by Ray Johnson | Jun 23, 2008 | California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
So many of us enjoy dry white wine. Yet what is dry is not one thing, as we see in the case of these two dry white wines. Benziger Sonoma Valley MacLeod Family Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006 This is crisp citrus in a bottle. The Benziger family is a leaders in...
by Ray Johnson | May 16, 2008 | California, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Mumm Napa Napa Valley Grande Annee 2001 Lots of citrus fruit in the sparkler of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A lighter-bodied sparkling that is fruit driven, rounded and possessing some floral/minty characteristics. P&B in Rutherford 12.5% $30 at the winery...
by Ray Johnson | May 15, 2008 | Blanc de Noirs, Burgundy, California, Carneros, Cava, Champagne, Chardonnay, Cremant de Bourgogne, France, Napa Valley, Penedes, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Sonoma County, Spain, Sparkling Dry
Tonight we taste 8 different bubblies on the pink side, from Spain, north to Burgundy and Champagne and finally back home to California. Codorniu Cava Pinot Noir Brut nv Earthy and coarse – a real disappointment. All Pinot Noir fermented in the bottle tasted, as...
by Ray Johnson | May 8, 2008 | California, Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir
Etude Carneros Pinot Noir Rose 2006 Lots of strawberry to smell and the palate features refreshing acidity with a glistening sheen of creamy fruit. P&B in Napa 13.9% $19.95 at Traverso’s Etude
by Ray Johnson | May 7, 2008 | Anderson Valley, California, Chardonnay, Mendocino County, Napa Valley, North Coast, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
This flight pits top wines from Schramsberg in Calistoga and Roederer Estate in Philo. Roederer Estate Anderson Valley L”Ermitage Estate Brut 2000 This has been a personal favorite balancing the racy house style with the complexity given by time on the lees and...
by Ray Johnson | May 7, 2008 | California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
Domaine Chandon etoile Brut This is true to type with the house style of forward fruit and a soft profile. The fruit source for this wine is 54% from Napa and 46% from Sonoma. After primary ferment this wine was put in the bottle for its secondary ferment in 2001 and...
