I plan to use this space over the next couple of weeks to highlight a number of the impressive performances I witnessed at the 2008 San Diego International Wine Competition.
One of the first to catch my eye was Alba Vineyard of New Jersey! Alba had the Best of Show Fruit wine, yes, but also took a silver for a dry Riesling. New Jersey wouldn’t be the first state that comes to mind when I’m looking for a good Riesling.
And what can I say about the Killer B’s, Bonterra and Bogle? My goodness, these guys are the Energizer Bunnies of California wine. Just keep on winning and winning and winning. And we love those low, low prices!
And based on their performances in my other competitions, I have to say Bernard Griffin (Washington) and Bianchi (California) are two potentially great wineries to watch.
Alba Vineyard
Best of Show Fruit Wine
Gold NV Forbidden, Sweet Dessert Wine New Jersey $15.49
Silver NV Blueberry Wine New Jersey $12.99
Bronze NV Red Raspberry Wine New Jersey $12.99
Silver 2006 Dry Riesling New Jersey $13.99
Artesa Winery
Bronze 2004 Elements Napa/Sonoma $22.00
Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Napa Valley $45.00
Gold, Sweeps 2006 Pinot Noir Reserve, Estate Carneros $38.00
Silver 2004 Tempranillo, Reserve Alexander Valley $25.00
Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Reserve Carneros $26.00
Banrock Station
Gold 2007 Merlot South Eastern Australia $6.99
Bronze 2006 Shiraz South Eastern Australia $6.99
Gold 2007 Chardonnay South Eastern Australia $6.99
Barnard Griffin Winery
Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley $17.00
Silver 2005 Merlot, Reserve Columbia Valley $35.00
Gold 2007 Rose of Sangiovese Columbia Valley $12.00
Silver 2006 Syrah Columbia Valley $17.00
Silver 2007 Viognier Columbia Valley $25.00
Bianchi Winery
Bronze 2005 Pinot Noir, Signature Selection, Garey Vineyard Santa Maria Valley $25.00
Silver 2005 Petite Sirah, Signature Selection, Rancho Tierra Rejada Paso Robles $24.00
Bronze 2004 Syrah, Signature Selection Paso Robles $22.00
Bronze 2005 Zinfandel, Heritage Selection, Zen Ranch Paso Robles $24.00
Gold 2006 Chardonnay, Signature Selection, Edna Ranch Edna Valley $19.00
Blackstone Winery
Gold 2005 Rubric, Sonoma Reserve Sonoma County $19.00
Gold 2005 Merlot, Sonoma Reserve Sonoma County $16.00
Silver 2006 Merlot California $12.00
Bogle Vineyards
Bronze 2004 California Phantom California $17.00
Bronze 2006 Chenin Blanc, California California $9.00
Bronze 2005 Petite Sirah Port Clarksburg $18.00
Bronze 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, California California $11.00
Silver 2006 Merlot, California California $9.00
Silver 2006 Petite Sirah California $11.00
Bronze 2006 Zinfandel, Old Vine California $11.00
Silver 2006 Chardonnay, California California $9.00
Gold 2006 Sauvignon Blanc California $9.00
Bonterra
Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino County $14.99
Silver 2005 Merlot, Made With Organically Grown Grapes Mendocino County $14.99
Silver 2007 Rose Mendocino County $13.99
Gold 2006 Zinfandel, Mendocino County $14.99
Bronze 2006 Muscat, Bartolucci Vineyard Lake County $15.99
Gold, Sweeps 2006 Chardonnay Mendocino County $12.99
Silver 2006 Viognier Mendocino County / Lake Co. $17.99
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
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