AlaWine.com: Super Award Winning Wines

Volcano Vineyards Rogue Valley 2006 Merlot

The Award-Winning Wine:
Volcano Vineyards Rogue Valley 2006 Merlot

Reason for Reviewing:
Volcano Vineyards Rogue Valley 2006 Merlot earned a top-honor Gold Medal at the recently completed 2009 Newport Wine Festival and a Gold Medal from the 2008 Riverside International Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
From the winery: The volcanic peaks of the Cascade Mountains dominate the horizon west of our home in Bend, Oregon. The landscape is volcanic, the climate dry.

Winery Notes:
This Merlot offers dark fruit and floral aromas with rich plum and blackberry flavors. Supple tannins and a hint of caramel round out the finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Volcano Vineyards Rogue Valley 2006 Merlot pours as a dark garnet color. Fragrant aromas of ripe blackberries exude from the glass. Rich flavors of blackberries, mulberries, and plum meat fill the palate with fruit in a smooth mouth. Moderate tannins allow the fruit to linger through a long, light oak finish.

Bottom Line:
Volcano Vineyards Rogue Valley 2006 Merlot is a round and well balanced red wine full of complementary fruit flavors and a satisfying finish. Quite food friendly and a good value. Suggested retail price is $24. Overall composite score: 93 points.

Raymond Burr Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Award-Winning Wine:
Raymond Burr Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Reason for Reviewing:
Raymond Burr Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon earned a Sweepstakes Awards at the recently completed 2009 Monterey Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
The winery is named for its partner, Raymond Burr, the actor best know as television's Perry Mason. According to the winery, "it is not so much a memorial to Raymond Burr as it is his living, breathing presence."

Winery Notes:
A full, solid, complex Cabernet. Rich, ripe, and earthy. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, chocolate and a hint of oak. Medium tannins with a long finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Raymond Burr Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon displays, on pouring, as a dark garnet color. Ripe berry aromas lift to the nose, and a light menthol note. Blackberry and blackcurrant flavors wash onto the palate in a fresh fruit opening. Moderate tannins frame the full fruit flavors through a long, dry, mild pepper-oak finish.

Bottom Line:
Raymond Burr Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium-bodied, fruity, 100% Cab Sauv (not blended with Cab Franc as in previous vintages) with rich complementary flavors and a an exquisite, long drying finish. Food friendly or good on it own. Suggested retail price is $38. Overall composite score: 95 points.

Szabo Vineyards 2006 Petite Sirah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Szabo Vineyards 2006 Petite Sirah

Reason for Reviewing:
Szabo Vineyards 2006 Petite Sirah earned a top-honor Gold Medal at the 2009 Grand Harvest Awards.

Noteworthy:
The roots of the Szabo family lie in the town of Eger, Hungary, where there have been vineyards since Roman times and where they produce the famous Egri Bikaver (“Bull’s Blood”) wine.

Winery Notes:
Big cassis and pepper flavors mingle with pleasant floral and chocolate notes on the nose of this classic wine, and balance well with the moderate tannins and long finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Szabo Vineyards 2006 Petite Sirah pours as a very deep purple color in the glass. Aromas of ripe, dark berries and chocolate waft to the nose. Brambleberry and whole plum flavors predominate on the palate, sustaining through a long, very dry, spice and light pepper finish.

Bottom Line:
Szabo Vineyards 2006 Petite Sirah is a full-bodied wine with loads of fruit flavor and a distinguished character. A great wine to pair with thick cuts of grilled steaks. Suggested retail price is $22. Overall composite score: 91 points.

Barnard Griffin 2006 Reserve Merlot

The Award-Winning Wine:
Barnard Griffin 2006 Reserve Merlot

Reason for Reviewing:
Barnard Griffin 2006 Reserve Merlot won the Best of Show award from among all red wines at the recent 2009 Monterey Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Barnard Griffin Winery is situated in south-central Washington at the confluence of the Yakima, Columbia, and Snake rivers, in the heart of Washington State's wine country.

Winery Notes:
Strikes an elegant balance between lovely cherry/plum fruit and vanilla/cigar box, wood spice notes. Effusive plum, cherry and cranberry fruit leaps out of the glass and cascades through the palate, enlivened by juicy acidity. A discreet wood profile plays second fiddle to the amazing fruit found in this youthful merlot.

