AlaWine.com: Super Award Winning Wines

Dutcher Crossing Winery 2008 Chardonnay

The Award-Winning Wine:
Dutcher Crossing Winery 2008 Chardonnay, Stuhlmuller Vineyard, Alexander Valley

Reason for Reviewing:
Dutcher Crossing Winery 2008 Chardonnay won the top award for Best Chardonnay at the 2010 San Diego International Wine Competition. Dutcher Crossing has also won numerous other super awards on this and other wines this year, as you can see here.

Noteworthy:
The winery's logo is a vintage high-wheel bicycle, based on a treasured gift from proprietor Debra Mathy's father, and "represents Dutcher Crossing's pursuit of quality small-lot winemaking..."

Winery Notes:
This wine is complex, rich and layered. The signature Stuhlmuller light straw color with a greenish hue defines the wine's color. The aromas have this long layered effect with lovely toasted nut with creamy pear and apple subtleties, each adding to the sum of enjoyment. On the palate, the flavors are broad with texture and depth. There is a sense of freshness in every sip that marries well with the long length of the finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Dutcher Crossing Winery 2008 Chardonnay shows as a pale straw yellow color on pouring. Delicate apple-pear aromas lift to the nose. And, flavors of apple and pear carry onto the palate, along with apricot in creamy mouth, which lingers gracefully through a refreshing finish.

Bottom Line:
Dutcher Crossing Winery 2008 Chardonnay is a beautiful and elegant wine, well balanced and finessed; truly delicious. Suggested retail price is $34. Overall composite score: 97 points.

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Quady Winery 2008 Essensia

The Award-Winning Wine:
Quady Winery 2008 Essensia, California Orange Muscat

Reason for Reviewing:
Quady Winery 2008 Essensia California Orange Muscat earned a Platinum Medal award at the 2010 Monterey Wine Competition and several Gold Medals from various other wine competitions.

Noteworthy:
From the winery: Andrew and Laurel Quady left crowded southern California and their jobs in pyrotechnics and merchandising to pursue their dream: a non-urban way of life making wine. Andrew graduated with a Masters in Food Science-Enology from UC Davis.

Winery Notes:
From 100% Orange Muscat with an aroma reminiscent of Orange Blossom and Apricot, and a lingering refreshing aftertaste, Essensia is used as a dessert accompaniment or a dessert in itself.

AlaWine Notes:
Quady Winery 2008 Essensia pours as an orange honey color, and readily yields fragrant aromas of a citrus orchard on a warm summer day. Abundant sweet orange flavors coat the palate and linger lazily

Bottom Line:
Quady Winery 2008 Essensia, California Orange Muscat is a unique and delicious dessert wine with full fruit flavors and a refreshing finish. Pair with fresh fruits, nuts, chocolate. Suggested retail price is $16.99 per 375ml. Overall composite score: 94 points.

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Super-Award-Winning Wines from the 2010 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition

The results are in from the 2010 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition, which employs renowned wine journalists as judges, and the top super-award-winning wines are:

Wine of the Year
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley ($9)

Best of Show Sparkling
Perrier-Jouet 2002 Fleur de Champagne, France ($140)

Best of Show Red
Girard 2007 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley ($28)

Best of Show White
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley ($9)

Best of Show Rose
Uptick Vineyards 2009 Hilda's Rose, Russian River Valley ($19)

Best of Show Dessert
V. Sattui Winery Angelica, Napa Valley ($30)

Best Chardonnay
Jordan Winery 2008 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($29)

Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Sawyer 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley ($48)

Best Bordeaux Blend
Dry Creek Vineyard 2006 The Mariner, Dry Creek Valley ($40)

Best Pinot Noir
Stoller 2006 Pinot Noir, Estate, Dundee Hills, Oregon ($40)

For more information, click here.

Sweepstakes Winners, 2010 West Coast Wine Competition

Results from the 28th West Coast Wine Competition, held here in Sonoma County, were announced recently. Judges awarded a total of 14 Double Gold Medals, 77 Gold, 412 Silver, and 400 Bronze medals from a field of nearly 1,400 entries. Sweepstakes Winners include:

Best Sparkling Wine
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Blanc de Noirs, Carneros, Los Carneros, $20

Best White Wine
Tsillan Cellars, 08 Riesling, Lake Chelan, Estate Dry, $20

Best Blush/Rosé Wine
Callaway Vineyard & Winery, 09 Special Selection Rose of Sangiovese, Temecula Valley, 100% Sangiovese, $18

Best Red Wine
Sycamore Creek, 07 Mosaico, Santa Clara Valley, $28.95

For more information, click here.

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Santa Barbara Winery 2007 Reserve Chardonnay

The Award-Winning Wine:
Santa Barbara Winery 2007 Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills

Reason for Reviewing:
Santa Barbara Winery 2007 Reserve Chardonnay earned a Platinum Medal at the 2010 Monterey Wine Festival and a Double Gold Medal award from the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Santa Barbara Winery was the first winery in Santa Barbara County after prohibition. It would be more than ten years before a second winery opened; today, there are more than 100.

Winery Notes:
"...full-bodied and richly textured with complexity of flavor further enhanced by barrel fermentation. More than half of the fruit used was from vines aged 30 years and older."

AlaWine Notes:
Santa Barbara Winery 2007 Reserve Chardonnay graces the glass as a medium straw-yellow color. Tropical and citrus aromas present to the nose. On the palate, rich flavors of passionfruit, apricot, and pineapple rush in in a smooth mouth, and sustain through a moderate acidity and buttery finish.

Bottom Line:
Santa Barbara Winery 2007 Reserve Chardonnay is a rich wine of some substance and substantial fruit. Smooth, flavorful, and fresh from start to finish. Both refreshing and satisfying. Suggested retail price is $22. Overall composite score: 95 points.

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