by Ray Johnson | Apr 14, 2010 | Barbera, Barbera d'Alba, Italy, Piemonte
Vietti, Barbera d’Alba, Tre Vigne 2006 This is Barbara with structure, quite formidable and begging for red meat. I swear that there is a compelling sense of black licorice and green herbs in this wine. The flavors carry for a long time – very nice. Estate...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 14, 2010 | Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
La Rasina, Brunello di Montalcino 2004 This wine smells as if you’ve walked into a room filled with spices, coriander, cinnamon, cloves and more. In the mouth you’ll find lots of extract, a wine that is dense and acidic yet whose tannins are of a ripe...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 14, 2010 | Italy, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Tuscany, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2006 In April, the nose spoke Old World with a bit of funkiness. In the mouth this Vino Nobile shined, concentrated, tannic and possessing electrifying acidity that accentuated the cherry fruit – very nice. I was so...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 6, 2010 | Alto Adige, Italy, Pinot Gris and Grigio
Elena Walch, Alto Adige, Pinot Grigio 2008 The nose features lemon and flowers with a bit of doughiness. The mouth is bright with citrus and its expected acidity, without the austerity of many Grigios from Italy. The whole palate is filled out with flavor and coupled...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 2, 2010 | Alto Adige, Italy, Lagrein, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir
This region holds a particular place in my heart. Linda and I visited some of the top producers of the region this summer and hiked the magnificent mountains. This Tyrolean region is beyond picturesque and vies with Stellenbosch as the most beautiful wine region in...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 8, 2010 | Barbera, Barbera d'Alba, Italy, Piemonte
Andrea Oberto, Barbera d’Alba DOC 2008 The nose features tar as well as some bound up sulfur. In the mouth it is immensely tart, screaming with acidity and a little leaner than hoped for. This wine doesn’t show nearly as nice as previous vintages; let’s...
