AlaWine.com: Super Award Winning Wines

Dry Creek Vineyard 2006 The Mariner

The Award-Winning Wine:
Dry Creek Vineyard 2006 The Mariner

Reason for Reviewing:
Dry Creek Vineyard 2006 The Mariner won the Best Bordeaux Blend award from the 2010 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition and was also selected by the as one of 14 Outstanding Reds for $50 or less.

Noteworthy:
Dry Creek Vineyard was the first to initiate appellation status for Dry Creek Valley in 1983 and the first to subsequently label a wine with the Dry Creek Valley appellation.

Winemaker Comments:
The 2006 Mariner exudes the qualities of a fine Bordeaux. At first swirl, this wine presents a beautiful mix of bright cherry, chocolate, and cassis elements framed by subtle notes of vanilla bean and coffee. On the palate, this classic blend comes together with fine tannins that support the dense fruit and structure of this full bodied wine. With more airing, hints of rose petal and earthy nuances provide balance, grace, and finesse. A long and memorable finish proves that this delicious young wine will age for at least a decade or more.

AlaWine Notes:
Dry Creek Vineyard 2006 The Mariner pours as a bright garnet color in the glass. Ripe berry and cherry aromas rise to the nose and carry over on the palate in a full mouth of interesting layers of fruit. Integrated tannins hold a very satisfying finish.

Bottom Line:
Dry Creek Vineyard 2006 The Mariner is a gracefully balanced blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc. A delicious red wine, sure to satisfy a wide range of palates, with an array of dishes, or easily on its own. Suggested retail price is $40. Overall composite score: 97 points.

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Super-Award Winners, Indy International Wine Competition

A New York wine took top honors at the Indy International Wine Competition. Bellhurst Winery of Geneva, N.Y., received the Wine of the Year award for its 2009 Riesling.

Bellhurt's winning entry was among nearly 2,700 wines in the competition. Wines from 15 countries as far away as France, Australia, Chile and Spain were judged on appearance, aroma, taste and aftertaste by 14 panels of judges. In all, 52 judges from the United States and Canada evaluated the entries.

"Our 52 international judges picked some truly exceptional wines to receive recognition as Wines of the Year of the Indy International Wine Competition," said Christian Butzke, associate professor in Purdue's Department of Food Science. "Fifteen countries entered a fascinating range of wines that represent an amazing diversity that makes tasting and judging wine so enjoyable vintage after vintage."

Other wine entry awards included:

* White Wine of the Year - 2008 Traminette, French Lick Winery, French Lick, Ind.

* Red Wine of the Year - 2006 Artist Series Meritage Red, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, Wash.

* Rosé Wine of the Year - Simply Pink, St. Julian Winery, Paw Paw, Mich.

* Sparkling Wine of the Year - Blanc de Noirs, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Sonoma, Calif.

* Dessert Wine of the Year - 2008 Icewine Express, Debonne Vineyards, Madison, Ohio.

* Fruit Wine of the Year - Strawberry Rhubarb, Maple River Winery, Casselton, N.D.

* Honey Wine of the Year - Winehaven Winery & Vineyard, Minnesota.

* Honey Wine Blend of the Year - Oliver Winery, Bloomington, Ind.

* Indiana Wine of the Year - Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, Satek Winery, Fremont, Ind.

E&J Gallo Winery of Modesto, Calif., was awarded the Winery of the Year Trophy, sponsored by the Leisure Family. The trophy honors the best international brand of the competition. E&J Gallo won double gold, gold, silver and bronze medals.

Oliver Winery won the Winemaker of the Year Trophy, honoring the winery that won the most gold medals by brand at the competition.

For more information, click here.

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Best of Class, Michigan Wine Competition

Twenty-four wine experts gathered in East Lansing for the 32nd annual Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition. Judges included wine experts from around the country. A record 395 wines were entered, and gold medals were awarded to a wide variety of wines—from bone-dry reds to deliciously sweet ice wines—from all of Michigan's major grape-growing areas. At the end of the day, judges awarded the top "Best of Class" awards to six wines from a group of 50 gold medal and 14 double gold medal winners.

The top award-winners are:

Best of Class Dry White: Left Foot Charley – 2008 Pinot Blanc "Island View Vineyard"

Best of Class Dry Red: Gill's Pier Vineyard & Winery – 2007 Cabernet Franc/Merlot

Best of Class Semi-Dry White: Bel Lago – 2008 Gewurztraminer

Best of Class Dessert Wine: Fenn Valley Vineyards – 2008 "42" Ice Wine

Best of Class Fruit Wine: Longview Winery – Reserve Cherry Wine

Best of Class Rosé: Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery – 2008 Pinot Noir Rosé

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Super-Award Winners, Oregon Wine Competition

The 2010 Oregon State Fair Wine Competition Awards have been announced. The Best of Show and top-honor Gold Medal wines are:

2010 Best of Show

Best of Show
Phelps Creek Vineyards
2008 Chardonnay, Estate
Reserve
Columbia Gorge

Best of Red
Stoller
2006 Pinot Noir, SV
Estates
Dundee Hills

Best of White
Phelps Creek Vineyards
2008 Chardonnay, Estate
Reserve
Columbia Gorg

2010 Gold Medals

Amity Vineyards
2008 Pinot Blanc
Willamette Valley

Cana’s Fest Winery
2007 Sanglovese
Columbia Valley

Cana’s Feast Winery
2008 Counoise
Columbia Valley

Evergreen Vineyards
2008 Pinot Noir, Spruce
Goose
Willamette Valley

Firesteed Cellars
2008 Rose-Pinot Noir
Oregon

Phelps Creek Vineyards
2008 Chardonnay, Estate
Reserve
Columbia Gorge

Shadow Mountains
2007 Pinot Noir, JV Estate
Dundee Hills

Stoller
2006 Pinot Noir, SV Estate
Dundee Hills

Zerba Cellars
2007 Mourvedre
Columbia Valley

For more information, click here.

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