by Ray Johnson | Aug 28, 2009 | American, Merlot
Post Familie, American, Merlot nv There’s a lively pluminess in the glass when you smell this wine. In the mouth there’s plenty of fruit as well, with a healthy dose of acidity making this a natural with food. You can sense the tannin in the background and...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 28, 2009 | American, Arkansas, Merlot, Zinfandel
Chateau Aux Arc, American, Dragonfly Red nv The nose speaks of sweet oak while in the mouth this wine is smooth and light with a little warmth. Some of the fruit came from the estate’s Dragonfly Ranch, supplemented by imports from outside of Arkansas: 90% Merlot...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 6, 2009 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot
Chateau Lascombes, Margaux 2005 This wine is super toasty in the nose with hints of dark chocolate and cassis. The mouth is quite structured urging a good 10 years and more in the cellar, yet already the black fruit is popping out. Fire up the grill for a big steak if...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 6, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley
We had a great visit to Rubissow with our Wines of California & Europe class on the first day of August. I’ll post the notes on the estate next week but in the meantime here are two of their stars. Rubissow, Napa Valley, Mount Veeder, Rubissow Vineyard,...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 31, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Clear Lake, Lake County, Mendocino County, Merlot
Like Rosenblum Cellars on the San Francisco Bay, you can literally arrive by boat when you visit Ceago Vinegarden. The estate takes its name from a Pomo Indian word and is pronounced in the same way as Diego. It is situated in a gem of a spot on the northeastern shore...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 29, 2009 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot, Pessac-Leognan
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan 2005 The nose smells of leather, earth, smokiness, horse blanket and a host of descriptors that get at a sense of brettanomycees as complexity rather than a flaw. That said, I know that this level of brett would be too much...
