Walk Around of Medal Winners from ’19 San Diego Int’l Wine Challenge

A lovely setting, DELICIOUS food, and a *very* nicely staged event by Coasterra & the folks from the Competition! :)

I was VERY pleased to be able to taste something from V. Sattui, a veritable medal-winning winery for DECADES, but a label I'd never actually SEEN in the flesh

• 2015 Trella Vineyard Pinot Noir

  USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Umpqua Valley

  Harvested 09/19/2015; Aged in FR oak; 128 cases produced @ $35 sugg retail.
  
  N: Fragrant cherries & rasps with notes of toast
  
  P: Med body; Rndish entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt; LONG, very, VERY slightly bitterish finish; NEEDS another yr to loosen, then drinking for 3 yrs more. 13.30% ABV; My VG+/EXC-. 90 pts & Gold @ '19 S.D. Int'l Wine Challenge

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• 2016 Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  "Vyds for '16: Owsley (55%), Vine Hill (38%), Other (7%); Grapes are picked by hand early each A.M. into small bins & hand-sorted before a gentle destemming. During the 4 day cold soak & the 8-12 day fermentation, the wine is punched down by hand in small, open-top fermenters. On completion of fermentation the wine is gently pressed using a basket press & gravity racked into the barrels, 1/3 ea new, 1 yr, & 2 yr FR oak. After resting for 11 months, the final blend was assembled & prepared for bottling, where it spent an addt'l 6 mos." 14.2% ABV, 0.77 gm/L R.S. (dry), 6 gm/L T.A., & 3.6 pH;
  
  N: Slightly restrained cherries, some earth
  
  P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) controlled nicely by acidity; LONG, poss very, VERY slightly bitterish, tangy/swt finish. For now & through '22, poss '23. My EXC; 92 pts Suckling, and 90 & Gold @ '19 S.D. Int'l Wine Challenge

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• 2017 V. Sattui Winery Pinot Noir Los Carneros

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  N: LOVELY red rasps/straws
  
  P: LM body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which loses the majority of its bite by the LONG finish with a tangy/bitterish/swt trialectic to the dusty tannins. NEEDS 6-12 mos, then drinking for 3 yrs more. NICE combination of both the lighter & richer, more substantive styles of P.N.! 14.2% ABV; My EXC-/EXC. Gold & 93 points @ '19 S.D. Int'l Challenge @ $42, Gold @ '19 S.F. Chronicle, & Silvers @ the '19 Monterey Int'l & Winemaker Challenge.

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PARTICULARLY for its price, I thought the Monteviña was QUITE a pleasant surprise!

• 2017 Oak Farm Vineyards Primitivo

  USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

  N: Fragrantly RIPE, but not overly so; (Towards the plum/prune part of the spectrum)
  
  P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) which morphs into a LONG, slightly spicy finish with a tangy/swtness to the few, dusty tannins. For now with food, should hold into '22, + could improve a bit through the rest of '19. 15% ABV; My EXC- for this claret style. Gold & 91 points from '19 S.D. Int'l Challenge @ $32.

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• 2017 Aimée Primitivo

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  230 cases produced.
  
  N: Fragrantly attractive blk rasps, POSS red rasps, with notes of flowers
  
  P: LM body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) firmed by some very, VERY fine, ALMOST swtish tannins with just a HINT of very, VERY slight bitterness. A claret styled wine for now & through '22. 14.1% ABV; My EXC-/EXC. 92 pts & Gold from the '19 S.D. Int'l Challenge @ $30, & Gold @ the '19 N.Y. Int'l.

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• 2015 Carol Shelton Wines Old Vine Zinfandel Mancini Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  "Estimated 80% Zin (remaining 20% is field-blend of Carignane, with Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Valdiguie, Abourieu, etc.) planted in 1922;" Harvested 10/07/15 @ 25.8°Brix ave (soaked); "5 days cold soak prior to ferment; Hand punched down 2x/day; 14 days total on skins; Aged 18 mos in barrels— 20% ea new FR & AM, and 60% 2-yr-old FR & AM;" 14.8% ABV, 0.73 gm/100ml T.A., & 3.40 pH; 236 cases bottled June 1, 2017 & released March 2018 @ $38.00/bottle.
  
  N: Slightly closed; Cherries with smoke, toast underneath?
  
