big fun and big values! gold medal winners
TRANSCRIPT
The Wine Press • Fourth Edition, 2011
2011 California State Fair
Big fun and big values!
Gold Medal Winners
Director of Adult Beverages
They've Got the Golden TouchGet to know the winners from the California State Fair's wine competiton
Hank Beal
Some winemakers just have the magic touch; whatever they create turns to gold. When
you win one or two Gold Medals in a major wine competition, you might call it luck. When
you win five — and four of them are Double Gold — you’re just good.
Case in point: Jeff Runquist is that good. At the recent 2011 California State Wine Fair,
Jeff won the Golden Winery award, which is given to the winery that has the greatest
number of wines winning the highest number of awards. To even be eligible for this award,
a winery must enter a minimum of 10 wines. I talked to Jeff recently, and he was equally
proud of the awards that the McManis Family winery won, as he is also very involved in the
making of those wines.
Every year, we devote an entire issue of the Wine Press to the Gold Medal winners from
the State Fair. It is one way that new wines are introduced into our stores, and existing wines
get some extra attention. It is always exciting to see which wines win. This year, many of the
winners are wines that we’ve already been carrying for some time, with some new faces
too, like Forefront from Pine Ridge winery, not to mention Cameron Hughes.
One category that just seems to be on fire is the blended red wine category, and we
are featuring several of these, ranging in price from $9.99 to $14.99. We also have a Double
Gold Medal Chardonnay at $3.99 and the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the state at $23.99,
with a broad spectrum in between.
Whatever your palate or your price range, there is something in here for you! And
remember: you always save 10% when you buy six or more 750 ml bottles of wine (or
spirits) — mix and match!
Double Gold Medal
Golden Winery
Best of California
Best of Class: California (State)
Appellations
Originally made for the winery
staff, this is made from the wine left
over after all the other single-varietal
wines are made. It is so good that it
recieved a Double Gold and proves
again what a talented winemaker
Jeff Runquist is. 1448 is the elevation
of the winery. 750 ml. California
Double Gold Medal
Best of Class: North Coast
Appellations
Lake County is famous for
Sauvignon Blanc, and this wine
proves the point. A complex mix of
tropical fruit, including pineapple,
quince and guava. The lively
acidity enhances juicy flavors of
grapefruit and white peaches on
the long finish. A perfect quaffing
wine on a summer day or anytime
you need a little sunshine. 750 ml. Lake Country
Double Gold Medal
Golden Winery
Best of Region: Other California
Appellations
Best of Class: Other California
Appellations
This is a big inky, wine, but it is
creamy and rich, with layers of
black fruits. The tannins are softer
than you would expect because
the fruit is so concentrated. The
use of French oak helps to "polish"
the wine as well. 750 ml. Lodi
Double Gold Medal
Best of Class: South-Central
Coast Appellations
This wine is all about freshness
— the juice is kept totally
void of oxygen exposure. It is
fermented in stainless steel tanks
at cold temperatures to retain
the natural tropical flavors. This
wine is bottled early and sealed
with a screwcap to preserve its
freshness. 750 ml. Santa Barbara County
1499 $1
999 $1
2399 $2
999 $3
2009 Jeff Runquist 1448 Red Blend
2010 Guenoc Sauvignon Blanc
2008 Jeff Runquist Salman Vineyard Petite Sirah
2010 Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc
97
98
98
98
Double Gold Medal
Best of Class: North Coast Appellations
This one offers aromas of honeysuckle blossoms, white stone
fruit, honeydew and lemon. Just slightly sweet, but vibrant,
revealing its balanced combination of bright fruit and zesty
acidity while simultaneously offering a full, luscious mouth-feel.
Even “non-wine drinkers” have been known to fall in love with
the Husch Chenin Blanc. 750 ml.
Mendocino County
2010 Husch Chenin Blanc
$2 899
Gold Medal
This Chardonnay is a blend
of grapes from Lodi, Trinity
and Napa Valley. A rich
and balanced wine, with
characteristics of ripe, delicious
stone fruits and crisp acidity.
100% sustainably grown —
good for the land, good for the
grapes, good for the wine.
750 ml. California
Gold Medal
Best of California
Best of Class: Lodi Appellations
This is a fruit salad in a glass!
The aromas jump with scents of
citrus, apricot and honeysuckle.
Along with its rich body, this
wine also has balanced acidity
and even a little minerality.
750 ml. Lodi
999 $4 799 $5
2009 Lander Jenkins Chardonnay
2010 Loredona Viognier
95 95
Double Gold Medal
Best of California
Best of Class: South-Central Coast Appellations
California's best Pinot Noir, this truly represents the central state!
