Critics Challenge Int'l Wine Competition

CRITICS CHALLENGE 2006 WINE COMPETITION RESULTS Q - T		By winery: A-E F-J K-P	Q-T U-Z	_
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*WINERY*	*AWARD*	*VINTAGE*	*WINE*	*APPELLATION*	SUGG. RETAIL	*CRITICS' COMMENTS:*
Q Collection
	Critics Award	2004	Pinot Noir	Carneros	$27.99	Raspberry aromas. Suave and concentrated with robust fruit. -- Stephen Brook

Quady's
	Critics Award	2005	Black Muscat 'Elysium'	California	$18.00	Zesty, sweet, floral and bright, this is a sweetie to pour over fresh fruit and ice cream. -- Leslie Sbrocco
	Critics Award	2005	'Essensia'	California	$18.00	Exotic and tropical and very long in the mouth. -- Robert Whitley

Quail Creek
	Critics Award	2002	Cabernet Sauvignon	North Coast	$9.99	Beautifully balanced and easy to drink now. -- Linda Murphy
	Critics Gold	2003	Syrah	North Coast	$9.99	Has great structure and staying power. -- Linda Murphy

Quail Ridge Cellars
	Critics Gold	2003	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa Valley	$19.99	Warm, ripe black fruit meets muscular tannins in a balanced wine. -- Linda Murphy
	Critics Gold	2003	Merlot	Napa Valley	$17.99	Lean--and better for it. This wine has plenty of red fruit but doesn't overwelm. -- Jamal Rayyis

Quara
	Critics Award	2004	Tannat	Cafayate Valley, Argentina	$8.99	Dense black fruit with firm tannins. -- Jamal Rayyis
	Critics Award	2004	Torrontes	Cafayate Valley, Argentina	$8.99	Pretty, bright and floral--assertive flavors of spiced grape and lichee. -- Patrick Comiskey

Quinta Da Pedra Alta
	Critics Award	2003	Touriga Nacional	Douro, Portugal		A deep, dark serious wine. -- Paul Lukacs

Raffaldini Vineyards
	Critics Award	2005	Vermentino	Yadkim Valley, NC	$13.00	Minerality adds an interesting complexity. -- Robert Whitley

Rancho Zabaco Winery
	Critics Platinum	2004	Zinfandel	Russian River Valley	$28.00
	Critics Gold	2004	Zinfandel, Stefani Vineyard	Dry Creek Valley	$28.00	A richer, ripe style but not over-ripe. Try this with ribs in barbecue sauce or chocolate cake. -- Leslie Sbrocco
	Critics Award	2004	Sauvignon Blanc Reserve	Russian River Valley	$18.00	Medium grassiness with good fruit with a light finish. -- Gerald Boyd

Ravenswood
	Critics Award	2003	Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Blend	California	$11.99	A good balance of fruit and acidity. -- Ed McCarthy
	Critics Award	2004	Shiraz	South Eastern Australia	$10.99	A well-balanced good food wine. -- Ed McCarthy
	Critics Gold	2003	Zinfandel	Lodi	$14.99	Complex flavors of black olives and ripe berries. -- Marguerite Thomas

Raymond Burr Vineyards
	Critics Award	2002	Cabernet Franc	Dry Creek Valley	$38.00	White pepper and spicy oak scents. -- Patrick Comiskey

Raymond Vineyard & Cellar, Inc.
	Critics Award	2003	Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve	Napa Valley	$35.00	Good structure and fruit. -- Gerald Boyd
	Critics Gold	2002	Cabernet Sauvignon 'Generations'	Napa Valley	$75.00	Graceful fruit integration. -- Marguerite Thomas
	Critics Award	2003	Merlot Reserve	Napa Valley	$20.00	Aromas of black cherries with good length. -- Gerald Boyd
	Critics Award	2003	Merlot 'R Collection'	California	$14.00	Crisp acidity with good fruit. -- Gerald Boyd

RDLR
	Critics Award	2002	Syrah	Mendocino County	$18.00	Supple scents of savory spice with clean, fresh flavors. -- Patrick Comiskey

Red Bicyclette
	Critics Award	2004	Syrah	France	$10.99	Sweet and bright aromas of cherry and eucalyptus. Balanced with plenty of stuffing. -- Patrick Comiskey
	Critics Award	2004	Chardonnay	France	$10.99	Round and rich with a nice citrus finish. -- Nick Passmore

Red Flyer
	Critics Gold	2003	'Red Flyer'	California	$8.99	Intense color with aromas of cherries. Sweet and generous. -- Patrick Comiskey

Red Lava Vineyards
	Critics Award	2003	Syrah, Red Hills	Lake County	$36.00	Rye grain scents concentrated and intense in a heady blackberry fruit component. -- Patrick Comiskey

Redwood Creek
	Critics Award	2004	Merlot	California	$7.99	Oblivious tannins balanced by sweet fruit. -- Marguerite Thomas
	Critics Gold	2005	Pinot Noir	California	$7.99	An alluring combination of pure fruit flavors mixed with attractive earthy elements. -- Michael Apstein
	Critics Award	2005	Pinot Grigio	California	$7.99	Sharp and toned with lovely intensity. -- Jordan Mackay

