by Ray Johnson | Apr 29, 2009 | California, Grenache, Paso Robles, Rosé, Temecula
South Coast, California, Grenache, Rose 2007 In the nose there is candy, flowers and the smell something citrus. The mouth is plump and amplified by a about 1% RS. This took the sweepstake award for pink wine at the Chronicle Wine Competition in January. Nice wine....
by Ray Johnson | Apr 14, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, France, Grenache, Les Baux de Provence, Provence, Syrah
Mas de Gourgonnier, Les Baux de Provence, Rouge 2006 As in previous vintages, the band-aids are working in tandem with the black fruits. The mouth also repeats a similar profile in that it is quite gripping with much astringency. The Reserve du Mas has always been a...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 8, 2009 | Grenache, Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
Muga, Rioja, Reserva DOC 2005 The nose combines vanilla, smokiness and ash with cranberries and just the right amount of horse blanket and leather. In the mouth, the tannins make a ripe blanket on top of the tart cherry fruit – the acidity makes this perfect to...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 8, 2009 | California, Grenache, Lake County, Tempranillo
Tejada Vineyards, Lake County, Tempranillo 50% Grenache 50% 2004 The spiritous character is starting to get ahead of the fruit in the nose. In the mouth the alcohol peeks out again, yet it works. There’s a great balance of fruit and structure. The acidity frames...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 8, 2009 | Campo De Borja, Grenache, Spain, Tempranillo
Bodegas Borsao, Campo de Borja DO 2007 The fruit just leaps out of the glass and has a candy element to it with a bit of black pepper. The mouth is soft, the wine is light-bodied, tasting of red candy, with a hint of tannin and a touch of warmth – this goes down...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 20, 2009 | Campo De Borja, Grenache, Spain
Bodegas Alto Moncayo, Campo De Borja DO 2006 The previous vintage was like what it would be like to drink candy – supple and rich, sweet-appearing as well. The ‘06 is even more so with tons of oak on top. This is 100% Garnacha aged in new French and US oak....
