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 18, 2008 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Late harvest red, Late Harvest White, Port, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel
Paradise Ridge Winery, Russian River Valley, Ode to Joy, Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Lots of complexity in this wine, with honey galore – very reminiscent of Sauternes. This dessert wine was crafted to honor the memory of Marijke Byck-Hoenselaars. 44...				
					
			
					
				
															
					
					 by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2008 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Alexander Valley Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley, Redemption Zin, Zinfandel 2006 A moderate amount of jammy fruit and black pepper drive the nose while the palate is gripping, light-bodied and a little warm. P&B in Healdsburg 14.5% $18.99 at Bottle Barn AVWine Robert...				
					
			
					
				
															
					
					 by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2008 | California, Carneros, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
Buena Vista, Carneros, Pinot Noir 2006 The nose is sweet vanilla while the mouth features red fruits, a light-body and vanilla sweetness. The fruit is sourced from the winery’s Ramal Vineyard. Produced in Sonoma and Bottled in Napa 13.5% $17.99 at Bottle Barn...				
					
			
					
				
															
					
					 by Ray Johnson | Oct 17, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Lynmar, Russian River Valley, Rose of Pinot Noir 2007 Again, the pale side of Pinot is truly worth the departure from its more opaque cousin. Like the Williams Selyem, there is the quintessential smell and taste of strawberries. There is also a sense of creaminess...				
					
			
					
				
															
					
					 by Ray Johnson | Oct 7, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Ray D’Argenzio continues making great wine from his location just across the highway from the Santa Rosa Junior College. He’s in the second year of his Amarone project, drying grapes from the ’08 harvest. Breanna, back from a year of study in...