by Ray Johnson | Mar 6, 2010 | Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
Marques de Caceres, Rioja, Reserva 2002 The nose shows some of the herbaceousness that can be found with Tempranillo along with vanilla and cherries dabbed with brown sugar and baked in a pie. The mouth is bright with cherries and structure, youthful. Yet at the same...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 22, 2009 | Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
Marques de Caceres, Rioja, Reserva 2001 The nose smells of stewed cherries, evolving nicely, developing complexity. In the mouth, the characteristic acidity is on display, on a plate of suppleness, with leather, olive and cherries – very nice. The fruit is a...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 4, 2009 | California, Fortified dessert, Madera, Port, Tempranillo
Quady Winery, California, Starboard Batch 88 The nose features caramel, nuts and spirits, like a nutty liqueur. In the mouth the nutty theme continues, with appropriate warmth for a Port-style wine and a sense of brown-sugar dusted raisins. The grape behind this wine...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 3, 2009 | Grenache, Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
Bodegas Palacios Remondo, Rioja DOC, La Vendimia 2007 The nose offers minty green character with liquer-like fruit. In the mouth it is quite fruity, a little chewy with a light body and a lingering creaminess. The grapes are approximately Tempranillo and Garnacha....
by Ray Johnson | Jul 31, 2009 | California, Grenache, Lake County, Tempranillo
With the 2005 vintage, Byron Kosuge is fully in charge of the winemaking at Tejada. In June we sampled the 05s with Ibo Tejada and his family at their estate in Lake County. The estate is noted for its focus on the grapes of Spain, cultivated organically. Tejada, Lake...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 18, 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Ribera del Duero, Spain, Tempranillo
Pago de Carraovejas, Ribera Del Duero DO, Crianza 2006 The previous vintage of this wine was quite substantial. In the ’06 the ripeness of the fruit really shows in the nose and the mouth meets that with ample structure for aging. The estate is planted to...
