AlaWine.com: Super Award Winning Wines

Red Zeppelin Black Zeppelin 2005

The Award-Winning Wine:
Red Zeppelin Winery Black Zeppelin 2005 Paso Robles Red Wine

Reason for Reviewing:
Red Zeppelin Winery's 2005 Black Zeppelin, Paso Robles earned a Gold Medal in the 2007 San Diego International Wine Competition and a Gold Medal and "Best Of Class" Award in the 2007 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
This wine was neither fined nor filtered and because of its "state-of-the-art" screwcap closure, should be stored upright.

Winery Tasting Notes:
"The Flagship of the Fleet," the Black Zeppelin is our finest wine: a blend of Syrah Noir, Alicante Brouchet, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California. With layer after layer of black fruit, smoky oak, and spices, this outstanding wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for many years.

AlaWine Notes:
The Red Zeppelin Winery Black Zeppelin 2005 Red Wine pours as a dark purple-red color. Fragrant aromas of ripe berries and tobacco lift from the glass, along with a hint of spice, white pepper. Rich flavors of blackberries, blackcurrant, and dark fruit fill the palate and lead to a longish spicy, smoky oak finish.

Bottom Line:
Red Zeppelin Black Zeppelin 2005 is a big, bold, and ultimately beautiful red wine blend of Syrah, Alicante, and Cabernet. It is dry and full bodied, with powerful fruit flavors and firm tannins. Suggested retail price is $50. Overall composite score: 97 points.

Silkwood Wines 2004 Syrah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Silkwood Wines 2004 Syrah

Reason for Reviewing:
Silkwood Wines 2004 Syrah earned a top honor Gold Medal at the 2007 Central California Wine Competition. Silkwood Wines topped all wineries, winning Gold Medals for three different wines, this Syrah, as well as their Petite Sirah, and their Red Duet, a 50-50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Noteworthy:
Silkwood was founded in 1979 by John R. Monnich, a UC Davis General Agriculture graduate, and was originally located in Napa Valley. During harvest, they thin and drop (literally to the ground) about 20-25 percent of clusters at verasion (fruit softening). According to their web site, this practice helps to produce a rich and intensely flavored wine. All Silkwood Wines bottles feature a unique red velvet label (printed in gold ink) that represents the smooth and rich profile of the wines. The velvet label and the textured label is now a registered trademark of Silkwood.

Winery Tasting Notes:
100% Syrah, Stanislaus County. Ideally paired with gilled pork loin, beef, lamb loin, rack of lamb, butterflied leg of lamb, and spicy pastas. Very rich, smooth finish. Lots of oak wood utilizing Innerstave systems.

AlaWine Notes:
Pouring as a clear, dark purple-red color, Silkwood Wines 2004 Syrah presents rich aromas of black cherry, blackberries, and oak. The ripe dark berries and cherry flavors continue on the palate along with some blackcurrant and toasty oak. Firm tannins lead to a medium length finish.

Bottom Line:
Silkwood Wines 2004 Syrah is a dry, bold, full-bodied syrah, with rich fruit flavors and high tannins. A new release, it is overall, youthful in character. This vintage benefits from decanting, and may mellow if laid down for a few years. Drinks well now with cheeses and big cuts of meat such as T-bone steak, or with lamb. Suggested retail price is $25. Overall composite score: 94 points.

Super-Award Winners, Santa Barbara Wine Competition

More than forty wineries participated in the 2007 Santa Barbara County Fair Wine Competition. More than 125 wines received medals, including 17 that won Gold Medals. Just three wines earned Super Awards, and the are:

Double Gold and Best of Show Red
Curtis 2004 Syrah, Vogelzang Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley

Double Gold and Best of Show White
Kenneth Volk, 2005 Chardonnay, “Santa Maria Cuvee”

Double Gold Medals
William James Cellars, 2005 Syrah

Handley Cellars 2004 Pinot Noir Reserve

The Award-Winning Wine:
Handley Cellars 2004 Pinot Noir Reserve, Anderson Valley, Estate Vineyard

Reason for Reviewing:
Handley Cellars 2004 Pinot Noir won both Gold Medal and Sweepstakes honors at the recently completed 2007 San Diego International Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
In 1990, Handley Cellars decided to farm using sustainable agricultural methods. All parts of the operation work together as a team to keep their vines thriving. They use compost and mineral supplements to build the soil, thus fostering stronger plants that are less susceptible to disease. They avoid using pesticides and herbicides, allowing beneficial insects to flourish.

Winery Tasting Notes:
Carefully selected from barrels of our Anderson Valley Estate Pinot Noir, this wine offers heavenly cherry and chocolate aromas anchored by a slight earthiness. Feel it caress the palate with flavors of wild blackberries, lavender, and cassis. A wine this complex pairs beautifully with high quality, classic food, such as grilled filet mignon or boeuf bourguignon.

AlaWine Notes:
Handley Cellars 2004 Pinot Noir Reserve pours as a clear, deep ruby color, and presents rich aromas of dark berry, cherry, violets, with hints of oak and mushroom, with a slight earthy floor. Blackberries and black cherry fill the palate with full fruit flavors from a big front, through the middle, and a very long, and satisfying finish.

Bottom Line:
Handley Cellars 2004 Pinot Noir Reserve is a dry, medium-heavy bodied pinot noir with soft tannins and moderate flavor intensity. It has a smooth mouthfeel, is very well balanced and integrated, and is thoroughly delicious from start to finish. Suggested retail price is $52. Overall composite score: 98 points.

