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Left Bank Bordeaux

by Ray Johnson | May 12, 2010 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Margaux, Merlot, Saint-Julien

Chateau Giscours, Margaux 2006 The nose of this wine features a strong whiff of smoky oak and leather with red fruits and sweet tobacco. In the mouth, the fruit comes alive, with fresh berries and dried cranberries and the accent of earth and leather – very...

Chateau Saint-Pierre 2005

by Ray Johnson | Nov 4, 2009 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot, Saint-Julien

Chateau Saint-Pierre, Saint-Julien 2005 This is pleasure in a glass, ripeness of fruit, great density yet rounded off edges. The structure supports the density of flavor while the acidity carries the flavor a long way – very nice. The estate is planted to 75%...

Chateau Gloria 2005

by Ray Johnson | Nov 4, 2009 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Saint-Julien

Chateau Gloria, Saint-Julien 2005 There’s a nice smoky essence in the nose while in the mouth you’ll find cranberries and dark chocolate. This wine is quite chewy and would certainly benefit from 6-8 years in the cellar. The estate is planted to 65%...

Clos du Marquis 2003

by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Saint-Julien

Clos du Marquis, Saint-Julien 2003 There is vibrant sweet, black fruit in the nose. In the mouth you could swear this wine is from the New World. While the structure associated with Bordeaux is on stage in this wine, the fruit is vivacious and the tannins are quite...

Bordeaux blends

by Ray Johnson | Apr 30, 2008 | Bordeaux, Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Paso Robles, Saint-Julien

Justin Paso Robles Isosceles 2005 Lots of toasty oak and sour cherries with a thickness that lasts a long time. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 7% Merlot. GP&B in Paso Robles 14.6% $47.99 at Bottle Barn Justin Chateau Leoville Las Cases Saint-Julien...

Virginia and Bordeaux

by Ray Johnson | Apr 22, 2008 | Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chassagne-Montrachet, Corbieres, Corvina, France, Kremstal, Saint-Julien

Jefferson and others in America’s early history admired the wines of Bordeaux and brought their passion to the early states. This line-up features a wine from the Virginia producer that so delighted us last week and a well-regarded fourth growth of Bordeaux....

Wine Regions & Grapes

Sampling of Wineries

Acorn Allegrini Atlas Peak Balletto Blandy's Blue Wing Cafe Bodega Navarro Correas Bollinger Bonterra Burgans Cantina Terlano d'Arenberg Domaine Carneros Domaine de la Mordoree Dow's Dr. Loosen Elena Walch Famega Fonseca Foppiano Foxen Glen Ellen Innocent Bystander J. Keverson Korbel Madeira Wine Company Martin Codax Masi Merryvale Mulderbosch Navarro Vineyards Noceto Plantagenet Redwood Creek Reynoso Roederer Estate Sbragia Shed Horn Shooting Star Sonoma State Wine Business Institute St. James Trione Vietti Wildhurst William Fevre