Category Archives: Monterey County

Santa Lucia Pinot 2006

Posted on February 12, 2009 by RJ

Belle Glos, Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands, Las Alturas Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 There’s smoke, liquer-like fruit and dusty cedar in the nose while the mouth follows through with warmth and earthiness on a supple blanket. Winemaker Joseph Wagner of … Continue reading →

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Ventana Riesling 2007

Posted on February 12, 2009 by RJ

Ventana Vineyards, Monterey, Arroyo Seco, Riesling 2007 I only had a fleeting chance to taste this wine during the segment with Henry on KRON when we blasted through the sweeps winners of this year’s Chronicle Wine Competition. Tonight I get … Continue reading →

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Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Pinot Noir 2005

Posted on November 14, 2008 by RJ

Kendall-Jackson, Santa Barbara 63% and Monterey County 37%, Grand Reserve, Pinot Noir 2005 There’s sweet, candied fruit smells and a supple, fruity palate graced by the sweetness of oak. The grapes are all Pinot Noir. The wine was aged in … Continue reading →

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Savannah-Chanelle Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2000

Posted on November 14, 2008 by RJ

Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir 2000 This winery just won sweepstakes red at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for one of its 2005 single vineyard bottlings from the Sonoma Coast. This regional bottling takes us back in … Continue reading →

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It’s not the tires

Posted on September 22, 2008 by RJ

Firestone, Central Coast, Vineyard Select, Riesling 2006 The smell of stone fruits and citrus greets you in the glass. In the mouth the wine is fresh, moderately acidic and graced by obvious residual sugar. The acid levels will seem faint … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Central Coast, Monterey County, Riesling, Santa Barbara County | 1 Comment

Foghorn’s favourite Chardonnay

Posted on September 11, 2008 by RJ

Hahn, Monterey, Chardonnay 2006 The smell of fresh oak is alive in the glass with some tropical fruit in the background. There’s oak to chew on in your mouth along with the flavors of butterscotch and caramel and a viscous … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Monterey County | 2 Comments

Halloween Chardonnay

Posted on September 9, 2008 by RJ

Ghost Pines, Sonoma Napa and Monterey Counties, Winemaker’s Blend, Chardonnay 2006 Tropical fruits and toasty oak make up the nose. The oak follows through in the mouth without being overbearing and the little bit of butteriness enhances the mouth rather … Continue reading →

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South of Steinbeck

Posted on September 8, 2008 by RJ

Line Shack, San Antonio Valley California, Roussanne 2006 There are faint smells of stone fruit and some perfume. This is a light-bodied wine, a bit thin but not offensive with lowish acidity. C&B in Santa Maria 13.5% $18 at the … Continue reading →

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Mature Fogarty

Posted on August 21, 2008 by RJ

Thomas Fogarty, Monterey, Gewurztraminer 2003 Kudos to Fogarty for continuing to produce this wine. Earlier this summer we tasted the ’06 which was showing these youthful characteriestics: spicy floral notes, a hint of RS and the taste of fresh lychee … Continue reading →

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Pinot please

Posted on July 11, 2008 by RJ

Papapietro Perry Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2006 intensely concentrated berry, liquer-like fruit and a little warmth. P&B in Healdsburg 14.25% $38.49 at Bottle Barn Papapietro Perry Sonnet Santa Lucia Highlands Tondre’s Grapefield Pinot Noir 2004 Smokey oak and cherry … Continue reading →

Posted in Anderson Valley, Burgundy, California, France, Mendocino County, Monterey County, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands | Leave a comment