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The Wines of Silver Oak and Twomey

by Ray Johnson | Apr 16, 2011 | Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, Sonoma County

We had an opportunity to take a deeper look at the wines of Silver Oak and Twomey in Oakville today. Below are notes on two of my favorites. Silver Oak, Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 The nose speaks of Cassis, vanilla, lots of caramel – a strong...

California Chardonnay 2008

by Ray Johnson | Mar 1, 2010 | California, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley

Raymond, Napa Valley, Reserve, Chardonnay 2008 The nose features the smell of fresh oak, stone fruit and a bit of coconut and banana. In the mouth it is smooth and restrained, showing richness without thickness – an elegant Chardonnay. This wine was fermented in...

Wines of the 2010 Pinot Noir Shootout

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...

Central Coast Pinot Stars

by Ray Johnson | Feb 5, 2009 | Arroyo Grande Valley, California, Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills

Siduri, Sta. Rita Hills, Cargasacchi Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2007 The nose features lots of fresh, candied fruit. The mouth captures the same essence, fruit driven and ready to drink. P&B in Santa Rosa 14.1% $47.49 at Bottle Barn Siduri Wines Laetitia, Arroyo Grande...

SB Pinot

by Ray Johnson | Jul 14, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills

Flying Goat, Santa Maria Valley, Solomon Hills Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2005 Concentrated cherries, sweet oak in July 08. In February ’09, there’s some nice complexity as well, with the fruits stewing a bit – nice. Winemaker Norm Yost. P&B in Lompoc...

2 sides of dry part 3

by Ray Johnson | Jun 25, 2008 | California, Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

There’s a broad spectrum to what is considered dry white wine, as we see in these two examples from California. Kunde Estate Sonoma Valley Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This is an exciting wine of floral and citrus notes, high acidity and light body. G, P...
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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