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| The most decorated sparkling wine nobody knows… McFadden's NV Brut |
Congratulations to all of the winners.
Among them are a few upstarts, including one of my perennial favorites - the McFadden sparkling wines ($25-40) which surprisingly scored higher than Domaine Carneros' top of the line Le Reve ($99). (McFadden wine club members can score the $25 NV Brut for about $15 during the winery's 40% off sales.)
It was nice to see 8 of the wines from my new biodynamic wine apps taking home awards. There were 7 wines from certified organic vineyards who scored medals, as well, including two from Napa - the Domaine Carneros Estate Pinot Noir and the Rocca Family Cabernet (from Coombsville).
The event is the largest competition of American wines in the world, with more than 5,800 entries from 25 states.
The public tasting takes place Saturday, Feb. 15, from 1:30-5 pm at Fort Mason. Get tickets and details at www.winejudging.com.
Biodynamically Grown Wines
Bordeaux Blends
Gold Medal
• Imagery Estate Winery, Pallas Estate (2011), $65
Cabernet Sauvignon ($40-49.99)
Gold Medal
• Hawk and Horse, Block 3 (2009), $45
Cabernet Sauvignon ($60 and Over)
Double Gold Me
• Benziger Family Winery, Signaterra, Sunny Slope (2011), $66
Gold Medal
• Benziger Family Winery, Signaterra, Three Blocks (2010), $60
Grenache
Best of Class
• Campovida, Dark Horse (2012), $36
Merlot ($40 and Over)
Best of Class
• Imagery Estate Winery, Pallas (2011), $65
Pinot Noir ($50 and Over)
Double Gold
• Benziger Family Winery, de Coelo, Quintus (2011), $75
Gold
• Benziger Family Winery, Signaterra, Bella Luna (2011), $50
Organically Grown Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon ($60 and Over)
Double Gold Medal
• Rocca Family Vineyards, Collinetta Vineyard (2010), $85
Dessert (RS>4.0)
Gold Medal
• McFadden Late Harvest Riesling (2011), $18
Merlot ($15-19.99)
Gold Medal
• Bonterra (2011), $15.99
Pinot Noir
Gold Medal
• Domaine Carneros, Estate, 2011 - $35
Sauvignon Blanc ($20 and Over)
Gold Medal
• Medlock Ames (2012), $27
Double Gold Medal
• McFaddenVineyard, Brut NV, $25
• McFadden Vineyard, Reserve Brut, $40
Note: In comparison, Napa's Domaine Carneros, scored both above and below Mendocino's McFadden, winning Best of Class for its 2009 Brut, but scoring below McFadden with its most expensive sparkling wine, the 2007 Le Reve, winning a gold medal. (These particular Domaine Carneros vintages were not organically sourced, but future vintages will be).
Zinfandel ($35-40)
Gold Medal
• Lucas Winery (2010), $39.99
Thanks so much for the consideration!
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