by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2007 | Bordeaux, Burgundy, Chablis, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Entre-Deux-Mers, France, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Uncategorized, Vouvray
This flight features 3 whites and offers an opportunity to contrast acid levels, weight and residual sugar. Chateau Sainte-Marie Entre-Deux-Mers Vielles Vignes 2005 Of the 2004 I noted a perfect balance of the grapes used and a great value. This 2005 bottle was losing...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 13, 2007 | California, France, Late Harvest White, Mendocino County, Riesling, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes 1er Cru 2003 The wine makes me crave a lemon tart as you taste a reflection of the butter in the crust in the viscosity and butter/caramel tones in the wine and a reflection of the zippy lemon in the custard in the springy citrus character...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 13, 2007 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, France, Napa Valley
Chateau Nenin Pomerol 2003 My earlier notes this year show a supple wine filled through with blue fruit. Tonight the wine is very polished, soft in profile with oak as an integrated nuance. From the Delon family, Jean-Hubert and Michel, that owns Leoville Las Cases,...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 11, 2007 | Alexander Valley, Bennett Valley, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Carneros, France, Malbec, Margaux, Merlot, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Nelson Estate Sonoma Valley Bennett Valley Vineyard Malbec 2004 The nose is oak city and the palate is very supple with moderate acidity and a long finish. I think that many will find this wine agreeable and readily approachable. Aged in Fr oak for 18 mos. C&B in...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 10, 2007 | California, Cote-Rotie, Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhône, Sonoma County
This flight features 3 Syrah from both sides of the Atlantic. Domaine des Entrefaux Crozes-Hermitage 2005 Black pepper and structure in a good value Northern Rhone Syrah. Charles & Francois Tardy a Chanos-Curson 12.5% $14.49 at Bottle Barn Lewis Cellars Sonoma...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 10, 2007 | Albariño, Dry Creek Valley, France, Grenache, Rhône, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Sonoma County
The red wines from the Southern Rhone follow a recipe that emphasizes Grenache. The wines of this flight highlight this underdog grape. Unti Dry Creek Valley Grenache 2005 Pretty funky at first opening but after an hour, the smell improved to show the Grenache fruit....
