder feel than with many Sauvignon. Don’t get me wrong, I love an in-your-face,...
