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Red wines from France and Italy

by Ray Johnson | Mar 19, 2011 | Burgundy, Chianti, Chianti Classico, France, Italy, Marsannay, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Tuscany

Louis Latour, Marsannay, Rouge 2007 The nose displays earthiness and meatiness upon first opening with a bit of black fruit in the background. In the mouth it is quite hard at this point in time. Mis en bouteille a Beaune 13% purchased for $13.59 at Bottle Barn Maison...

Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 2006

by Ray Johnson | Jul 26, 2010 | Chianti, Chianti Classico, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany

Isole e Olena, Chianti Classico 2006 Cherries and cranberries mark the nose with a touch of earth and smoke. In the mouth it is perfectly tart, light-bodied and ready to accompany roasted chicken. There’s long, lingering cherry flavor and acidity – nice....

Casa Alle Vacche Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2009

by Ray Johnson | Jul 14, 2010 | Italy, Tuscany, Vernaccia, Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Casa Alle Vacche, Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2009 The nose offers minerality, hay and citrus fruits. In the mouth you’ll find the expected acidity, in a lean format with a bit of roundness on the edges. The grape behind this wine is Vernaccia grown at an...

Tuscany’s Wine Classics

by Ray Johnson | Jul 14, 2010 | Chianti, Chianti Classico, Italy, Montalcino, Sangiovese, Tuscany

Castello della Paneretta, Chianti Clasico 2006 The nose shows baked cherries and brown spices. In the mouth the cherry fruit is quite vibrant as is the acidity which matches it – nice.The grapes behind this wine are 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo. Estate...

Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2007

by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2010 | Chianti, Chianti Classico, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany

Badia a Coltibuono, Chianti Classico 2007 The nose sports cherries and caramel with some raisins – clean and inviting. In the mouth the acidity is vibrant, the tannins are there yet ripe and there is a creaminess as well – very nice. While the wine is made...

Paradiso Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2008

by Ray Johnson | Apr 23, 2010 | Italy, San Gimignano, Tuscany, Vernaccia, Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Il Poderi del Paradiso, Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2008 Unfortunately this wine is aging prematurely, featuring a golden color and the smell of ethyl acetate. We’ll try another bottle soon to see if this was a failure of the seal on this bottle. Paradiso has...
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Wine Regions & Grapes

Sampling of Wineries

Acorn Allegrini Atlas Peak Balletto Blandy's Blue Wing Cafe Bodega Navarro Correas Bollinger Bonterra Burgans Cantina Terlano d'Arenberg Domaine Carneros Domaine de la Mordoree Dow's Dr. Loosen Elena Walch Famega Fonseca Foppiano Foxen Glen Ellen Innocent Bystander J. Keverson Korbel Madeira Wine Company Martin Codax Masi Merryvale Mulderbosch Navarro Vineyards Noceto Plantagenet Redwood Creek Reynoso Roederer Estate Sbragia Shed Horn Shooting Star Sonoma State Wine Business Institute St. James Trione Vietti Wildhurst William Fevre