by Ray Johnson | Nov 23, 2009 | France, Sparkling Dry, Ugni Blanc
Chateau Saint Esteve de Neri, Blancs de Blancs, Methode Traditionnelle, Brut nv The nose features cooked stone fruits and orange marmelade. In the mouth there is a mix of caramel and baked peaches with a bit of bitterness. The estate farms 13 hectares of vines in the...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 23, 2009 | Chardonnay, Macabeo, Parellada, Penedes, Spain, Sparkling Dry, Xarel.lo
This flight features two methode traditionnelle sparklers from Spain. Parxet, Cava, Cuvee 21, Brut nv This Cava smells of herbs with a chemical note while in the mouth it tastes of green apples and there is quite an astringency – unfortunate. The grapes behind...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 18, 2009 | California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Sparkling Dry
Domaine Carneros, Carneros, Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Le Reve 2002 There is the typical sweetness to this wine with a smokiness and an uncharacteristic herbaceous note. The grapes are Chardonnay with the possibility of some Pinot Blanc and the wine was aged for 6 years,...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 18, 2009 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Champagne, La Grande Dame, Brut 1998 The nose features an evolving medley of dried fruits and nuttiness. In the mouth it is quite acidic, tasting of oranges and brown spices. The unfortunate thing about this particular bottle is the cork...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 18, 2009 | California, Carneros, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry, Sparkling Lightly Sweet
Gloria Ferrer, Carneros, Methode Champenoise, Blanc de Noirs nv This is a newer bottling than that reviewed back in the fall of ’07, with a change of appellation from Sonoma County to Carneros. The sweeter sense of dosage is there as before with citrus fruits, a...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 18, 2009 | Alsace, Cremant d'Alsace, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Allimant-Laugner, Cremant d’Alsace, Rose nv There’s a light sense of fresh biscuits in the nose and tangy cherry fruit in the mouth with a lingering creaminess. This makes for a nice, clean, inexpensive alternative to Champagne when you would like a bit of...
