by Ray Johnson | Oct 30, 2009 | California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
The Seventy-Five Wine Company, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 The nose on this wine packs some punch. Give it a bit of air to blow off the reductive character and then you can focus on the gooseberries, freshly mown grass and citrus. In the mouth it is quite...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 23, 2009 | California, Fortified dessert, Napa Valley, Port, Tawny Port
Belo, Napa Valley, Vintage Tawny Port, Tinta Isabella 1996 The nose is pruny and spirtitous with some volatility. The mouth shows lots of caramel and nuttiness, like crunching up some almonds, wrapping them in milk chocolate and basting them with caramel. It’s...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 23, 2009 | California, Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir
Paul Hobbs, Carneros, Napa Valley, Hyde Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2007 The nose features ripe black fruits, a bit of earthiness, cola and a toasty note. In the mouth you’ll find the characteristic mouthfeel that I find over and over again with Paul Hobbs’ wines...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 23, 2009 | California, Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir
Fotinos, Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir 2005 The nose features very sweet brown spice notes, with ashes of the campfire. In the mouth there’s a fair amount of grip. Produced and bottled in Sonoma 14% $35 at the winery, a gift to the class from the SFCWC...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 23, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, Chardonnay 2007 In the nose there’s a sense of brioche while the mouth sports green apple, with a patina of silkiness and very long acidity – very nice and always a personal favorite. P&B in Calistoga 13.7% $39.99...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 16, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley
Honig, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 I’ve long been a fan of Honig’s wines and the fairness of their pricing. This Cabernet has structure to hold up the fruit, showing California ripeness with the a chewiness and long acidity – very nice. 3%...
