by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | Bordeaux, France, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Chateau La Tour Blanche, Sauternes, 1er Cru 2003 The nose is marked by honey and minerality and appropriate VA. The pungency of the cleanser-like VA will certainly be too much for some as it does interfere with the fruit in the nose. That said, this is a tolerated...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
Voss, Napa Valley, Rutherford Estate Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Today on the first of April, 2009 the citrus is holding steady and the wine retains its freshness – bravo! In the fall of ’08 I noted: there’s a sense of gooseberries, candied...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | France, Loire Valley, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc
Jean Reverdy, Sancerre, La Reine Blanche 2007 Once again the smell of grass and grapefruit are in full force while the mouth follows suit with plenty of acidity and a little minerality. My notes from the previous three vintages show this consistent thread of...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 5, 2008 | France, Loire Valley, Pouilly-Fume, Sauvignon Blanc
Domaine Didier Dagueneau, Pouilly-Fume, Pur Sang 2004 In this wine there is the smell of cat pee and minerality. The mouth is very concentrated and long, with ripe citrus flavors like orange and tangerine. This Sauvignon is barrel fermented. Produced in Sant Andelain...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 4, 2008 | Bordeaux, France, Graves, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Chateau Lagupeau, Graves 2007 The nose is a mix of bay leaves, fruit and chemical notes. In the mouth the wine is hard and lean with lots of acid. There’s a sense that this wine is aging prematurely and I’d be hesitant to purchase another bottle. This is...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2008 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Late harvest red, Late Harvest White, Port, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel
Paradise Ridge Winery, Russian River Valley, Ode to Joy, Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Lots of complexity in this wine, with honey galore – very reminiscent of Sauternes. This dessert wine was crafted to honor the memory of Marijke Byck-Hoenselaars. 44...
