by Ray Johnson | Jun 27, 2008 | Calatayud, California, Ribera del Duero, Spain
San Alejandro Calatalud Las Rocas Garnacha 2005 100% Grenache, 70-100 years old. The Las Rocas line is bottled for Eric Solomon, from a cooperative effort of growers in Calatalud. Elabroado y embotellado in Miedes 14.5% $8.49 at Bottle Barn Legaris Ribera del Duero DO...
by Ray Johnson | Jun 27, 2008 | Albariño, California, Galicia, Monterey County, Rias Baixas, Spain
Albarino, a.k.a., Alvarinho, is hot. This refresher from Iberia is becoming more visible in America, with more imports from abroad and more plantings on the homefront. Condes de Albarei, Rias Baixas DO, Albarino 2007 Fully aromatic and lip smacking with a sweet/tart...
by Ray Johnson | May 16, 2008 | Cava, Chardonnay, Penedes, Spain
Codorniu Cava Reserva Raventos Brut nv Intense gunflint in the nose along with some mustiness. There’s some grippy astringency in the mouth. Let’s give it the benefit of the doubt and say it has a low level of cork taint. Made from traditional grapes of...
by Ray Johnson | May 15, 2008 | Blanc de Noirs, Burgundy, California, Carneros, Cava, Champagne, Chardonnay, Cremant de Bourgogne, France, Napa Valley, Penedes, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Sonoma County, Spain, Sparkling Dry
Tonight we taste 8 different bubblies on the pink side, from Spain, north to Burgundy and Champagne and finally back home to California. Codorniu Cava Pinot Noir Brut nv Earthy and coarse – a real disappointment. All Pinot Noir fermented in the bottle tasted, as...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 1, 2008 | Grenache, Navarra, Priorat, Spain
Bodegas Nekeas Navarra DO El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa Old Vines Grenache 2005 There’s smoke, tar and the brightness of fresh berries. Light-bodied and fruity. Sourced from 60 year old Grenache (Garnacha) grown in the Nekeas Valley. The wine is a Jorge Ordonez...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 1, 2008 | Palomino, Sherry, Spain
Lustau, Sherry DO, Solera Reserva, Fino, Jarana nv The latest bottle purchased in February 2010 is coded 9180 and bottled under a Stelvin closure. The profile was was previously spot on with plenty of bruised apples and toasted almonds all the while calling out for a...
