To close out our wine coverage for 2011, we decided to round up some of our favorite bottles from the past year as well as invite wineries to submit their own favorites. Submissions were divided into categories based on their type and/or varietal compositions. (A minimum of 10 submissions were required to create a category.)
Best CA Bordeaux (red), Best CA Rhone (red), Best CA Burgundian (red & white), Best “Other” CA Red, Best “Other” CA White/Rosé, and 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.
The first category up is Best CA Burgundian Red, which of course, means Pinot Noir. Here are the reviews for each submission.
Winery: Ampelos Cellars
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Santa Barbara
Year: 2006
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromas of black cherry and plum are accented by suggestions of graham-cracker, brown sugar, and vanilla on the nose. The palate offers rich flavors of plum, cherry, and black raspberry, along with notes of sweet spice, and cola. A lush, richly layered wine, fans of dark, supple Pinots will enjoy this bottle. Pork loin or duck would make for fine pairings.
Rating: 92
Winery: Calcareous
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Paso Robles
Special Designation: York Mountain
Year: 2009
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromatics of plums, black cherries, and dark raspberries mingle with suggestions of vanilla, sweet spice, and white pepper on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of cherry, plum, and strawberry are accented by notes of caramel, lemon zest, and dusty minerals. Rich, elegant, and layered, fans of softer reds will enjoy this wine.
Rating: 91
Winery: Dieberg
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Santa Barbara County
Year: 2007
Price: 35-40
Review:
Lovely aromas of black cherry and blackberries are in perfect harmony with notes of cola, spice, and anise. The palate is layered with flavors of cherry, blackberry, vanilla, spice, a bit of earth, and black licorice. A soft, elegant, wine that very smooth, fans of lighter, yet complex Pinots will really enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 92
Winery: J. Lohr
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Monterey County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: Fog’s Reach
Price: 30-35
Review:
An alluring bouquet of strawberries, plums, spice, and vanilla can be discovered on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of strawberry, plum, and cherry that meld with notes of sweet spice, vanilla, and a hint of tobacco. A Pinot with nice acidity, good fruit, and layers, it’s for fans of balance and complexity. A treat!
Rating: 93
Winery: La Rochelle
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Monterey County
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
Price: 45-50
Review:
A bouquet of cherry and plum accented by notes of cola, soy sauce, and herbs greets you. Flavors of cherries, plums, and strawberries unfold into suggestions of bacon, cedar, and slightly dusty minerals. A Pinot with lush fruit that’s balanced by a nice acidity and a fresh earthy brightness, it’s quite approachable on its own or ideal to enjoy with grilled chicken or roast duck.
Rating: 91
Winery: La Rochelle
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma County
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Sonoma Coast
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromas of cherries and raspberries mingle with notes of spice, vanilla, and floral hints. Lively red berry flavors come together with suggestions of orange spice, vanilla and a hint of cinnamon. A bright Pinot, with a nice complexity, it’s very well suited for enjoying with salmon or pork.
Rating: 92
Winery: McIntyre Vineyards
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Monterey County
Special Designation: Mission Ranch
Year: 2007
Price: 35-40
Review:
Aromatics of cherries, raspberries, plums, game, and spice greet the senses. A sip reveals flavors of cherry and raspberry that flow into notes of cola and spice. A fairly bright wine, with a slight mineral character, it’s for fans of light and lively Pinots. The fact that it’s made from certified Sustainably fruit is a bonus!
Rating: 89
Winery: McIntyre Vineyards
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Monterey County
Special Designation: Santa Lucia Highlands
Year: 2009
Price: 35-40
Farming Certification: Sustainability-in-Practice
Review:
Produced from certified sustainably fruit, a bouquet of cherry, strawberry, smoked meat, and spice greets the senses. The palate offers flavors of cherries, plums, and strawberries that meld with floral notes as well as hints of sage and minerals. A nice, bright wine, with a welcoming acidity and layered red fruit flavors, fans who enjoy balanced Pinots will love this bottle.
Rating: 91
Winery: Whitcraft
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Santa Barbara
Year: 2007
Special Designation: Melville Vineyard
Price: 40-45
Review:
Bright aromas of cherries and raspberries, along with hints of chocolate and dusty earth can be discover on the nose. A sip reveals lively red berry flavors, accented by white pepper and a bit of earth. A nice and bright wine, with a food friendly acidity, it’s a bottle for fans of dynamic Pinots.
Rating: 90
Winery: Whitcraft
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Santa Barbara
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Aubaine Vineyard
Price: 55-60
Review:
Rich aromas of black cherries and boysenberries are accented by wet earth, spice, and cola on the nose. Flavors of cranberries and boysenberries come to life on the palate, along with suggestions of dusty earth, cola, and a bit of pepper. A bright, lively, layered wine that’s great with food, try a bottle if you like Pinot which has some pizazz.
Rating: 90
Winery: Windy Oaks
Grape(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Santa Cruz Mountains
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Diane’s Block
Price: 40-45
Lovely aromas of black cherry and plum mingle with notes of hint of white pepper, chocolate, and a bit of earth. The palate is flush with rich flavors of cherries and plums that are complicated by suggestions of earth, dark chocolate, as well as hints of minerals and leather. A lush, balanced wine that’s fruit-driven but still complex, it a fine choice if you enjoy elegance and depth in a Pinot.
Rating: 90
The Finalists, as selected by the panel, will include:
Ampelos Cellars 2006 Rho
Calcareous 2009 York Mountain
Dieberg 2007 Pinot
J. Lohr 2009 Fog’s Reach
La Rochelle 2008 Sonoma Coast
La Rochelle 2008 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
McIntyre Vineyards 2009 Santa Lucia Highlands
Check by in mid-January for the results of the final round of tastings and to see which wines we’ve selected as California Wines of the Year 2011.