by Ray Johnson | May 8, 2012 | California, Lake County, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel
Bell Hill, Lake County, Merlot 2005 When first tasted in July 2009, I wrote: the nose features sweet notes of vanilla and cherries while the mouth repeats with ripe tannins, just to let you know they are there – very nice. Tasted again in May 2012, the tannins have...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2012 | California, Carneros, Syrah
Napa Cellars, Carneros, Dyer Vineyard, Syrah 2009 This is a sweet smelling Syrah, forecasting ripe fruit on the palate. That comes through without a doubt, with loads of berries and a very supple texture. A bonus to the experience is the sense of acidity that...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 19, 2011 | California, Paso Robles, Rosé, Syrah
Robert Hall, Paso Robles, Hall Ranch, Rose de Robles 2010 Don Brady truly captures the essence of fresh red fruit in the nose of this wine – very fresh. In the mouth you’ll find the body of rose from the Rhone coupled with fresh strawberries and moderate...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 13, 2010 | Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Syrah
Brokenwood, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Shiraz 2007 The nose of this wine combines the sweetness of a caramel dessert and the spiciness of black pepper. In the mouth it is quite supple, a little earthy and tasting of tangy cherries. The acidity is a nice element and...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 23, 2010 | Australia, Clarendon, South Australia, Syrah
Clarendon Hills, Clarendon, Piggot Range, Syrah 2005 The nose shows smoky oak and sweet black fruit. In the mouth the fruit is quite expressive and ripe, with an extremely silky texture and great length. It’s a treat to taste a wine that has such density while...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 28, 2010 | California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Syrah
JC Cellars, Santa Barbara County, Fess Parker’s Vineyard, Syrah 2007 Give this wine a bit of air, 10 minutes or so to blow off a bit of reductive character. Then the black fruit will emerge, wrapped in a jacket of leather. In the mouth there are notes of tar and...