by Ray Johnson | Sep 30, 2007 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Lodi, Primitivo, Puglia, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel
Gran Sasso, Puglia, Primitivo IGT 2005 Tasted in May ’08 this wine was blooming with brett and would repulse most consumers. A bottle tasted later in the summer proved to be a different animal. Oaky and earthy with new world fruit, an appropriate amount of acid...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 24, 2007 | Amador County, Barbera, Piemonte, Sierra Foothills, Sonoma County
Barbera can deliver berry flavor with the acidity to keep up with acidic dishes. This flight featured two examples from either side of the Atlantic. The first time the California offering was from Seghesio. Tonight we line-up a wine from Jeff Ruquist. Andrea Oberto...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 24, 2007 | Italy, Pinot Gris and Grigio, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
Zenato Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2006 This regionally-labeled bottling has been a good value high-acid white. The 2005 emphasized citrus notes. The 2006 tasted in this class showed fruits ranging from citrus to tropical. There is a new world freshness, with a...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 21, 2007 | California, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
The Russian River is known best around the world as the home of great New World Pinot Noir. But we can’t count out the Zin. There are old vineyards delivering concentrated flavors and wines that can be known for their elegance and acidity, descriptors that...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 21, 2007 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Wilson Winery Dry Creek Valley Sawyer Vineyard Zinfandel 2005 This is definitely jammy with a healthy dose of black pepper. In the mouth the same jammy fruit and black pepper come through in a structured, tannic package. You might remember the big prizes that the...