Double Gold Winners, California Central Coast Wine Competition

Fourteen wines earned Double Gold at the recently completed California Mid-State Fair California Central Coast Wine Competition. Four, spotlighted yesterday (Castoro Cellars, Reserve White Rhone 2006, Cycles Gladiator Wines Merlot 2005, Meridian Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Norman Vineyards, Reserve Chardonnay 2005) were also Best of Class Winners. The 10 other Double Gold Winners include:

Angeline 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Award-Winning Wine:
Angeline 2005 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

The Reason for Reviewing:
Angeline 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon earned a top-honor Gold Medal at the 2007 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition. Angeline was one of just 11 wineries that won two Gold Medals each at the competition.

Noteworthy:
Martin Ray Winery's Angeline brand has been named the American Value Brand of the Year for both 2006 and 2007 by Wine & Spirits Magazine.

Winery Tasting Notes:
This wine has a deep garnet hue and aromas of lush fruit: black cherry, blackberry and vanilla. The rich black cherry and plum flavors are layered with hints of vanilla and creamy oak that linger on the palate.

AlaWine Notes:
Pouring as a dark red ruby color in the glass, the Angeline 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon presents aromatic dark red fruit on the nose, dark cherry and blackberry. Those cherry-berry flavors continue on the palate with some whole dark plum and oak which all hold on through a long finish.

Bottom Line:
A new release, the Angeline 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is youthful, but very drinkable now. It is a dry, medium-bodied cab with rich fruit flavors and soft tannins, well balanced and very quaffable. A good red wine for serving to a diverse dinner party, and a good value at a suggested retail price of $14. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Best of Class Winners, California Central Coast Wine Competition

Hahn Estates Winery won the top award for Best of Show and Best Red Wine, and Castoro Cellars won for best White Wine at the recently completed California Mid-State Fair Central Coast Wine Competition, which featured 115 different wineries from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Monterey Counties. Thirteen wines won Best of Class Awards.

Best of Show and Best Red
2005 Hahn Estates Winery, Meritage

Best White
2006 Castoro Cellars, Reserve

Italian Red
2003 Doce Robles, Barbera, Paso Robles

Sauvignon Blanc
2005 Meridian Vineyards, Central Coast

Blended Red Wine
2005 Hahn Estates Winery, Meritage, Central Coast

White Rhone
2006 Castoro Cellars, Reserve, Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon
2003 Martin & Weyrich Estates, Paso Robles

Chardonnay
2005 Norman Vineyards, Reserve, Edna Valley

Syrah
2004 Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards, Avila Valley, San Luis Obispo

Pink
2005 Alapay, Edna Valley

Zinfandel
2004 RN Estates, Paso Robles

Pinot Noir
2005 Alapay, Edna Valley

Petit Syrah
2004 Victor Hugo, Paso Robles

Merlot
2005 Cycles Gladiator Wines, Central Coast

Dessert Wine
2006 Meridian Vineyards, Late Harvest Riesling, Santa Barbara

For more information on any of these wines, just copy and paste any listing into the Google search box below:

Concannon Vineyard 2004 Sauvignon Blanc

The Award-Winning Wine:
Concannon Vineyard 2004 Sauvignon Blanc, Selected Vineyards

Reason for Reviewing:
The Concannon Vineyard 2004 Sauvignon Blanc was a Chairman's Award (Unanimous Gold) winner at the recently completed 2007 Riverside International Wine Competition Awards.

Noteworthy:
On their web site, the winery details a history of proud firsts. "We were one of the first wineries to pioneer Bordeaux and Rhone-styled wines in California. We are the home of America's first successful Irish vintner, the world's first Petite Sirah and world-class wines from our fruitful, rocky soil. As a founding family of California wines, Concannon created the hardworking Cabernet Sauvignon Clones 7 and 8, which helped plant much of Napa in the 1970s. Pioneering founder, James Concannon, began making wine in the Livermore Valley in 1883."

Winery Varietal Notes:
Sauvignon Blanc was planted in Livermore Valley in the 1880s, and it has become a hallmark varietal for all of California. Livermore Valley Sauvignon Blancs are known for their racy, intense flavor and outstanding balance. Our grapes are grown in the San Francisco Bay and California's Central Coast where they flourish due to the cool coastal climate - a climate that encourages the vines to concentrate their flavors in the ripening of their fruit. The result: Our world-class and award-winning Sauvignon Blanc.

Winery Tasting Notes:
Brilliant straw-hue with a complex nose with notes of figs, melons, lemon, and limes that lead the way with well-filled flavors long on both fruit and varietal herbs. Medium-bodied, slightly rounded in feel, this wine shows a good sense of finishing snap. Very versatile and food-friendly. Enjoy with basil shrimp, grilled salmon with an herb-butter reduction or eggplant parmesan.

AlaWine Notes:
Concannon Vineyard 2004 Sauvignon Blanc pours as a bright and clear, straw-yellow color in the glass. Floral aromas of lemon, grass, melon and a hint of nectarine lift to the nose. A complex variety of layered, fruit flavors mingle on the palate, lemon, melon, pineapple, lime, with an herbaceous characteristic. Lively acids complement the full fruit flavors and lead to a crisp, refreshing finish.

Bottom Line:
Concannon Vineyard 2004 Sauvignon Blanc is a dry, light-to-medium bodied white wine with fresh acidity, good flavor intensity, and a long finish. Can be served with seafood, chicken, and lighter summer fare. A very good value at a suggested retail price of $9.99. Overall composite score: 95 points.

Galleano Winery 2000 Zinfandel Port

The Award-Winning Wine:
Galleano Winery 2000 Zinfandel Port, Cucamonga Valley

Reason for Reviewing:
The Galleano Winery 2000 Zinfandel Port, Cucamonga Valley, was a Chairman's Award (Unanimous Gold) winner at the recently completed 2007 Riverside International Wine Competition Awards.