AlaWine Notes:
Barnard Griffin 2006 Reserve Merlot stands as a dark purple color in the glass. Very aromatic, radiating plumes of ripe, red and dark fruits. A very smooth opening with flavors of cherry, berries, and meat of plum. Full, complementary fruit flavors hold center stage through a long and graceful, lightly oaked, finish.

Bottom Line:
Barnard Griffin 2006 Reserve Merlot is a round, fruity, red wine with rich flavors an an exquisite finish. Balanced, well integrated, smooth and delicious, very satisfying. Suggested retail price is $30. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Best of Class Winners, 2009 Lodi International Wine Competition

The 2009 Lodi International Wine Awards have been released. Best of Class winners (and two special award winners) include:

* Best of Class: Cabernet Franc, Cinnabar Vineyards & Winery, 2005 Cabernet Franc, Lodi
* Best of Class: Cabernet Sauvignon, Housley's Century Oak Winery, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi, Reserve
* Best of Class: Chardonnay, Little Black Dress, 2008 Chardonnay, California
* Best of Class: Chardonnay, Fog Head, 2007 Chardonnay, Monterey/San Bernabe, Limestone Ridge, Resesrve
* Best of Class: Chardonnay, Jekel Vineyards, 2007 Chardonnay, Monterey, Gravelstone
* Best of Class: Merlot, Domaine Laurier, 2006 Merlot, Sonoma County, Reserve
* Best of Class: Petite Sirah, Cooper Vineyards, 2006 Petite Sirah, Amador
* Best of Class: Petite Sirah, Harney Lane Winery, 2006 Petite Sirah, Lodi
* Best of Class: Petite Sirah, Scheid Vineyards, Inc., 2006 Petite Sirah, Monterey
* Best of Class: Pinot Gris, Jefferson Vineyards, 2008 Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio, Virginia
* Best of Class: Pinot Noir, Judd's Hill, 2007 Pinot Noir, Central Coast
* Best of Class: Red Blend, Milan Vineyards, 2006 Red Blend, Ruby Reserve
* Best of Class: Sangiovese, Macchia Winery, 2007 Sangiovese, Amador County, Harmonious
* Best of Class: Sauvignon Blanc, Bonterra Vineyards, 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino, Lake County
* Best of Class: Syrah, Perry Creek Winery, 2006 Syrah, El Dorado
* Best of Class: Syrah, Trancas Vineyards, 2006 Syrah, California
* Best of Class: Viognier, Loredona, 2007 Viognier, Lodi
* City of Lodi Trophy - Best Zinfandel, Brazin, 2006 Zinfandel, Lodi, Old Vine
* City of Lodi Trophy - Best Zinfandel, Van Ruiten Family Winery, 2007 Zinfandel, Lodi, Old Vine
For more information, click here.

Select "Best New World" Wine Winners, 2009 NWIWC

Results are in from the 2009 New World International Wine Competition (NWIWC) Competition. Among the top winners are these "Best New World" wines:

Best New World Red Wine and Best New World Zinfandel:
Wildhurst Vineyards 2007 Zinfandel Home Ranch Vineyard Lake County California

Best New World Chardonnay:
Wildhurst Vineyards 2007 Chardonnay Lake County California Reserve

Best New World Merlot:
Domaine Laurier Winery 2006 Merlot Somoma County California Reserve

Best New World Pinot Noir:
Navarro Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Mendocino California Deep End Blend

Best New World Syrah/Shiraz:
Nevada City Winery 2007 Syrah Nevada County California Director'S Reserve

Best Value Of The Show:
Bota Box 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon California

For more information, click here.

Palmeri Wines 2004 Stagecoach Napa Valley Cabernet/Syrah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Palmeri Wines 2004 Stagecoach Napa Valley Cabernet/Syrah

Reason for Reviewing:
Palmeri Wines 2004 Stagecoach Napa Valley Cabernet/Syrah earned a top-honor Gold Medal at the 2009 Grand Harvest Awards.

Noteworthy:
From the winery: "From the rocky, volcanic soils overlooking Oakville, acclaimed Stagecoach Vineyards provides us with superb, concentrated syrah clusters reflecting the complexity of this truly breathtaking site."

