by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, France, Merlot, Saint-Emilion
Chateau Fombrauge,Saint-Emilion, Grand Cru 2005 The nose is smoky and toasty with tobacco lead and cherries. The sense of pipe tobacco follows through in the mouth ripe red fruits and the structure that you expect in Bordeaux. There is great balance between all of the...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 14, 2008 | Italy, Merlot, Nero d'Avola, Sicilia
Baglio di Pinaetto, Sicilia IGT, Cembali, Nero d’Avola 2004 Unfortunately this bottle was corked. The grapes were sourced from the Noto region of Sicilia. 14% $36 at Traverso’s Baglio di Pianetto Cusumano, Sicilia IGT Sagana 2005 There’s plenty of...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 8, 2008 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cotes de Castillon, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Merlot
Chateau Bertineau St.-Vincent, Lalande-de-Pomerol 2004 The nose is restrained upon first pouring with a little sense of stewed fruit coming through. When I opened this wine, there was some carmelized remnants of wine that leaked earlier. Thus I don’t know what...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 8, 2008 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, France, Haut-Medoc, Merlot, Sonoma County
Chateau Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Medoc 2004 The smells are a mix of earth, cedar, toasty oak and a fitting amount of the barnyard. The mouth if full of plummy fruit with grip. This is definitely leaner and tighter than the ’05 which is quite seductive already. Give...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 18, 2008 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Merlot, Sonoma County
Downtown Healdsburg has become a destination for luxurious wine and food experiences. One of the venues in which to indulge, just off the square, is the tasting room of Williamson Wines. The beauty of the tasting that Bill and Dawn Williamson organize is the emphasis...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 2, 2008 | Bardolino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colli Euganei, Corvina, Della Venezie, Italy, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Veneto
Corte Gardoni, Bardolino, DOC Le Fontane 2006 The previous vintage sported a Beaujolais-like character, in the Nouveau vein, a carbo-mac fruit bomb with very light body – ideal for lunch in the sun when you demand red wine. This current vintage was quite stinky at the...
