by Ray Johnson | Jul 23, 2009 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Wilson Winery, Dry Creek Valley, Sawyer Vineyard, Zinfandel 2006 This wine just oozes with jammy berry pie and vanilla in the glass. In the mouth it is a supple and slightly warm expression of the same – yummy. You might remember the big prizes that the Wilson’s...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 21, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Spring Mountain District
Pride Mountain Vineyards, Napa Sonoma, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 In the nose there is a sense of Bordeaux, with cigar box and sweet pipe tobacco to augment the black fruit. In the mouth you find plenty of structure in a ripe way, tannic but not green, approachable now...
by Ray Johnson | May 22, 2009 | Alexander Valley, California, Late Harvest White, Muscat, Semillon, Sonoma County, White Dessert
deLorimier, Alexander Valley, Estate Bottled, Late Harvest, Lace 2006 This is rich and tropical with a lovely sense of dried apricots and balancing acidity. The botrytised grapes behind the wine are 55% Muscat Blanc and 45% Semillon, harvested at 29.9 degrees brix....
by Ray Johnson | May 22, 2009 | California, Late Harvest White, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Trousseau Gris, White Dessert
Carol Shelton, Russian River Valley, Fanucchi Vineyard, Sweet Caroline, Trousseau Gris 2006 This is a light-bodied dessert wine from a grape that makes some very acidic table wines. There’s actually a grapy character to this wine that I associate with labrusca...
by Ray Johnson | May 22, 2009 | California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel
Haywood, Sonoma Valley, Los Chamizal Vineyard, Estate, Zinfandel 2006 The nose puts together many facets of Zin. There’s pruniness, black pepper and a sense of Port. In the mouth, this is a structured Zin, supporting plenty of fruit and a long finish. Grown,...
by Ray Johnson | May 22, 2009 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Rodney Strong, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Reserve, Pinot Noir 2006 The nose is shut down and the mouth is fairly astringent. I suspect a low level of TCA is cloaking the true nature of this wine. Tom Klein owner and Rick Sayre winemaker P&B Healdsburg...