Noteworthy:
Galleano Winery is located in Mira Loma’s Wineville area, and is still much the same as it was in 1927 when the Galleano family purchased the land. It has survived survived the Depression, Prohibition, and numerous wine cycles. The Cantu-Galleano Ranch complex is listed on the California and National Register of Historic Places.

Winery Tasting Notes:
A light red hue with touches of orange around the rim give up a nose of black cherries, raspberries and brown sugar.

AlaWine Notes:
Pouring as an amber-brown color in the glass, the Galleano Winery 2000 Zinfandel Port presents aromas of dried apricot, cherry and prune with some alcohol fumes (18.5%). Caramel and vanilla merge with the apricot, cherry and prune flavors on the palate, accented by modest tartness, leading to a long, well-balanced, warm finish.

Bottom Line:
Galleano Winery 2000 Zinfandel Port is a sweet, medium bodied, full flavored dessert wine with smooth acidity and tannins, with an overall agreeable character. Would pair well with a range of desserts, especially pastries and chocolate. A good value at a suggested retail price is $22 per 750ml. Overall composite score: 94 points.

2007 International Wine Challenge, U.S. Gold

At the world’s largest blind wine tasting, the 2007 International Wine Challenge has just announced this year's medal winners. 9,358 wines, from 35 different countries, competed. 260 Gold medals were awarded, 1,129 wines won Silver medals, 1,839 medals took Bronze medals, and 2,994 wines were Commended (Full results, here). Of 175 U.S. wines that won a medal or were commended, four, all from Northern California, earned top-honor Gold Medals:

Martin & Weyrich Winery 2003 Sangiovese Il Palio

The Award-Winning Wine:
Martin & Weyrich Winery 2003 Sangiovese Il Palio

Reason for Reviewing:
Martin & Weyrich Winery 2003 Sangiovese Il Palio was one of just 19 domestic wines to earn a top-honor Gold Medal at the recently completed 2007 Cincinnati International Wine Festival.

Noteworthy:
According to its web site, Martin & Weyrich Winery is the premier producer of classic Italian grape varieties in the United States, and the premier winery in the United States experimenting with and producing Italian grape varieties. Also from their site: Sangiovese, "The Blood of Jove (Jupiter)," has been the beverage of choice in Tuscany for more than 2000 years. They named their Sangiovese "Il Palio," or "The Prize," for the famous Sienese horse race.

Winery Notes:
Sangiovese wine is so named because of its beautiful, rich color, as well as the role that Sangiovese played in sustaining the lives of the ancient Etruscans and Romans. As they prepared for new battle, thirsty and fatigued after the Gallic fracas, Caesar's troops vigorously enjoyed Sangiovese's cherry freshness and quaffability. ...an all-purpose food-friendly wine. Its vibrant red berry and spice aromas complement a wide variety of foods, including grilled vegetables, fish, poultry and meat.

AlaWine Notes:
Martin & Weyrich 2003 Sangiovese, Il Palio, presents as a dark ruby color in the glass. Rich aromas of black cherry, blackberry and raspberry fill the nose. The ripe cherry berry flavors flood the palate along with some whole plum. Medium tannins balance the full fruit flavors and lead to a long spicy, fruit finish.

Bottom Line:
The Martin & Weyrich 2003 Sangiovese, Il Palio, is a dry, medium bodied wine with good flavor intensity, fresh acidity and balanced tannins. A very quaffable and food friendly wine. A good value at a suggested retail price of $16. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Ferrante 2005 Chardonnay, Signature Series

The Award-Winning Wine:
Ferrante 2005 Chardonnay, Grand River Valley, Signature Series

Reason for Reviewing:
The Ferrante 2005 Chardonnay, Signature Series wine earned Double Gold Medal honors at the recently completed 2007 Tasters Guild International Wine Judging.

Noteworthy:
The Ferrante family has been selling wine since 1937 when Anna and Nicholas Ferrante opened their first winery in Cleveland, Ohio's Collinwood area.

Winery Tasting Notes:
French oak ages, aromas of pear and melon with buttery finish.

AlaWine Notes:
The Ferrante 2005 Chardonnay, Grand River Valley, Signature Series, pours as a clear, light straw-yellow color in the glass. Aromas of pear and apple fill the nose, along with a honeydew melon highlight. Mango and peach flavors join the other stone fruits on the palate and mingle into a long, rich finish.

Bottom Line:
Aged in French oak, Ferrante 2005 Chardonnay is a dry, medium-heavy bodied wine with smooth acidity and full fruit flavors. It has a pleasant creamy mouthfeel and a comforting, lingering buttery vanilla finish. Suggested retail price is $14.99. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Cedar View 2005 Alicante Bouchet

The Award-Winning Wine:
Cedar View 2005 Alicante Bouchet

Reason for Reviewing:
Cedar View 2005 Alicante Bouchet earned one of two Gold Medals for Cedar View Winery at the 2007 Central California Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Cedar View Winery focuses on producing rare, eclectic, hard-to-find varietals. The winery's estate “flagship” grape, Alicante Bouschet, is made as a very popular award-winning red wine as well as a very rare Rosé. The Alicante Bouschet is a Rhone style grape that is steeped in history and grown on-site. According to the winery, Alicante was the number one wine grape in California before prohibition and is unique because of its dark juice. Only 900 acres remain today in California [down from about 30,000 acres in the 1940's].

The Varietal:
Alicante Bouchet is a cross between Grenache and Petit Bouschet. Alicante Bouschet is part of a rare category of grapes which the French refer to as “teinturier,” which translates to "dyers". These are grapes which have red colored flesh as well as skin. Due to its red juice, it is used primarily as a blending grape for color and tannin. Originally from Spain, and then used in France's Burgundy region to add color to red blends, a few California wineries have offered Alicante Bouschet as a varietal.

