by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
Voss, Napa Valley, Rutherford Estate Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Today on the first of April, 2009 the citrus is holding steady and the wine retains its freshness – bravo! In the fall of ’08 I noted: there’s a sense of gooseberries, candied...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 31, 2008 | California, Grignolino, Napa Valley, Port
Heitz Cellar, Napa Valley, Grignolino Port 2004 It’s like cranberries marinated in brandy when you lift the glass. In the mouth it is light-bodied for a Port-style wine with a little acidic zing, sweetness and an alcoholic kick. This has been a consistent good...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 23, 2008 | California, Napa Valley, Sangiovese
Benessere, Napa Valley, Estate, Sangiovese 2005 You can smell sweet, candied cherries and vanilla in the glass while the mouth is a supple showcase of the same with Sangiovese’s textbook acidity. The house style is one of polished wines. 12 different clones of...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 7, 2008 | California, Napa Valley, Zinfandel
Storybook Mountain Vineyards, Napa Valley, Eastern Exposures, Estate, Zinfandel 2005 This is not a wimpy Zin for the structure is there to accentuate the fruit. The grapes for this wine are a selection of mountain grown fruit on the property. Estate grown, produced...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 9, 2008 | California, Chardonnay, Monterey County, Napa Valley, Sonoma County
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 than...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 21, 2008 | California, Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sta. Rita Hills
Artesa, Carneros, Estate Reserve, Pinot Noir 2006 Artesa has been making some great wines and has shown greater success with their still wine program. This is a light-bodied, red fruit expression of Pinot with the warmth of alcohol. Winemaker David Dobson. P&B in...
