by Ray Johnson | Apr 16, 2010 | California, Grand Noir, Grenache, Rhone Blend, Santa Clara County, Syrah
Storrs, Santa Clara County, Two Creek Vineyard, Red Wine 2006 The nose features a big heft of vanilla and freshly split oak. The oaky flavors carry through on the palate, with ripe black fruit and warmth. I can’t believe as I go through my notes that this is the...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 25, 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, France, Provence, Syrah
I was fortunate to visit Chateau Vignelaure back in the 80s – was it ’84 or ’85? Some of my memories are fuzzy. The memory that isn’t fuzzy however, is that Vignelaure was a trend setter, planting Cabernet Sauvignon in Provence, despite the...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 8, 2010 | Australia, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Syrah
d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, The Footbolt, Shiraz 2005 The nose features liquer-like character, a concentration of candied black fruit, a hint of eucalyptus and some subtle volatility. In the mouth the fruit is in force, the feel is silky and a thread of acidity provides...
by Ray Johnson | Feb 8, 2010 | Cotes du Rhone, Cotes du Rhone Villages, France, Grenache, Rhône, Syrah
Perrin & Fils, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2007 The nose features sweet berries and black pepper. In the mouth it quite structured with medium weight; it’s crying out for red meat – nice value from the Rhone. This wine is 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache. Mis en...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 31, 2010 | California, Santa Cruz Mountains, Syrah
Kathryn Kenndy, Santa Cruz Mountains, Maridon Vineyard, Reserve, Syrah 2002 This was a delicious wine and I can’t tell you why for the notes are in a journal that I’ve misplaced. Yet I feel compelled to share the story – sometimes the deliciousness...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 20, 2010 | Australia, Syrah, Victoria, Viognier
Innocent Bystander, Victoria, Shiraz-Viognier 2006 It’s very neat how you get the ripeness of Shiraz, the black fruits that we love, with the cooler climate marker of black pepper, all in one bottle. This is a great walk down the middle of Syrah/Shiraz...
