by Ray Johnson | Apr 21, 2010 | Amador County, California, Dry Creek Valley, Sierra Foothills, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Sobon Estate, Amador County, Old Vines, Zinfandel 2008 Here’s a light-bodied Zin that is quite fruity and ready to quaff. There’s a little sweetness working in the background (about 3 grams per litre) along with a light touch of eucalyptus and a little...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 18, 2010 | Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Before moving to California, I worked in a flash French restaurant back in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was the mid-eighties and all of the staff were died in the wool Francophiles, disdaining New World wine while seldom ever tasting it. Local wine critic Peter...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 14, 2010 | Alexander Valley, Barbera, California, Sonoma County
Seghesio, Alexander Valley, Barbera 2008 The nose screams fresh fruit galore. It’s pretty in the way the black fruit melds with floral notes. In the mouth it is supple and rich, with a viscosity not often seen in Barbera. This has been a consistently ripe crowd...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 10, 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Spragia Family Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley, Andolsen Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 The nose features Cassis and a touch of the forest floor, a light green element adding complexity and a nice dash of vanilla. In the mouth it is muscular and youthful, quite tannic...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 10, 2010 | California, Russian River Valley, Sangiovese, Sonoma County
Acorn, Russian River Valley, Alegria Vineyards, Sangiovese 2007 This wine delivers the acidity of Sangiovese with the ripeness of California – very nice. The grapes for this wine are 98% Sangiovese (7 different clones), 1% Canaiolo and 1% Mammolo. Winegrowers...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 10, 2010 | California, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
Hanna, Russian River Valley, Estate Grown, Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Notes back through the 2004 vintage show a consistent thread of bright citrus and high acidity. The current ’09 couples the citrus with freshly cut grass. A bit of petillance adds lift making this...
