As we welcome 2012, we decided to look back at some of our favorite wines from 2011 as well as invite wineries to submit their own favorites. Bottles were divided into categories based on 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, 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 next category up is Best CA Rhone (reds only), which of course, means varietals like Syrah and Petite Sirah, along with a few others. Here are the reviews for each submission.

 

 

 

Winery: Ampelos

Grape(s): Syrah & Grenache

Region: Santa Barbara

Year: 2007

Special Designation: Syrache

Price: 25-30

Review:

A lovely nose of blueberries, plum, black cherry aromas combine with hints of roast nuts, spices, and cocoa. A sip reveals flavors of blueberry and black cherry, accented by a bit of pepper, herbs, and a slightly nutty suggestion. A lush, complex wine with a medium-body, it’s delightful on it’s own or when paired with lamb.

Rating: 91

 

 

 

Winery: Calcareous

Grape(s): Syrah (42%), Mourvedre (29%) Grenache (29%)

Region: Paso Robles

Special Designation: Tres Violet

Year: 2008

Price: 35-40

Review:

Aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and cherries come together with woodsy notes and suggestions of vanilla on the nose. Flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, and cherry are accented by notes of vanilla, cedar, pepper, and pie crust on the palate. A rich, layered wine with moderate tannins, fans of Rhone style blends with dark fruit and minimal spice will enjoy this very much.

Rating: 92

 

 

 

Winery: Carina Cellars

Grape(s): Syrah (55%), Grenache (33%), Mourvedre (12%)

Region: Santa Barbara

Year: 2007

Special Designation: Clairvoyant

Price: 20-25

Review:

Lovely aromas of cherries, strawberries, and dried cranberries blend with suggestions of mocha and pepper. The palate is dominated by flavors of pomegranate and bing cherry, complicated by notes of espresso and pepper. Bright and layered with flavors, it’s a very good food wine. Try a bottle with your favorite hearty chicken or pork dish.

Rating: 90

 

 

 

Winery: Coquelicot

Grape(s): Syrah

Region: Santa Barbara County

Year: 2007

Price: 40-45

Review:

Aromas of plums, raspberries, and cherries with accents of tobacco and earth can be discovered on the nose. Flavors of plum and cherry, mingle with notes of leather, cocoa, and a hint of pepper on the palate. A wine with rich flavors, nice brightness, a hint of spice and good balance. Fans of Syrah will really enjoy this wine.

Rating: 92

 

 

 

Winery: Hoyt Family Vineyards

Grape(s): Syrah

Region: California

Year: 2006

Price: 25-30

Review:

A bouquet of blackberries, cherries, and raspberries with accents of minerals and spice greets the senses. On the palate, cherry, plum, and raspberry flavors mingle with notes of minerals, black licorice, and pepper. A bright wine with supple tannins, fans of fairly lively Syrahs will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 90

 

 

 

Winery: Hunt Cellars

Grape(s): Syrah & Petite Sirah

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2006

Special Designation: Que Sirah, Syrah

Price: 45-50

Review

A wine that truly surprises with layered aromas of blueberries, blackberries, plums, and pomegranate unfolding into notes of vanilla and game. After a sip, plum, blueberry, and blackberry meld with suggestions of dark chocolate and vanilla. A very smooth wine that’s still very complex, it’s a bottle not soon forgotten.

Rating: 96

 

 

 

Winery: Loma Linda

Grape(s): Petite Sirah

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2008

Special Designation: Always”

Price: 25-30

Review:

Aromas of blueberries and bramble fruit are rounded out by suggestions of dark-chocolate and spice on the nose. Flavors of jammy blackberries and blueberries come to life on the palate along with notes of cocoa, anise, and a hint of pepper. A very laid back Petite Sirah that’s slightly jammy but not bold or tannic.

Rating: 89

 

 

 

Winery: Opolo

Grape(s): Petite Sirah

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2008

Price: N/A

Review:

A bouquet of dark berries, currants, burnt toast, dark chocolate, and oak greets the senses. The palate is fairly smooth, exhibiting flavors of blueberries and blackberries that mingle with notes of dark chocolate, oak, and sweet spice. A softer Petite Sirah, with a smooth, inviting mouthfeel, fans of fruit-driven, nicely structured reds will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 89

 

 

 

Winery: Shannon Ridge

Grape(s): Petite Sirah

Special Designation: Ranch Collection

Region: Lake County

Year: 2009

Price: 20-25

Review:

A bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, vanilla, sweet spice, and pie crust greets the senses. A sip reveals flavors of blueberry and boysenberry that unfold into notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and a hint of oak. A rich wine with a solid structure, but it’s still supple and some very nice layers. It’s perfect for fans of smooth Petite Sirah.

Rating: 90

 

 

 

Winery: South Coast Winery

Grape(s): Syrah

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2008

Price: 40-45

Review:

Aromatics of blackberries, boysenberries, and plums with accents of smoked meat and pepper rise from a glass. A sip reveals dense black fruit flavors with highlights of spice, smoky oak, and gamey suggestions. A rich wine with interesting layers, fans of cool-climate Syrah will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 90

 

 

 

Winery: Thacher

Grape(s): Grenache 48%, Syrah 36%, Mourvedre 16%

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2009

Price: N/A

Review:

Aromatics of cherries, plums, and raspberries meld with notes of spice and greet the senses. Flavors of bright red berries come together with highlights of spice, vanilla, and cedar on the palate. A lighter, wine with a nice balance of flavors, fans of smoother reds that still offer a bit of spice will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 89

 

 

 

Winery: Thacher

Grape(s): Grenache

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2009

Price: N/A

Review:

Aromas of cherries and strawberries flow into suggestions of vanilla and oak. A sip reveals bright red berry notes with accents of spice, vanilla, and sweet spices. A light, very approachable wine with some nice subtle layers, fans of easy-going reds will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 89

 

 

 

Winery: Veris Cellars

Grape(s): Syrah

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2009

Special Designation: Nova Vita

Price: 40-45

Review:

Aromatics of cherries, plums, and currants, complicated by hints of spice, anise, and springtime flowers greet the senses. The palate offers flavors of cherry, currant, and blackberry that come together with suggestions of spice and earth. A dark, lively wine, with nicely integrated tannins, fans of bright, rich Syrahs will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 90

The Finalists for Best CA Rhone (red), as selected by the panel, will include the following wines:

Ampelos Cellars 2007 Syrache

Calcareous 2008 Tres Violet

Coquelicot Estates 2007 Syrah

Hoyt Family Vineyards 2006 Syrah

Hunt Cellars 2006 Que Sirah, Syrah

South Coast Winery 2008 Syrah

Veris Cellars 2009 Nova Vita Syrah

Check back on January 19th for the results of the final round of tastings and to see which wines we’ve selected as California Wines of the Year 2011.