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 as well their overall favorite Red, White, and Port/Dessert Wine.

The next category up is Best “Other” CA Reds, meaning varietals like Zinfandel and Barbera, along with blends of varietals that have their roots in different regions of the world. Here are the reviews for each submission.

 

Winery: Ancient Peaks

Grape(s): Zinfandel 

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2009

Price: 15-20 

Review: 

A bouquet of of strawberry jam, raspberries, and blueberries comes to life in a glass. Flavors of cherry, raspberry and blackberry emerge on the palate with accents of pepper and vanilla. A light, very approachable Zin, if you like soft and fruit-driven over bold and peppery, this is a bottle for you.

Rating: 90

Winery: Cedarville

Grape(s): Zinfandel

Region: El Dorado County

Year: 2009

Price: 20-25

Review:

A bouquet of leather, blackberry, raspberries, and white pepper rises from a glass.

Flavors of dark berries come forth on the palate accented by leather, spice, and a hint of minerals. The wine has a hearty character that’s perfectly balanced with the fruit and has just enough spice for a lively accent. This is a bottle for fans of classic Zins.

Rating: 91

Winery: Lone Madrone

Grape(s): Zinfandel (72%) & Petite Sirah (23%)

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2008

Special Designation: Old Hat

Price: 40-45

Review:

The nose offers a deep bouquet of dark berries, clove, and spice. On the palate, flavors of cherry, blueberry, and boysenberry meld with notes of sweet spice and coffee. A rich, dark wine, with ample fruit and balanced tannins, fans of supple reds with enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 90

Winery: Lone Madrone

Grape(s): Grenache Noir, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2007

Special Designation: The Will

Price: 30-35

Review

On the nose, aromas of cherry, raspberry, and red apple are accented by notes of pepper and licorice. The palate is rich with red fruit flavors along with bright notes of pepper, a touch of anise, and a hint of earth. A bold, concentrated wine, fans of more robust, peppery reds will really enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 90

Winery: Midnight Cellars

Grape(s): Zinfandel

Region: Paso Robles

Special Designation: Estate

Year: 2008

Price: 25-30

Review:

A bouquet of raspberries and blackberries with accents of spice, herbs, and vanilla rises from a glass. Flavors of raspberry, blackberry, and plum come together with notes of earth, vanilla, and spice on the palate. A nice, lively wine that lives up to what a traditional Zin should be, fans of reds with a bright acidity and some spice will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 92

Winery: Opolo

Grape(s): Zinfandel

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2009

Price: 25-30

Review:

Aromatics of cherries, raspberries, and plum combine with notes of spice and vanilla on the nose. With a sip, flavors of cherry and boysenberry meld with suggestions of sweet spice and white pepper. Fans of lighter Zins, with only subtle spices, will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 89

Winery: Shannon Ridge

Grape(s): Barbera

Special Designation: “Single Vineyard”

Region: Lake County

Year: 2008

Price: 20-25

Review:

On the nose, aromas of boysenberries, black cherries, a hint of smoked meat, and cocoa greet the senses. Flavors of cherry and blackberries meld with notes of leather, dark-chocolate, and a hint of spice on the palate. A bright wine that’s still rich with fruit and a bit of complexity, it’s geared for food. Fans of more lively, layered reds will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 90

Winery: Shannon Ridge

Grape(s): Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Tempranillo

Special Designation: Wrangler Red

Region: Lake County

Year: 2008

Price: 15-20

Review:

Aromas of cherries, plums, and blackberries along with a suggestion of bacon can be found on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of cherry and blackberry with accents of oak, barrel spice, and leather. A lively, fairly bright wine with a nice structure, it may be a bit bold for some people by itself, but it’s great for foods like pizza or BBQ.

Rating: 90

Winery: Summit Lake

Grape(s): Zinfandel

Region: Napa Valley

Year: 2007

Price: 20-25

Review:

Lovely aromas of blueberries and boysenberries are accented by a hint of pepper on the nose. A sip unfurls lush dark fruit flavors rounded out by notes of spice and clove. A very smooth Zin, if you like layered, elegant wines, try this bottle.

Rating: 92

Winery: Tamas

Grape(s): Cabernet, Petite Sirah, Barbera

Region: Livermore Valley

Year: 2009

Special Designation: Double Decker Red

Price: 5-10

Review:

Aromatics of dark fruit, game, and spice greet the senses. The palate offers flavors of blackberries and cherries that come together with highlights of pepper and smoked meat. A rich, red with moderate spice and well-integrated tannins, if you’re looking for a nice, everyday wine that still offers a little pizazz, give this bottle a try.

Rating: 88

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: Ventana Vineyards

Grape(s): Tempranillo (70%) & Cabernet (30%)

Region: Monterey County

Special Designation: Due Amici

Year: 2008

Price: 25-30

Review:

Aromas of red berries, plums, and pepper can be discovered on the nose. Flavors of cherry and plum along with peppery highlights dominate the palate. A light but lively wine, it’s ideal for fans of reds with a nice balance of fruit and spice.

Rating: 90



The Finalists, as selected by the panel, will include the follow wines:

 

Cedarville 2009 Zinfandel

Midnight Cellars 2008 Estate Zinfandel

Summit Lake 2007 Zinfandel

 

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.