by Ray Johnson | Jul 27, 2009 | California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Syrah
Provisor, Dry Creek Valley, Syrah 2002 This wine, almost 7 years on is showing quite nicely, with dried fruits and a supple texture. The wine was aged in new and older French oak for 16 months. This was the first vintage of Syrah from proprietors Susan and Doug...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 20, 2009 | Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Syrah
Perrin & Fils, Cotes du Rhone 2007 The nose features black pepper, red fruits and a sense of the garrique. In the mouth this wine is ready to match with a bit of roasted pork; there is moderate acidity, ripe tannins and a creaminess as well. This moderately...
by Ray Johnson | May 8, 2009 | California, Rockpile, Sonoma County, Syrah
JC Cellars, Rockpile, Rockpile Vineyard, Haley’s Reserve, Syrah 2005 This is a sweet smelling Syrah, like candy with a little spike of spirit. The mouth is quite dense, with vanilla overlapping the fruit. The texture is plush and refined, displaying just a...
by Ray Johnson | May 1, 2009 | Alexander Valley, California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Syrah
Bella, Alexander Valley, Big River Ranch, Syrah 2005 There’s jammy black fruit in the nose and a little bit of tar and reductive character when first open. In the mouth, the wine is chewy and oaky with a bit of bitterness. P&B in Healdsburg 14.9% $40 at the...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 29, 2009 | Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
Andre Brunel, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Les Cailloux 2006 In the nose the fruit goes from fresh to raisin, with black pepper and spices from the cupboard. In the mouth, this wine is approachable already, chewy and dripping with acidity with plenty of extract to fill out...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 29, 2009 | Cinsault, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Rhône, Syrah
Coudoulet de Beaucastel, Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge, 2005 The black fruits are alight in the nose with a liquer-like character. In the mouth the fruit is very expressive with the structure you’d expect – a great combo. The grapes are sourced from the Coudoulet...
