by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2008 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Egly-Ouriet, Champagne, Grand Cru, Rose, Brut nv Concentrated red fruits mark the nose. The mouth repeats this expression of fruit on a layer of minerality. – very young, very dense and very long – yes. The grapes are sourced from Ambonnay, Bouzy and...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2008 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Jacquesson, Champagne, Cuvee No.732, Brut The name of Jacquesson’s nv brut changes with each successive base wine, the current release being No. 732. The nose features floral notes, sweet in nature, like jasmine with a sense of candied fruits – very...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2008 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Tarlant, Champagne, Brut Zero The nose features minerality, toast and citrus fruits. The mouth is bone dry and austere, like biting into the pith of an orange. The grapes are roughly 1/3 each of the players in Champagne, namely Chardonnay and each of the Pinots. The...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 14, 2008 | Bourgogne Passetoutgrain, Burgundy, France, Gamay, Pinot Noir
Domaine Jean Tardy & Fils, Bourgogne Passetoutgrain, Vieilles Vignes 2006 The nose features lively black fruit, black licorice and a little volatility. The mouth is quite fruity, with a fresh juicy character, vitamin C like sharp acidity and a little bit of green...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 14, 2008 | California, Monterey County, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County
Kendall-Jackson, Santa Barbara 63% and Monterey County 37%, Grand Reserve, Pinot Noir 2005 There’s sweet, candied fruit smells and a supple, fruity palate graced by the sweetness of oak. The grapes are all Pinot Noir. The wine was aged in 100% French oak (36%...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 14, 2008 | California, Monterey County, Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir 2000 This winery just won sweepstakes red at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for one of its 2005 single vineyard bottlings from the Sonoma Coast. This regional bottling takes us back in time 8...