by Ray Johnson | Apr 1, 2009 | California, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
La Crema, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir 2007 Cherries and brown spices are out front in the nose with a sense of toastiness. The mouth features a supple carpet of black and red fruits, sweet-appearing in their ripeness and burnished with a kiss of oakiness – very...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 30, 2009 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Penet-Chardonnet, Champagne, Grand Cru, Grande Reserve, Extra Brut nv There is a light golden color in the glass and the biscuit notes are quite developed in the nose – very complex. Besides the biscuits there are browned apples, cherries and toasted nuts. The...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 13, 2009 | Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits, Burgundy, California, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sta. Rita Hills
Foley, Sta. Rita Hills, Rancho Santa Rosa, Pinot Noir 2007 There is ripe candied fruit in the nose while the mouth is supple and elegant with oak working in a supportive role in the backgound. P&B in Lompoc 14.3% $35.99 at the Wine Merchant Foley Jayer-Gilles,...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 8, 2009 | Burgundy, Cote de Beaune, Pinot Noir, Vosne-Romanee
Frederic Magnien, Vosne-Romanee, Vielle Vigne 2005 The nose of this wine features earth and rubber, some Band-Aid as well as reductive notes. In the mouth, the wine is tight and tannic, with obvious brett. I’ve had some other Magnien wines that showed nicely...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 12, 2009 | Burgundy, Cote de Beaune, Cote de Nuits, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pinot Noir
Domaine de Montille, Bourgogne 2005 Mint combines with vibrant red fruits in the nose. The mouth is quite concentrated, full of acidity and a tannic veneer. Lay this down for a few years. This is from the famous De Montille family. Mis en bouteille a Volnay. 13%...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 12, 2009 | California, Monterey County, Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
Belle Glos, Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands, Las Alturas Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 There’s smoke, liquer-like fruit and dusty cedar in the nose while the mouth follows through with warmth and earthiness on a supple blanket. Winemaker Joseph Wagner of the...
