by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains
Sonnet, Santa Cruz Mountains, Muns Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2005 There is bright berry fruit, and a bit of Bandaid in the nose. The mouth is still rather tight and the fruit is starting to break out and shine. The vineyard, owned by Ed Muns, is perched in spots above the...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains
Thomas Fogarty, Santa Cruz Mountains, Estate Reserve, Pinot Noir 1999 There’s quite a sense of the horse saddle at this point in time, with brown spices and prunes and dried fruits. The mouth is drying out and the brett is starting to dominate. Serve with...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards, Russian River Valley, Gunsalus Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2005 The fruit is almost liquer-like in the nose, with a jammy character. In the mouth, the fruit is also vibrant. P&B down in Saratoga. 14.5% $50 at the Winery...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | Australia, Pinot Noir, Victoria
Innocent Bystander, Victoria, Pinot Noir 2007 This is one of those Pinots that has the smoky character of an ashtray. In the mouth, there are green characters and astringency – a disappointment from this producer. The grapes are sourced from vineyards in Sexton,...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | Australia, Pinot Noir, Western Australia
Plantagenet, Western Australia, Omrah, Pinot Noir 2007 The wine smells of earth and cherries. In the mouth, the smells repeat with a touch of the richness of oak. This is a good value Pinot. The grapes are from vineyards in the Great Southern region of WA, in...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | Cava, Pinot Noir, Spain, Sparkling Dry
Segura Viudas, Cava, Brut, Aria, Pinot Noir nv This seems a sweeter brut than many with some astringency – awkward. This is traditional method sparkling, fermented in the bottle opened and produced in Torrelavit 12% $7.49 at Bottle Barn
