Stellar Performers Abound at 2010 Monterey Wine Competition by Robert Whitley on Creators.com

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Stellar Performers Abound at 2010 Monterey Wine Competition

I am now officially finished with the Monterey Wine Competition until we begin to ramp up for the next year, usually sometime around Labor Day. The memorable performances linger, however, begging our attention.

It is often a sign of a winery's overall commitment to quality when its performance on the wine competition circuit leaves opponents in the dust. By this measure, we have witnessed the rise of formidable wineries over the years, such as Beringer's ascent following the appointment of the brilliant Ed Sbragia as chief winemaker a couple of decades back (Sbragia has since moved on to his own enterprise).

With a nod to the many great wineries that have made their mark through past exceptional wine competitions, I make note of the stellar performers from the 2010 Monterey Wine Competition. For complete results, visit www.montereywinecompetition.com:

Chateau Ste. Michelle represented Washington well with its Eroica 2008 Dr. Loosen Riesling ($24) and a gold medal for its 2008 Dry Riesling ($12). The Dry Riesling is a remarkable value considering its consistency (Best of Show white wine at the Winemaker Challenge in January). Ste. Michelle also took gold with its 2006 Ethos Cabernet Sauvignon ($38).

Concannon won nine medals overall, which isn't unusual for this vastly underrated Livermore Valley property, but what really stood out were two wines from its new "Conservancy" line. Both the 2007 Petite Sirah ($38) and 2008 Chardonnay ($14) were awarded Platinum medals after advancing to the final rounds of voting for best of show.

Eberle Winery of Paso Robles, Calif., also scored in the area of consistency, with gold medals for three of its finest wines year in and year out — the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (2007, $34), Mill Road Viognier (2008, $20) and Steinbeck/Wine Bush Zinfandel (2007, $25). Eberle seems to never misfire with those wines, vineyard designates all.

I must give credit where it's due, and thus a nod to EOS Estate, also of Paso Robles. I've not always been a fan of these wines, but their Monterey showing was impressive with a Platinum for the 2007 French Connection ($18) and golds for the '06 Petite Sirah ($25) and '06 Central Coast Chardonnay ($13.50).

Grgich Hills Estate, which is now 100-percent organic and biodynamic, submitted three wines for judging and scored with all three, including Platinum awards for its 2007 Chardonnay ($42) and 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($30). All of its winners were estate grown Napa Valley wines.

Another Napa Valley stalwart, Hagafen, turned in an impressive performance with a Platinum for its 2008 Sonoma Coast Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc ($30 per 375ml) and golds for a 2008 Lodi Roussanne ($18) and a 2009 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($18).

Kendall-Jackson, which once dominated the wine competition circuit, showed very well with a Best of Show in the dessert wine category: the lovely 2007 Arroyo Seco Late Harvest Riesling ($25 per 375ml).

That was but one of 10 medals overall, including Platinum for Vintner's Reserve '08 Chardonnay ($15) and gold for Vintner's Reserve '07 Zinfandel ($15) and '08 Sauvignon Blanc ($12).

Nicholson Ranch, which is best known as a Sonoma County grape grower, had a stunning weekend with two Platinum Pinot Noirs — its 2007 Cactus Hill Pinot from Sonoma Valley ($50) and the 2007 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($42). The 2007 Consentido Syrah ($40) also won gold. Overall, Nicholson Ranch entered four wines and took four medals.

V. Sattui was the runaway winner in overall medals with 17, claiming the trophy for Best of Show red wine with its 2007 Napa Valley Merlot ($25). Sattui only sells its wines at its tasting Napa Valley tasting facility. Other big winners for Sattui were its 2007 Sattui Family Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.75), 2008 Muscat ($19.75), 2009 Moscato Frizzante ($24) and 2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay ($19.75), all with golds.

Ventana Vineyards, the Monterey County winery that dominated the wine competition circuit last year, was impressive again, sending three wines to the Platinum round of voting for best of show: 2007 Rubystone ($18), a red Rhone-style blend; 2008 Gewurztraminer ($16) and a 2008 Orange Muscat ($18). The winery's flagship Riesling ($18) also won a gold medal.

BEST BUY

Wines are rated on a 100-point scale. Wines are chosen for review because they represent outstanding quality or value.

Chateau Mont-Redon 2007 Cotes du Rhone, France ($15) — There is a widespread perception among wine enthusiasts that color intensity and palate weight are absolutely necessary for flavor. It's true that a lightweight Cabernet Sauvignon will generally be somewhat lacking. But other grape varieties, most notably Pinot Noir, often buck that notion. So do many of the grapes grown in the southern Rhone, such as Grenache and Cinsault. Those would be the two main grapes in Mont-Redon's delicious Cotes du Rhone from the '07 vintage — with a splash of Syrah as well. But it's mostly the juicy red-fruit aromas of Grenache (70 percent) that shine in this spicy example of a high quality everyday red from the south of France. This one has good color, but it's not black. And the alcohol and tannin levels are modest, so it's refreshing rather than heavy, and meant to be drunk now. So, you can have exceptional complexity without the headache or cost of a more expensive bottle. This wine is the very definition of a Best Buy! Rating: 88.

TASTING NOTES

St. Supery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley ($20) — Even before Sauvignon Blanc rode the New Zealand wave of popularity to establish itself as a serious wine with U.S. consumers, St. Supery was one of the Napa Valley wineries that treated Sauvignon with the respect it deserves. Unlike other top Napa Valley Sauvignon producers, such as Spottswoode and Cakebread, St. Supery eschews the Bordeaux style as a model, going instead for a Sauvignon that seems to be a cross between the Loire Valley and New Zealand's famous Marlborough district. The flavor emphasis of St. Supery combines the pungent earthiness of Marlborough with the vibrant citrus notes of the Loire for a remarkably genuine and unique Napa Valley Sauvignon. The '09 is a superb example of the St. Supery style at its best. Rating: 91.

To find out more about Robert Whitley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.