2012 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition results:
This year, 2,890 wine entries were received from 688 participating wineries. Seventy-two judges on 18 panels awarded 2,156 medals, including 74 Double Gold, 268 Gold, 1,195 Silver and 734 Bronze. The winners include:
Double Gold 98 pts. 2008 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
Best of Class (Tie) Napa Appellations
Gold 95 pts. 2011 Dry Riesling
Best of Class Napa Appellations
Gold 94 pts. 2010 Carsi Vineyard Chardonnay
Best of Region Napa Appellations, Best of Class Napa Appellations
Gold 94 pts. 2008 Paradiso
Gold 94 pts 2011 Gamay Rouge
Best of Class California (State) Appellations
Carneros has been called the Burgundy of California because the two Burgundian grape varieties—Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—achieve exquisite flavors in this region.
The Italians like sparkling wines, but they prefer them lightly so "Frizzante" they say. Our Moscato is lighter-bodied, slightly carbonated, lower in alcohol and with just a little sweetness. We like them too!
Many people at first wondered why we planted several acres of Merlot in our cool Carneros Henry Ranch vineyard, an area proven for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (which we also planted.)
"Opulent ...Seductive ...Complex"
This premium proprietary blend which we have named Paradiso (Pahr-a DEEZ-0h) consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (89%), Merlot (8%) and Petit Verdot (3%). This is a profoundly complex and deeply scented wine, where both the grape varieties and the regions from which they came are distinctly expressed.
The grapes for this wine come from Preston Vineyard located in the Rutherford Appellation, an area where some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley is grown. The region is known for its gravelly soils which produce rich and opulent red wines with fine-grained tannins and incredible complexity.
The 35th Anniversary is a fruit-forward Zin, with abundant berry and spice aromas, medium tannins and a sweet, jammy finish. Its aromatic wild-berry character makes it a wonderful complement to spicy chicken and lamb dishes or old-fashioned, slow-cooked, barbequed ribs
A lush and fruity dry rosé blend of Grenache (36%), Syrah (34%) and old-vine Carignane (30%) similar to the rosé wines of Provence. With its fresh raspberry fruit aromas combined with ripe cherry flavors, this delicately balanced wine with lively acidity pairs nicely with most appetizers, roasted meats and savory cheeses.
