AlaWine.com: Super Award Winning Wines

Schug 2008 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

The Award-Winning Wine:
Schug 2008 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

Reason for Reviewing:
Schug 2008 Pinot Noir earned Best of Class and Judges' Choice Awards at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Believing that "the quality of the grapes on the vine is the key to making good wine," the Schug team focuses on finding "the most environmentally friendly and efficient way of growing the grapes."

Winery Notes:
"The Sonoma Coast designation draws upon some Russian River vineyards that allow our winemaker added flexibility in creating blends of greater depth and complexity. Its vibrant flavors, reminiscent of raspberry and cherry, make it an ideal accompaniment to grilled fish and fowl, or barbecued meats."

AlaWine Notes:
On pouring, the Schug 2008 Pinot Noir displays as a medium ruby color. Perfumed fresh red fruit and dried flower aromas radiate to the nose. Black cherry, currant, and raspberry flavors cross the palate in a smooth mouthfeel and persist through a long drying finish of light spice and modest tannins.

Bottom Line:
Schug 2008 Pinot Noir presents a beautiful, aromatic nose and delivers on its promise with abundant bright, fresh fruit flavors. Quite quaffable and and likely to appeal to a wide range of palates. A very good value at a suggested retail price of $24. Overall composite score: 95 points.

Double Gold Bordeaux Blends

* Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2007 California Meritage $11
* Basel Cellars Estate Winery 2007 Walla Walla Valley Pheasant Run Claret $20
* Claar Cellars 2006 Columbia Valley White Bluffs Corneauxcopia Red Wine $26.99
* Wilson Winery 2006 Dry Creek Valley Estate Roger's Fault $28
* Bennett Lane Winery 2006 Napa Valley Maximus Red Feasting Wine $35
* Ahnfeldt Wines 2005 Napa Valley Quid Pro Quo $49
* Trinchero Napa Valley 2007 Napa Valley Meritage $50
* Imagery Estate Winery 2006 Sonoma Valley Pallas Estate $70

Jarvis 2004 Lake William

The Award-Winning Wine:
Jarvis 2004 Lake William

Reason for Reviewing:
Jarvis 2004 Lake William earned Best of Class and Judges' Choice Awards at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Proprietors William and Leticia Jarvis founded a music conservatory in Napa, California. Housed in a 100-year-old stone winery building, the Conservatory conducts master classes in the various arts that go to make up operas.

Winery Notes:
Lake William is the Cabernet Sauvignon blend which started out as a cellar mistake but is now a most sought after blend. Twenty-three months of barrel aging in 100% new French Nevers oak adds a note of toasty vanilla to the rich red currant aroma and elegant berry flavors of this wine.

AlaWine Notes:
Jarvis 2004 Lake William displays in the glass as a very dark garnet color. Ripe berry aromas and a nutmeg note emerge from a light musky earth context on the nose. A smooth opening unfolds blackberry, gooseberry, and currant flavors, and a licorice highlight, across the palate. A toasty oak frame holds the rich fruit through a very long, dry finish.

Bottom Line:
Jarvis 2004 Lake William, unfined and unfiltered, combines 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Well integrated with lavish layers of fruit make this a very interesting wine. While price does not always correlate with quality, in this case, it does. Suggested retail price is $105 (or $58 per half-bottle). Overall composite score: 98 points.

Martorana Family Winery 2006 Merlot

The Award-Winning Wine:
Martorana Family Winery 2006 Merlot

Reason for Reviewing:
Martorana Family Winery 2006 Merlot earned Best of Class and Judges' Choice Awards at last month's 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Martorana Family Vineyards are committed to organic farming practices and produce 100% of their wines from organically grown grapes. Their winery was designed with a Green Roof planted with sedums to eliminate the need for air conditioning and save electricity to help reduce global warming.

AlaWine Notes:
Martorana Family Winery 2006 Merlot pours in the glass as a medium-dark garnet color. Aromatic dark fruit aromas radiate to the nose in slightly earthy context. Smooth opening reveals ripe blackberry and blackcurrant flavors which hold up well through a long finish, highlighted by cinnamon and caramel notes in an oak frame.

Bottom Line:
Martorana Family Winery 2006 Merlot is a medium-bodied wine with full-bodied fruit taste. Well integrated layers of flavor and a complementary finish make it quite delicious. Suggested retail price is $33. Overall composite score: 96 points.

