by Ray Johnson | Oct 31, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Russian River Valley
Balletto, Russian River Valley, Estate Bottled, Pinot Noir 2007 There is candied cherry fruit in the nose and a creaminess to the mouthfeel. The fruit really comes through in the palate as well. 20% of the wine was fermented in neutral French oak and there’s a...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 24, 2008 | Anderson Valley, California, Pinot Noir, Rosé
Lazy Creek, Anderson Valley, Rose of Pinot Noir 2007 This wine has the zippy acidity and vibrance of the rose from County Line with a depth of flavor, a density that fills out the wine on the palate – great in October ’08. But in January ’09 the...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 1, 2008 | Cinsault, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Rosé, Tavel
Château du Ségriès, Tavel 2007 The ’06 was a solid, fruity wine and the 07 repeats that performance. The nose is clean and full of red fruits. The mouth is full-bodied and a little warm. You also get a sense of red wine with a bit of grip on the palate. The...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 16, 2008 | Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friulano, Italy, Refosco, Rosé, Venezia Giulia
Bastianich, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Tocai Friulano DOC 2006 Herbaceous with a sense of canned vegetables, lowish in acidity with a creamy character – disappointingly low in concentration. Estate bottled in Cividale del Fruili 13% $18.00 at Traverso’s...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 3, 2008 | France, Loire Valley, Pinot Noir, Pouilly-Fume, Rosé, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc
Francis Blanchet, Pouilly-Fume, Cuvee Silice 2006 Corked, so who will ever know what to think about this wine.This is all stainless Sauvignon produced across the river from Sancerre. Silice is sourced from an old vine parcel, laden with silex, just up the river in Les...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 27, 2008 | France, Les Baux de Provence, Provence, Rosé
Mas de Gourgonnier, Les Baux de Provence, Rose 2007 The fresh fruit is evident in this low acid rose. This estate was farming organically before many jumped on board and all of the wines are today certified organic. The 2007 rose is about 60% Grenache with a medley of...