by Ray Johnson | Mar 27, 2009 | California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Syrah
Fess Parker, Santa Barbara County, The Big Easy, Syrah 2005 The nose features stewed black fruits, prunes and a heavy wack of oak. In the mouth, the wine is soft, oaky, lowish in acidity and warm. There’s a sense of eating a chocolate caramel bar with a touch of...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 10, 2008 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Sonoma County, Viognier
This flight provides an interesting contrast in California Viognier. Both are well-made but different animals entirely. The Preston is lighter, fresher, with aromatics that might remind one of a dry California Gewurztraminer. The Cold Heaven is rich, thick and...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 30, 2008 | California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Syrah
Foxen, Santa Ynez Valley, Toasted Rope, Syrah 2006 There are raisins and freshly stewed fruits in the nose, like the smells you get when making a warm compote in the winter. The mouth is extremely supple and sweet appearing, with cocoa and brown spices. 85% Syrah and...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 29, 2008 | California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Viognier
Zaca Mesa, Santa Ynez Valley, Estate Grown and Bottled, Viognier 2007 This wine is peaches on steroids all the way through with a rich, very viscous mouthfeel that emphasizes fruit rather than oak or butter, as is seen in some of the heavier-handed approaches to this...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 28, 2008 | California, Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhône, Rhone Blend, Santa Ynez Valley, Syrah
Le Clos du Caillou Cotes du Rhone Vielles Vignes Cuvee Unique 2005 This is a solid wine, balanced in medium weight with ripe fruits and structure. The ripeness is such that there are liquer-like black fruits. The alcohol is showing a bit in this chewy wine. Sourced...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 10, 2007 | Albariño, Dry Creek Valley, France, Grenache, Rhône, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Sonoma County
The red wines from the Southern Rhone follow a recipe that emphasizes Grenache. The wines of this flight highlight this underdog grape. Unti Dry Creek Valley Grenache 2005 Pretty funky at first opening but after an hour, the smell improved to show the Grenache fruit....
