I know from years of experience that Gary Eberle, the Godfather of Paso Robles wine, enthusiastically embraces competitions. But it wasn’t always so. After I founded the Monterey Wine Competition in 1994, it was a good five years before an entry form from the Eberle Winery crossed my desk.
And Gary was someone I considered a friend (as much as a Maryland football fan can befriend a former Penn State gridiron star), But he came around because he recognized a hard truth: not every wine, not every winery, can count on a review from Robert Parker or the Wine Spectator.
Eberle is one of them that can’t and doesn’t. Gary knows he makes good wines, and he enters a bunch of wine competitions every year confident the medals will come. If not this week, then the next, or the next.
Last weekend at the 25th San Diego International Wine Competition Eberle walked off with nine medals, including a Gold for his Rhone blend Cotes du Robles. This is only fitting because Eberle is the man who introduced the Syrah grape to the Paso Robles region more than 25 years ago.
And how would you like to bat a thousand in your first stab at a wine competiton? The great Burgundy house of Domaine Bouchard entered one wine, a premier cru Meursault, and scored a Gold. Bingo!
Gotta like what’s happening in Dry Creek Valley. Dutcher Crossing and Dry Creek Vineyards made out like bandits. What I loved was the consistency across a broad range of wines — and remarkably affordable pricing given the quality.
Mitch Cosentino’s second label, Crystal Valley Cellars, produced a stunning cache of four Gold medals, including two wines that were put forward for the “Sweepstakes” round of voting for Best of Show. A tip of the hat to Mitch, if you will. Better yet, run out and scoop up a couple of those great buys.
Then there was Estraie. Two medals, two Golds. This winery wasn’t even on my radar. But it is now!
Charles Krug Winery
Silver 2004 Generations, Family Reserve, Peter Mondavi Family Napa Valley $51.00
Gold, Sweeps 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Peter Mondavi Family Yountville / Napa Valley $26.00
Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Peter Mondavi Family Carneros $20.00
Bronze 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Peter Mondavi Family Napa Valley $18.00
Crystal Valley Cellars
Bronze 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, The Cab California $18.00
Gold 2006 Tannat Lodi $25.00
Gold, Sweeps 2006 The Temp, Kirschenmann Vineyard Lodi $25.00
Gold, Sweeps 2006 Zinfandel, The Zin, M. Cosentino California $30.00
Gold 2006 Zinfandel, Ancient Vine, Estate, M. Cosentino Lodi $30.00
Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils
Gold 2004 Meursault Genevrieres, Premier Cru Burgundy $100.00
Dry Creek Vineyard
Gold 2004 The Mariner Dry Creek Valley $40.00
Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Heritage Sonoma County $17.00
Silver 2005 Zinfandel, Old Vine Dry Creek Valley $28.00
Bronze 2006 Dry Chenin Blanc Clarksburg $11.50
Silver 2006 Fume Blanc Sonoma County $14.50
Dutcher Crossing Winery
Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Proprietors Reserve Dry Creek Valley $28.00
Gold 2006 Zinfandel, Maple Vineyard Dry Creek Valley $39.00
Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Stuhlmuller Vineyard Alexander Valley $32.00
Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley $21.00
Eberle Winery
Bronze 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Paso Robles $28.00
Gold 2006 Cotes du Robles Paso Robles $20.00
Bronze 2006 Barbera, Steinbeck/ Christian Lazo Vineyards Paso Robles $22.00
Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vineyard Selection Paso Robles $18.00
Bronze 2005 Syrah, Steinbeck Vineyard Paso Robles $20.00
Bronze 2006 Zinfandel, Steinbeck/Wine-Bush Vineyards Paso Robles $24.00
Bronze 2007 Chardonnay, Estate Bottled Paso Robles $18.00
Bronze 2006 Roussanne, Cass Vineyards Paso Robles $22.00
Silver 2007 Viognier, Mill Road Vineyard Paso Robles $20.00
Estraie
Gold 2005 Sortie North Coast $22.00
Gold 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County $24.00
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