AlaWine.com: Super Award Winning Wines

Sweepstakes Winners, 2010 Mendocino Wine Competition

Fourteen judges, including top wine writers, winemakers, educators, authors, and sommeliers, convened at Scharffenberger Cellars earlier this month to swirl, sip and select Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winners at the 34th Annual Mendocino Wine Competition. In all, there were 194 entries in 20 categories, representing all 12 distinct growing regions in Mendocino County.

All of the major varieties were represented: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, as well as red and white blends, sparkling wines, rosé and blush, and late harvest white/dessert reds. The sweepstakes awards were presented to best overall red and white wines, as well as the best wines made from organically or sustainably grown grapes, reflecting Mendocino County’s status as "America’s greenest wine region."

Winning a Double Gold medal in the Riesling category, Bonterra Vineyard’s 2009 Riesling, made from organic grapes, also won Best of Class White. Harmonique’s 2006 Elegance’ Pinot Noir not only earned a Double Gold in the Pinot Noir category, but it was also awarded Best of Class Red. This year, two wineries won the coveted Green award tying for first place: Husch Vineyards’ 2009 La Ribera Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc and Handley Cellars’ 2009 Pinot Noir Rosé, Anderson Valley.

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Best of Class, 2010 San Francisco International Wine Competition

In addition to the four Best in Show wines, here are the Best of Class wines from the 2010 San Francisco International Wine Competition:

* BEST ZINFANDEL Maple Creek Winery 2007 Zinfandel Artevino Largo Ridge Vineyard Mendocino County $26

* BEST TEMPRANILLO Consensio Cellars 2008 Tempranillo Symphony of Wine Series Amador County $30

* BEST SYRAH Hahn SLH Estate 2007 Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands $27

* BEST SHERRY González Bayass NV Nectar Superior Selection Jerez Spain 37% rs $18

* BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC Brancott Vineyards 2008 Sauvignon Blanc B Marlborough New Zealand $26

* BEST SAKÉ Okunomatsu 2009 Shizukuzake Juhachidai Saké Fukushima Japan $50

* BEST ROSÉ Kavaklidere 2009 Egeo Roze Aegean Turkey 0.39% rs $19

* BEST PORT Quinta do Vesuvio 2007 Vintage Port Douro Portugal 6.6% rs $73

* BEST PINOT GRIGIO Montevina Wines 2009 Pinot Grigio California $10

* BEST PETITE SIRAH Clavo Cellars 2007 Petite Sirah Dreamer Catherine’s Vineyard Paso Robles $30

* BEST NATIVE AMERICAN VARIETAL Goose Watch Winery 2009 Diamond Finger Lakes 4.5% rs $10

* BEST MERLOT Still Waters Vineyards 2006 Merlot Estate Paso Robles $22

* BEST MALBEC Paradise View 2006 Malbec Sonoma Coast $32

* BEST CHARDONNAY Church & State Wines 2008 Chardonnay Gravelbourg Vineyard Okanagan Valley Canada $25

* BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON Robert Hall Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles $18

* BEST CABERNET FRANC Elk Run Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Franc Cold Friday Vineyard Maryland $28

* BEST BORDEAUX BLEND Niner Wine Estates 2007 Premium Bordeaux Blend Fog Catcher Paso Robles $58

* BEST BARBERA Jeff Runquist Wines 2008 Barbera Amador County $24

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Best in Show, 2010 San Francisco International Wine Competition

Arriving from across the United States, 45 wine industry professionals recently convened in San Francisco to evaluate 3,897 wines from 1,290 wineries during the 2010 San Francisco International Wine Competition. In its 30th anniversary year, the San Francisco International Wine Competition examined wines from 28 states and 27 countries.

The medal count included 160 Double Gold awards, 276 Gold medals, 1,118 Silver and 1,343 Bronze. "Best in Show" awards went to: Whitecliff Vineyard 2009 Riesling, New York, $15, for Best White Wine; Sequana 2008 Pinot Noir, Sarmento Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, $32, for Best Red Wine; Piper Sonoma NV Blanc de Blancs, Sonoma Coast, $17, for Best Sparkling Wine and Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate 2007 Vidal Ice Wine, Proprietor's Reserve, Niagara Peninsula, Canada, $40, for Best Dessert Wine.

Hess Family Estates, Napa, California, was recognized with the "Portfolio Award" for excellence across a spectrum of brands. Winemaker Amanda Cramer, Niner Wine Estates, Paso Robles, California, won the coveted André Tchelistcheff "Winemaker of the Year" award. The Tasting Panel Magazine "Winery of the Year" award went to De Tierra Vineyard of Salinas, California.

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Best of Show, L.A. International Wine Competition

Marking its 71st anniversary, the L.A. International Wine & Spirits Competition featured 3,200 wine entries from around the world, judged by 75 of the leading international wine experts.

The 2010 Best of Show Winners are:

BEST OF SHOW - LIMITED PRODUCTION
Kiona Vineyards & Winery, Ice Wine - Chenin Blanc,
Red Mountain, 2008

BEST OF SHOW - WINE WORLD OF SPORTS
Lasorda, Chianti Classico, Tuscany DOCG, 2007

BEST OF SHOW - BORDEAUX COMPETITION
Château Montet, Bordeaux Rouge AOC France, 2008

BEST OF SHOW - BORDEAUX SUPÉRIEUR COMPETITION
Château Marac, Pourquoi Pas Moi, Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge AOC France, 2005

BEST OF SHOW - RED $14.99 AND UNDER
Villa San Juliette, Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, 2008

BEST OF SHOW - RED $15.00 - $29.99
Armida Winery, Zinfandel, Poizin, Sonoma County, California, 2008