Sourced from Santa Barbara, San Louis Obispo and Monterey.
Rich aromas of dark cherry, spiced plum and wild raspberry, with
a complex, intense palate around a core of black cherry and
black raspberry. Balanced acidity keeps the fruit appealingly
fresh, with silky tannins. 750 ml.
Central Coast
2009 ForeFront Pinot Noir
$61899
Gold Medal
The Castle Rock folks source
fruit from all over the state and
beyond. This Pinot Noir is a
blend from different vineyards
along the Central Coast, an
excellent area for this varietal. A
medium-bodied, super-versatile
food wine with cherry and plum
flavors, silky texture and mild
tannins. 750 ml. Central Coast
Gold Medal
What is a newsletter without
a Bogle wine or two? They
are so good and consistent
across a wide range of varietals.
Fruit for this garnet-colored
Pinot Noir comes from the
cool confines of the Russian
River Valley, the coastal hills
of Monterey and the unique
Clarksburg delta. Varietally
correct and food friendly —
an amazing value! 750 ml. California
999 $4 999 $3
2009 Castle Rock Pinot Noir
2009 Bogle Pinot Noir
95 94
9898
Gold Medal
Big, bold aromas of spice and mocha — similar to the OZV
Zin — but this one has a little more alcohol and oak. Brazin is
a not a wine to be rushed — don’t be afraid to savor its long,
lingering finish. Serve with saucy ribs, a juicy pepper steak,
pasta with spicy red sauce, or pizza with the works! 750 ml.
Lodi
2008 Brazin Zinfandel
$51399
94
Gold Medal
From Lodi’s oldest operating winery. Produced from 50- to
100-year-old vines, this is not a crazy-high-alcohol Zin. It is
robust, with jammy fruit, raspberry, milk chocolate and mocha
flavors. An excellent barbecue wine. 750 ml.
Lodi
2008 OZV Zinfandel
$3999
95 Double Gold Medal
Best of Class: Napa Appellations
Napa Cellars is on a roll! Last year it was their Zinfandel, and
now they won Gold on their Cabernet and Double Gold on
this Merlot. Aromas of dried cherry, brambly fruit, dark tobacco
and earth lead to a very well-balanced palate. Firm acidity
supports fruit on the mid-palate, with notes of dried herbs,
cherry and currant. 750 ml.
Napa Valley
Double Gold Medal
Best of Class: California (State) Appellations
Think bright, bold aromas of blackberry and boysenberry,
followed by more black and blue fruit flavors in the mouth.
Complexity is added with the use of new and used American
and French oak for aging. This wine is solid for the price! 750 ml.
California
2008 Napa Cellars Merlot
2009 McManis Merlot
$51399
$2999
98
98
Gold Medal
"Field Blend" means the grape varieties are grown together in
the vineyard, as opposed to grown separately and blended
after harvest. Combines Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and
Carignane to form a wonderfully smoky nose interwoven
with blueberry, raspberry and kirsch. The palate is deeply
concentrated with silky tannins and a rich, juicy finish. 750 ml.
California
Gold Medal
A brand-new offering from BV! (It seems every winery is now
getting into the blended red wine craze.) This is meant for the
more entry-level red wine drinker who enjoys a softer wine with
just a touch of sweetness. Predominantly Zinfandel and Merlot,
with a little Barbera and Petite Sirah. 750 ml.
California
2009 Cameron Hughes Lot 244 Field Blend
2009 BV Coastal Red Blend
$41099
$3799
95
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Double Gold Medal
Best of Class: California (State)
Appellations
Tinto Rey means "Red King".
Tempranillo is the king of
Spanish reds and is a prominent
component: 40% Tempranillo,
35% Syrah, 17% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah and
3% Graciano. Nice fruit flavors,
followed by a supple mid-palate
and a long, spicy finish. Available
in 1.5L at some stores. 750 ml. California
Gold Medal
A kitchen sink blend of six
different varietals: Petite Sirah,
Malbec, Alicante Bouchet,
Syrah, Zinfandel and Barbera.