Winery Notes:
Our “flagship” wine, Alicante Bouschet, is a little known French Rhone derivative, with parents in France and Spain. Our nine acres of Alicante Bouschet were planted in 1977 and surround our Bed & Breakfast. The grapes benefit from our location due to the cooling winds coming down from the Sierras. Alicante Bouschet is characteristic on the palette with “brambly” fruit flavors of blackberry and boysenberry.

AlaWine Notes:
Cedar View 2005 Alicante Bouchet pours as a very dark purple-red color. Red berries, leather, and floral aromas mingle in the nose. Blackberry, raspberry, and whole plum flavors fill the palate and lead to a lengthy, spicy finish.

Bottom Line:
Cedar View 2005 Alicante Bouchet is a dry, full-bodied wine with lively tannins. It is full of rich fruit flavors which linger on the palate. A fresh and refreshing wine, it bridges the gap between roses and heavier reds, a good wine for summer dinners. Suggested retail price is $15. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Rotta 2003 Black Monukka

The Award-Winning Wine:
Rotta 2003 Black Monukka

Reason for Reviewing:
The Rotta 2003 Black Monukka was one of just 17 wines, out of 1700 entries, that earned Double Gold at the recently completed 25th West Coast Wine Competition held here in Santa Rosa, CA.

Noteworthy:
Rotta Winery, founded in 1908 by the Rotta Family, is the only remaining family owned “original” winery in San Luis Obispo County. Mike Giubbini, grandson to the Rotta Family, Steve Pesenti, grandson to the founders of the Pesenti Winery (1934) and Mark Caporale of Napa, have combined their talents to “bring back to life” the historic and rustic winery.

Winery Tasting Notes:
The caramelized, nutty and vanilla aromas of this baked cream sherry reveal the flavor of the Black Monukka grapes that produced this wine. After a lengthy aging in small oak barrels, its’ richness in the flavor will linger in your mind forever. A wine to be sipped and enjoyed with cheeses and after dinner. Rotta Winery is the exclusive producer of this rare, sweet dessert wine.

The Grape:
Black Monukka is a vitis vinifera, or European grape, and the hardiest of the lot. It grows in long large clusters, and is a reddish-black large oval shape. It is a crisp and fresh, seedless, sweet table grape with tender dark skin. Generally served fresh, as grapes, or used to make raisins.

AlaWine Notes:
Rotta 2003 Black Monukka pours as a viscous, clear amber brown colored wine in the glass. Lots of nut aromas on the nose. Full flavors of walnuts and hazelnuts fill the palate, along with maple syrup, and vanilla. A touch of tart balances the sweetness and leads to a long, satisfying caramel finish.

Bottom Line:
Rotta 2003 Black Monukka is a unique, and very distinguished dessert wine, somewhere between a cream sherry and a tawny port. It is exotic, but very well balanced, and in the end, very satisfying. This wine is stored in barrels and sun-baked outside for two years to integrate its rich flavors. It can easily serve as dessert on its own, or stand up well with cheesecake or other rich desserts. Suggested retail price is $20 per 375ml. Overall composite score: 98 points.

Chairman's Award Winners, Riverside Competition

Seventy-one wines out of nearly 1,400 entries were selected as Chairman's Award (Unanimous Gold) winners at the recently completed 2007 Riverside International Wine Competition Awards (Click here for all medal winners). Here's a short list of 33 Chairman's Award winners, wines and wineries not previously featured in other super-awards postings. Two wineries, Trinchero Winery and Granite Springs, had two Chairman's Award winners each.

Barnard Griffin 2006 Rose of Sangiovese

The Award-Winning Wine:
Barnard Griffin 2006 Rose of Sangiovese

Reason for Reviewing:
Barnard Griffin 2006 Rose of Sangiovese earned Sweepstakes Awards at both the 2007 Monterey Wine Competition and the 2007 Riverside International 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 Tasting Notes:
The 2006 Rosé of Sangiovese is packed with exotic, tropical fruit and is delightfully dry on the palate. This "European" style Rose' has great depth and character. It is fruity yet dry which allows it to be served with almost any summer food. Good acidity mingles with the soft fruit flavors of 100% Sangiovese.

AlaWine Notes:
Pouring as a beautiful, clear red strawberry color in the glass, the Barnard Griffin 2006 Rose of Sangiovese features aromas of cherry and raspberry on the nose. Red berries carry over onto the palate along with some whole plum. Some bright tannins accent the fruit flavors and lead to a long, mouthwatering finish.

Bottom Line:
Barnard Griffin 2006 Rose of Sangiovese is a dry, medium-bodied, light red wine with vibrant fruit flavors and some crisp, lively acidity for a fresh finish. It is well balanced, well integrated, and ultimately, refreshing. Serve chilled with picnics and other lighter summer fare. A great value at a suggested retail price is $10.99. Overall composite score: 97 points.

Gold & Best of Class Winners, 2007 Pacific Rim

Eighty-five wines out of more than 2,000 entries were selected as Gold Medal and Best of Class award winners at the recently completed 2007 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition (you can find the list of all medal winners here). Here's a short list of 34 Gold Medal and Best of Class award winners, wines and wineries not previously listed in other super-awards postings. Breitenbach Winery won for three wines, and Eberle Winery, Willowbrook Cellars, and ZD Wines won for two wine each.

Bray Vineyards 2004 Syrah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Bray Vineyards 2004 Syrah

Reason for Reviewing:
Bray Vineyards 2004 Syrah was one of just 13 wines that earned Gold medals at the recently completed Central California Wine Competition.

