This annual event to judge wine from grapes grown in Sonoma Co. was last weekend. I made it all three days and tasted about 75 wines. Whew!
My favorites:
Gloria Ferrer 2002 Royal Cuvee sparkling wine, Carneros, $32. Perfectly balanced. One of the best California sparkler I've ever had.
Davis Family 2008 Soul Patch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, $42, and Davis Family 2008 Horseshoe Bend Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, $42. They are a bit different as the Soul Patch is more structured and ageable; the Horseshoe Bend is a bit more fruit-forward, but still well-balanced.
Gracianna 2008 Bacigalupi Vyd Russian River Valley Zinfandel, $42. For me the perfect Zin—complex fruit and spices with the backbone to age.
Wilson 2008 Diane's Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, $60. This is the opposite end of the Zinfandel spectrum from Gracianna. It's fruit-forward, but not too much and finishes without the heat from too much alcohol. I don't usually go for the “fruit juicy” style of Zin, but occasionally I find one that works for me.
Maier 2007 Roy J Maier Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, $60. A great balance between good drinking now plus age-ability.
Watkins Family 2006 Nuns Cliff Vyd Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $38. It can be difficult to call $38 a great deal, but it is for this wine.
Best Bang for the Buck:
Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs Carneros, $20. This is probably the best California bubbles for the buck.
Taft Street 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, $24. Real Pinot characteristics, not just cherries.
Blackstone 2007 Rubric (Bordeaux-style blend) Sonoma County, $23. Deep, complex, with enough tannins to age a bit.
Official results
http://www.harvestfair.org/wine_winners.php
More of my results in my blog (link below)