AlaWine.com: Super Award Winning Wines

Volante Vineyards 2004 Petite Sirah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Volante Vineyards 2004 Petite Sirah

Reason for Reviewing:
Volante Vineyards 2004 Petite Sirah is one of just five Petite Sirahs that earned Double Gold Medal honors at the 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, held in Cloverdale, California in January.

Noteworthy:
Volante Vineyards are almost all "hillside" and range in elevation from 1300 to 1800 feet. There are rocks, steep hills and bluffs and fantastic views of Mt. St. Helena (in Napa County) to the North, Santa Rosa to the West and even San Francisco Bay to the South.

Winery Notes:
A big red in all respects. Its inky, black-purple color has you anticipating the delightful forward fruit aromas of blackberry, blackberry pie and vanillin. The palate is loaded with spicy bramble and bright black fruit flavor. You will find the structure well defined but not overly tannic. Finally pleasant oak complexities mesh with spice and bramble aftertaste for a warm, lingering finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Volante Vineyards 2004 Petite Sirah pours as a very dark purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark berries explode on the nose, in a sweet earth context, portending the full fruit flavors of ripe blackberries, bramble berries. Moderate tannins hold the fruit through a very long, moderately spicy and dry finish with oak highlights.

Bottom Line:
Volante Vineyards 2004 Petite Sirah is a big, fruit forward Petite Sirah, full of flavor. Pair with grilled steaks and other hearty fare. A good value at a suggested retail price of $16.50. Overall composite score: 95 points.

Gia Domella 2005 Russian River Zinfandel

The Award-Winning Wine:
Gia Domella 2005 Russian River Zinfandel

Reason for Reviewing:
Gia Domella 2005 Russian River Zinfandel is one of just 13 Zinfandels that earned Double Gold Medal honors at the recently completed 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
The name GiaDomella is the creative brainchild of Joseph Passalacqua which combines the names of Richard and Victoria’s three children, Gianna, Dominic and Marcella, the 5th generation of their winemaking family. GiaDomella is the fulfillment of Richard, Victoria, and Joseph Passalacqua’s desire to create and produce premium wines.

Winery Notes:
A lush, full-bodied wine with intense notes of wild blackberries, raspberries and plums. Rich and generous, this wine is perfect for a casual family dinner or could just as easily be the bottle of choice for elegant dining with friends.

AlaWine Notes:
Gia Domella 2005 Russian River Zinfandel pours as a very dark ruby color. Aromas of ripe, dark berries waft to the nose. Bramble berries, plum pudding, and raspberry flavors start on the palate followed by moderate tannins and a dry spicy pepper finish.

Bottom Line:
Gia Domella 2005 Russian River Zinfandel is a big fruit forward Zin with plenty of satisfying and complementary flavors. A good wine to serve with red meats and other hardy fare. Suggested retail price is $26. Overall composite score: 94 points.

Starry Night 2006 Petite Sirah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Starry Night Winery 2006 Petite Sirah

Reason for Reviewing:
Starry Night 2006 Petite Sirah is one of just five Petite Sirahs that earned Double Gold Medal honors at the recently completed 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
From the winery: "Our grapes realize bud break often several weeks earlier than other Sonoma Country Wineries, promoting a longer growing season. The rocky soils, comprised of silt loam on top of broken shifts allow the vineyards to deplete water early in the season so there is greater concentration in the berry by the time of harvest."

Winery Notes:
Our 2006 Lodi Petite Sirah comes from a small vineyard on the east side of the Lodi appellation. The very Limited crop from this vineyard resulted in deep, rich fruit driven flavors of ripe plums and black cherries with hints of anise and white pepper. This Petite Sirah is ready to drink now, but will age well for several years.

AlaWine Notes:
Starry Night 2006 Petite Sirah pours as a deep purple color in the glass. Pleasant aromas of ripe fruit exude to the nose. On the palate, lots of fruit, dark berries, bramble berry and peeled plum dominate. The finish is long and satisfying, with modest tannins, moderate oak, and hint of pepper.

Bottom Line:
Starry Night 2006 Petite Sirah is a big, flavorful, fruit filled wine. It is very quaffable for an '06 and well integrated for a moderately priced wine. At a suggested retail price is $18, Starry Night 2006 Petite Sirah represents a very good value. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Sol Rouge 2005 Syrah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Sol Rouge 2005 Syrah

Reason for Reviewing:
Sol Rouge 2005 Syrah is one of just six Syrahs that earned Double Gold Medal honors at the recently completed 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Sol Rouge is focused on producing wines from the grape varietals of Southern France's Rhone and Bordeaux regions, and subscribes to a "non-intervention" winemaking philosophy which they believe will help to bring the true flavor and characteristics of their vineyard through to their wines.

AlaWine Notes:
Sol Rouge 2005 Syrah displays as a dark garnet color on pouring. Ripe, dark berry aromas lift to the nose in a smoky earth context. Blackcurrant and black berry flavors fill the palate in a smooth mouthfeel. Moderate tannins balance the full fruit flavors and hold through a long leather and light pepper finish.

