by Ray Johnson | Apr 10, 2010 | California, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
Hanna, Russian River Valley, Estate Grown, Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Notes back through the 2004 vintage show a consistent thread of bright citrus and high acidity. The current ’09 couples the citrus with freshly cut grass. A bit of petillance adds lift making this...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 22, 2010 | California, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
Korbel, Russian River Valley Champagne, Natural’ Méthode Champenoise 2007 In the nose you’ll find green apples and strawberries while in the mouth it is acidic, with a sense of apples that have been baked with brown sugar – nice. 65% Pinot Noir, 35%...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 30, 2010 | Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Proprietor Mike Hengehold was on hand at ZAP today in San Francisco to showcase his Zin portfolio. He is sourcing fruit from vines that were planted in the Russian River long before I was born. The fruit hangs well into October yet achieves sugars of only 24 brix. Why...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 15, 2010 | California, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
I hope you don’t think that I’m on the payroll at Trione ’cause here is another review of a super wine. At the Chronicle judges’ dinner last week we were each given a gift-wrapped bottle of a wine to take home after dinner. That meant that...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 13, 2010 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Syrah
Trione, Russian River Valley, River Road Ranch, Pinot Noir 2008 In the nose you’ll find sweet red fruit with pastry notes, think cherry pie, warm and aromatic. In the mouth you’ll find a supple expression of that cherry pie, absolutely luscious. The fruit...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 11, 2010 | Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills
The final round of judging in the 2010 Pinot Noir Shootout was held today at Bistro Boudin on Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. I was asked to join about 30 other judges to pick the best of the best from over 250 entries across the world. It was an easy day of...
