CA
Wines of the Year:
Port & Dessert Wines - Round 1
We
continue our look back at some of our favorite wines
from 2011 along with new bottles that wineries submitted as
their own favorites.
Wines
were divided into categories according to their type and/or
varietal compositions. (A minimum of 10 submissions were required
to create a category.)
Based
on the wines submitted, we created the following categories:
Best CA Bordeaux (red)
Best CA Rhone (red)
Best CA Burgundian (red & white)
Best "Other" CA Red
Best "Other" CA White/Rosé
Best CA Port/Dessert Wine
Then,
for our first round of tastings, the members of our panel that
work (or have worked) in the wine industry gathered to select
the best wines from each category. Those bottles will be tasted
during the final round by the non-industry members of our panel.
They'll be voting for their favorites in each specific category
as well their overall favorite Red, White, and Port/Dessert
Wine.
The
next category up is Best CA Port/Dessert Wine. Here are the
reviews for each submission:
2011
CA Wine of the Year Port & Dessert Wines - Round 1
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Barra
of Mendocino Muscat Canelli 2007
Winery:
Barra of Mendocino
Grape(s): Muscat Canelli
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2007
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 15-20
Review:
Lovely aromas of orange blossoms and honeysuckle combine
with notes of melon, apricot, and sweet spice. The palate
is rich as melon, apricot, and sweet floral flavors emerge
after a sip. Lush and round, yet surprisingly light, it's
semi-sweet nature makes it quite friendly for novice drinkers
and a great companion for light fruity desserts.
Rating: 87 |
|
Bent
Creek Petite Sirah 2007
Winery:
Bent Creek
Grape(s): Petite Sirah
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2007
Special Designation: Port
Price: 20-25
Review:
Blackberry, currant, and figs aromas meld with notes of
caramel, fudgy suggestions on the nose. A sip reveals
flavors of currents, dates, and grape brandy with subtle
hints of chocolate and walnuts. It's a fairly bright Port
that's got a slightly sweet, grapy character. Pair it
with rich chocolate desserts.
Rating: 88 |
|
Heller
Estate Merlot (Port) 2006
Winery:
Heller Estate
Grape(s): Merlot (Port)
Region: Monterey County
Year: 2006
Special Designation: Organic Vineyards
Price: 35-40
Review:
Aromas of dates, walnuts, caramel, and dark chocolate
rise up from a glass. Flavors of dates, dried figs and
caramel come together with notes of dark chocolate and
black walnut on the palate. A lively, dark Port, if you
enjoy a robust, nutty, Sherry style, this is a bottle
to try.
Rating: 88 |
|
Hunt
Cellars Merlot 2000
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): Merlot
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2000
Special Designation: "Oldie But
Goodie"
Price: 120-125
Review:
Aromas of walnuts, dates, and caramel rise up from a glass.
On the palate, nutty highlights meld with notes of dried
dates, caramel, maple, and a little smoky oak. A rich
Port that coats the palate, yet remains fairly light and
elegant, it's an excellent example of what a Tawny port
should be.
Rating: 96 |
|
Murrieta's
Well Port 2008
Winery:
Murrieta's Well
Grape(s): Touriga (76%) and Souzao (24%)
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Port
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromatics of majeu dates, black cherry, and currants accented
by caramel, chocolate, and walnut. Flavors of dates, cassis,
and cherries meld with hints of chocolate and nutty suggestions.
A fairly smooth, rich port that's approachable and layered,
fans of classic Portuguese Ports will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 91 |
|
Scheid
Vineyards Closing Bell 2008
Winery:
Scheid Vineyards
Grape(s): Tinto Cao 37%, Touriga 26%,
Tempranillo 25%, Grenache 12%
Region: Monterey County
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Closing Bell
Price: 35-40
Review:
Aromas of raspberries, blackberries, and black cherries
with accents of caramel and chocolate rise up from the
glass. A sip reveals flavors of blackberry and raspberry
that mingle with notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and
sweet spice. A rich, lush port with bright fruit balanced
by balanced sweetness, fans of layered dessert wines will
enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 89 |
|
South
Coast Black Jack Port 2008
Winery:
South Coast Winery
Grape(s): Alicante Bouschet 37%, Zinfandel
25%, Touriga Nacional 18%, Tinta Cao 16%, Tinta Roriz
4%
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Black Jack Port
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromas of bramble fruit, cherry, and currants come together
with notes of pepper on the nose. Flavors of black cherry,
blackberry, and figs mingle with suggestions of caramel
and spice on the palate. A round, lush wine, with some
subtle hints of spice, fans of balanced Ports will enjoy
this bottle.
Rating: 89 |
|
Tamas
Barbera Port 2008
Winery:
Tamas
Grape(s): Barbera
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Riserva
Price: 25-30
Review:
A bouquet of cherries, boysenberry, and cassis with accents
of fudge, caramel, and sweet spice greets the senses.
A sip reveals flavors of black cherry, medjool dates,
and cassis comes together with chocolate, vanilla, and
all-spice. A supple Port with a nice balance of fruit
and spice, if you enjoy a round, lively style, this a
bottle to try.
Rating: 90 |
|
Ventana
Vineyards Orange Muscat 2010
Winery:
Ventana Vineyards
Grape(s): Orange Muscat
Region: Monterey County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 15-20
Review:
A bouquet of orange rind, honeysuckle and tropical fruit
meld with vanilla and lemon. The palate reveals flavors
of peach, orange marmalade , and guava with accents of
honey, lemon, and vanilla. A rich, floral dessert white
that's light yet mouth-filling, fans of layered, bright
style will enjoy this bottle very much.
Rating: 91 |
|
Wente
Riesling (Late Harvest) 2008
Winery:
Wente
Grape(s): Riesling (Late Harvest)
Region: Monterey County
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Small Lot
Price: 20-25
Review:
A bouquet of pear, apricot, and peach mingles with suggestions
of caramel and floral notes on the nose. With a sip, flavors
of apricot and pear come together with accents of butterscotch,
honeysuckle, and orange peal. A round, rich, lush wine,
fans of fairly sweet dessert wine with some nice layers
will enjoy this wine.
Rating: 90 |
The
Finalists, as selected by the panel, will include the follow
wines:
Hunt Cellars 2000 "Oldie But Goodie"
Murrieta's Well 2008 Port
Ventana Vineyards 2010 Orange Muscat
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
|