by Ray Johnson | Nov 7, 2008 | Aligote, Bouzeron, Burgundy, France
Domaine A. et P. de Villaine, Bouzeron 2006 Unfortunately this wine is showing quite a bit of VA in the form of nail polish. When I uncorked this bottle, it did appear that the seal was not complete so this obviously went off prematurely. This is too bad given the...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | Bordeaux, France, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Chateau La Tour Blanche, Sauternes, 1er Cru 2003 The nose is marked by honey and minerality and appropriate VA. The pungency of the cleanser-like VA will certainly be too much for some as it does interfere with the fruit in the nose. That said, this is a tolerated...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | Bordeaux, France, Merlot, Pomerol
Chateau Nenin, Pomerol 2002 Stepping back a year to the ’02, there is a sense of earthy cheese rind in the nose. This is much more rustic than the ’03, with ample acidity and chewy tannins. Notes on the newer ’03: My earlier notes this year show a...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Saint-Julien
Clos du Marquis, Saint-Julien 2003 There is vibrant sweet, black fruit in the nose. In the mouth you could swear this wine is from the New World. While the structure associated with Bordeaux is on stage in this wine, the fruit is vivacious and the tannins are quite...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, France, Merlot, Saint-Emilion
Chateau Fombrauge,Saint-Emilion, Grand Cru 2005 The nose is smoky and toasty with tobacco lead and cherries. The sense of pipe tobacco follows through in the mouth ripe red fruits and the structure that you expect in Bordeaux. There is great balance between all of the...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | France, Loire Valley, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc
Jean Reverdy, Sancerre, La Reine Blanche 2007 Once again the smell of grass and grapefruit are in full force while the mouth follows suit with plenty of acidity and a little minerality. My notes from the previous three vintages show this consistent thread of...
