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 | Nov 25, 2008 | Dry Creek Valley, Late harvest red, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Bella, Dry Creek Valley, Late Harvest, Zinfandel 2004 If you can imagine drying some blackberries and dusting them with black pepper, that’s what this wine smells like. The jammy fruit really pops in the mouth and is beautifully sweet. P&B in Healdsburg...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 21, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Sonoma County
Toad Hollow, Sonoma County, Eye of the Toad, Pinot Noir, Dry Rose 2007 Fresh, aromatic and fruity in the nose; plush and very fruity in the mouth. V&B in Sonoma 11.5% $7.99 at Bottle Barn Toad Hollow Cellars
by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2008 | California, Chardonnay, Marin County, Mendocino County, Napa Valley, North Coast, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
Schramsberg, North Coast, Reserve 2001 The nose is very smoky and toasty, with a sense of freshly buttered pastry. In the mouth, the wine is reminiscent of a fresh pastry made with lemon and custard and topped with lots of lime cordial – a sweet-tart essense...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 16, 2008 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Petite Sirah, Primitivo, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Barry Collier has created a paradise for his grapes above the Dry Creek Valley. If you were a grape, you would want to be planted under his care. The hillside vineyards are steep and the views are incredible. The highest points are above the fog line, where the grapes...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 10, 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, Dry Creek Valley, Grenache, Lake County, Marsanne, Mendocino County, Mourvedre, Napa Valley, Rhone Blend, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Syrah, Viognier
The Rhone Rangers hosted a seminar yesterday featuring wines that pay homage to the grapes made famous in France’s Rhone Valley. The seminar was not bound by geography; there were wines from both sides of the Atlantic. The seminar was also not bound by tradition...
