Wine Reviews By johann

johann reviewed Champagne Laurent-Perrier Champagne Brut NV
I must protest. It is indeed a lighter bodied Champagne, which makes it a wonderful aperitif. It should be noted that Champagnes come in many shapes and sizes and they needn't all be full-bodied. I have begun many a wonderful meal with this wine. May 31, 2007

johann reviewed Château d'Yquem Sauternes Premier Cru Supérieur 1999
White flowers and fresh mint on the nose, as well as vanilla, ripe peaches and lychee. The palate yields a panarama of flavors from super fresh stone fruits to dark spices and honey with a super long finish. Pleasantly sweet and well integrated. May 31, 2007

johann reviewed St. Supéry Moscato California 2005
Some pleasant aromas and flavors, flowers and white peaches. Finishes poorly. Way over-priced. May 11, 2007

johann reviewed Turley Zinfandel Atlas Peak 2004
Tobacco, cedar and stewed black fruits. Powerful but with finesse, this wine is luxury in every sip. March 21, 2007

johann reviewed Ajello Furat Sicilia IGT 2003
Dark in color with auburn tones, hinting at perhaps a touch of oxidation? The nose is absolutely beautiful. Aromatic, complex and expressive, with plums, raisins, red cherries, blueberries, asphalt and tar. The aromas go on and on. The palate was a bit of a disappointment, with more of the red fruits, blueberries, black plums and tar mixed with high-toned acids and a slightly hot feel from the higher alcohol content. Not bad, but if it tasted half as good as it smelled it would have been great. October 9, 2005

johann reviewed Bertani Amarone Classico 1997
Big, bold and dark coloration with only the slightest bricking around the edges of the rim. Perhaps a hint at the flavors to come? Right up front on the nose there is a whiff of cheese rind and white truffle, but this is quickly overcome by ripe, dried and baked red fruits, as well as a distinct raisiny characteristic so common in Amarones. The palate is huge! Red currants, black cherries, blackberries, caramel, dates, figs and bruleed sugar all dance together in one big Amarone celebration. There is a bit too much heat from the high alcohol content, but this is minor when compared to a big, long and complex wine. Excellent stuff! September 21, 2005

johann reviewed Bloomer Creek Vineyard Arabella Finger Lakes 2004
This Cayuga-Riesling blend features a nice acidity, with grapefruit, pear and apple peel as the dominant flavors. The texture is different (reminiscent of okra innards), and the finish is almondy. August 12, 2005

johann reviewed Château Calon-Ségur St-Estèphe 1998
Fleshy with firm tannins. Black fruits, tar, black pepper and fresh thyme leap from the glass in great balance followed by a fantastic finish that goes on for minutes. This is one for the cellar. March 17, 2005

johann reviewed Jean-Michel Gerin Côte-Rôtie Champin le Seigneur 1998
Very nice. Lots of earthy terroir on the nose followed by sweet baked fig and raisin with a smokey, gamey character and a velvety texture. March 17, 2005

johann reviewed Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Echézeaux Grand Cru Vieille Vigne 1996
Wow! Gorgeous Pinot Noir. Earth and stewed fruits on the nose with baked plum, Asian spices, tobacco, leather and black truffle on the palate. Very balanced and focused with a staggering complexity. March 17, 2005

johann reviewed Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses 2000
Aromatic and complex. White truffle, forest floor, white truffle, vanilla bean and white flowers. Some lime and green apple on the palate. The finish is long and dynamic. March 17, 2005

johann reviewed Gérard Boulay Sancerre 2002
Honeysuckle and stones with some lemon and green apple. March 17, 2005

johann reviewed Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling 1998
Expressive and pure. Honeyed on the nose. Lychee, stewed pear and lemon confit on the palate offset by interesting minerality and petrol. This Riesling exhibits great aging potential. March 17, 2005

johann reviewed Long Vineyards Botrytis Johannisberg Riesling Napa Valley 2001
Great flavors of dried apricot, candied lemon, honey, vanilla, caramel, almond and baking spices. Well balanced with a very long length. Yum! January 5, 2005

johann reviewed Rocca della Macìe Chianti Classico Riserva 2000
Prominent smoke and leather flavors subside mid-palette to allow deep black fruit and raisin to shine through. Has a velvety texture, robust spice characteristics and a nice finish. December 13, 2004

johann reviewed Josef Leitz Riesling Spätlese Rheingau Rüdesheimer Berg Schlossberg 2001
A complex wine showing pear, baked apples, pineapple, honey, vanilla bean, thyme and mint. Expressive, with a high acidity balanced by nice fruit and acidity, followed by a very long finish. November 17, 2004

johann reviewed Rodney Strong Merlot Sonoma County 2000
Notes of black cherry, berries, smoke, pepper and hints of French oak. Has a nice, thick texture, but lacks integration. A little green and underripe, due to an unusually cool August in 2000. November 2, 2004

johann reviewed Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Alsace Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos St.-Urbain 1995
Great fruit flavors of stewed peaches, dried apricots, lemon, lime and orange peel that are well integrated with floral and mineral notes. Great weight and depth, with a length that keeps going and going (and going)... October 19, 2004

johann reviewed Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Herrenweg de Turckheim Gewürtzaminer 1999
The bouquet of caramel apple, baked peaches, honey, autumn spices and hints of roses will make you salivate. Each sip provides its own unique experience via complex flavors, including honey, baked apple, pear and lime zest, and an array of spices (vanilla, clove, cumin, cayenne, eucalyptus). October 19, 2004

johann reviewed Cleebourg Pinot Noir 2001
Light bodied, with prominent cranberry juice, red cherry and orange juice flavors. Notes of asparagus, green bean, mineral and yeast. A nice, simple wine. October 19, 2004