by Ray Johnson | Nov 7, 2009 | California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
Merryvale, Napa Valley, Starmont, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 There is a bright sense of satsuma and grapefruit through and through with a nice touch of capsicum. The wine is crisp, with a little petillance, very fresh and very long – nice. 4% Semillon augments the...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 4, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley
Hess Collection, Mount Veeder – Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 There’s a minty character attached to the black fruit and plenty of acidity. The structure of the mountain is apparent but again, like other wines we’ve tasted tonight, the...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 4, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
Terra Valentine, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 There’s a very sweet expression of fruit in the nose. In the mouth the wine is dense, structured but ripe, filled-out with lots of berry and vanilla – very nice. GP&B in...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 4, 2009 | California, Merlot, Napa Valley
Newton, Napa Valley, Unfiltered, Merlot 2002 In the nose you’ll find chocolate, the beginnings of nuttiness and a little spike of alcohol. The palate is a soft expression of fresh and raisined fruits laced with brown spices. Produced and bottled in St. Helena,...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 3, 2009 | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Napa Valley
Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Napa Valley, POV, Red Wine 2006 This wine features a bevy of fresh blueberries and a complementary dusting of oak; it’s light-bodied with ripe tannins and a healthy acidity to encourage consumtion with a roasted pork tenderloin, sauced...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 1, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena, Zinfandel
Appellation St. Helena hosted a tasting on Tuesday to show off the wines of the AVA. We discussed the recent vintages and tasted 48 wines, with a strong emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon. Below is a baker’s dozen, the stars of the tasting – great Cabernet but...