Winery Notes:
Shiraz, is established in the Rhone Valley of France and was first planted in California in the late 1800s. The Sierra Foothills are one of the original locations of Syrah vines in California. Harvested by hand, this complex wine is aged for sixteen months in French and American oak barrels. With hints of clove, our Syrah is a full, flavorful wine. Alcohol 14.3%

AlaWine Notes:
Bray Vineyards 2004 Syrah pours as a dark ruby color in the glass. Ripe blackberry and dark cherry fill the nose, along with a new oak and a hint of leather. Blackberries and cherry continue on the palate, along with plum, raspberry and spicy herbs. Medium, slightly astringent tannins, lead to a medium length finish.

Bottom Line:
Bray Vineyards 2004 Syrah is a dry, medium-bodied wine, with lively acidity and moderate tannins. Serve with beef stew, bar-b-que, or other hardy fare, or with cheeses. Suggested retail price is $19. Overall composite score: 93 points.

Best Pacific Rim Award Winners

Just four wines out of more than 2,000 entries were selected as Best Pacific Rim award winners at the recently completed 2007 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition. This top award represents the best of the Best of Class award winners.

Grand Champion wine was a Best of Class Red Wine winner, the J. Lohr Vineyard Series 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Hilltop Vineyard, Paso Robles, priced at $35. J. Lohr Vineyard also won another Best of Class award for its Estates 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Oaks.

The White Wine winner was an inexpensive, non-vintage, Niagara grape wine from the Oak Knoll Winery in Oregon, at just $7.

The Best Dessert Wine was the Girardet Wine Cellars 2005 Gewurztraminer Frostbite, Umpqua Valley, also from Oregon, priced at $20.

In the Sparkling Wine category, Gloria Ferrer earned the top honor with one of its three Best of Class winners, the 2003 Blanc de Blancs, retailing at $24.

Meier's 44 Cream Sherry

The Award-Winning Wine:
Meier's 44 Cream Sherry

Reason for Reviewing:
Meier's 44 Cream Sherry was one of just 19 domestic wines that earned a top-honor Gold Medal at the recently completed 2007 Cincinnati International Wine Festival.

Noteworthy:
About the winery: Meier's, Ohio's oldest and largest winery, has been making wine for more than 100 years. About the wine: In the traditional Solera method of aging, this wine was weathered outdoors in oak for a minimum of 36 months.

Winery Tasting Notes:
Brown. Medium body and acid. Lots of fruit. Medium oak. Sweet. Maple syrup, Gran Marnier, cola. Spicy, slightly candied flavors have a burnt edge.

AlaWine Notes:
Meier's 44 Cream Sherry pours as a deep rich amber in the glass, lifting aromas of fresh peach, fig, and almond to the nose. Sweet fig and peach flavors coat the palate along with a hint of apricot, and lots of rich nutty flavor and caramel. Some fresh acidity brightens the palate, balancing the sweet flavors, and leading to a long satisfying finish.

Bottom Line:
Meier's 44 Cream Sherry is a full-bodied, smooth dessert wine with rich, sweet fruit and nutty flavor. Can be served as a traditional digestif or as a dessert wine. An excellent value at a suggested retail price of $11.99 per 750ml, compared with similar dessert wine selling for twice as much or more per 375ml. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Double Gold Wines, Multi-Double-Gold Wineries

A wide variety of more unanimous gold medal winning wines, and multi-award-winning wineries, are featured in this week's wine shopping list. Seventy nine wines earned Double Gold Medal honors at the recently completed 2007 Tasters Guild International Wine Judging. The 29 wines spotlighted here are from the 14 wineries that earned more than one Double Gold in the judging. Rosenblum Cellars, St. James Winery, and Viansa Winery, had three Double Golds each, and the 11 other wineries shown below won two Double Golds each:

Carr 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Award-Winning Wine:
Joseph Carr 2003 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Reason for Reviewing:
Carr 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon was one of just 19 domestic wines that earned top-honor Gold Medals at the recently completed 2007 Cincinnati International Wine Festival.

Noteworthy:
In February of 2006, Joseph Carr collaborated with Ted Edwards, recently named one of the top 20 winemaker in the history of Napa Valley by Dan Berger, and released his limited production Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002. In less then five months, this 2500 case production was sold out, and has graced some of the finest restaurant wine programs, in the country (see web site for very impressive list).

Winery Tasting Notes:
Deep cherry and plum, fine cedar box aroma, dark color, touch of cinnamon on a very long finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Carr 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon pours as a deep, clear garnet in the glass. Very aromatic cherry, strawberry, raspberry, violet, and a hint of toasted French oak combine for a nice, big nose. The cherry, berry aromas carry over and flood the palate with smooth, round fruit flavors. Soft tannins lead to a long finish.

Bottom Line:
Carr 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is a dry, medium-bodied, smooth Cab (with 10% Merlot, 5% Syrah). It is very flavorful, yet elegant and well balanced, reminiscent of French Bordeaux wines. A very good value at a suggested retail price of $20. Overall composite score: 97 points.

Korbel 2004 Natural Champagne

The Award-Winning Wine:
Korbel 2004 Natural Champagne, Russian River Valley

Reason for Reviewing:
Korbel 2004 Natural was one of just five select wines, out of nearly 700 medal winners, that were the only ones to earn both Gold Medal and "Best of Show" honors (for Best Sparkling Wine) at the 2007 Monterey Wine Competition. And, it was one of 17 out of 1700 entries, that earned Double Gold at the recently completed 25th West Coast Wine Competition held here in Santa Rosa, CA.

Noteworthy:
A crisp, delicately dry champagne, Korbel Natural has been served exclusively at the last five presidential inaugurations and is one of the few things both political parties agree on. Natural was originally developed by Adolph Heck in the early 1960s as a dry, sophisticated alternative to the sweet and awkward bulk processed sparkling wines commonly consumed at that time.