BEST OF SHOW - RED $30.00 AND UP
Prime Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, Midoriya Hills Vineyard,
Napa Valley, 2007

BEST OF SHOW – WHITE $14.99 AND UNDER
Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery, Pinot Blanc, Birch Canoe,
Okanagan Valley VQA, 2008

BEST OF SHOW - WHITE $15.00 - $29.99
James Arthur Vineyards, Edelweiss, Nebraska, 2009

BEST OF SHOW - WHITE $30.00 AND UP
Dutcher Crossing Winery, Chardonnay, Stuhlmuller Vineyard, Alexander Valley, 2008

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Stoller Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir

The Award-Winning Wine:
Stoller Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir

Reason for Reviewing:
Stoller Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir won the "Best Pinot Noir of Show" award at the 2010 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Stoller Vineyards was recognized in 2006 as the first LEED® certified winemaking facility in the United States, attaining the rare Gold level certification.

Winery Notes:
Violets, earth, mineral and red berry aromatics lead into a palate of spice and ripe fruit, with bright acidity coupled with a smooth texture.

AlaWine Notes:
Stoller Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir pours as a medium-dark ruby color. Ripe berry aromas, in an earthy context, exude from the glass. Opens smoothly on the palate with rich raspberry flavor, which holds gallantly through a long, light leather, and moderately spicy, finish.

Bottom Line:
Stoller Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir is a well balanced Pinot with full flavors and interesting complexities. Nice on its own, or pair with poultry, pork, salmon. Suggested retail price is $40. Overall composite score: 95 points.

Best of Class, 2010 Orange County Fair Wine Competition

Best of Class – Red Varietals
Premium
Darcie Kent Vineyards, 2007 Zinfandel
Livermore Valley, DeMayo Vineyard
High
Handley, 2007 Pinot Noir
Anderson Valley
Medium
Cardinal Zin, 2007 Zinfandel
California, Beastly Old Vines
Low
Little Black Dress, 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
California

Best of Class – White Varietals
Premium
Costa de Oro Winery, 2008 Chardonnay
‘Reserva Dorado’, Santa Maria Valley, Estate, Gold Coast Vineyard
High
Hahn SLH Estate, 2007 Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands
Medium
South Coast Winery, 2009 Gewurztraminer
Temecula Valley, Carter Estate Vineyard
Low
Foodies, 2008 Chardonnay
California

Best of Class – Dessert Wines
Premium
The Dancing Fox Winery, 2006 Petite Sirah
‘Fauns Folly’, Lodi, Late Harvest
High
Eberle, 2009 Muscat
Muscat Canelli, Paso Robles, Estate Bottled
Medium
Eredita, 2008 Vintage Port
California, Portuguese Varieties, Special Family Reserve
Low
Sutter Home Family Vineyards, 2009 Muscat
Moscato, California

Best of Class – Sparkling Wines
Premium
Handley, 2006 Sparkling Rose
Brut Rose, Anderson Valley, Estate, Methode Champenoise
High
Laetitia, NV Sparkling Wine
Brut Cuvee, Arroyo Grande Valley, Methode Champenoise
Medium
Barefoot Bubbly, NV Sparkling Wine
Champagne, ‘Moscato Spumante, California, Charmat Method
Low
Ballatore, NV Sparkling Wine
‘Gran Spumante’, California

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Best of Class, Central Coast Wine Competition

Best of Show, Best of White Wine, Best of San Luis Obispo County, and Best of Other White Dry:
Vina Robles 2009 White 4 Huerhuero, Paso Robles

Best of Red Wine and Best of Italian Red Varieties:
Alapay Cellars 2008 Lagrein, Paso Robles

Best of Dessert Wine and Best Dessert White:
Pear Valley 2009 Orange Muscat, Paso Robles

Best of Cabernet Sauvignon:
Aron Hill Vineyard 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Templeton

Best of Chardonnay:
Harmony Cellars 2008 Chardonnay, Harmony

Best of Fortified Red, Port Style:
Paso Port 2007 Ruby, Templeton

Best of Meritage Rhone Blend:
Rideau Vineyard 2007 Chateau Duplantier, Solvang

Best of Meritage Style Bordeaux:
Justin 2007 Isosceles, Paso Robles

Best of Merlot:
Rancho Sisquoc 2007 Merlot Flood Family Vineyards, Santa Maria

Best of Other Red Varietal and Best of Santa Barbara County:
William James Cellars 2007 Grenache, Santa Maria

Best of Petite Sirah:
Leprino Vineyards 2007 Petite Sirah, Paso Robles

Best of Pink:
San Marcos Creek 2009 White Estate Merlot, Paso Robles

Best of Pinot Grigio:
Quail Crossing 2008 Pinot Grigio, Santa Ynez

Best of Pinot Noir:
Claiborne & Churchill 2008 Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo

Best of Rhone Style:
Venteux Vineyards 2007 PMS, Templeton

Best of Sauvignon Blanc:
Ancient Peaks 2009 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Margarita

Best of Spanish Red:
Alapay Cellars 2008 Tempranillo, Paso Robles

Best of Super Tuscan Red:
Rancho Sisquoc 2007Tre-Vini Flood Family Vineyards, Santa Maria

Best of Syrah:
Venteux Vineyards 2007 Syrah, Templeton

Best of Viognier:
Eberle 2009 Mill Road Vineyard Viognier, Paso Robles

Best of White Rhone:
Per Cazo Cellars 2009 Tres Blanc, Paso Robles

Best of Zinfandel:
Kenneth Volk 2007 Zinfandel , Santa Maria

Best of Monterey County:
Lockwood Vineyard, Monterey 2008 Estate Chardonnay

For more information, click here.