Star/NVV Panelists Chose Napa Valley’s Top Fresh, Fruity Rosé Wines
“The room in the Rudd Center at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone filled quickly with local winemakers and other trade for the St. Helena Star and Napa Valley Vintners’ annual rosé tasting last month. There was a certain buzz in the air, a telling sign: Those in the wine industry admire rosé just as much as consumers….The big takeaway was this: While rosé itself may be the epitome of lazy summer days, the winemaking is anything but.”
A Wallflower’s Perspective
“We’ve all heard this over and over again: Great wine is born in the vineyard. Now, after attending the 2016 Vintage Perspective Tasting hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners, I believe that it’s also coming from the corners of the room….Here, in the dark corners of the room, I discovered what I’d been missing. Invention. Innovation. Enthusiasm. Commitment. These qualities come not from the vineyard, but from the hearts and minds of individuals who are truly passionate about winemaking…
Napa’s Dazzling 2013 Cabernets
“Out of 225 exceptional PNV15 auction lots, Mr. Laube noted 9 of “Napa’s Dazzling 2013 Cabernets,” citing 14 notable lots and his personal 9 favorite “new producers” that Wine Spectator readers may want to watch (or, drink). The context of Napa’s “superstar” 2013 Cab vintage (and, severe QA then 2014 earthquake damage the winery suffered to all inventory led to my complete winemaking reworking of all inventory in cellar) making this recognition even more rewarding.”
The Drinks Business Magazine
“Premiere Napa Valley, the annual auction of uniquely-made barrel lots of Napa wines, raised the third highest total in the auction’s 20-year history, Adam Lechmere reports….Auction rules call for a minimum of 60 bottles and a maximum of 240. The wines are highly collectible; the bottles – when they are delivered – will be individually signed by winemakers….Julie Lumgair, winemaker at Oak Knoll’s Ideology Cellars, said of the $16,000 paid by the giant supermarket Safeway for their 60 bottles of…
Awards
2012 / 2013 Wine Enthusiast - November 2012 & Spring Issues 2013
- 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Rated “So rich and ripe…Showy and flashy…raspberry, cherry and blueberry flavors, with a jacket of smoky oak,” 90 points
- 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Rated “Great structure, fine acidity. Ripe black cherries, cherry liqueur,” 90 points
- 2009 Reserve Pinot Noir, 4 Dijon Clones – Rated “rich, fruity Dijon flavors…silky, delicious, fun to drink,” 90 points
- 2008 Reserve Pinot Noir, 4 Dijon Clones – Rated “textbook Russian River Pinot Noir,” 91 points
- 2007 Clonal Series of Pinot Noirs: 2 Dijon Clones, 3 Dijon Clones and Clone 459 – Rated “ripe, pure fruit…silky textures…rich flavors…spicy with sweet oak note…polished, dry elegant wine with good acidity,” each 89 points
- 2011 Pinot Noir, 4 Dijon Clones (personally fermented / preblended, but not bottled at time of Winery sale) – Rated “fresh jammy berry flavors, spice and juicy acidity,” 90 points
2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2011 Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – Gold
- 2009 Malbec, Mountainside Block 35, Chalk Hill – Gold
- 2009 Super Tuscan Blend, Chalk Hill – Gold
2013 San Diego International Wine Competition
- 2010 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – Gold
(Being released under Windsor Oaks’ Balverne brand, Fall 2013 as flagship red)
2013 Wine & Spirits “Top 10 Red Blends” June 2013
- 2009 Super Tuscan Style Blend, Chalk Hill – Rated “Appealingly fresh…lasting red berry and darker plum…clean, plush, delicious,” 91 points, Top 10 red non-Bordeaux blends of past year.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar June 2012
- 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Rated “Opulent cherry pie, dark berry liqueur, woodsmoke, vanilla, with a peppery overtone. Fleshy…broad, palate-coating dark fruit and mocha flavors…Soft tannins shape the long finish,” 90 points
2012 Wine & Spirits “Year’s Best Sauvignon Blanc” June 2012
- 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley – Rated “exceptional”, 90 points, tie #3 of 235 wines published
2013 Riverside International Wine Competition
- 2010 Reserve Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – Gold
2012 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
- 2008 Malbec, Mountainside Block 35, Chalk Hill – Gold
- 2010 Rose of Pinot Noir “Vin Gris” – Gold
- 2010 Unoaked Chardonnay – Gold
2011 International Women's Wine Competition
- 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley – Best of Show, All White Wines, Best of Class and Double Gold
- 2008 Pinot Noir 4-Dijon Clone, Russian River Valley – Best of Class, All Pinot Noir $30 – $80
- 2009 Late Harvest Zinfandel, Russian River Valley – Gold
2011 Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition
- 2009 Reserve Zinfandel, Russian River Valley – “Chairman’s Choice” Best of Class – Double Gold
- 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill – “Chairman’s Choice” Best of Class – Double Gold
- 2008 Super Tuscan Blend, Chalk Hill – “Chairman’s Choice” Best of Class – Double Gold
- 2010 Pinot Gris, Russian River Valley – Gold
2011 Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition
- 2007 Malbec, Mountainside Block 35, Chalk Hill – Gold
2009 National Women's Wine Competition
- 2006 Super Tuscan Blend, Chalk Hill – FedEx Judges’ Choice (Best of Show), Women Winemakers’ Challenge
2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2009 Vin Gris, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – Double Gold and Best of Class
- 2007 Pinot Noir 5-Dijon Clone, Russian River Valley – Gold
- 2008 Malbec, Mountainside Block 35, Chalk Hill – Gold
2010 North of the Gate Wine Competition
- 2009 Unoaked Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – Double Gold, Best of Class
2008 Colorado State Fair
- 2006 Pinot Noir – Overall Competition Best of Show – All Wines, Best of Show – All Reds, Best of Class
- 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – Gold
2010 National Women's Wine Competition
- 2007 Super Tuscan Blend, Chalk Hill – FedEx Judges’ Choice (Best of Show), Women Winemakers’ Challenge
- 2006 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – Double Gold
- 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill – Gold
- 2007 Malbec, Mountainside Block 35, Chalk Hill – Gold
2010 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2007 Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – Gold
- 2007 Pinot Noir 3 Dijon Clones, Russian River Valley – Gold
- 2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill – Gold
2008 Pacific Rim International Competition
- 2006 Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – Double Gold and Best of Class
2008 West Coast Wine Competition
- 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – Double Gold
2008 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits
- 2006 Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – Gold
- 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill – Gold
- 2006 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – Gold
2008 National Women's Wine Competition
- 2006 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley –Grand Sweepstakes First Runner Up, Double Gold and Best of Class
2007 Colorado State Fair
- Late Harvest Zinfandel, Russian River Valley – Best of Class, Best of Show – Dessert Wines
2008 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
- 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill – Gold
2006 Long Beach Grand Cru
- Late Harvest Zinfandel, Russian River Valley – Best of Class – Dessert Wines