Heartland, South Australia, Viognier, Pinot Gris 2006 The nose features fresh peaches, candied tropical fruits and spicy flowers. On the palate this wine is quite broad, lowish in acidity, conveying a richness yet emphasizing the vineyard over the...
Exploring the World with Ray Johnson
Martin Codax Albarino 2009
Martin Codax, Rias Baixas, Albarino 2009 The nose features hay and lime with a hint of roses. In the mouth it is clean and crisp, sporting minerality combined with citrus. This vintage captures the crisp and refreshing character that I associate...
Luna Merlot 2006
Luna, Napa Valley, Merlot 2006 The nose features sweet oaky notes and black fruit. In the mouth the black fruits come through with cherries too. The suppleness of Merlot that most consumers seek is on full display in a light-bodied expression that...
Scala Dei Cartoixa 2003
Scala Dei, Priorat, Cartoixa 2003 I found this bottle rattling around in the cellar and was delighted to have the opportunity to taste it again. A few years ago it was still rather tannic and while good, I knew that there were better days to come....
Foppiano Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Foppiano, Russian River Valley, Estate Bottled, Sauvignon Blanc 2009 The nose is clean and expresses ripe citrus, as in fresh oranges. Add to that an accent of tropical fruit, a whiff of bananas and floral notes, of the sweet and spicy variety. In...
Penfolds Club Reserve Aged Tawny
Penfolds, South Australia, Club Reserve, Aged Tawny nv In the nose you'll find raisins and butterscotch with a sense of the spirit in the background. This all carries on in the mouth with nuttiness, sweetness and well-integrated alcohol. Like the...
Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos 2006
The Royal Tokaji Company, Tokaji, Aszu, 5 Puttonyos 2006 The nose weaves notes of caramel of honey with dried tropical fruits. The mouth shows the rich bounty of good Tokaji, viscous yet tangy, dried apricots and brown sugar - delightful. 354...
Pichot Vouvray 2009
Domaine Le Peu de la Moriette (Domaine Pichot), Vouvray 2009 The nose is a little dead on the first bottle opened - I suspect a low level of TCA. Fortunately, the second and third bottles have a much more vivid expression of fruit when you smell...
William Fevre Champs Royaux 2008
William Fevre, Chablis, Champs Royaux, 2008 There's flintiness in the nose with fresh green apples. In the mouth the acidity stands out, as if biting a slice of that apple, yet there is also a roundness to the wine, a sense in which it is filled...
Bonterra Riesling 2009
Bonterra, 88% Lake County, 12% Mendocino County, Riesling 2009 There's a medley of fruits in the nose, including lime, pears and peaches, accented by lots of freshly picked sweet and spicy flowers. In the mouth the citrus and stone fruits come...