by Ray Johnson | Sep 3, 2008 | France, Loire Valley, Pinot Noir, Pouilly-Fume, Rosé, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc
Francis Blanchet, Pouilly-Fume, Cuvee Silice 2006 Corked, so who will ever know what to think about this wine.This is all stainless Sauvignon produced across the river from Sancerre. Silice is sourced from an old vine parcel, laden with silex, just up the river in Les...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 3, 2008 | Chenin Blanc, France, Loire Valley, Vouvray
Regis Cruchet, Vouvray, Demi-Sec 1996 Then nose is quite evolved where there is a sense of varnish and nuttiness and a little lingering fruit. In the mouth though, there’s tropical fruit and lime with just enough residual sugar to pair this with some fresh...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 3, 2008 | California, Chenin Blanc, France, Loire Valley, Vouvray
Domaine Le Peu de la Moriette (Domaine Pichot), Vouvray 2007 This wine embodies the sweet and tart character that Chenin can show so well when there’s a bit of residual sugar. Unfortunately our latest bottle in May of ’09 is a bit corked. The grapes are...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 12, 2007 | Chenin Blanc, France, Furmint, Hungary, Late Harvest White, Loire Valley, Quarts de Chaume, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Tokaji
The previous tasting in the California and Europe class in San Francisco pitted Baumard against Oremus. Tonight’s flight brings in a different top-flight producer, this time from Sauternes. Both the Raymond-Lafon and the Oremus will be tasted side-by-side. In...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 1, 2007 | Bourgueil, Cabernet Franc, Chinon, France, Loire Valley
Domaine de Beausejour Chinon 2005 My notes from the 2004 say green and thin but OK if nothing else is available. The 2005 shows more fruit to smell but still has much that is green about it. In Sept. ’08 this wine has more black fruit popping out amongst a light...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 1, 2007 | Chenin Blanc, France, Loire Valley, Melon, Muscadet, Savennieres
Domaine Les Hautes Noëlles Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu sur lie 2006 The last vintage tasted, 2004 was very clean and bursting with acidity. Again tonight with the 2006, this wine struts its acidity with a freshness of fruit to smell in the nose. Mis par Serge Batard...