by Ray Johnson | May 15, 2008 | Blanc de Noirs, Burgundy, California, Carneros, Cava, Champagne, Chardonnay, Cremant de Bourgogne, France, Napa Valley, Penedes, Pinot Noir, Rose, Sonoma County, Spain, Sparkling Dry
Tonight we taste 8 different bubblies on the pink side, from Spain, north to Burgundy and Champagne and finally back home to California. Codorniu Cava Pinot Noir Brut nv Earthy and coarse – a real disappointment. All Pinot Noir fermented in the bottle tasted, as...
by Ray Johnson | May 8, 2008 | Burgundy, California, Edna Valley, France, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo County
Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-St-Georges Clos des Porrets St.-Georges 1er Cru 2005 This is a monopole for Gouges, the legend from Nuits-St-Georges. The wine is quite tight, just a baby, packed with fruit and earthy notes with a tannic exterior. Lay this one down in the...
by Ray Johnson | May 2, 2008 | France, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Chateau Raymond-Lafon Sauternes 2003 Amazing balance for such a lusciously sweet wine with creme caramel flavors. Going back to the 2002, my notes again emphasize the complexity, concentration and appropriate VA levels. A class favorite, very rich and thick, very...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 25, 2008 | Bandol, California, Central Coast, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Uncategorized
Les Restanques de Pibarnon Bandol 2003 This is a good value offering from Pibarnon, showing ripe fruit overlaid with ripe tannins. This wine gets better each time I taste it. The complexity is there and the edges are softening when tasted August 27, 2008. Tasted again...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 25, 2008 | Corbieres, France, Rose
Domaine de Fontsainte Corbieres Gris de Gris 2007 This has been a stellar rose with traditional complexity and suppleness. The ’07 is very fresh, just full of strawberries, crisp yet filled out and far from lean. The grapes are 60% Grenache Gris and Noir,...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 22, 2008 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chassagne-Montrachet, Corbieres, Corvina, France, Kremstal, Saint-Julien
Jefferson and others in America’s early history admired the wines of Bordeaux and brought their passion to the early states. This line-up features a wine from the Virginia producer that so delighted us last week and a well-regarded fourth growth of Bordeaux....