  P: LM body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which pretty much resolves by the quite LONG, still firmly structured finish, but with a burgeoning elegance. DESERVES through '20, then approaching its 10th? My EXC/EXC+; '18 Contest Results: Silver @ Dan Berger Int'l & Bronze @ CA State Fair; '19 Contest Results: Double Gold & Best of its AVA @ Toast of the Coast, Gold with 91 pts @ S.D. Int'l Challenge, and Silvers @ Monterey Int'l, Press Democrat N. Coast Challenge, & S.F. Chronicle!

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• 2016 Montevina Zinfandel Skyland Ridge

  USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County

  N: Earth with hints of minerals, toast coming on with air/swirling; Intensity lurking
  
  P: Med, poss LM, body; Very NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which seamlessly, pretty much works its way out by the very LONG, impeccably balanced, tangy/swt finish. LOVELY stuff for now & the next 4 yrs? 14.5% ABV; My EXC+ (94,95/100 on that scale) taking into account the *astounding* QPR for the $12 sugg retail! '19 Contest results: Golds @ Monterey Int'l, Pacific Rim, & S.D. Int'l Challenge (90 pts), Silver @ CA State Fair, and Bronzes @ S.F. Chronicle & TEXSOM Int'l!

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• 2014 Shale Oak Winery Zinfandel

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  N: Creamy oak atop ripe berries
  
  P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by a puckerish astringency which only somewhat resolves by the LONG finish with a bitter/swtness (60:40) to the DUSTY tannins. My VG+ *will* be low IF addt'l cellaring helps. 15.8% ABV; '19 Contest Results: Golds @ Toast of the Coast & S.D. Int'l Challenge (90 pts @ $45), and Silver @ S.F. Chronicle

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• 2017 Leyenda Carménère

  Chile, Maule Valley

  N: Pyrazines with a smoky element
  
  P: Med, poss LM, body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by astringent pucker which SOMEWHAT resolves by the LONG finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins & an ULT pleasantness. 13% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, & a potential sleeper with 12-18 mos of addt'l cellaring. 94 pts & Platinum from '19 S.D. Int'l Challenge @ $14.99.

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• 2016 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Franc

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope

  100% C.F. from 60% Weinbau Vyd (Wahluke Slope AVA), 25% Ciel du Cheval Vyd (Red Mtn AVA), 10% Seven Hills West Old Blocks Vyd (Walla Walla Valley AVA), & 5% Tapteil Vyd (Red Mountain AVA); "Crushed gently & dropped into 1.5 ton bins, cold soaked for 24-72 hrs, then inoculated with a variety of yeasts, hand-punched, & pressed directly to barrel where the wine finishes both primary and secondary fermentations. The individual lots of wine that comprise the C.F. are kept separate for at least 1 yr before they are blended. Cooperage is 30% new premier FR oak, 30% once filled premier FR oak, & the remaining in 2nd fill or older FR oak." 1,512 cases produced.
  
  N: RIPE berries, tobacco, poss tomato leaf
  
  P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which only somewhat resolves by the LONG, balanced finish with a bitter/swtness to the dusty tannins, but ULT a pleasantness. NEEDS through '21, I'd guess, then drinking for 3-4 yrs more. 14.1% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, the higher ult. 91 pts WS, 90 Dunnuck, & 89 WE @ $30. '19 contest results: Platinum (94 pts) @ S.D. Int'l Challenge, Gold @ S.F. Chronicle, & Bronze @ TEXSOM Int'l.

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• 2017 The Atom Cabernet Sauvignon God Particle

  USA, California

  100% C.S. aged in FR & AM oak
  
  N: Attractive RIPE blkberries, poss some jam?
  
  P: Med, poss LM, body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.) met by some astringent pucker which evolves to a very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a SWTNESS to the dusty tannins. For all but lovers of a fairly intense, tangy/swt dialectic, NEEDS/deserves a yr, then drinking for 2-3 yrs more? 14.5% ABV; My EXC in the style. '19 Contest results: Golds @ S.D. Int'l Challenge (92 pts) & S.F. Chronicle, and Bronze @ CA State Fair, all @ $15.

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• 2016 Dark Horse Wines Merlot The Original Dark Horse

  USA, California

  "The biggest, boldest red in our collection..."; Supposedly, 87% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, & 6% Teroldego;
  
  N: Pyrazines
  
  P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which stays with the frt as it evolves into quite a LONG, pleasant finish with a tangy/swtness to the unoffensive, dusty tannins. 13.5% ABV; My EXC (in an "easy" drinking style), with a potential argument for more based upon the QPR. [Some of the ff contest results list the sugg retail as $7.99, others as $10.] '18 Results: 1 Gold & 2 Bronzes; '19 Results: 1 Platinum (94 pts), 2 Golds, 3 Silvers, & 2 Bronzes! 89 pts & "Best Buy" WE @ $8.

