by Ray Johnson | Jul 29, 2009 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaux, Merlot
Chateau Giscours, Margaux 2005 The berry fruit is ripe and expressive in the nose, with a sense of cedar and a light touch of earthiness. The fruit comes through on the palate, with some chewy though ripe tannin and a touch of creaminess. 80.5 hectares of vines are...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 29, 2009 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Saint-Emilion
Chateau Rolland-Maillet, Saint-Emilion, Grand Cru 2005 Upon first opening this bottle was uncharacteristically rustic for a Rolland wine; patience is rewarded with 10 minutes or so of air. In the mouth however, the fruit is immediately apparent and the texture is...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 24, 2009 | California, Lake County, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel
Lake County Wine Studio features the wines of the region on Main Street in the town of Upper Lake, just a stone’s throw from the end of Highway 29. We all know the congested bit of this highway where the cars crawl through St. Helena. Where it ends near Upper Lake is...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 23, 2009 | Bolgheri, Cabernet Sauvignon, Italy, Merlot, Super Tuscan, Tuscany
Tentuta San Guido, Toscana IGT, Guidalberto 2006 Cassis combines with earthiness in the nose. In the mouth it is quite concentrated, with extract to match its structure. I like the way this wine combines the fresh fruit of the New World and the structure that one...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 22, 2009 | Bolgheri, Cabernet Sauvignon, Italy, Merlot, Super Tuscan, Tuscany
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Bolgheri Rosso DOC, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2006 The nose features ripe black fruits. The mouth sports great acidity to frame the fruit, making this Bordeaux-style blend a natural for a dinner table laden with cinghale –...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 21, 2009 | California, Merlot, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
Paloma, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District, Merlot 2006 Sweet liquer-like fruit fills the glass. In the mouth, the expression of fruit is dynamic and kissed by oak. Also, there is the acidity lacking in many of Merlot’s flabby cousins – a treat....
