by Ray Johnson | Dec 16, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Frescobaldi, Toscana IGT, Remole 2008 This wine is fresh and fruit forward, ready to drink, a light-bodied quaffer which demonstrates that clean and juicy wine is not the exclusive realm of New World producers. Behind the bright cherry fruit is a nice thread of...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 16, 2009 | Chianti, Chianti Rufina, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Marchesi de Frescobaldi, Chianti Rufina DOCG, Nipozzano, Riserva 2006 Unfortunately the first bottle was corked and will make a good example for my seminar on wine faults. The second bottle shows the huge difference a cork can make. In bottle number two, the nose...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 1, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena, Zinfandel
Appellation St. Helena hosted a tasting on Tuesday to show off the wines of the AVA. We discussed the recent vintages and tasted 48 wines, with a strong emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon. Below is a baker’s dozen, the stars of the tasting – great Cabernet but...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 27, 2009 | California, Rosé, Sangiovese, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Muscardini Cellars, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyards, Rosato di Sangiovese 2008 This is a zippy rose, a clean expression of Sangiovese’s cherry character with refreshing acidity – very nice. The wine was fermented and aged in neurtal French oak for 5...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 7, 2009 | Chianti, Chianti Classico, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Badia a Coltibuono, Chianti Classico 2006 There’s a dusty,woodsy character in the nose at this point. In the mouth there is plenty of expected acidity and cherry fruit, with a soft dusting of tannin, an elegant Classico. The grapes for this wine are 90%...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 7, 2009 | Italy, Montalcino, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Siro Pacenti, Rosso di Montalcino 2006 The fresh cherries come through in the nose with a New World freshness. In the mouth however, is the structure you expect, plenty of acidity and tannin – nice. The grapes are all Sangiovese Grosso, vinified in stainless and...
