by Ray Johnson | Mar 28, 2013 | Albariño, Alsace, Alto Adige, Andalucia, Barbera, Barbera d'Asti, Barolo, Bordeaux, California, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Dealcoholized, Fortified dessert, France, Gewurztraminer, Graves, Italy, Jerez, Madeira, Malmsey, Malvasia, Marlborough, Merlot, Napa County, Napa Valley, Nebbiolo, New Zealand, Palomino, Pessac-Leognan, Piemonte, Pinot Noir, Port, Portugal, Provence, Rosé, Russian River Valley, Sancerre, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sherry, Sonoma County, South Africa, Spain, Tawny Port, Var, Vinho Verde, Western Cape
Staying ahead of flaws in the cellar and quantifying perceptual differences and consumer preferences are critical to a winery’s bottom line. Following our return from New Zealand, Sonoma State’s Wine Business Institute will partner with VESTA to again offer this...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 13, 2010 | Andalucia, Fino, Palomino, Sherry, Spain
Gonzalez Byass, Jerez, Tio Pepe, Fine Muy Seco, Palomino, Fino, nv The nose features a nice sense of the traditional bruised apples, coupled with fresh apples and minerality. In addition there is nuttiness and spicy floral notes – very complex. In the mouth it is...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 7, 2009 | Andalucia, Aperitif, Fino, Jerez, Palomino, Sherry, Spain
Lustau, Jerez DO, Solera Reserva, Puerto Fino, nv This Fino is nutty and spiritous with a light sense of the classic bruised apples. This Palomino-based wine is matured in El Puerto de Santa Maria, Bottling code: 7185 15.5% $15.99 at BB in December ‘09...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 3, 2009 | Andalucia, Jerez, Pedro Ximenez, Sherry, Spain
Lustau, Jerez, (Sherry) Denominaciónes de Origen, Solera Reserva, Pedro Ximenez, San Emilio nv The glass is packed with molasses, caramel and toffee. In the mouth it is among the thickest of dessert wines, very rich, very complex and evocative of prunes and raisins...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 13, 2009 | Manzanilla, Sherry, Spain
Bodegas Hidalgo, La Gitana, Jerez, Manzanilla nv The nose has classic bruised apples with some acetone as well. The mouth is quite dry and gripping. This drinks to paradigm yet is too evolved in the chemical direction, lacking the freshness of a new bottle of Lustau...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 2, 2008 | Jerez, Palomino, Sherry, Spain
Lustau, Jerez DO, Solera Reserva, Dry, Amontillado, Los Arcos nv This wine is nutty and sweet smelling but beware it’s not sweet. In the mouth is a sense of toffee, peanut brittle and toasted almonds. This is the budget Amontillado from Lustau, not as...