by Ray Johnson | Aug 9, 2010 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Egly-Ouriet, Champagne, Grand Cru, Brut Tradition nv The nose features biscuits and apples, apples that are fresh and those baked in an apple tart. In the mouth this bubbly is freshly fruity, embracing the taste of apples across the spectrum, green, red and yellow...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 9, 2010 | California, Chardonnay, Mendocino County, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley, Estate Bottled, Extra Dry nv The nose displays stone fruits, apples and citrus with a little puff pastry. In the mouth you’ll find the essence of green apples and citrus with a balancing shot of sweetness. As many of you know, I...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 7, 2010 | California, Chardonnay, Mendocino County, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Scharffenberger, Mendocino County, Brut Rose, Sparkling Wine nv This is a sparkler that features lively fruit, vivid strawberries and raspberry punch, with an accent of floral notes. In the mouth the fruit carries on with a creamy character, a sense of vanilla, a...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 4, 2010 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Small Vines, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir 2008 This wine is a star. In the nose the fruit has a liqueur-like character, showing off its ripeness. In the mouth there is again that straddling of the Old and New Worlds that Small Vines pulls off vintage after...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 4, 2010 | Beaune, Burgundy, Chambolle-Musigny, France, Pinot Noir
Domaine G. Roumier, Chambolle-Musigny 2007 Give this some air to allow the fruit to emerge. Then there’s a mix of cherries, moist black earth in the garden and brown spices. In the mouth this is just a baby, with plenty of structure and bright cherry fruit. The...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 4, 2010 | Anderson Valley, California, Mendocino County, Pinot Noir
Toulouse Vineyards, Anderson Valley, Estate, Pinot Noir 2007 In the nose there is a sense of the forest floor and toasty, smoky oak. In the mouth it shows as an elegant style of Pinot Noir, very supple and approachable. We tasted a few weekends ago at the winery and a...
