by Ray Johnson | Nov 10, 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, Dry Creek Valley, Grenache, Lake County, Marsanne, Mendocino County, Mourvedre, Napa Valley, Rhone Blend, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Syrah, Viognier
The Rhone Rangers hosted a seminar yesterday featuring wines that pay homage to the grapes made famous in France’s Rhone Valley. The seminar was not bound by geography; there were wines from both sides of the Atlantic. The seminar was also not bound by tradition...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | California, Late Harvest White, Lodi, Viognier, White Dessert
Rosenblum Cellars, Lodi, Ripkin Ranch, Late Harvest Viognier, Lot 34 This is peaches in a glass with a thick mouthfeel, a little heat and the low acidity that often marks Viognier. The fruit was botritised and harvested at 36 brix. The final RS is 10%. P&B in...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 29, 2008 | California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Viognier
Zaca Mesa, Santa Ynez Valley, Estate Grown and Bottled, Viognier 2007 This wine is peaches on steroids all the way through with a rich, very viscous mouthfeel that emphasizes fruit rather than oak or butter, as is seen in some of the heavier-handed approaches to this...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 1, 2008 | France, Provence, Var, Viognier
Domaine de Triennes, Vin de Pays du Var, Sainte Fleur, Viognier 2006 The ’05 was a bit alcoholic, though that is often tolerated in Viognier. This bottle, the ’06 has some sense of that in the mouth but more than enough vivacious fruit to offset it. The...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 7, 2008 | California, Lake County, Mendocino County, Organic grapes, Viognier
Bonterra 73% Mendocino 27% Lake Counties Viognier 2006 This has been a consistently fresh, aromatic wine across the vintages. The flowers and peaches are in full bloom followed by a lowish-acid fresh mouthfeel. All certified organically grown grapes from a brand that...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 30, 2007 | Australia, Grenache, Marsanne, McLaren Vale, Rhone Blend, Rosé, Roussanne, Syrah, Viognier
Yangarra McLaren Vale Single Vineyard Roussanne 2007 Pretty floral notes with bits of herbs. The mouth is full of citrus with a light body and some refreshing acidity. V&B in McLaren Vale 13% import sample Yangarra McLaren Vale Single Vineyard Viognier 2007 A...
