Valley Wines golden in the Sunset International Wine Tasting
The results are in from the 2020 Sunset International Wine Competition. This year’s competition saw a 10% increase in entries over last year’s, despite the pandemic. Twelve judging panels comprised of industry experts, buyers, journalists and winemakers were needed to handle the 2,700 entries.
The Best of Show Award went to the 2018 Gracianna Wines Reserve Pinot Noir. The 2019 Brecon Estate Albarino took Best of Show White and the Best Rose went to Chronic Cellars 2019 Pink Pedals. The Best Sparkling went to the Domaine Carneros 2015 Brut and the Best Dessert Wine was the 2016 Husch Vineyards Late Harvest Gewurztraminer. The Rosa-Lucca Estate 2016 Petite Sirah was the Best Fortified (Port) and the Best Cider was the Sorta Sweet Hard Cider from the Portland Cider Company.
Valley Wineries winning Gold Medals were: Bogle Vineyards 2017 Merlot and 2018 Chardonnay, Cabana Wines 2018 Chardonnay, Cardella Winery 2019 Rose of Sangiovese, CRU winery’s 2018 Sierra Madre Pinot Noir and the 2018 Montage Chardonnay, Delicato Winery 2018 1924 Scotch Barrel Chardonnay, the 2017 Three Finger Jack Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2018 Z. Alexander Brown Pinot Noir.
Macchia Winery scored Golds for their Mischievous and Vivacious, both from 2018, as did Mikami Vineyards 2017 Zinfandel, Oak Farm Vineyards 2019 Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and the 2018 Zinfandel. More Golds went to Peltier Winery 2018 Preeminence, Sorelle Winery 2018 Russo Red, St. Amant Winery Bootleg Port, Viaggio Winery 2015 Tempranillo and the Westbrook Wine Farm 2015 Fait Accompli.
Double Golds went to Macchia Winery 2018 Dangerous, St. Amant 2019 Verdelho and 2018 Tempranillo and to Ficklin Vineyards Aged 10 Years-Tawny Port and their Old Vine Tinta Port. Double Gold and the Best of Class Awards went to the LangeTwins Family Winery 2018 Aglianico Rose, Oak Farm Vineyards 2019 Fiano, CRU winery 2017 Unoaked Chardonnay and the 2016 Montage Pinot Noir.
What’s On Our Table
The Steal and the Deal: The list of Sunset Winners, Silver Medals and higher, is huge. A big shout-out goes to the E&J Gallo Winery and the Bronco Wine Company for winning 87 and 61 awards, respectively. All those awards can’t fit here but are available online. Two big winners that qualify for a steal and a deal are the 2019 Charles Shaw Chardonnay and the NV Barefoot Pinot Noir. Both scored 95 points, Double Golds and Best of Class Awards. Congratulations!
The Splurge: The 2017 Cakebread Two Creeks Pinot Noir from Mendocino’s Anderson Valley has fresh raspberry/strawberry flavors, smooth silky tannins and a long finish. It would make a perfect dinner gift or share it with a special friend. It’s well worth the $43. Cheers!
Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.
This story was originally published July 21, 2020 at 11:15 AM.