Winery Notes:
Purple-black with a slight ruby hue in color, this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. In the nose are aromas reticent of rye, coco powder and cedar cigar box collectively wrapped into one seductive profile. On the palate, there lies a taste of sweet black fruits, framed by smooth and gently-structured tannins.

AlaWine Notes:
Palmeri Wines 2004 Stagecoach Napa Valley Cabernet/Syrah stands in the glass as a very dark purple color. Lots of ripe blackberry aromas, and a dark chocolate highlight, exude from the glass to the nose. Opens with a smooth mouth full of ripe blackberry and blackcurrant flavors, which carry across the palate leading to a layered, long and dry finish.

Bottom Line:
Palmeri Wines 2004 Stagecoach Napa Valley Cabernet/Syrah is a delicious blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Syrah. It is round and well integrated, exhibiting interesting complexities and an overall satisfying finish. Suggested retail price is $53. Overall composite score: 97 points.

Petroni Vineyards 2006 Syrah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Petroni Vineyards 2006 Syrah

Reason for Reviewing:
Petroni Vineyards 2006 Syrah earned a top-honor Gold Medal at the recently completed 2009 Grand Harvest Awards.

Noteworthy:
From the winery: "The Vintage 2006 was excruciatingly perfect... thanks to spectacular weather and the extended hang time."

Winery Notes:
The Petroni Syrah is black-purple in color, revealing rich, ripe hillside fruit in both appearance and bouquet. The aromas of marinated meat, blueberries, and black pepper lead to a flavorful mouthful of raspberries and dark chocolate.

AlaWine Notes:
After pulling a black artificial cork, the Petroni Vineyards 2006 Syrah pours in the glass as a clear, dark purple color. Dark berry aromas, in a barnyard context, radiate from the glass. Black fruit flavors, berry, currant, olive, flood the palate, and carry on through a long, dry spice and oak finish.

Bottom Line:
Petroni Vineyards 2006 Syrah is 100% hillside-grown Syrah. It is a big and hardy red wine with interesting layers of flavor and finish complexities. A great wine to complement a steak dinner. Suggested retail price is $48. Overall composite score: 95 points.

Ventana Vineyards Winery 2006 Rubystone

The Award-Winning Wine:
Ventana Vineyards Winery 2006 Rubystone, Estate Grown Single Vineyard Arroyo Seco

Reason for Reviewing:
Ventana Vineyards Winery 2006 Rubystone earned a Sweepstakes Award for Best Red Wine at the recently completed 2009 Monterey Wine Competition. Earlier this year, it was also awarded a Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Ventana Vineyards is the "Most Award Winning Single Vineyard in America." For more than thirty years, Ventana has essentially been a research vineyard.

Winery Notes:
Liquid silk caresses the palate with intense flavors of black cherry, black currant and candy apple. It is full bodied and full flavored with a lovely lingering finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Ventana Vineyards Winery 2006 Rubystone pours as a clear, deep ruby color. Soft aromas of dark cherry and blackberry waft to the nose. Ripe cherry and berry flavors fill the palate with juicy dark fruit flavors which linger through a long, light spice and black pepper finish.

Bottom Line:
Ventana Vineyards 2006 Rubystone is a Rhone-style red wine blend of 62% Grenache and 38% Syrah. The ripe fruit flavors are well integrated in a smooth mouth and balanced, complementary finish. A very good value at a suggested retail price of $18. Overall composite score: 94 points.

Victor Hugo Winery 2006 Petite Sirah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Victor Hugo Winery 2006 Petite Sirah

Reason for Reviewing:
Victor Hugo Winery 2006 Petite Sirah earned a top-honor Gold Medal at the 2009 Grand Harvest Awards.

Noteworthy:
Owner and winemaker, Victor Hugo Roberts was named after a great uncle and a great grandfather (the man who Anglicized the family name from the French name Robert to Roberts), with no reference to any literary connection.

AlaWine Tasting Notes:
Victor Hugo Winery 2006 Petite Sirah pours in the glass as a medium purple-garnet color. Aromas of ripe, dark berries and a floral highlight rise to the nose. Jammy brambleberry and plum flavors dominate on the palate. A smooth mouth yields to moderate tannins and a long oak finish with lingering fruit.