Winery Tasting Notes:
Korbel Natural is a very dry, delicate champagne which exemplifies the fruit forward, Korbel "House Style." Sonoma County Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, primarily from the cool Russian River Valley, gives the Korbel Natural' its unique crisp, fruit centered style.

AlaWine Notes:
A pale straw-yellow color, full of energetic, very small bubbles, on the pour, Korbel 2004 Natural wafts a bouquet of bright citrus aromas on the nose. Vibrant lemon flavors dance across the palate on the way to a slightly yeasty, long finish.

Bottom Line:
Korbel 2004 Natural is a crisp, medium dry, medium bodied, sparkling wine with full fruit flavors. Bright, centered, and refreshing, Natural can be served as an aperitif or with fruit for dessert. Cleansing the palate, it would pair well with oysters, shrimp, and other seafood. Suggested retail price is $13.99. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Hawley 2005 Zinfandel

The Award-Winning Wine:
Hawley Wine 2005 Zinfandel, Ponzo Vineyard

Reason for Reviewing:
The Hawley 2005 Zinfandel was one of only 12 red varietals, out of nearly 700 medal winners, that earned both Gold Medal and Sweepstakes honors at the recently completed 2007 Monterey Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
In 1996, after 16 years of making wine for others, including Clos du Bois and Kendall-Jackson (as chief winemaker), John Hawley launched his own small family winery with his wife, Dana, on Bradford Mountain overlooking the Dry Creek Valley in northern Sonoma County.

Winery Notes:
This Zinfandel comes from Ponzo Vineyard along the Russian River at the mouth of Dry Creek Valley. Fermented in open top, one-ton tanks and "punched down" day and night to maximize skin extraction. Aged in French and American oak barrels for nine months. 285 cases produced.

AlaWine Notes:
The Hawley 2005 Zinfandel pours as a deep, clear garnet color, and presents very aromatic red berries (raspberry, strawberry) and vanilla oak on the nose. Red berries and cherry fill the palate, with some pepper, and lead to a medium length, slightly herbal finish.

Bottom Line:
The Hawley 2005 Zinfandel is a dry, medium-bodied, fresh wine with slightly astringent tannins. It is flavorful and agreeable, with some complexity, likely to knit together even better in three to four years. Serve with red meats, lamb, smoked meats and cheeses. Suggested retail price is $24. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Rocca 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Award-Winning Wine:
Rocca Family Vineyards 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

Reason for Reviewing:
Rocca 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon was one of seven Cabernet Sauvignons that earned Best of Class Awards in various price categories at the 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and one of just four that were awarded both Double Gold and Best of Class.

Noteworthy:
The vines for this wine were grown winery's Yountville Cross Road estate. Aged in small barrels (50% new) for about 19 months, the wine was minimally filtered just prior to bottling in May 2005. The final blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, from 100% estate-grown fruit. With its proximity to the Stags Leap District, at the northwest corner of the Silverado Trail and Yountville Crossroad, the vineyard receives cooling afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay.

Winery Tasting Notes:
Our darkest, ripest, richest Cabernet offering to date, the Rocca 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon offers very dark blackberry and black raspberry aromas, in addition to the dark chocolate and clove spice aromas which abound from this Yountville vineyard. On the palate the wine is rich, warm, and full-bodied, with a soft texture from start to finish. Mixing with the velvety texture are sweet blackberry, dark fruit syrup flavors that leave a lingering impression of sweet summer fruits.

AlaWine Notes:
Presenting as a clear, dark purple-red in the glass, the Rocca 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is very aromatic, offering a big cherry, raspberry nose with beautiful toasted oak. Rich black cherry and ripe dark berries fill the palate, and soft, smooth tannins carry the round fruit flavors into a long, refreshing finish.

Bottom Line:
Rocca 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is a flavorful, dry, medium-heavy bodied, moderate tannin wine. It is very well balanced with some well integrated complexity, as well as very quaffable and likely a great candidate for aging well. Suggested retail price is $55. Overall composite score: 97 points.

Wattle Creek 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Award-Winning Wine:
Wattle Creek 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vintage Select

Reason for Reviewing:
Wattle Creek 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon was one of only 12 red varietals and one red blend, out of nearly 700 medal winners, that earned both Gold Medal and Sweepstakes honors at the recently completed 2007 Monterey Wine Competition (MWC). Wattle Creek Winery was the only winery to win the double honors twice, once for its Cabernet Sauvignon and again for its Triple Play blend.

Noteworthy:
What's a Wattle? The inspiration for the winery's name is Australia's indigenous wattle tree, whose distinctive yellow blossom is Australia's national flower. Gardeners in Australia are very fond of its beauty, and so are the owners, the Williams. That's why the wattle graces each bottle, providing a welcome reminder of their down-to-earth style and Australian heritage.

Winery Tasting Notes:
This wine illustrates the finest barrels of Cabernet from the Wattle Creek estate. The dense vibrant color illustrates the integrity of this wine. Aromas offer ripe black currant, a hint of earthiness, French oak and a complexity of maturation. Flavors are big, rich and ripe with structure, textured tannin, great centre and length.

AlaWine Notes:
Wattle Creek 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon pours as a dark indigo color and opens up with a very aromatic cherry, blackberry, vanilla French oak nose. Full fruit flavors of ripe black cherry and blackberry continue across the palate, merging with youngish tannins, into a long rich finish.

Bottom Line:
Wattle Creek 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is a dry, medium-heavy bodied wine with exquisite, dark fruit flavors that deliver on the promise of its beautiful aromatic nose. It is smooth and well balanced, very drinkable and food friendly now, likely better in a few years. Suggested retail price is $85. Overall composite score: 98 points.