2010 San Antonio Wine Competition Gold

* 2006 Antigal Winery & Estates Aduentus Classic $25
* Barefoot Cellars Chardonnay $6.99
* 2007 Becker Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Wilmeth Vineyard $29.95
* 2007 Becker Vineyards Malbec Reserve $24.95
* Bonny Doon Vineyards Pacific Rim Dry Riesling $7.99
* 2007 Cameron Hughes Lot 140 Cabernet Sauvignon $16
* 2004 Cerulli Spinozzi Torre Migliori Montepulciano d'Abruzzo $14.99
* Dry Comal Creek Vineyards 1096 Port Reserve $75
* 2007 Folie à Deux Cabernet $28
* 2007 Forefront by Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon $20
* 2007 Jackson Triggs Vidal Ice Proprietor's Reserve $17.50
* 2007 KE Cellars 4 You 07 Texas Cabernet Sauvignon $20
* 2006 Marchesi di Barolo Ruvei Barbera d'Alba $15.25
* 2004 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva $16
* 2007 Rodney Strong Vineyards Estate Chalk Hill Chardonnay $20
* 2008 Sutter Home Family Vineyards Merlot $5
* 2007 Terra d'Oro Winery Barbera $18
For more information, click here.

Fritz Winery 2006 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The Award-Winning Wine:
Fritz Winery 2006 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Reason for Reviewing:
Fritz Winery 2006 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon earned a Double-Gold Medal Award at last month's 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition held in their own hometown of Cloverdale, CA.

Noteworthy:
The Fritz Winery is a subterranean winery located above Dry Creek Valley nestled into the side of a hill.

Winery Notes:
Grown in a single vineyard on the Eastern hillside of the Dry Creek Valley this wine opens up with classic Cabernet aromas of currents, cherries and cocoa and tobacco. The palate delivers flavors of blackberry, cassis, and coffee, along with subtle peppery notes wrapped in firm tannins.

AlaWine Notes:
Fritz Winery 2006 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon shows as a dark garnet color on pouring. On the nose, ripe berry aromas rise from the glass in a dusty context. Opens smoothly on the palate with abundant ripe blackberry flavors, along with blackcurrant and an olive note. Spice and pepper on the long finish and a nice, complementary grip.

Bottom Line:
Fritz Winery 2006 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold and juicy Cab with rich fruit, interesting layers and a solid finish. Serve with a winter roast, or better yet, hold for summer grilling. Suggested retail price is $35. Overall composite score: 95 points.

Top Seven Wines from Professional Wine Buyer's Competition

Best of Show
Meadowlark Vineyards 2006 Santa Barbara County Syrah $27.99

Double Gold

PerryMoore 2006 Napa Valley, Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard $110

Crossroads Winery 2009 New Zealand, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc $14.99

Stanger Vineyards 2005 Paso Robles Syrah West Side Library Reserve $66

Chateau Ste Michelle 2006 Horse Heaven Hills Merlot Canoe Ridge Estate $28

Thumbprint Cellars 2006 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Andolsen Top Block $49

Troon Vineyard 2005 Oregon, Applegate Valley Old Vine Meritage $29

For more information, click here.

Obsidian Ridge 2007 Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon

The Award-Winning Wine:
Obsidian Ridge 2007 Red Hills Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon

Reason for Reviewing:
Obsidian Ridge 2007 Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon earned a Best of Class Award at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, held last month here in Sonoma County.

Noteworthy:
Planted high on the ridge separating Alexander Valley and Clear Lake, Obsidian Ridge Vineyard is set on a northwest facing parcel of 5 to 20% slopes, ranging from 2,300 to 2,660 feet in elevation. It is situated on the backside of the Mayacamas Range near the intersection of Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino counties.

Winery Notes:
Aromas explode out of the glass: blackberry cobbler baked with cinnamon sticks. A spicy, dried herbal aroma envelops the fruit... The palate is full and viscous, rewarding with a combination of concentrated black cherry and blackberry, ending with hints of clove, cinnamon and cedar. Appropriate acidity carries the flavors to a long finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Obsidian Ridge 2007 Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon pours in the glass as a very dark purple color. Aromas of ripe, dark berries radiate to the nose. Blackberry (and jam), dark cherry, and blueberry flavors fill the palate with rich fruit which hold well through a long, dry finish.

Bottom Line:
Obsidian Ridge 2007 Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon is a big, rich red wine with jammy ripe layers of fruit and nice balance all across the palate. A complete and delicious wine, and a good value at a suggested retail price of $28. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Platinum Winning Wines 2010 Winemaker Challenge

B. R. Cohn
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Olive Hill Estate Sonoma Valley $55
2008 Chardonnay, Sangiacomo Vineyard Carneros $29

Blackstone Winery
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Reserve Sonoma County $20

Cameron Hughes Wine
2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Lot 134 New Zealand $12

Cape Peak Collection
2009 Chardonnay Western Cape $5

Covey Run Winery
2008 Riesling, Quail Series Columbia Valley $9

De Tierra Vineyards
2006 Pinot Noir, Silacci Vineyard Monterey $32
2008 Chardonnay Monterey $20

E. B. Foote Winery
2007 Northwest Duet Columbia Valley $18

Estancia
2007 Meritage, Reserve Paso Robles $31

Fallbrook Winery
2009 Rose, 33 Degrees N, Gracie Hill South Coast $16

Forest Glen
2008 Pinot Noir California $11

Gloria Ferrer
NV Blanc de Noirs Carneros $20
1999 Carneros Cuvee Carneros $50

Goose Watch Winery
NV Golden Spumante Finger Lakes $10
Gold 2008 Traminette Finger Lakes $13

