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Dan Berger
Vintage Wine Experiences by Dan Berger
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Michael Tou
Guest judge Michael Tou writes the blog Central Coast Uncorked which focuses on promoting the wines and vineyards of the Central Coast. In this post, Tou discusses the Central Coast Wine Competition.
www.centralcoastuncorked.blogspot.com
Mike Stepanovich
Dear Bakersfield Wine Society member,
Just back from the Central Coast Wine Competition and have some winners to report to you. These wines represent the best of the Central Coast, and some terrific wines they are:
The best red wine of the competition, which came out of my panel, was a Lagrein. And it barely missed being named sweepstakes winner as best overall wine of the competition. Never heard of Lagrein, you say? Not surprising. It’s rare in North America. On rare occasions a Lagrein shows up in a competition. At the CCWC, held in Paso Robles, there were two entered – and each one earned a gold medal. Lagrein is an Italian varietal, native to Italy’s northernmost region, Alto Adige and the south Tirol, which borders Austria. Outside of Italy, a few growers in Australia have planted it; fewer still grow it in California.
Alapay Cellars in Avila Beach won the best red wine of the competition with it’s 2008 Lagrein made from grapes from French Camp Vineyardssoutheast of Paso Robles. Also winning gold was Mosby Vineyards of Buellton with its 2005 Lagrein named La Seduzione. Well, we were certainly seduced, I can tell you. Both these wines were rich, dark and flavorful. They’re balanced and harmonious, and just downright delicious. If you get a chance to try them, you’ll love them!
Best white of the competition, and as it turns out the sweepstakes winner as best wine of the competition, was Vina Robles 2009 White 4, a delightful blend of Vermentino, Verdelho, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. A great choice for summer sipping.
Other Best of Class winners:
• Ancient Peaks 2009 estate Sauvignon Blanc (out of my panel, excellent SB)
• Per Cazo Cellars 2009 Rhone blend
• Quail Crossing 2008 Pinot Grigio
• Eberle Winery 2009 Viognier
• Harmony Cellars 2008 Chardonnay
• Claiborne & Churchill 2008 Pinot Noir
• Rancho Sisquoc 2007 Merlot
• William James Cellars 2007 Grenache
• Rideau Vineyards 2007 Rhone Blend (syrah, mourvedre, grenache)
• Venteux 2007 Paso Robles Syrah
• Justin 2007 Isosceles (meritage)
• Aron Hill Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (also out of my panel; we loved this one for its classic flavors)
• Leprino 2007 Petite Sirah
• Laraneta Winery 2005 Super Tuscan (cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sangiovese) (another from my panel)
• Pear Valley 2009 Orange Muscat (dessert wine)
• PasoPort Wine Co. 2007 port style
• Kenneth Volk Vineyards 2007 Zinfandel
Cherry-picking some of the other gold medal winners:
• Lockwood 2008 Estate Chardonnay (made by Larry Gomez, who will be with us at our July winemaker dinner)
• Robert Hall winery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc
• Villa San Juliette 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
• Sagebrush Annie’s 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (also won gold at Pacific Rim IWC)
• Kenneth Volk Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Rocky Creek Cellars 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Still Waters Vineyards (owned by the Hoover family of Bakersfield) 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
• William James Cellars 2007 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
• RN Estate 2008 Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir
• J. Lohr Estates Old Vines 2008 Zinfandel
• Alapay Cellars 2008 Tempranillo
• San Marcos Creek Vineyard 2006 Estate Reserve Meritage
Next time you’re visiting the Central Coast, check out some of these winners. There are some great wines coming from this part of California.
In vino veritas!
Mike…
