Category Archives: Meritage

Napa Valley reds from the 2000 vintage

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Conn Creek Winery, Napa Valley, Limited Release, Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 The fruit is flagging in the nose where the sense of spirit has taken over. But the fruit still puts in an appearance when you put the wine in your … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Meritage, Napa Valley | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Napa Valley Rutherford Reds

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Trinchero Winery, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Chicken Ranch Vineyard, Merlot 2005 Give the wine a bit of air for 10 minutes or so to blow off a bit of funk. Then the plummy fruit combines with the wet forest floor and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Meritage, Merlot, Napa Valley, Rutherford | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Geyser Peak Reserve Alexandre 1999

Posted on April 24, 2009 by Ray Johnson

Geyser Peak, Alexander Valley, Reserve Alexandre, Meritage 1999 The nose is drying out yet there is quite a bit of chocolate to enjoy. The mouth has reached a rather astringent phase, drying out. The acidity is carrying some nice elements … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Valley, Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Malbec, Meritage, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Stars out of the Bordeaux tradition

Posted on October 18, 2008 by Ray Johnson

Adobe Road, Knights Valley, Cabernet Franc 2005 This is perfectly ripe Cab Franc – no veg to smell at all, just lots of berries. The structure of Cab Franc is in the mouth combining with the fruit and filled out … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Valley, Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, Knights Valley, Meritage, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

5 Bordeaux grapes and 3 continents

Posted on July 10, 2008 by Ray Johnson

Clarendon Hills Clarendon Brookman Merlot 2005 Roman Bratasiuk pulls no punches with his opulent wines. This Merlot features ripe fruit and the cigar box characters we often associate with Bordeaux. The texture is oh so plush. P&B in Blewitt Springs … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Valley, Australia, Bordeaux Style Blends, Guenoc Valley, Idaho, Lake County, McLaren Vale, Meritage, Merlot, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, South Australia | Leave a comment