Category Archives: Fortified dessert

Sonoma State Sensory Evaluation Workshop

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Ray Johnson

Staying ahead of flaws in the cellar and quantifying perceptual differences and consumer preferences are critical to a winery’s bottom line.  Following our return from New Zealand, Sonoma State’s Wine Business Institute will partner with VESTA to again offer this … Continue reading →

Posted in Albariño, Alsace, Alto Adige, Andalucia, Barbera, Barbera d'Asti, Barolo, Bordeaux, California, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Dealcoholized, Fortified dessert, France, Gewurztraminer, Graves, Italy, Jerez, Madeira, Malmsey, Malvasia, Marlborough, Merlot, Napa County, Napa Valley, Nebbiolo, New Zealand, Palomino, Pessac-Leognan, Piemonte, Pinot Noir, Port, Portugal, Provence, Rosé, Russian River Valley, Sancerre, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sherry, Sonoma County, South Africa, Spain, Tawny Port, Var, Vinho Verde, Western Cape | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fonseca Bin 27

Posted on March 19, 2011 by Ray Johnson

Fonseca Porto Bin No. 27 This is the brand’s vintage character offering, blending a sense of dark fruits, the sweetness of raisins, chocolate and a spiritous character. Manoel Pedro Guimaraens founded the winery in 1822. It is now run by … Continue reading →

Posted in Duoro, Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal | Tagged | Leave a comment

Quady Elysium 2006

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Quady, California, Elysium, Black Muscat 2006 The nose features a grapy/berry expression, a bit liquer-like. In the mouth it is light-bodied and sweet, reminiscent of fresh raspberries and grape jelly – nice. Winemaker Michael Blaylock. P&B in Madera, L0702, 15% … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Fortified dessert, Muscat | Tagged | 1 Comment

Jaboulet Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise 2007

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Paul Jaboulet Aine, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, Le Chant des Griolles 2007 The nose features the expected orange blossom of Muscat with the region’s typical spiritous character in the subtly in the background. In the mouth you’ll find oranges and cinnamon, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fortified dessert, France, Late Harvest White, Muscat, Muscat Beaumes de Venise, Rhône, White Dessert | Tagged | Leave a comment

Penfolds Club Reserve Aged Tawny

Posted on June 19, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Penfolds, South Australia, Club Reserve, Aged Tawny nv In the nose you’ll find raisins and butterscotch with a sense of the spirit in the background. This all carries on in the mouth with nuttiness, sweetness and well-integrated alcohol. Like the value-oriented … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Fortified dessert, Grenache, Mourvedre, Port, South Australia, Syrah, Tawny Port | Tagged | Leave a comment

Dow’s Porto

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Dow’s, Porto, Quinta do Bomfim, Vintage 1996 The nose features brandied cherries, with a bit of prunes as well. In the mouth, the tannins have resolved yielding a silky yet warm dessert, with the beginning of some nuttiness. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal, Single Quinta Port, Tawny Port | Tagged | Leave a comment

Rare Wine Co. Malmsey Special Reserve

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Ray Johnson

The Rare Wine Co., Madeira, Historic Series, New York Malmsey, Special Reserve nv The nose is smoky and dark, with brown sugar and more than a hint of the fortifying spirit. In the mouth, the pruny character is in full … Continue reading →

Posted in Fortified dessert, Madeira, Malmsey, Malvasia, Portugal | Tagged | Leave a comment

Dow’s Porto LBV 2004

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Dow’s, Porto, Late Bottled Vintage 2004 Blackberries and prunes mark the nose with an appropriate sense of the fortifying spirit. In the mouth, chocolate combines with nuts and figs and brandy’s strength. Bottled in 2009 by Symington Family Estates in … Continue reading →

Posted in Duoro, Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal | Tagged | 2 Comments

Blandy 5 Year Bual

Posted on March 6, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Blandy’s, Madeira, 5 Year Old, Bual nv Toffee meets raisins with a spriritous character in the nose. In the mouth the weight is there, with nuttiness, caramel and a lighter shade of residual sugar than you find with Blandy’s Malmsey. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bual, Fortified dessert, Madeira, Portugal | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Fonseca 20 Year Old Tawny

Posted on December 7, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Fonseca, Porto, 20 Year Old, Tawny nv The nose features brown sugar and cinnamon infused into oranges cooked over an open flame. In the mouth it is caramel personified, with a healthy dose of brandy and an underlying sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in Duoro, Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal, Tawny Port | Tagged | Leave a comment