by Ray Johnson | Apr 17, 2009 | California, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
Flowers, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir 2007 The cherries combine with forest floor and a touch of rubber in the nose. In the mouth, the cherries are enhanced by the acidity but there is also an uncharacteristic sense of astringency. P&B in Cazadero 13.4% $51.99 at...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 17, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Patz & Hall, Russian River Valley, Dutton Ranch, Chardonnay 2006 The nose speaks buttery richness from the get go, with toastiness and apples. The mouth is full-on thick with butter yet balanced by acidity – very concentrated. Proprietors Donald &...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 17, 2009 | California, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
Hanna, Russian River Valley, Estate Grown, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Notes back through the 2004 vintage show a consistent thread of bright citrus and high acidity. The ’08 repeats that scenario with tropical notes as well. Give it a bit of air upon opening to blow...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 15, 2009 | California, Dolcetto, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Acorn, Russian River Valley, Alegria Vineyards, Dolcetto 2006 There’s a great complexity of smells working in the nose, including fresh and stewed fruits, green herbs and eucalyptus as well as a sense of oakiness. In the mouth, Bill has worked the tannin into...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 15, 2009 | Alexander Valley, Barbera, California, Sonoma County
Seghesio Alexander Valley, Barbera 2007 The new vintage of this wine smells as fetching as ever, exploding with a freshness of fruit as if still in the making at the winery. There’s also a sense of the rather immense alcohol showing itself before you even put it...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 1, 2009 | California, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
La Crema, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir 2007 Cherries and brown spices are out front in the nose with a sense of toastiness. The mouth features a supple carpet of black and red fruits, sweet-appearing in their ripeness and burnished with a kiss of oakiness – very...