Michael-David Vineyards, Earthquake Cab 2003

The Award-Winning Wine:
Michael-David Vineyards Earthquake Cab 2003

Reason for Reviewing:
Earthquake Cab 2003 was one of only 12 red varietals, out of nearly 700 medal winners, that earned both Gold Medal and Sweepstakes honors at the recently completed 2007 Monterey Wine Competition. It also earned Best of Class honors at the 25th West Coast Wine Competition completed recently here in Santa Rosa, CA

Noteworthy:
In 1850, amid the Gold Rush, Captain Charles Weber, founder of Stockton, California, brought grape cuttings to the Lodi, California area. Michael and David Phillips represent the fifth generation of growers there. The Phillips family has been farming since their Great Great Grandfather Andrew Harshner and his wife Lucille homesteaded 160 acres near the town of Lodi, following the Civil War in the 1860's.

AlaWine Notes:
Earthquake Cab 2003 pours as a dark garnet with a bright ruby-red rim. Loads of earthy, dark berries and cherry on the nose, the wine opens with blackberry, black currant, and dark cherry on the palate, and closes in a long, warm finish of spicy pepper.

Bottom Line:
As its name suggests, Earthquake Cab 2003 is a big, fruit-filled wine. Dry with medium-heavy body, and moderate tannins, powerful flavors dominate. A good bar-b-que wine, Earthquake Cab will hold up to meats and other full-flavored, non-spicy, dishes. Alcohol is 15.5%. Suggested retail price is $28. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Winter's Hill Vineyard 2004 Pinot Blanc

The Award-Winning Wine:
Winter's Hill Vineyard 2004 White Gold Pinot Blanc

The Reason for Reviewing:
Winter's Hill Vineyard 2004 Pinot Blanc was one of just ten wines that earned Double Gold from the 2007 Grand Harvest Awards.

Noteworthy:
Winter’s Hill Vineyard is certified by LIVE of Oregon (Low Input Viticulture & Enology) as Sustainable and Salmon Safe. This program seeks to promote sustainable viticulture while minimizing the use of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers and protecting the farmer, the environment and society at large.

Winery Tasting Notes:
This wine opens with the floral notes of the white narcissus, and the intense flavors of honey, pears and apples have an underlying spiciness that leads to a crisp and refreshing finish.

AlaWine Notes:
A rich honey-gold color in the glass, Winter's Hill Vineyard 2004 Pinot Blanc, offers aromas of apple, pear, and peach, which carry over onto the palate in creamy smooth, moderately sweet, context with a touch of spice. Moderately crisp acidity offsets the sweetness with some tang and leads to a long finish of some complexity.

Bottom Line:
Made in the style of an ice wine, Winter's Hill Vineyard 2004 Pinot Blanc dessert wine is sweet, and full-bodied with fresh acidity and full flavors. Round, smooth, and well-balanced, it provides a rich and sensuous experience and a refreshing and satisfying finish. Alcohol is 15.1 % and residual sugar is 6.6%. Suggested retail price is $24/375ml. Overall composite score: 96 points.

17 Double Golds, West Coast Wine Competition

This week's wine shopping list is unanimous gold from top to bottom. The top 1%, these 17 wines, out of 1700 entries, earned Double Gold at the recently completed 25th West Coast Wine Competition held here in Santa Rosa, CA. Wineries from California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Baja California, British Columbia, Australia, and New Zealand participated.

The super-award-winning wines, listed below, include three Pinot Noirs, three Merlots, and two Cabernet Sauvignons. Frank Family Vineyards and Navarro Vineyards earned two Double Golds each. And, the Double Gold winners are:

Kokomo Wines 2005 Syrah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Kokomo Wines 2005 Syrah

The Reason for Reviewing:
Kokomo Wines 2005 Syrah was one of just 21 Double Gold medal winning wines, from more than 1500 entries at the 2007 Florida International Wine Competition.

Winery Tasting Notes:
Aromas of crushed berry, succulent wildberry, violets, and loads of white pepper character that turns to a sweet ripeness, folding together in a seamless presentation. The finish is long and lingering with hints of blueberry, pink grapefruit, and a distinctive minerality. A magnificent wine that screams, "Rhone!"

AlaWine Notes:
Pouring as a clear, dark purple plum, almost violet, color in the glass, Kokomo Wines 2005 Syrah offers an aromatic nose of dark ripe fruit, leather, and pepper. Rich berry flavors, blackberry, blueberry and black currant fill the palate are are counterbalanced by moderate tannins and lively acidity, leading to a long mouthwatering, satisfying finish.

Bottom Line:
Kokomo Wines 2005 Syrah is a dry, medium-heavy bodied syrah that holds true to its varietal character. A bit youthful, it is very drinkable now, and will likely remain so over the next few years. It is well balanced and well integrated with full fruit flavors and soft tannins. A very food friendly wine that can pair well with beef, pork chops, and herb-roasted chicken. Suggested retail price is $22. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Angeline 2005 Chardonnay

The Award-Winning Wine:
Angeline 2005 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

The Reason for Reviewing:
Angeline 2005 Chardonnay earned a top-honor Gold Medal at the recent 2007 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition. Angeline was one of just 11 wineries that won two Gold Medals each at the competition.

Noteworthy:
Martin Ray Winery's Angeline brand has been named the American Value Brand of the Year for both 2006 and 2007 by Wine & Spirits Magazine.

Winery Tasting Notes:
A pure and vibrant Chardonnay, with flavors of pineapple and crisp apple balanced by hints of creamy oak.

AlaWine Notes:
A nice, clear straw yellow color in the glass, Angeline 2005 Chardonnay gives up modest aromas of apple and citrus. Green apple and citrus carry over onto the palate along with some pear, pineapple and barrel-fermented flavors, and lead into a medium length, creamy finish.

