Winery
of the Week: Foley Johnson - Rutherford
The
Rutherford AVA
in the Napa Valley is renowned by wine lovers everywhere for
its Cabernet, as well as the other Bordeaux varieties grown
in the area, and the folks at Foley Johnson Winery
have captured that elegance and charm with their series of wines
produced entirely from the region's fruit.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Foley
Johnson 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Foley Johnson
Grape(s): 96.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.9%
Merlot, & 1.9% Malbec
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 70-75
Review:
Blackberry, cherry, and raspberry aromas coalesce with
nuances of fennel seed, minerals, and thyme on the nose.
Flavors of currants, blackberries, and raspberries unfold
into traces of anise, minerals, and mint on the palate.
Supple and savory, with dusty tannins, pair it with your
favorite steak. 657 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Foley
Johnson 2011 Petit Verdot
Winery:
Foley Johnson
Grape(s): 90% Petit Verdot & 10%
Malbec
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 50-55
Review:
Aromas of bramble fruits and cherries come together with
floral, earthy, and herbaceous hints on the nose. With
a sip, flavors of blackberry, cherry, and red plum emerge
on the palate framed by nuances of dusty earth, rosemary,
and cedar. A fairly robust wine with plentiful tannins
and a nice acidity, it will match nicely with gamy, meaty
dishes. 249 cases were made.
Rating: 92 |
|
Foley
Johnson 2011 Meritage
Winery:
Foley Johnson
Grape(s): 62.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32.5%
Merlot, 2.9% Malbec, & 1.9% Petit Verdot
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, currants, and black cherries
meld with hints of mocha, toasty oak, and mint on the
nose. A sip reveals flavors of bramble fruit, cherry,
and cassis that interweave with suggestions of cocoa,
oak, and a few herbaceous notes. A rich, full-bodied wine,
enjoy a bottle with a crimini mushroom risotto. 806 cases
produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Foley
Johnson 2011 Merlot
Winery:
Foley Johnson
Grape(s): 95% Merlot & 5% Cabernet
Sauvignon
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromatics of raspberries, cranberries, and cherries combine
with notes of vanilla and Italian herbs on the nose. A
sip offers flavors of raspberry, cherry, and blackberry
wrapped around allusions of thyme and creamy oak. An elegant,
fruit-driven wine with soft tannins, fans of silky reds
ought to try this bottle. Drink now. 248 cases produced.
Rating: 91 |
|
Foley
Johnson 2012 Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Foley Johnson
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
A bouquet of peach, apricot, citrus blossoms, and herbs
greets the senses. The palate delivers flavors of apricot,
white peach, and citrus accented by notes of lemon grass
and minerals. A floral Sauvignon Blanc with a bright acidity,
open a bottle on a warm spring evening. 254 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
Note:
Wines rated with a "+" have not yet reached their
peak quality but will do so over the next few years
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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