Renato Ratti
	Critics Award	2004	Barbera d'Alba 'Torriglione'	Barbera D'Alba DOC, Italy	$16.99	Good salami wine. Tight and sharp and light. -- Jordan Mackay
	Critics Platinum	2001	Barolo 'Marcenasco Rocche'	Barolo DOCG, Italy	$46.99	This is a great wine! Multi-faceted and palate cleansing. -- Linda Murphy

Rideau Vineyard
	Critics Gold	2004	'Siempre Carens Cuvee'	California	$35.00	A wild wine with plums and oak and chocolate. Very ripe but lively. -- Stephen Brook
	Critics Award	2004	Petite Sirah 'Iris In-Circle Cellar Club'	California	$40.00	An appealing, earthy fruitiness. -- Nick Passmore
	Critics Award	2004	Syrah Estate 'Iris In-Circle Cellar Club'	Santa Ynez Valley	$58.00	Scents of licorice and coffee, jammy and sweet on the palate with a sweet finish. -- Patrick Comiskey
	Critics Gold	2004	Chardonnay Reserve	Santa Barbara County		Spicy, waxy aromas. Rich, full and concentrated. This has personality and structure. Try it with lobster. -- Stephen Brook
	Critics Award	2005	Viognier Estate 'Iris In-Circle Cellar Club'	Santa Ynez Valley	$47.00	Fat and sassy--very ripe pear and tropical fruit on vanilla ice cream. -- Linda Murphy

Ridgeline Vineyards
	Critics Award	2002	Cabernet Sauvignon	Alexander Valley	$40.00	Ripe choco-berry with good structure. -- Gerald Boyd

Riverstar Vineyards
	Critics Award	2003	Merlot	Paso Robles	$20.00	Burnt toast and berries; good for those who like lots of toasty oak. -- Gerald Boyd

Robert Green Cellars
	Critics Award	2003	Zinfandel	Napa Valley	$18.00	A powerhouse blend of fruit, oak and alcohol. -- Marguerite Thomas

Robert Hall Winery
	Critics Award	2003	Vintage Port	Paso Robles	$28.00	Round, lush and hedonistic. -- Jordan Mackay
	Critics Award	2004	Merlot	Paso Robles	$18.00	Big and powerful with slightly chewy tannnins. -- Robert Whitley
	Critics Award	2003	Syrah Reserve, Hall Ranch	Paso Robles	$34.00	Love the licorice character. -- Linda Murphy
	Critics Award	2004	Syrah	Paso Robles	$18.00	Exotic black fruit and tannins that need some time to soften. -- Linda Murphy
	Critics Gold	2005	Viognier	Paso Robles	$18.00	A live wire of a wine--crisp and fresh with brisk acidity. -- Linda Murphy

Robledo Family Winery
	Critics Gold	2003	Pinot Noir, Rancho Rincon	Los Carneros	$25.00	Spicy and balanced with red fruit character and a hint of minerality. -- Robert Whitley

Rodney Strong Vineyards
	Critics Gold	2003	Cabernet Sauvignon	Sonoma County	$19.00	Tightly knit with a wave of dark berry, mineral and fine pepper. -- Jamal Rayyis
	Critics Platinum	2001	Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve	Sonoma County	$40.00	Polished. Tight, velvety black fruit and spice. -- Jamal Rayyis
	Critics Gold	2002	Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander's Crown Vineyard	Alexander Valley	$30.00	Chocolate minty, peppery with lots of berry. -- Jamal Rayyis
	Critics Gold	2002	Cabernet Sauvignon, Alden Vineyards	Alexander Valley	$30.00	Black cherry and lanolin. Oily herb and spice. -- Jamal Rayyis
	Critics Award	2004	Pinot Noir, Estate Vineyards	Russian River Valley	$20.00	Dried cherry flavors with good length. -- Paul Lukacs

Rosenblum Cellars
	Critics Award	2004	Petite Sirah 'Pickett Road'	Napa Valley	$28.00	A bacony, smoky style that makes grilled lamb sing. -- Leslie Sbrocco
	Critics Award	2003	Syrah, Hillside Vineyards	Sonoma County	$28.00	Warm and earthy with a spicy kick. -- Linda Murphy
	Critics Award	2004	Roussanne, Fess Parker Vineyard	Santa Barbara County	$19.00	A lush, sumptuous wine. -- Paul Lukacs
	Critics Award	2005	Viognier 'Kathy's Cuvee'	California	$16.00	An FTD delivery in a bottle--floral and fresh. -- Linda Murphy

Row Eleven Wine Company
	Critics Award	2004	Pinot Noir 'Vinas 3'	California	$18.00	Round and easy. -- Nick Passmore

Rubeus Of Love
	Critics Gold	2004	Pinot Noir	Oregon	$17.99	Very clean and complex strawberry scents. Plum flavors with nice earthy tannins. -- Patrick Comiskey

S.A. Prum
	Critics Gold	2003	Spatlese Riesling 'Graacher Himmelreich'	Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany	$25.00	Sweet and tart with a touch of petrol. -- Gerald Boyd