Bottom Line:
While Syrahs can range widely in balance and integration, the Sol Rouge 2005 Syrah accomplishes both, well. Aromatic and complementary aromas and flavors come together in one of the best all-around Syrahs we've tasted this year. Suggested retail price is $39. Overall composite score: 97 points.

Flying Horse 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Award-Winning Wine:
Flying Horse 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

Reason for Reviewing:
Flying Horse 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of just twenty two Cabernet Sauvignons that won Double Gold Medal awards at the recently completed 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Built more than a century ago in 1880 by Napa Valley winegrower William Castner, the historic stone building that houses Flying Horse Winery is one of only a few remaining ghost wineries in St. Helena and includes a yet-uncovered wine cave dug into an adjacent hillside.

Winery Notes:
Inky, dense and deep crimson-purple compliment ripe aromas of red currant, anise, black cherry, dried cranberry and tar minerality infused with subtle floral aromas of lavender, peony and crushed violets. Crème de cassis, crushed pepper, tobacco, leather and mulberry jam with velvet reception, finished with notes of earth, chocolate and black truffle.

AlaWine Notes:
Flying Horse 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon pours as a dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of currant and berries lift to the nose in a simultaneous floral and dusty earth context. Blackcurrant and dark cherry flavors fill the palate in a smooth mouthfeel. Moderate tannins embrace the ripe fruit in a leathery tobacco highlight through a long oak finish.

Bottom Line:
Flying Horse 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is an interesting Cab with some considerable layers of well integrated flavor complexities. At the same time, it is smooth and well balanced and very satisfying now, and likely for some years to come. Suggested retail price is $35. Overall composite score: 98 points.

Best of Show, 2008 Monterey Wine Competition

Last weekend, 1200 wines from eight countries were evaluated by 24 wine professionals at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds. Judges awarded 55 gold, 255 silver, and 394 bronze medals. With entries from as far away as New Zealand and South Africa, the Monterey Wine Competition has become a global event.

Here are the super-award winning wines from the 2008 Monterey Wine Competition:
* Best of Show Sparkling - 2000 Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvee
* Best of Show White - 2006 Ventana Vineyards Riesling
* Best of Show Red - 2005 V. Sattui Vittorio's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
* Best of Show Dessert - 2006 Navarro Vineyards Gewurztraminer Late Harvest

See a complete list of all medal winners here.

Damian Rae Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Award-Winning Wine:
Damian Rae Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

Reason for Reviewing:
Damian Rae Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of just twenty two Cabernet Sauvignons that won Double Gold Medal awards at the recently completed 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Damian Rae winemaker Kian Tavakoli is a Napa Valley veteran who first earned his Viticulture degree from UC Davis, after which he spent four years learning cabernet sauvignon winemaking at the legendary Opus One.

Winery Notes:
This Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend produced from three of California’s finest vineyards — ToKalon, Stagecoach, and Dr. Crane. Barrel-aged in 50% new oak, initial tastings have been duly impressive, showing deep berry color, intense aroma, full body, and a smooth, yet bold flavor combined with an outstanding finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Showing as a dark garnet color in the glass, Damian Rae Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon exudes rich aromas of ripe, dark berries in a sweet earth context. On the palate, flavors of blackberries and blackcurrants fill the mouth in a soft texture, and hold through a long, smooth oak finish.

Bottom Line:
Damian Rae Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is a supple, lush Cab, full of rich, ripe fruit and a smooth, lingering finish. Very quaffable and food friendly; pair with good cuts of red meat, grilled steaks, prime rib, or even burgers and beef stews. Suggested retail price is $65. Overall composite score: 97 points.

Stephens Cellar 2005 Pinot Noir

The Award-Winning Wine:
Stephens Cellar 2005 Pinot Noir

Reason for Reviewing:
Stephens 2005 Pinot Noir is one of just 21 wines that earned Best of Class honors for red wines over $25 at the recently completed 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Most of the Pinot Noirs are York Mountain AVA blends that have garnered several awards, with many gold medals, at major national and international competitions.

Winery Notes:
This medium bodied Pinot’s aroma of cherries and hints of eucalyptus, mint and other herbs with a smooth texture and complex finish make this beverage wonderful for any occasion.

AlaWine Notes:
Stephens 2005 Pinot Noir pours as a garnet color in the glass. Fragrant aromas of dark cherries lift to the nose. Rich flavors of cherry and blackberry fill the palate in a smooth mouthfeel and are sustained through a long, flavorful, herbal dry finish.

Bottom Line:
Stephens 2005 Pinot Noir is a round, full flavor, fruit forward Pinot Noir with an interesting layered finish. Well balanced and well integrated, it is sumptuous and satisfying. Winemaker Stephen Goldman, likes it with leg of lamb and sweet potatoes. A good value at a suggested retail price of $28. Overall composite score: 96 points.