by Ray Johnson | Dec 3, 2008 | France, Rhône, Viognier, White Dessert
M. Chapoutier, Vin de Table de France, Doux, Les Coufis de Paille de l’Ardeche 2001 This wine is deeply golden, picking up hues of amber and a touch of khaki. The nose is a complex mix of orange and spice, reminiscent of flaming oranges studded with cloves at a...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 25, 2008 | Beaujolais, Burgundy, France, Gamay, Nouveau
Joseph Drouhin, Beaujolais, Nouveau 2008 This is a very clean Nouveau with traditional bubble gum in the nose. The mouth is an explosion of the fruity style you expect, with tart acidity and a bit of tannic grab – nice. Mis by Drouhin, negociant eleveur a Beaune...
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 19, 2008 | Fortified dessert, France, Grenache Blanc, Roussillon
Domaine Fontanel, Rivesaltes, Ambre 1998 This golden wine smells of citrus peel and nuts. In the mouth it like eating nuts and toffee, very sweet and viscous with acidity that offsets the richness and a little warmth from the fortification – a decadent value....
