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Pinot stars

by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2008 | California, Carneros, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County

Buena Vista, Carneros, Pinot Noir 2006 The nose is sweet vanilla while the mouth features red fruits, a light-body and vanilla sweetness. The fruit is sourced from the winery’s Ramal Vineyard. Produced in Sonoma and Bottled in Napa 13.5% $17.99 at Bottle Barn...

Italian style

by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Sangiovese, Sonoma County, Super Tuscan

Ramazzotti, Sonoma County, Raffinto, Red Wine 2005 This smells like a walk in the oak forest where some of the trees have been freshly felled – an intertwining of oak and earth.  The mouth is vivaciously fruity with the oak to match and a smooth texture. This is...

The pink stars

by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2008 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Zinfandel

Taft Street, Sonoma Coast, Rose of Pinot Noir 2007 Mild but muted strawberries and an astringent profile. Unfortunately this wine has a sub-threshold level of TCA that’s blocking the fruit. The grapes come from the Pasta King, Art Ibletto. P&B in Sebastopol...

The white stars

by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2008 | California, Chardonnay, Dry Creek Valley, Pinot Gris and Grigio, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County

Clarbec, Sonoma County, Pinot Gris 2007 There’s fresh tropical fruit and subtle oak in the nose. The fruit comes through in the mouth with a caress of acidity and a little bit of richness – very nice. The grapes were sourced from the Lila Lane and Clarbec...

Sweeping sparkling

by Ray Johnson | Oct 18, 2008 | California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Sparkling Dry

Mayo Family Winery, Sonoma Valley, Laurel Hill Vineyard, Methode Champenoise, Brut 2003 There’s plenty of green apple and tart cherry as well as a little toastiness. P&B in Lower Lake 12.5% $27.99 at Bottle Barn Mayo

Lynmar pink revisited

by Ray Johnson | Oct 17, 2008 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Lynmar, Russian River Valley, Rose of Pinot Noir 2007 Again, the pale side of Pinot is truly worth the departure from its more opaque cousin. Like the Williams Selyem, there is the quintessential smell and taste of strawberries. There is also a sense of creaminess...
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Wine Regions & Grapes

Sampling of Wineries

Acorn Allegrini Atlas Peak Balletto Blandy's Blue Wing Cafe Bodega Navarro Correas Bollinger Bonterra Burgans Cantina Terlano d'Arenberg Domaine Carneros Domaine de la Mordoree Dow's Dr. Loosen Elena Walch Famega Fonseca Foppiano Foxen Glen Ellen Innocent Bystander J. Keverson Korbel Madeira Wine Company Martin Codax Masi Merryvale Mulderbosch Navarro Vineyards Noceto Plantagenet Redwood Creek Reynoso Roederer Estate Sbragia Shed Horn Shooting Star Sonoma State Wine Business Institute St. James Trione Vietti Wildhurst William Fevre