San Saba
	Critics Award	2004	Merlot	Monterey	$23.00	Ripe and powerful with a core of sweet fruit--a crowd pleaser! Robert -- Whitley

San Simeon
	Critics Award	2002	Cabernet Sauvignon	Paso Robles	$20.00	Nice forward fruit with balanced tannins. -- Gerald Boyd
	Critics Gold	2002	Syrah	Paso Robles	$25.00	Intense, concentrated dark-berry fruit notes complement smooth tannins and balanced alcohol. -- Leslie Sbrocco

Schug Carneros Estate
	Critics Award	2003	Merlot	Sonoma Valley	$22.00	A judicious and delicious blend of fruit. -- Marguerite Thomas

Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery
	Critics Gold	2003	Cabernet Sauvignon	Sonoma County	$17.00	Full-bodied with supple tannins. A smooth and classically-styled California cabernet. -- Leslie Sbrocco
	Critics Award	2002	Merlot	Sonoma County	$17.00	Good weight and flesh on the palate, showing plum and red currant fruit. -- Robert Whitley
	Critics Award	2004	Zinfandel	Sonoma County	$15.00	A smooth, modern style with polished tannins and ripe fruit notes. -- Leslie Sbrocco

Segura Viudas
	Critics Award	2001	Tempranillo Reserva 'Mas d'Aranyo'	Penedes, Spain	$15.00	Herbal, strawberry side of the scale make for a bright, food-friendly wine. -- Leslie Sbrocco

Sequoia Grove Vineyards
	Critics Platinum	2002	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa Valley	$32.00	Ripe and expressive with deep flavors of dark berries structured with fine tannin. -- Michael Franz

Sherwood House Vineyards
	Critics Award	2001	Merlot	North Fork Of Long Island	$24.00	Full fruit with notes of coffee; good length. -- Gerald Boyd

Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery
	Critics Gold	2004	'Fleur des Montagne'	El Dorado	$21.00	A really straightforward grenache with firm acids and intense brightness. -- Patrick Comiskey

Silver Mountain Vineyards
	Critics Award	2002	'Alloy'	Central Coast	$28.00	Ripe but structured fruit with berry notes and fine-grained tannins. -- Robert Whitley
	Critics Award	2003	Pinot Noir, Tondre Vineyard	Santa Lucia Highlands	$36.00	A mineral note cuts beautifully through the ripe fruit. -- Robert Whitley
	Critics Award	2003	Pinot Noir, Miller Hill Vineyard	Santa Cruz Mountains	$36.00	Soft, pure cherry fruit with subtle wood accents. -- Michael Franz

Silverstone
	Critics Award	2003	Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido / Latchford Vineyards	San. Barbara/ San Luis Ob Ctys	$28.00	Velvety texture--very enjoyable. -- Paul Lukacs
	Critics Award	2003	Syrah	Paso Robles	$35.00	A touch of smokiness, dark berry fruit and smoothness combine for a delicious cocktail red. -- Leslie Sbrocco
	Critics Award	2003	Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard	Santa Maria Valley	$25.00	Lemony crispness with a clean finish. -- Jordan Mackay

Simi Winery
	Critics Gold	2003	Cabernet Sauvignon	Alexander Valley	$25.99	Very deep black cherry flavors. Patrick -- Comiskey
	Critics Award	2004	Chardonnay	Sonoma County	$16.99	A crowd-pleaser to pour at your next party. -- Linda Murphy
	Critics Gold	2004	Sauvignon Blanc	Sonoma County	$14.99	Very pretty with good structure but a soft, almost sexy feel. -- Paul Lukacs

Simonsig
	Critics Gold	2005	Chenin Blanc	Stellenbosch, South Africa	$9.99	An alluring fruitiness without sweetness. Try it with Asian food. -- Michael Apstein

Smith & Hook Vineyards
	Critics Gold	2003	Cabernet Sauvignon	Santa Lucia Highlands	$25.00	Smoky aroma with rich black olives and concentrated tannins that sneak up on you. -- Stephen Brook

Smith-Madrone Vineyards
	Critics Gold	2002	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa Valley	$42.00	A wine that needs age but shows excellent potential. -- Paul Lukacs
	Critics Award	2005	Riesling	Napa Valley	$22.00	A fresh lime nose and rich and powerful on the palate. -- Robert Whitley

St. Claire
	Critics Gold	2004	'Refosco'	New Mexico	$28.00	A well-balanced, medium-bodied food wine. -- Ed McCarthy

St. Francis Vineyards & Winery
	Critics Award	2002	'Red'	Sonoma County	$12.00	Red fruit and carroway and rubbed by coconut. -- Jamal Rayyis
	Critics Award	2003	Syrah	Sonoma County	$19.00	This wine has all that you'd want in a syrah. -- Linda Murphy

St. James Winery
	Critics Award	NV	'Nouveau'	Missouri	$9.99	Crushed blackberries; sweet and sappy. -- Patrick Comiskey
	Critics Gold	NV	'Country White'	Missouri	$6.99	Perfectly balanced in sweetness and fresh acidity. -- Linda Murphy
	Critics Award	NV