AlaWine.com: Super Award Winning Wines

Deep Sea 2008 Pinot Noir

The Award-Winning Wine:
Deep Sea 2008 Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills

Reason for Reviewing:
Deep Sea 2008 Pinot Noir earned the Best of Class Pinot Noir Award at the 2010 Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
The Conway family is committed to protecting its historic (Spanish land grant) Rancho Arroyo Grande property and preserving wildlife, including eagles, hawks, wild turkeys, quail, feral peacocks, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, an deer.

Winery Notes:
The wine is delicate and expressive with fine, soft tannins, and explosive red fruit flavors, including strawberries and blackberries.

AlaWine Notes:
Deep Sea 2008 Pinot Noir pours as a fairly dark ruby red. Rich berry aromas rise to the nose in a sweet earth context. Fresh blackberry and raspberry flavors lead in a fruity, smooth opening, with light spicy notes and a dark chocolate highlight. A supple finish allows the fruit to linger through a long, flavorful finish.

Bottom Line:
Deep Sea 2008 Pinot Noir is a fruit-filled, mouthwatering, wine with a nice complimentary, light dry finish. Can easily be enjoyed on its own or with poultry, ham, lamb or pork. If you haven't yet picked a wine for Thanksgiving, this one would wok well. Suggested retail price is $36. Overall composite score: 94 points.

Special Award Winners, 2010 World Value Wine Challenge

The results are in from the 10th Annual World Value Wine Challenge for wines $20 and under. Seventy-eight wines were named Special Award Winners, including these top eleven which were rated 92 points or higher.

* Forchini 2007 "BeauSierra" Bordeaux Style Red Wine, Dry Creek Valley $15
* Tinhorn Creek 2009 Late Harvest, Kerner Icewine, Okanagan Valley $12.99/200 ml
* Quasar 2007 Gran Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon, Curico Valley$9.90
* Gelisi Antonio 2009 Moscato Dolce, Oltrepo Pavese $9.99
* Castelcosa by Furlan 2005 Cabernet Franc, Venezia Giulia IGT $19.99
* Rietvallei 2008 Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Robertson $16
* Quady 2009 Electra, Orange Muscat, California $13.99
* Quady 2009 Red Electra, Muscat, California $13.99
* Glenora 2009 Riesling, Finger Lakes $15.99
* Quasar 2009 Selection, Carmenère, Curico Valley$5.90
* Beyerskloof 2007 "Synergy", Stellenbosch $17.99

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Super-Award Winners, San Antonio Wine Competition

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The results are in from the Second Annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Wine Competition. Among the super-award winners, St. Supéry Vineyards and Winery took the top award, Grand Champion Red Wine, for its 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.

J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines earned two top awards with its Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 being named Reserve Grand Champion Red, and its Riverstone Chardonnay 2009 was named Grand Champion White. J. Lohr Winery was also named best all-around winery.

Waterbrook Wine won the Reserve Grand Champion White Wine award for its 2008 Melange Blanc.

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Jarvis 2007 Reserve Chardonnay

The Award-Winning Wine:
Jarvis 2007 Reserve Chardonnay, Estate Grown, Cave Fermented

Reason for Reviewing:
Jarvis 2007 Reserve Chardonnay was a Professional Tasting Panel's top blind pick from among four world-class Chardonnays at the recent World Wine Tasting at Jarvis.

Noteworthy:
The Jarvis winemaking facility is totally contained within 45,000 square feet of cave tunneled into the Vacas Mountains east of Napa.

Winery Notes:
A delightful canary hue and vibrant aromas of honeysuckle and tropical fruits welcome you. They are followed by a refreshing Chardonnay that is striking by itself as an aperitif wine or accompanying food.

AlaWine Notes:
Jarvis 2007 Reserve Chardonnay displays in the glass as a light honey yellow color. Lush floral, and bright citrus and apple, aromas lift to the nose. A very smooth opening on the palate reveals layers of fresh fruit flavors including apple, mango, peach, pineapple which linger gracefully through a long delicious finish.

Bottom Line:
Jarvis 2007 Reserve Chardonnay is a beautifully balanced and well integrated, elegant wine with rich fruit flavors and complementary acidity. Suitable for pairing with usual white wine dishes, but of sufficient quality to be enjoyed on its own. Suggested retail price is $95. Overall composite score: 98 points.