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• 2017 Villa Pozzi Nero d'Avola Sicilia

  Italy, Sicily, Sicilia

  100% Nero d’Avola, vines ave 20-25 yrs old, planted in loam, clay limestone soils in “N-facing vyds in the area between Mazara del Vallo & Marsala, in the NW part of Sicily. Gently pressed, the combination of juice & skins is refrigerated @ 80°F and sent to fermentation vats. After a 12-15 day maceration, the wine is aged in s/s tanks @ 65-70°F.” 13.3% ABV, 5g/L R.S., 5.7 g/L T.A., & 3.35 pH;
  
  N: Cherries, some smoke
  
  P: LM body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by astringent pucker which pretty much resolves by the LONG, slightly spicy finish with a tangy/swtness to the DUSTY tannins. DESERVES through '19, then drinking for 3-4 yrs more. My EXC-/EXC, the higher arguably for QPR. '19 Contest results: Platinum (94 pts) from S.D. Int'l Challenge @ $9.99, & Silver @ TEXSOM.

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• 2016 Castello Banfi Chianti Classico

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  "85-90% Sangiovese, with a selection of traditional Chianti Classico varietals" harvested @ 23.5°Brix; Fermented in temp-controlled s/s tanks @ 25-30 degrees centigrade for 7 days, malolactic within the next 2 mos, ff'd by 3 mos of barrel aging; 13.3% ABV, 0.7 g/L R.S., 5.1 g/L T.A., & 3.41 pH;
  
  N: Closed; Cherris slightly atop vanilla
  
  P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by astringent pucker which evolves into a LONG, very, VERY slightly puckerish finish which is ULT pleasant! My EXC-/EXC, the higher arguably for QPR. '19 Contest results: Gold (93 pts) from S.D. Int'l Challenge @ $12.99, & Silver @ Winemaker's Challenge.

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• 2017 Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino

  Sangiovese grown in soils of pebbles, silt, & clayey sands; "Fermentation: in temp-controlled (20-30°C) hybrid FR oak & s/s tanks Horizon; Aging: 50% in FR oak casks (90-60 hl.) & 50% in FR oak barrique (350 l.) for 3-6 mos;"
  
  N: ATTRACTIVE blk rasps with notes of cherries
  
  P: Med body; NICE frt QUICKLY met by an astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it slowly morphs into a LONG finish with a burgeoning swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '22, poss '23, then at least approaching its 10th? But would SEEM to have what it takes! 14% ABV; My EXC-/EXC, the higher likely with time. 91 pts 5StarWines - Vinitaly, & Gold (90) @ '19 S.D. Int'l Challenge @ $24.99.

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• 2017 Bernard Magrez Côtes du Rhône Villages Coup de Rhône

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages

  N: Slightly closed; Straws, red rasps; Intensity lurking?
  
  P: LM body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which loses its bite by the LONG, BALANCED, tangy/swt (65:35) finish. NEEDS a yr or so, then drinking for 3 yrs more. Classic CDR character! 14.5% ABV; My EXC-/EXC. Gold & 92 pts from the '19 S.D. Int'l Challenge @ $20.

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• 2017 Bernard Magrez Côtes du Roussillon Jamais Renoncer

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon

  Typically, 50% Carignane, 25% Grenache, & 25% Syrah; "Mechanical destemming. Temperature controlled fermentation. Daily pumping over, unballasting. Maceration time: 20 days."
  
  N: FRAGRANT red rasps/straws, poss flowers?
  
  P: LM, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which loses its punch as it evolves into a LONG, poss very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a swtness to the DUSTY tannins. Needs through '20, then drinking for 3-4 yrs more. 13.5% ABV; My EXC-/EXC, the higher arguably for QPR. '19 Contest Results: Platinum (94 pts) & "Best Red Rhone Blend" from S.D. Int'l Challenge, & Silver from Monterey Int'l, both @ $15.

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• 2017 Buscado Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León

  Spain, Castilla y León, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León

  N: Fragrant blk, poss red, rasps with notes of earth
  
  P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt firmed by an astringent pucker which pretty much resolves by the LONG, balanced finish with a bitter/swt/tangy trialectic to the DUSTY tannins. Cellar for another 6 mos, then drink for 4 yrs more? 14% ABV; My EXC (92,93/100 on that scale). Gold (91 pts) & "Best Tempranillo" from '19 S.D. Int'l Challenge, and Silver (86), "Highly Recommended; Best Buy" from tastings.com , both @ $9.99.