Hogue Cellars
2008 Pinot Grigio Columbia Valley $10

J. Lohr Winery
2007 Chardonnay, Arroyo Vista Arroyo Seco $25

Jarvis Vineyards
2007 Will Jarvis' Science Project Napa Valley $105

Lake Sonoma Winery
2007 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley $19

Old Creek Ranch Winery
2007 Sangiovese, White Hawk Vineyard Santa Barbara County $30

Orfila Vineyards
2006 Merlot, Ambassador's Reserve, Limited Bottling San Pasqual Valley $28

Pianetta Winery
2007 Bilancio Monterey $36
2007 Petite Sirah Paso Robles $30

Prairie Berry Winery
2008 Frontenac, Lewis & Clark Vineyard South Dakota $21.50

Rodney Strong Vineyards
2007 Chardonnay, Estate Chalk Hill $20

Ruffino
2006 Modus, Toscana IGT Toscana $26

South Coast Winery
2008 G V R Temecula Valley $20
NV Brut Temecula Valley $18

Trivento
2006 Malbec, Reserve Mendoza $11
2008 Torrontes, Select Mendoza $11

V. Sattui Winery
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder $40
2008 Chardonnay Napa Valley $19.75

Venteux Vineyards
2007 Petite Syrah, Estate Paso Robles $46

Villa Cerna
2005 Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG Italy $24

For more award winners and information, click here.

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Buy wine: 50% off shipping of 6 or more bottles with coupon code "threejan"

Double-Gold Zins from the 2010 San Francisco Wine Competition

* Clos LaChance 2007 Central Coast Zinfandel $18

* Klinker Brick Winery 2007 Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel $18

* Splash Down 2007 Amador County Zinfandel $23

* Deaver Vineyards 2007 Amador County Old Vine Zinfandel $27.99

* Earthquake 2007 Lodi Zinfandel $28

* Tin Barn Vineyards 2007 Russian River Valley Gilsson Vineyard Zinfandel $27

* VC Cellars 2005 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel $25

* Robert Rue Vineyards 2006 Russian River Valley Wood Road Reserve Zinfandel $32

* Wilson Winery 2007 Dry Creek Valley Sawyer Vineyard Zinfandel $32

* DeLoach Vineyards 2007 Sonoma County Forgotten Vines Zinfandel $36

* Fanucchi Vineyards 2005 Russian River Valley The Fanucchi Wood Rd Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel $50

For more awards and info, click here.

Muscardini Cellars 2007 Syrah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Muscardini Cellars 2007 Syrah

Reason for Reviewing:
Muscardini Cellars 2007 Syrah earned Best of Class and Judges' Choice Awards at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition held last month here in Sonoma County.

Noteworthy:
Starting in Italy in 1892, Muscardini Cellars has a long, storied, and interesting history which you can read about here.

Winery Notes:
"Aromas of ripe blackberries, blueberries, toasty cinammon, dried herbs and grilled meat with a hint of smoke. Mouth-filling raspberry flavors and chewy tannins. Graceful, fruity and elegant."

AlaWine Notes:
Muscardini Cellars 2007 Syrah stands in the glass as a very dark purple color. A medley of ripe berry aromas lift to the nose in a barnyard context. Lots of berry flavor on the palate, ranging from dark to red, blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry, with an olive note and a pinch of black pepper accenting a long dry finish.

Bottom Line:
Muscardini Cellars 2007 Syrah is a medium-bodied, very fruity and flavorful red wine. Versatile enough to complement a broad menu of dinner combinations. Suggested retail price is $38. Overall composite score: 92 points.

Top 10 Super-Award Winners from the American Fine Wine Competition

Best of Show White Wine:
2008 Ferrante Winery Signature Series Pinot Grigio Grand River Valley, OH

Best of Show Red Wine:
2007 Turnbull Wine Cellars Cabernet Franc Oakville

Best of Class Cabernet Sauvignon:
2006 Mi Sueno Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Best of Class Chardonnay:
2007 Castello di Amorosa Bien Nacido

Best of Class Late Harvest:
2008 Bouchaine Vineyards Bouche D’Or Los Carneros

Best of Class Meritage Blend:
2006 Sea Biscuit Ranch Superfecta Redwood Valley

Best of Class Other Red Blend:
2006 PureCos LLC Pure Cos Red Wine Napa Valley

Best of Class Pinot Noir:
2008 Frank Family Vineyards Reserve Los Carneros, Napa

Best of Class Sparkling Wine:
2003 Domaine Carneros Le Reve Los Carneros

Best of Class Zinfandel:
2007 Ravenswood Winery Teldeschi Dry Creek Valley

For more award winners, click here.