by Ray Johnson | May 20, 2009 | California, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
Korbel, Russian River Valley Champagne, Natural’ Méthode Champenoise 2006 As in previous vintages, there’s a nice sense of green apples through and through, making this arguably Korbel’s best and most refreshing sparkler. 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay;...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 30, 2009 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Penet-Chardonnet, Champagne, Grand Cru, Grande Reserve, Extra Brut nv There is a light golden color in the glass and the biscuit notes are quite developed in the nose – very complex. Besides the biscuits there are browned apples, cherries and toasted nuts. The...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | Cava, Pinot Noir, Spain, Sparkling Dry
Segura Viudas, Cava, Brut, Aria, Pinot Noir nv This seems a sweeter brut than many with some astringency – awkward. This is traditional method sparkling, fermented in the bottle opened and produced in Torrelavit 12% $7.49 at Bottle Barn
by Ray Johnson | Dec 11, 2008 | Alsace, Cremant d'Alsace, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Lucien Albrecht, Cremant d’Alsace, Brut, Rose nv In the nose are candied fruits and flowers. The mouth is quite fruity, moderately acidic with some creaminess – nice value. This wine is all Pinot Noir and the wine spends 9 months on the lees after the...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2008 | California, Chardonnay, Marin County, Mendocino County, Napa Valley, North Coast, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
Schramsberg, North Coast, Reserve 2001 The nose is very smoky and toasty, with a sense of freshly buttered pastry. In the mouth, the wine is reminiscent of a fresh pastry made with lemon and custard and topped with lots of lime cordial – a sweet-tart essense...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 20, 2008 | Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Egly-Ouriet, Champagne, Grand Cru, Rose, Brut nv Concentrated red fruits mark the nose. The mouth repeats this expression of fruit on a layer of minerality. – very young, very dense and very long – yes. The grapes are sourced from Ambonnay, Bouzy and...