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• 2017 Jeff Runquist Barbera "R" Cooper Vineyard

  USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County

  100% Barbera from "by far" Amador Cnty's largest single grower; Oak Regime: 46% AM, 38% FR, & 16% neutral; 15.1% ABV, 0.76g/100 ml T.A., & 3.41 pH; 906 cs produced & released 1/1/19 @ $30 sugg retail.
  
  N: ATTRACTIVE cherries, Torben alerting me to Coca-Cola aromas
  
  P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by astringent pucker which seamlessly morphs into a LONG, BALANCED, VERY slightly spicy finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins. LOVELY stuff for now & through '23, + could well improve a bit through the remainder of '19. My EXC (92, 93/100 on that scale); 94 pts winereviewonline.com , & the ff '19 contest results: Platinum (94) @ S.D. Int'l Challenge, 1 Gold (East Meets West), 4 Silvers (Toast of the Coast, Pacific Rim, Monterey Int'l, & CA State), and 1 Bronze (S.F. Chronicle)!

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• 2016 Loma Prieta Winery Pinotage Bodo’s Blend

  USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

  TYPICALLY, 80% Pinotage (Karma Vyd) & 20% Petite Sirah (Amorosa Vyd);
  
  N: ATTRACTIVELY *bright* wild straws!
  
  P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which does PRETTY much resolve by the LONG finish with a tangy/swtness to the DUSTY tannins. NEEDS through '20, then drinking for 2-3 yrs more? My EXC-/EXC; Gold (91 pts) @ '19 S.D. Int'l Challenge, & Bronze @ '19 Pacific Rim, BOTH @ $50.

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• 2016 Aimée Petite Sirah Region III

  USA, California

  173 cs made
  
  N: Attractively RIPE berries with SOMETHING greenish (pyrazines?) & notes of smoke
  
  P: LM body; Nice, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by some astringent pucker which keeps in touch with the frt as it evolves into a LONG, tangy/swt finish. For now & the following 3-4 yrs. 14.3% ABV; My EXC. Gold (90 pts) @ '19 S.D. Int'l Challenge @ $38.

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• 2015 Brutocao Quadriga Hopland Ranches

  USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino

  26% Sangiovese, 30% Primitivo, 21% Barbera, & 23% Dolcetto; "Morning loads only, de-stemmed remaining as 50% whole berries. Cold soaked all lots for 48 hr prior to fermentation in temp controlled tanks, pumped over 2-4x/day. Individual lots remained on the skins for an ave of 18 days. 18 mos in 90% FR oak, 10% AM, 25% new oak;" 13.5% ABV, 0.72 g/100 ml T.A., & 3.62 pH; 900 cs produced & bottled June 2017.
  
  N: Vanilla, smoke atop blkberries?
  
  P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtih frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which DOES lose its bite by the LONG, very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with subtle swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '20, poss longer, then drinking for 3-4 yrs more. My EXC-; Gold (92 pts) @ the '19 S.D. Int'l Challenge @ $28.

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• 2016 Emerald Creek Winery Syrah

  USA, California, South Coast, San Diego County

  Estate grown frt from San Diego County's largest grape-growing operation, "located between Temecula & Warner Springs on the N slope of Palomar Mtn" @ ≈ 2,400 ft elev;
  
  N: FRAGRANT smoke atop ripe berries with DEFINITE greenish notes (pyrazines?)
  
  P: LM body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which loses virtually ALL its punch by the LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/SWTNESS to the DUSTY tannins. Nicely done! My EXC-/EXC; Platinum (94 pts) & "Best Syrah" from '19 S.D. Int'l Challenge, & Gold (90) from '19 Monterey Int'l, both @ $33.95.

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Though I tried my BEST to speed up my tasting procedure, "just" 3 hrs ISN'T enough time for *me*. ;)

Yes, the majority of what I tasted was RELATIVELY approachable, many at least "flirting" with R.S. Yet, there was good-HIGH acidity in virtually everything, & I can't recollect a one I tried being OVERLY ripe/extracted, or jammy. So, BIG *kudos* to the judges for not yielding to the palate fatigue that I've heard sometimes leads to skewed results @ such contests! :)

∑: I **WILL** look forward to attending this event in the future! :)