Put all this together, and it adds
up to a wine that excites your
palate at the beginning and
provides a smooth and longer-
than-expected finish. 750 ml. California
Gold Medal
Best of Region: North-Central Coast
Appellations
Best of Class (Tie): North-Central
Coast Appellations
This is one of the many blended red
wines in this issue. This Grenache,
Syrah and Mourvedre blend is
very typical of the Southern Rhone
Region of France. Grenache brings
berry and spice notes to the mix,
while Syrah provides color and
tannins, and Mourvedre adds
acidity and structure. 750 ml. Central Coast
Gold Medal
Best of Class: Lodi Appellations
This is a blend used quite often
in Australia. Dark intense fruit
from the Shiraz and depth and
structure from the Cabernet
Sauvignon. This full-bodied
yet very approachable
blend is loaded with flavors of
blackberries, cherries, currants
and plums, with a lengthy finish
and just a hint of oak. 750 ml. Lodi
1499 $3
899 $5
1199 $1
1099 $4
2007 Matchbook Tinto Rey Blend
2008 Hey Mambo Red
2010 Hahn GSM
2008 Van Ruiten Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz
98
95
95
95
Double Gold Medal
Best of California
Best of Class: Sierra Foothills Appellations
This wine scores again, and we love it! These guys make some
interesting and unique varietals. Touriga is a very important red
grape in the making of Port and also does well on its own as a
varietal. Very dark fruits, with many layers of complexity. 750 ml.
Amador County
2009 St. Amant Touriga
$31499
Double Gold Medal
Best of California
Best of Class: Lodi Appellations
Best Petite Sirah in the state! A
dark, inky purple — classically
Petite Sirah — with aromas
of fresh blackberries, toasted
walnuts and a toffee-like edge.
It is incredibly aromatic and
bright, like smelling a fresh
rose. Velvety, mouth-filling
tannins lead to a faintly sweet,
strawberry finish. 750 ml. Clarksburg
Gold Medal
Best of Class: Greater Bay
Appellations
Though Mourvedre is usually a
blending grape, this one stands
on its own. It offers a hint of
eucalyptus on the nose, distinct
chocolate characteristics and
a luscious deep plum flavor.
This scrumptious and unusually
delightful wine has a substantial
mouth-feel followed by soft
tannins. 750 ml. Contra Costa County
1099 $4 1399 $2
2009 The Crusher Petite Sirah 2010 Cline Mourvedre
98 95
96 Double Gold Medal
Best of California
Best of Class (Tie): Napa Appellations
Rated the "Best Cabernet Sauvignon" at the fair, and it is hard to argue
against that! From a great year, with intense aromas of ripe cherry,
cedar and pipe tobacco. Concentrated flavors of ripe plums and
dark bing cherries marry perfectly with the oak nuances, imparting
notes of brown spice and vanilla. Truly an elegant wine. 750 ml.
Napa Valley
2007 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon
$62399
Gold Medal
Best of Class: California (State)
Appellations
This is a Cabernet that is ready
now. It has good structure and
nice cherry and plum fruit. This
well-balanced red wine can be
enjoyed with a variety of meat
dishes, rich sauces or aged
cheeses. 750 ml. California
Gold Medal
Sourced from premium vineyards:
62% Red Hills (Lake County), 30%
Knights Valley (Sonoma County),
8% Napa Valley. A hearty wine,
with rich aromas of cassis, plum,
fig and black cherry. Flavors of
roasted black fruits, espresso,
licorice and toffee. 750 ml. North Coast
999 $3 1199 $3
2009 Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Cartlidge & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon
95 94
98
All prices subject to availablity, while supplies last.
The prices in this publication are effective from July 11, 2011, to August 31, 2011, while supplies last. Subject to availability. Not all items are available at all stores. We reserve the right to correct all printed or typographical errors. No rain checks.
Get a 10% discount on your wine purchase when you buy 6 or more 750 ml. bottles of wine or spirits, mix or match.
More State Fair Winners: Big Values & Big Fun!
Save 10% on your next wine purchase from Nugget!
2009 Doña Sol Chardonnay 399 $298 Double Gold Medal. 750 ml. California.
952009 Sutter Home Pinot Grigio 499 $140
Gold Medal. Best of California. Best of Class (Tie): California (State)
Appellations. 750 ml. Lodi.
2008 Coastal Ridge Shiraz 499 $294
Gold Medal. Best of Class California (State) Appellations. 750 ml. California.
2009 Cycles Gladiator Merlot 699 $4Double Gold Medal. 750 ml. California.98
2009 Cypress Cabernet Sauvignon 799 $495 Gold Medal. Best of Class: North-Central Coast Appellations. 750 ml. Central
Coast.
2010 Cypress Sauvignon Blanc 799 $494 Gold Medal. Best of Region: North-Central Coast Appellations. Best of Class
(Tie): North-Central Coast Appellations. 750 ml. Central Coast.
952009 Fat Cat Pinot Grigio 799 $2Gold Medal. Best of Region: California (State) Appellations. Best of Class
(Tie): California (State) Appellations. 750 ml. California.