Modesto wine columnist on affordable award-winning wines from Sonoma competition

The results of the 2021 Sonoma Harvest Fair Wine Competition are in. A sparkling wine, the 2018 Sonoma County Blanc De Noir by Breathless ($34) won the Best Specialty Wine. The Best White Wine was Imagery Estates’ 2020 Silva Vineyard Albarino ($29). And the Best Red Wine was the 2019 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir by Furthermore ($50). You may be thinking, what’s affordable here? The competition separates the wines by price, which is only fair. I stayed mostly in the class up to $24.99 as I checked the ratings of more than 1,000 wines. Here are some good deals.

Specialty Wine: The Double Gold goes to the 2017 Russian River “Natural” by Korbel, ($16).

Dry Rose: The Hart’s Desire Winery Sangiovese ($20), won Best of Class and Double Gold. Double Golds went to Bellacana Vineyard Pinot NoIr ($22), Mirriam Vineyard Pinot Noir ($25), Saini Vineyard Valentine Marie Rose ($25), and Sonoma Cutrer Pinot Noir ($25), all from the 2020 vintage.

Off Dry Rose: The BC and DG goes to the 2020 Rose of Sangiovese by Alexander Valley Vineyards ($18).

Dessert: The BC and DG goes to the 2015 Dry Creek Four Grapes Vintage Port by Pedroncelli ($22).

Sauvignon Blanc: These are all DG winners. The 2020 Fume Blanc by Dry Creek Vineyard ($16), the 2020 Sonoma County Frei Brothers Reserve ($20) and the 2020 Sonoma County St. Francis ($17).

Chardonnay: These chardonnays are all DG. The 2019 Sonoma Coast Banshee ($21.99), the 2018 Kenwood Six Ridges Russian River Vineyard ($22), the 2019 Sonoma County Simi Winery ($19.99) and the 2020 Russian River Willowbrook ($24).

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio: The 2020 Balletto Vineyard Russian River was BC and DG ($20).

Pinot Noir: The 2018 Russian River Estate Shone Farm Winery DG ($25).

Zinfandel/Primitivo: The 2020 Alexander Valley Fidelity is a DG ($20). A bit over the limit but a DG goes to 2018 Kenwood Jack London ($26) and 2019 Mazzocco Sonoma County ($28).

Merlot: The BC and DG winner is a 2018 from the 95467 Winery from Sonoma Valley ($20).

Cabernet Sauvignon: This class goes up to $34.99 and the BC/DG goes to the 2018 Alexander Valley Rodney Strong Vineyard ($28) and a DG goes to the 2017 Kenwood Six Ridges Alexander Valley ($24).

What’s on our Table

The 2018 XYZ Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington, produced and bottled by Millbrandt Vineyard, is this week’s steal. Millbrandt is a premium vintner and it is Grocery Outlet priced at $6.99. The splurge is the Hess Collection Iron Corral Napa Valley Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec and 2% Petite Verdot and aged in 30% new oak. The Iron Corral Cabernet is complex yet balanced for immediate enjoyment. It’s a perfect dinner party gift for those Napa Cabernet fans. The SRP is $60. Cheers!

Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.