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, 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 Port/Dessert Wine. Here are the reviews for each submission:

 

 

Grape(s): Muscat Canelli

Winery: Barra of Mendocino

Region: Mendocino County

Year: 2007

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

 

Winery: Bent Creek

Grape(s): Petite Sirah

Region: Livermore Valley

Special Designation: Port

Year: 2007

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

 

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

 

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: 97

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

 

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

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

 

Winery: Tamas

Grape(s): Barbera

Region: Livermore Valley

Year: 2009

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

 

Winery: Ventana Vineyards

Grape(s): Orange Muscat

Region: Monterey County

Year: 2010

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

 

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

 

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.