by Ray Johnson | May 12, 2010 | Cabernet Franc, California, Rockpile, Sonoma County
Stryker Sonoma, Rockpile, Rockpile Vineyard, Cabernet Franc 2007 The nose features sweet vanilla, cedar, cherries and pencil shavings. The mouth shows a rich texture, quite plush with the essence of nuttiness and caramel wrapped around a dark chocolate cookie –...
by Ray Johnson | May 10, 2010 | Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Knights Valley, Merlot, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Virginia
Kendall-Jackson, Knights Valley, Highland Estates, Trace Ridge, Red Wine 2006 Unfortunately this bottle is corked. The grapes behind this wine are 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. The wine was aged for 19 months in French oak, 45% of which was...
by Ray Johnson | May 5, 2010 | Anderson Valley, California, Mendocino County, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Willowbrook, Russian River Valley, J.C.O. Limited, Estate Grown, Pinot Noir 2007 The nose is a very sweet expression of oak and ripe fruit. In the mouth, this Pinot is silky and warm, showing caramel over freshly baked cherry pie. Winemaker Joseph Otos. P&B in...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 28, 2010 | California, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Viognier
Cline, Sonoma Coast, Estate Grown, Viognier 2008 The peachy character of Viognier expresses itself in the nose. In the mouth you’ll find more of the same, with some palpable acidity and a little touch of creaminess – nice. Knowing how hot and weighty...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 28, 2010 | California, Cote-Rotie, Russian River Valley, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Sonoma County, Syrah
This flight of Syrah takes us from the freshness of new fruit in California, to the development of bottle bouquet in wines from 2003 – excellent all around, featuring different expressions of the same grape over time and over both sides of the Atlantic. Foxen,...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2010 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel
Wilson Winery, Dry Creek Valley, Tori Vineyard, Estate, Zinfandel 2007 The nose expresses sweetness, from the oak to the jammy fruit, with a dusting of black pepper. This then continues on the palate, with some structure to frame the black fruit flavors – ripe...
