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Handley Cellars 2006 Mendocino Pinot Noir

The Award-Winning Wine:
Handley Cellars 2006 Mendocino Pinot Noir

Reason for Reviewing:
Handley Cellars 2006 Mendocino Pinot Noir earned Best of Class honors for Red Wines at the 2008 West Coast Wine Competition held here in Santa Rosa, California.

Winery Notes:
Handley’s 2006 Mendocino Pinot Noir offers aromas of violets and raspberries. Subtle oak adds depth and complexity to bright cherry flavors.

AlaWine Notes:
Handley Cellars 2006 Mendocino Pinot Noir pours as a bright cherry red color in the glass. Ripe berry aromas waft to the nose in a light floral context. Red berry and cherry flavors fill the palate and hold through a long oak finish and moderate tannins.

Bottom Line:
Handley Cellars 2006 Mendocino Pinot Noir is a highly quaffable, medium-bodied, Pinot with interesting layers of complementary flavors. This wine would pair well with Asian and Indian dishes. Suggested retail price is $25. Overall composite score: 94 points.

Viansa Winery 2006 Syrah

The Award-Winning Wine:
Viansa Winery 2006 Syrah

Reason for Reviewing:
Viansa Winery 2006 Syrah earned Best of Class honors at the recently completed West Coast Wine Competition here in Santa Rosa. This was one of two Best of Class red wine awards Viansa Winery won at the competition. This wine also won a Best of Class award earlier this year at the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
At Viansa, wetlands conservation is more than concept, it is a commitment. Their beautiful Tuscan-style Villa sits atop a rolling hill above 90 acres of native plants, wetlands animals and a pristine environment they are dedicated to preserving.

Winery Notes:
Our 2006 Syrah is spicy and rich with lots of wild berry and blackberry aromas.

AlaWine Notes:
Viansa Winery 2006 Syrah displays as a dark garnet color in the glass. Ripe dark berry aromas waft to the nose. Blackberry and plum flavors fill the palate and include an anise highlight. The long finish features savory spices and moderate tannins.

Bottom Line:
Viansa Winery 2006 Syrah is an intriguing wine with complementary layers of flavor complexities. Well balanced, well integrated, this quaffable wine will pair well with grilled meats and hardy dinner fare. Suggested retail price is $28. Overall composite score: 95 points.

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir

The Award-Winning Wine:
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir

Reason for Reviewing:
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir is one of just 17 select red wines, out of 2,614 total wines evaluated, that earned a top-honor Chairman's Award at the 2008 Riverside International Wine Competition.

Noteworthy:
Since the winery founding, stewardship of the land has been a key principle in their winemaking. Jim Bernau, Founder/President says, "...we treasure our environment and use sustainable practices in growing and vinifying our winegrapes."

Winery Notes:
The 2006 Pinot Noir has sweet, delicate aromas of raspberry, licorice and violets, with a juicy entry and silky mouthfeel. The sweet and tart flavors of ripe, red cherry and cranberry are accented by hints of vanilla, earth and spice. Lingering notes of cinnamon and clove spice round out the finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir pours as a medium, bright ruby color in the glass. Ripe raspberry aromas lift to the nose in a musky floral context. Raspberry and red cherry flavors fill the palate in a smooth mouthfeel and linger through a long dry light-tannin finish.

Bottom Line:
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir is fruit forward, well balanced and well integrated. Interesting layers of complementary flavors and its smooth finish make this an elegant and very enjoyable wine. Suggested retail price is $25. Overall composite score: 97 points.

Bianchi 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Award-Winning Wine:
Bianchi 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

Reason for Reviewing:
Bianchi 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of just 19 select red wines that earned Best of Class honors at the 2008 West Coast Wine Competition here in Santa Rosa, California, out of 1,700 wines entered from wineries in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Baja California, British Columbia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Noteworthy:
The Bianchi family has a long history of involvement in the wine Industry, dating back to 1974 when Glenn and his father, Joseph invested in a winery and vineyard on the banks of the San Joaquin river in the Central Valley of California

Winery Notes:
Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon is a synergy of well-structured grapes from Central and Western Paso Robles vineyards; a wine of many layers with coffee-berry flavors and a fine backbone of tactile tannins and oak spice.

AlaWine Notes:
Bianchi 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon displays as a dark garnet color on pouring. Loads of ripe berry aromas fill the nose. Rich black fruit flavors, blackberry, black currant and a black olive highlight, fill the palate. Finish is full and long with moderate tannins and oak.

Bottom Line:
Bianchi 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is a well integrated, full-bodied Cab with rich flavors of ripe fruit and a very satisfying finish. Serve with grilled red meats or other hardy fare. Suggested retail price is $22. Overall composite score: 94 points.

Vina Robles 2005 Signature

The Award-Winning Wine:
Vina Robles 2005 Signature

Reason for Reviewing:
Vina Robles 2005 Signature earned Best of Class honors at the West Coast Wine Competition held recently here in Santa Rosa, California.

Noteworthy:
The 2005 Signature blend is made from three grape varieties that winemaker Matthias Gubler feels are the ultimate expression of Vina Robles' terroir. It is a blend of the Bordeaux varietals Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon with the Rhone varietal Syrah.

Winery Notes:
Intense aromas of black raspberry, blueberry, and violets supported by toasty oak, nutmeg and cinnamon notes. Fresh blueberry, plum and peach flavors with a hint of pine and tobacco supported by ripe, firm tannins

AlaWine Notes:
Vina Robles 2005 Signature pours as a deep garnet color. Vibrant aromas ripe raspberry and blueberry radiate from the glass in a floral context. Rich, full-fruit flavors, blueberry, raspberry and plum fill the palate in a smooth texture. The finish is long and deliciously complex with moderately firm tannins and a leather highlight.

Bottom Line:
Vina Robles 2005 Signature is a well balanced, well integrated, if unusual, red wine blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Suggested retail price is $36. Overall composite score: 97 points.