by Ray Johnson | Aug 4, 2010 | California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Small Vines, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir 2008 This wine is a star. In the nose the fruit has a liqueur-like character, showing off its ripeness. In the mouth there is again that straddling of the Old and New Worlds that Small Vines pulls off vintage after...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 28, 2010 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Grenache, Sonoma County
Unti, Dry Creek Valley, Grenache 2007 There’s a lovely, candy-like fruitiness to this Grenache. It’s also not a flabby one, but rather a red wine with structure, reminiscent of its Old World roots yet kissed by New World sunshine. The 2007 is reinforced by...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 26, 2010 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Pedroncelli, Dry Creek Valley, Mother Clone, Zinfandel 2007 The nose features sweet jammy fruit, like a bit of raspberry and blackberry rolled into a crumble for dessert. In the mouth it is spicy and warm, a little viscous and focused on the fruit – nice. 11%...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 22, 2010 | California, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Hartford Court, Russian River, Four Hearts Vineyards, Chardonnay 2007 This is a large Chardonnay, big, rich and mouth-filling. There’s plenty of butter and oak to please those in search of a full-on California Chard yet there is also a core of fruit and acidity...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 17, 2010 | California, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Foppiano, Russian River Valley, Estate Bottled, Rose 2009 The nose features flowers, candied red fruits and a bit of bubble gum. In the mouth the fruit shows nicely, the acidity is mild and the palate is broad. It is reminiscent of a rose from the southern Rhone, like...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 14, 2010 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Robert Rue, Russian River Valley, Wood Road, Reserve, Zinfandel 2007 Sweet and jammy fruit exudes in the nose with the spiciness of black pepper. In the mouth you’ll find a structured Zin, lightly tannic, with plenty of acidity and lastly a bit of caramel...
