May 2008

2008 Riverside Sweepstakes Winners

The results are in from the 2008 Riverside International Wine Competition. Out of 2,614 wines evaluated, these five wines earned Sweepstakes Awards for Sparkling Wine, Rose Wine, White Wine, Red Wine, and Dessert Wine respectively:

* Mumm Napa Valley Brut NV $19
* 2006 White Springs Winery Rose, Finger Lakes $9.99
* 2007 Chateau Ste Michelle Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley $12
* 2005 Michael~David Winery Earthquake Syrah, Lodi $28
* 2006 Navarro Vineyards Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Anderson Valley. Cluster Select Late Harvest $59

For a complete list of award-winning wines from the competition, click here.

Adobe Road 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Award-Winning Wine:
Adobe Road 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

Reason for Reviewing:
Adobe Road 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of just four wines to earn top honors, out of more than 2,350 wines, from nearly 500 wineries, spanning 39 states, and 14 different countries, that were entered into the recently completed 2008 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Adobe Road Winery is owned by renowned sports car racer and entrepreneur Kevin Buckler and his wife, Debra. Kevin’s accomplishments as a driver include class wins at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona (2002) and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans (2002), an overall win at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona (2003), and the title of Porsche World Cup Champion in 2002. As a team owner, Kevin has directed the growth of The Racer’s Group into an internationally-acclaimed racing team.

AlaWine Notes:
Adobe Road 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon displays in the glass as a beautiful, dark ruby red color. An abundance of rich dark fruit aromas radiate to the nose in a smoky sweet earth context. Ripe blackberry and dark cherry flavors fill the palate in a smooth mouthfeel. The finish is long and luscious with moderate tannins and a cedar note.

Bottom Line:
Adobe Road 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is a round and lush fruit forward wine with plenty of ripe berry-cherry flavors, layers of interesting complexity, and a satisfying finish. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Best of Washington Wines

Reininger Winery's 2005 Malbec (Walla Walla Valley), and Northstar Winery's 2004 Merlot (Columbia Valley) were co-winners of the Mount Rainier Award, which represents the state's overall best examples of style and type.

The wines were among 1,280 from the Pacific Northwest tasted by panels of judges, including scads of award-winning Walla Walla wines, during the event held recently at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood.

Domenico 2004 Miscela

The Award-Winning Wine:
Domenico 2004 Miscela

Reason for Reviewing:
Domenico 2004 Miscela earned a Double Gold Medal at the Florida State Fair Wine Competition and a Gold Medal at the American Wine Society Competition.

Winery Notes:
Miscela (blend in Italian) is full-bodied with aromas of plum, black cherry, mint, rosemary, black pepper and tobacco. Flavors of ripe cherries, plums and floral notes of roses.

AlaWine Notes:
Domenico 2004 Miscela pours as a dark garnet purple in the glass. Plum and berry aromas waft to the nose. Cherry, berry, plum flavors fill the palate and hold through a smooth, long, peppery finish.

Bottom Line:
Domenico 2004 Miscela is a Bordeau Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (79.3%), Merlot (7.2%), Cabnert Franc (6.3%), Malbec (3.6%), and Petite Verdot (3.6%). It is a full-bodied round red wine with layers of ripe fruit flavors and interesting complexity. Serve with aged cheeses or meats such as lamb, beef, or pork. Suggested retail price is $35. Overall composite score: 95 points.

Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Winners

After four tiers of judging 200 wines entered in the 2008 Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competiiton, 12 wines have been selected as equal winners of the 2008 “Oyster Award”. Wines were judged blind with Kumamoto oysters. Judges chew the oyster well, smell and taste the wine and then rate the “bliss factor”.

Amity Vineyards 06 Pinot Blanc (OR)
Chateau Ste. Michelle 06 Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc (WA)
Clayhouse Vineyard 06 Sauvignon Blanc (CA)
Clos du Bois Winery 06 Sauvignon Blanc (CA)
Covey Run Winery 06 Fume Blanc (WA)
Dry Creek Vineyard 06 Sonoma County Fume Blanc (CA)
Girard Winery 06 Sauvignon Blanc (CA)
Kathryn Kennedy Winery 07 Sauvignon Blanc (CA)
Robledo Family Winery 06 Sauvignon Blanc (CA)
Simi 06 Sauvignon Blanc (CA)
Van Duzer Vineyards 07 Pinot Gris (OR)
Willamette Valley Vineyards 07 Pinot Gris (OR)

For more information, click here.