Bottom Line:
Victor Hugo Winery 2006 Petite Sirah is a 100% Petite Sirah from the Paso Robles Appellation. Lots of full of ripe fruit flavors and a complementary finish make this a satisfying food-friendly wine to pair with hardy dinner fare. Suggested retail price is $22. Overall composite score: 90 points.

Three Rivers 2005 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

The Award-Winning Wine:
Three Rivers 2005 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Reason for Reviewing:
Three Rivers 2005 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was one of three Three Rivers Winery wines that earned top-honor Gold Medals at the 2009 Grand Harvest Awards completed recently here in Sonoma County. They also won Gold for their 2006 Malbec and their 2005 Boushey Vineyard Syrah.

Noteworthy:
The name Three Rivers represents the three most prominent rivers in the appellations from which the winery sources its grapes: the Columbia, Snake, and Walla Walla Rivers.

Winery Notes:
Framed by supple tannins, this wine shows dark chocolate and juicy black cherry fruit. This rich and layered wine will age gracefully into the future.

AlaWine Notes:
Three Rivers 2005 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon stands in the glass as a dark garnet color. Big aromas of dark ripe fruit waft to the nose. Flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and black currant flood the palate in a smooth mouth, yielding to a spicy, oak finish with moderate tannins.

Bottom Line:
Out of Walla Walla, Washington, the Three Rivers 2005 Champoux Vineyard 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold, yet well integrated, big red wine with depth and interesting layers of complexity. Would pair well with thick steaks just off the grill. Suggested retail price is $50. Overall composite score: 95 points.

Keating Wines 2006 Malbec, Rockpile

The Award-Winning Wine:
Keating Wines 2006 Malbec, Rockpile

Reason for Reviewing:
Keating Wines 2006 Malbec earned a Sweepstakes Award for red wine at the recently completed 2009 Monterey Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
The 2006 Rockpile Malbec just received it’s first wine rating from the Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The rating of 88 points is the highest they have given a domestic Malbec since the 2004 vintage.

Winery Notes:
Aromas of coffee, hazelnut, cocoa, and a hint of orange zest emanate from the glass. Intense fruit shows immediately on the palate. The wine stays balance from beginning to end with noticeable tannins on the finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Keating Wines 2006 Malbec displays on pouring as a medium-dark purple color. Dark ripe berry aromas exude from the glass in a dusty earth context. Blackberry and whole plum flavors fill the mouth with ripe fruit, which yield to a bold, spicy, very dry finish.

Bottom Line:
This Bordeaux blend is comprised of 88% Malbec and 12% Cabernet Franc from the unique climate of the lauded Rockpile AVA. Keating Wines 2006 Rockpile Malbec is a well integrated, full bodied wine with big, satisfying fruit flavors, and an equally dramatic dry finish. A great wine to pair with thick cuts of grilled red meat. Suggested retail price is $42. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Scheid Vineyards 2005 Pinot Noir, Reserve

The Award-Winning Wine:
Scheid Vineyards 2005 Pinot Noir, Reserve

Reason for Reviewing:
Scheid Vineyards 2005 Pinot Noir earned a top-honor Gold Medal at the 2009 Grand Harvest Awards.

Noteworthy:
From the winery: "Our four distinct growing regions allow us to offer an expansive portfolio of wines, each showcasing the unique character of the grapes and the individuality of the vineyard."

Winery Notes:
Comprised of the top ten barrels of our Pinot Noir program, this lush, opulent wine was aged for 19 months before bottling. Silky in texture and dramatic in flavor, with black cherry and raspberry fusing perfectly with an exotic undertone of earth and spice notes.

AlaWine Notes:
Scheid Vineyards 2005 Pinot Noir pours into the glass as a medium garnet color. Sends out red fruit aromas on swirl. Smooth, mouth-watering opening with lots of strawberry and cherry and a hint of cranberry flavors. Moderate tannins focus the fruit and carry it through a very long light spice and oak finish.

Bottom Line:
Scheid Vineyards 2005 Pinot Noir, Reserve, is delightfully delicious wine with abundant red fruit flavors, lingering unhurriedly through an interesting layered, and satisfying resolution. Suggested retail price is $55. Overall composite score: 95 points.