by Ray Johnson | May 15, 2008 | Blanc de Noirs, Burgundy, California, Carneros, Cava, Champagne, Chardonnay, Cremant de Bourgogne, France, Napa Valley, Penedes, Pinot Noir, Rose, Sonoma County, Spain, Sparkling Dry
Tonight we taste 8 different bubblies on the pink side, from Spain, north to Burgundy and Champagne and finally back home to California. Codorniu Cava Pinot Noir Brut nv Earthy and coarse – a real disappointment. All Pinot Noir fermented in the bottle tasted, as...
by Ray Johnson | May 9, 2008 | Anderson Valley, Burgundy, California, Carneros, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
This flight of 5, charts 3 vintages and 4 appellations. See the ‘Focus on Arlaud’ for the last of this flight. Lost Canyon Russian River Valley Dutton Ranch Morelli Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 Raisins, evolving fruit and warmth show on the palate, with...
by Ray Johnson | May 8, 2008 | Burgundy, California, Edna Valley, France, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo County
Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-St-Georges Clos des Porrets St.-Georges 1er Cru 2005 This is a monopole for Gouges, the legend from Nuits-St-Georges. The wine is quite tight, just a baby, packed with fruit and earthy notes with a tannic exterior. Lay this one down in the...
by Ray Johnson | May 8, 2008 | Oregon, Pinot Noir, Umpqua Valley, Willamette Valley
This flight features 4 Oregonian Pinots Brandborg Umqua Valley, Oregon Ferris Wheel Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir 2006 P&B in Elkton 13.8% $40 at the winery Brandborg Ken Wright Cellars Yamhill-Carlton District Shea Vineyard 2006 This was the hands-down star of the...
by Ray Johnson | May 8, 2008 | California, Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir
Etude Carneros Pinot Noir Rose 2006 Lots of strawberry to smell and the palate features refreshing acidity with a glistening sheen of creamy fruit. P&B in Napa 13.9% $19.95 at Traverso’s Etude
by Ray Johnson | May 7, 2008 | Anderson Valley, California, Chardonnay, Mendocino County, Napa Valley, North Coast, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
This flight pits top wines from Schramsberg in Calistoga and Roederer Estate in Philo. Roederer Estate Anderson Valley L”Ermitage Estate Brut 2000 This has been a personal favorite balancing the racy house style with the complexity given by time on the lees and...
