by Ray Johnson | Dec 10, 2008 | California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
Duckhorn Vineyards, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Ripe citrus and floral notes dazzle your nose when you smell this wine. In the mouth, it is round and softer than many SBs, with ripeness of fruit and a little warmth. When we visited the winery in the summer, Matt...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 26, 2008 | California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
Bouchaine, Napa Valley – Carneros, Estate, Chardonnay 2006 The nose combines freshly split oak, vanilla, toast and stone fruits. The mouth is full-on richness with oak essence and butter layered over peaches and green apples – very nice. The wine received...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2008 | California, Chardonnay, Marin County, Mendocino County, Napa Valley, North Coast, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
Schramsberg, North Coast, Reserve 2001 The nose is very smoky and toasty, with a sense of freshly buttered pastry. In the mouth, the wine is reminiscent of a fresh pastry made with lemon and custard and topped with lots of lime cordial – a sweet-tart essense...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 12, 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Napa Valley, Provence, Syrah, Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhone
Domaine de Trevallon, Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhone 2005 The nose sports the sort of lively, jammy fruit that we associate with California Zinfandel. Obviously it’s not, but it is the intensity of the fruit that I am trying to get at. Along with this, you...
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 | Nov 6, 2008 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Napa Valley
Flora Springs, Napa Valley, Trilogy 2001 There is a medley of brown spices in the nose and a supple, now is the time to drink this, profile in the mouth. There’s complexity and the acidic frame carrying on – nice. Tasted one year later in November...
