by Ray Johnson | Dec 3, 2008 | Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Rasteau
Jean-Luc Colombo, Cotes du Rhone, Les Abeilles 2006 This is a juicy-fruity budget offering from the famous Cornas producer. It drinks easily with a little bit of structure. Eleve et mis in La Roche de Glun in Tain 13.5% $??? Domaine des Girasols, Rasteau Cotes du...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 12, 2008 | Bandol, Mourvedre, Provence
La Bastide Blanche, Bandol 2006 The fruit has a jammy character, a bit liquer-like accentuated by the parfume of sweet flowers. In the mouth, the black fruits are ripe and the tannins are too, showing themselves in a velvety way – very nice. The vines are...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 12, 2008 | Bandol, France, Mourvedre
Chateau de Pibarnon, Bandol 2004 The nose combines ripe black fruits, black licorice and some earthiness in a bit of a barnyard way. There’s plenty of structure in this chewy wine, with more of the flavors in the nose and meatiness as well. The acidity keeps the...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 10, 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, Dry Creek Valley, Grenache, Lake County, Marsanne, Mendocino County, Mourvedre, Napa Valley, Rhone Blend, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Syrah, Viognier
The Rhone Rangers hosted a seminar yesterday featuring wines that pay homage to the grapes made famous in France’s Rhone Valley. The seminar was not bound by geography; there were wines from both sides of the Atlantic. The seminar was also not bound by tradition...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 30, 2008 | California, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Syrah
Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles, Esprit de Beaucastel 2005 The brett is dominating the nose and while it works for this style of wine, it will put off some looking for a cleaner approach in the New World. The gaminess carries through in the mouth. The tannins are...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 28, 2008 | Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Rhône
Andre Brunel, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Les Cailloux 2005 The nose sports smoke and a healthy but appropriate dose of brett for this wine, accentuating a meatiness. The earthiness repeats in the mouth with an explosion of red fruits. The structure provides the frame around...
