California
Reds Blind Tasting
Here
are the results of a recent tasting of ten California Red wines.
Our panel of expert and devoted judges worked hard to extract
the scents and flavors out of these mysterious bottles of the
delicate grape varietal.
First
Place |
Second Place |
Third
Place |
Wines
listed in order of placement:
1.
Winston Hill (Frank Family) – 1999 Cabernet
Sauvignon –Rutherford– Napa – $100
2. L’Aventure – 2000 Estate Cuvée
– Paso Robles – $75
3.
Geyser Peak – 1999 Block Collection –
Yountville – Napa – $36
4. Darioush – 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon
– Napa – $68
5. Cliff Lede – 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
– Stag’s Leap – Napa – $50
6. Gargiulo – 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon
– Oakville – Napa – $45
7. Ravenswood – 2001 Zinfandel –
Old Vine – Lodi – $17
8. Brassfield – 2001 Zinfandel –
High Valley/Clear Lake – $18
9. Trilogy Flora Springs – 2001 Meritage
– Napa – $60
10. Affinity Robert Craig – 2001 Meritage–
Napa – $40 Notes:
We put together a batch of varied complex wines per their
terroir or winemaking techniques. The common thread was California
with an emphasis on Napa and a couple of esoteric entries
for good measure. Indeed the most expensive wine, Frank Family
Winston Hill, took first place, but a moderately low production
(470 cases) wine, Geyser Peak Block Collection, took third
place. It is very interesting how two less expensive Zinfandels
fit right in, with a newcomer from a future AVA of Lake County:
Brassfield Estate Vineyard. With these robust wines there
was a trend that older was better. While most wines were classic
in their composition, the L’Aventure Estates Cuvée
generated the most comments and enthusiasm, with 50% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 30% Petit Verdot and 20% Syrah. (Date tasted 06/19/04)
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