award winners

---

“One of our viewers called it “peachy keen” and “like a warm summer breeze.” Another said it reminded her of a ride down a honeysuckle-flanked road.

This wine is pale lemon in color, medium-bodied, and ever so slightly off dry. Stainless steel fermentation makes it fresh and bright with pronounced aromas of lemon, freshly cut grass, green apple, peach, apricot, and mango. The flavors are also pronounced yet wonderfully balanced with medium acidity. The finish is subtle but long and pleasing. A great way to start a meal. Fresh and flavorful.

Here are the comments from two of our reviewers:
“A high-quality find. Deep ruby in the glass and medium body. I could tell this could be a favorite Pinot Noir the moment I took my first sip. A sophisticated combination of fruity, spicy, earthy delights. Red berries, spices, and umami. A nice long finish that makes you want to discover more. I love the mysterious label—it signals this wine has a surprising side.”
“Deep ruby and medium body. This is a fine Pinot Noir featuring a combination of fruity and floral flavors. A little richer and more complex than the typical Pinot Noir. Flavors last on the palate to create a long finish. The nose of the wine promises and the taste delivers.“ .

 Here are the comments from two of our reviewers:
“I really like this wine. You can tell it’s high quality right off the bat. Ruby colored in the class. Good viscosity. More of a full-bodied Pinot Noir than is typical, with plum, berry, spicy notes, and pepper. Secondary aromas and taste of oak, which complement the sweetness of the ripe berries and deliver a long finish. Quite a treat. I could spend an enjoyable evening with his full-bodied Pinot Noir.”
“This is a full-bodied Pinot Noir with lots to talk about and enjoy. Medium ruby color with a hint of garnet on the rim. On the nose it is peppery and distinctive with oaky-notes. The taste is of sweet berries and is balanced with a long, pleasant finish. It would pair nicely with a cheese and fruit board. There’s a lot to like about this Pinot Noir.” 

One of the five highest score wines we tasted overall. This is a powerful, full-bodied wine that is an intoxicating deep purple in the glass. Primary aromas of red fruit, blue fruit, pepper, and an herbaceous quality. Secondary aromas of leather and tobacco. Even a hint of tertiary aromas of barnyard and forest floor. We love the complexity and sophistication. Perfectly structured with medium acid and medium tannins. It is a dry wine that is tending ever so slightly to off dry. A full, flavorful, powerful tasting experience with a super-long finish. One of our reviewers: “All I can say is, ‘Wow’!” Outstanding.

This wine drew raves from our six reviewers. Medium ruby color and medium plus body. This is a dry wine that is high in alcohol and has impressive viscosity and mouth feel with medium acidity and low to medium tannins. Primary aromas of red fruit, particularly red cherry and raspberry, as well as green bell pepper, black pepper, and rosemary. Slight secondary aroma of tobacco. The primary aromas carry through to the palate. We love the complexity of this wine and that it “packs a punch” and has a long finish. Very good. 

A wine with inviting aromas and bold, satisfying flavors. In the glass it is medium ruby, leaning slightly toward purple. This is a full-bodied wine with medium plus acid and tannins. Pronounced intensity of aroma and flavor. Red cherry, black currant, blackberry, and herbaceous with green bell pepper. Secondary characteristics of vanilla and chocolate. It is a complex, balanced wine with a long, pleasing finish. A ridiculous value at $23.

This wine is appropriately named. Noumenon is, “a thing as it is in itself, as distinct from a thing as it is knowable by the senses through phenomenal attributes.” This reserve Syrah from Noah Rowles does indeed contain phenomenal attributes. Deep purple in the glass. A rich, full-bodied, well balanced wine with medium plus tannins and acidity. Nose and palate of black cherry, licorice, grilled meat, and black pepper. Super long finish…a warm embrace that lingers. This wine is amazing now and will age wonderfully. Many of our reviewers called it the finest wine they tasted in this project. The 96 points it earned from Wine Enthusiast is the highest scoring wine ever to come from Thompson Vineyard. Outstanding. 

A seductive blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre that one of our reviewers called, “Amazing, from first smell to last sip.” It scored so highly that we had one of our white wine reviewers taste it and she said that even though she doesn’t drink a lot of red wine, this would turn her into a red wine lover. The grapes come from high-altitude, granitic, volcanic soil and deliver black fruit and pepper on the nose and palate. Seamlessly blended to harness the pronounced intensity of flavor and allow it to linger for a long, satisfying finish. One of our highest scoring wines overall.  

As you might have guessed this is a 50/50 blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah. A deep purple and full-bodied wine. Pronounced aromas and taste of blueberry compote and blackberry with a hint of green bell pepper up front and black pepper on the end. A supple, velvety mouth feel with a long finish. This bold, flavorful wine keeps bringing you back to the next sip. Cameron Stoffel has hit a home run with this one. “Just like mama’s blackberry pie…as a glass of wine.”

The inaugural release from Matt Espiro Jaeger is a winner. Scoring far and away higher with our reviewers than any other Cabernet Sauvignon we received, the praise for this wine was effusive. This is a full-bodied, deep ruby wine. Aromas of ripe cherries, red berries, subtle smoked meat, vanilla, and chocolate truffle from a fine chocolatier. The aroma promises a nice experience and the taste doesn’t disappoint. Bold, pronounced intensity of flavor combined with medium acidity and tannins provide a well-balanced structure that makes the wine approachable right now, and carries it through to a long finish. This wine pairs nicely with big, flavorful food and good conversation. A crowd pleaser.

From one of the premier growing regions for Chardonnay. Light lemon color in the glass. Pronounced intensity of aroma and flavors exhibiting green apples, citrus, and mushroom. Oaky smooth with a fantastic finish that won’t quit. Amazing. Our reviewers said they would be proud to share this with friends on a special occasion. 

A cool climate Chardonnay from the Perli Vineyards in Mendocino Ridge AVA. The wine is medium lemon color and is dry and light-bodied. On the nose is green apple and lemons with a hint of brioche from the French oak barrels. The taste confirms the nose. A hint of hazelnut portends good aging potential.