Bottom Line:
A new release, the Angeline 2005 Chardonnay has an overall youthful character. Blended with 17% Pinot Blanc, the aromas are light and the chardonnay fruit characteristics are moderated. The wine is dry, medium-bodied, slightly tart, with overall moderate flavor intensity. The wine is very drinkable and will likely appeal to a wide range of dinner guests. Serve with fish and lighter fare. Suggested retail price is $14. Overall composite score: 93 points.

Popular Best of Class Winners, West Coast Wine Competition

Fifty-three wines, out of 1700 entries, earned Best of Class honors at the 25th West Coast Wine Competition completed recently here in Santa Rosa, CA. Here are 27 Best of Class winners (by varietal, type, and price range) from the most popular categories:

Chardonnay

Escudo Rojo 2003

The Award-Winning Wine:
Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Escudo Rojo 2003

The Reason for Reviewing:
Escudo Rojo 2003 was one of just 23 Double Gold medal winners, including nine red wines (from among 1700 medal winners), at the 2007 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Escudo Rojo is Spanish for "red shield" which is used to represent the parent company of Rothschild ("red shield" in German). The bottle label and bottle top feature a red shield in a background of blue and yellow, the Rothschild family colors.

Winery Tasting Notes:
A blend of Maipo Valley, Chile, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rapel Carmenere, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, all vinified separately, blended and then aged for 12 months in French oak. It has a very deep intense purple color and a spicy, herb-tinged, plumy, black cherry nose. On the palate it shows rich, cedar-tinged, plumy, ripe cherry flavors along with a lingering finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Escudo Rojo 2003 shows as a deep garnet-brick color, with a slight haze, and offers sweet dark fruit aromas in an earthy, sweet oak context on the nose. A range of flavors cross the palate, including raspberry, black cherry, and blackcurrant, and linger briefly in a modest, dry finish.

Bottom Line:
Escudo Rojo 2003 is a Chilean red wine of an unusual blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. It is dry, medium-bodied, with lively acidity, mild tannins, and some astringency. Aged in oak barrels, the wine delivers a moderate intensity of an exotic mix of fruit flavors. Mild tannins make the wine very drinkable now, but an overall youthful character suggest it may drink even better in three to five years. Pair with Italian dishes, pasta, lasagna. Suggested retail price is $14.99. Overall composite score: 94 points.

Burgess Cellars 2003 Syrah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Burgess Cellars 2003 Syrah, Napa Valley

The Reason for Reviewing:
The Burgess Cellars 2003 Syrah was one of just 19 domestic wines that earned a top-honor Gold Medal at the recently completed 2007 Cincinnati International Wine Festival.

Noteworthy:
Burgess traces its origins to an original winery on the property in the 1880's. The winery is somewhat unique in the Napa Valley as a truly family-owned winery which has employed the same winemaker, Bill Sorenson, since the winery's re-birth in 1972 under Napa Valley pioneer Tom Burgess and his family. Visitors to the Napa Valley should note that the hillside winery claims the mantle of "Winery with the best view of Napa Valley."

Winery Tasting Notes:
Burgess Syrah shows classic qualities of spice and blackberry along with complements of American and French oak imparting a classic mouth feel and long finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Pouring as a dark ruby color, Burgess Cellars 2003 Syrah provides aromas of ripe dark fruit and a sweet floral bouquet that includes a magnolia highlight. Blackberry, plum, and black currant fill the palate and lead to a crisp finish of lingering fruit along with some spice, thyme, clove, and toasty oak.

The Bottom Line:
Burgess Cellars 2003 Syrah (blended with 6% Mourvedre) is a refreshing, medium-bodied wine with full fruit flavors and a creamy mouthfeel. Most notably, it is well balanced, well integrated, with interesting layers of complexity without being overwhelming. As a result, this is an elegant wine, very quaffable and very food friendly. Suggested retail price is $22. Overall composite score: 97 points.

Arbor Hill 2005 Classic Traminette

The Award-Winning Wine:
Arbor Hill 2005 Finger Lakes Classic Traminette

The Reason for Reviewing:
Arbor Hill 2005 Finger Lakes Classic Traminette was one of just 23 Double Gold medal winners (from among 1700 medal winners), including six white wines, at the 2007 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
The Classic Traminette is Arbor Hill's "signature" wine. They were the first winery in the world to introduce this offspring of the famous Gewurztaminer. Traminette, named after the Italian village of Tramin where Gewurztaminer was discovered more than 1,000 years ago, was recognized at the Jefferson Classic, ...as an "American Example of Greatness".

Winery Notes:
Sweet-spicy white wine with a floral aroma, a child of Gewurztaminer (German for spice), we were the first in the world to introduce this award-winning wine. Traminette has a spicy fruit characteristic with nice apricot and honey overtones. This is one white wine that can actually be aged, which is why you will find it in the dark bottle. This wonderful new creation is a cross between Gewurztraminer and a French-American varietal, Johannes Seyve 23-416. Truly a wine to be savored for years. As Traminette ages it takes on flavors reminiscent of the great French Sauternes.

AlaWine Notes:
A straw-yellow color in the glass, Arbor Hill 2005 Finger Lakes Classic Traminette offers an aromatic floral potpourri bouquet, with overtones of cloves, and a hint of lime. Apple flavors open on the palate and give way to sweet, creamy peach and passion fruit, with a spicy, medium length finish.

Bottom Line:
Arbor Hill 2005 Finger Lakes Classic Traminette is a sweet and spicy, medium-bodied wine that flows smoothly and agreeably across the palate. It is round and well balanced with concentrated fruit flavors. Pair with strong cheeses, spicy Asian dishes. Suggested retail price is $12.95. Overall composite score: 92 points.