Critics Challenge Int'l Wine Competition

CRITICS CHALLENGE 2006 WINE COMPETITION RESULTS U - Z		By winery: A-E F-J K-P	Q-T U-Z	_

*WINERY*	*AWARD*	*VINTAGE*	*WINE*	*APPELLATION*	SUGG. RETAIL	*CRITICS' COMMENTS:*
V. Sattui Winery
	Critics Award	2004	'Sattui Family Red'	California	$14.75	Tasty berry and spice. -- Jamal Rayyis
	Critics Award	2005	'Sattui Family White'	California		Good fruit with a balanced and clean finish. -- Gerald Boyd
	Critics Award	2005	'Marsagnier'	Sierra Foothills		Floral and balanced, perfect summer wine. -- Michael Apstein
	Critics Gold	2003	Cabernet Sauvignon, Morisoli Vineyard	Napa Valley	$42.00	Excellent balance, good fruit intensity and length in the finish. -- Robert Whitley
	Critics Gold	2003	Merlot, Henry Ranch	Carneros	$27.00	Polished, succulent berries with chewy tannins. -- Jamal Rayyis
	Critics Award	2004	'Gamay Rouge'	Napa Valley
	Critics Gold	2002	'Prestige Cuvee'	Napa Valley	$21.00	A take no prisoners style; powerful and nutty with some aged characteristics. -- Stephen Brook
	Critics Award	2002	'Cuvee Rouge'	California	$21.00	A wine for berry desserts. -- Robert Whitley
	Critics Award	2004	Chardonnay	Carneros	$27.00	Good fruit and well-balanced. -- Ed McCarthy
	Critics Gold	2004	'Sattui Family Chardonnay'	California	$15.75	Ripe fruit with a touch of residual sweetness give this wine a lush mouthfeel. -- Linda Murphy
	Critics Award	2005	Dry Muscat	California	$16.95	Serve well-chilled on a hot summer day; refreshing. -- Linda Murphy
	Critics Gold	2005	Semillon	Sonoma County	$18.75	Classc notes of quince with a bright, fresh grapy flavor and pear notes in the finish. -- Patrick Comiskey
	Critics Award	2005	Off Dry Johannisberg Riesling	California	$17.75	Fruity with tropical notes and good balance. -- Gerald Boyd
	Critics Award	2005	Sauvignon Blanc, Suzanne's VIneyard	Napa Valley	$16.95	Mixed citrus, peach and grass. -- Jamal Rayyis
	Critics Award	2005	Sauvignon Blanc	Napa Valley	$22.00	Well balanced with impressive length. -- Paul Lukacs

Valley Of The Moon Winery
	Critics Gold	2001	'Cuvee de la Luna'	Sonoma County	$30.00	Juicy and bold fruit flavors are tangled with herb and animal notes. -- Jamal Rayyis
	Critics Award	2004	Pinot Blanc	Sonoma County	$16.00	Sweet, soft flavors are set off against crisp acidity and nice mineral notes. -- Michael Franz

Veramonte
	Critics Award	2005	Sauvignon Blanc	Casa Blanca Valley, Chile	$9.99	Bright and lively. -- Paul Lukacs

Viansa Winery
	Critics Gold	2002	'Samuele'	Chalk Hill	$55.00	Firm and well-structured with excellent length. -- Paul Lukacs
	Critics Platinum	2004	Dolcetto 'Athena'	Sonoma Valley	$19.50
	Critics Award	2005	Pinot Grigio 'Vittoria'	Carneros	$19.50	Captures the spirit of the grape--taut, but with a lovely core of sweetness. -- Jordan Mackay

Vietti
	Critics Platinum	2003	Barbera d'Asti 'Tre Vigne'	Barbera D'Asti, Italy	$17.00	Rich and hedonistic but still balanced and pert. Delicious, complex and very well-made. -- Jordan Mackay
	Critics Gold	2000	Barolo 'Castiglione'	Barolo, Italy	$40.00	Wonderfully structured with fine tannins and clean acidity. -- Linda Murphy
	Critics Award	2005	Roero Arneis	Roero Arneis, Italy	$19.00	A hint of anise adds complexity to the finish. -- Robert Whitley

Vigne Di Mezzo
	Critics Gold	2002	Aglianico 'Efesto'	Aglianico Del Vulture, Italy	$37.00	Intense minerality with loads of spice and great depth. -- Robert Whitley

Vina Robles
	Critics Gold	2002	Cabernet Sauvignon	Paso Robles	$19.00	Dark berry and eucalyptus flavors are melted together in a fine wine. -- Jamal Rayyis
	Critics Gold	2003	Petite Sirah, Jardine	Paso Robles	$26.00	Big and bold! A Show Me the Money-style of petite sirah. -- Leslie Sbrocco
	Critics Award	2005	'Roseum Syrah'	Paso Robles	$13.00	Pretty aromas and flavors of red cherries fresh strawberries with fresh balancing acidity. -- Michael Franz

Vionta
	Critics Gold	2004	Albarino	Riax Baixas, Spain	$18.00	Fully mature but still fresh and focused with nice floral and homey notes. -- Michael Franz

Virgin Vines
	Critics Award	2004	Chardonnay	California	$9.99	Pleasing and easy to drink. -- Nick Passmore

Wattle Creek Winery
	Critics Award	2002	Cabernet Sauvignon	Alexander Valley	$40.00	Good fruit with a fine structure. -- Jordan Mackay
	Critics Gold	2003	Syrah 'The Triple Play'	Yorkville Highlands	$28.00	A shy nose but gives way to rich, jammy and seductive flavors of black fruits. -- Patrick Comiskey
	Critics Award	2002	Shiraz	Alexander Valley	$28.00	A rare jammy style with a clean dry finish. -- Stephen Brook
	Critics Award	2004	Chardonnay	Mendocino		An oaky, toasty style that will please lovers of big wine. -- Leslie Sbrocco
	Critics Award	2005	Sauvignon Blanc	Mendocino	$15.00	Nice melon fruit with refreshing balance from acidity. -- Michael Franz
	Critics Gold	2004	Viognier	Alexander Valley	$31.00	Bright acidity carries the honey, nectarine flavors from start to finish. Good with food. -- Linda Murphy

Weisinger's Of Ashland
	Critics Award	2002	'Petite Pompadour', Pompadour Vineyard	Rogue Valley, Oregon	$28.00	Attractively smooth and supple. -- Paul Lukacs

Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards
	Critics Award	2003	Cabernet Sauvignon	Paso Robles	$21.00	Ripe, lush fruit character and smooth tannins. -- Leslie Sbrocco
	Critics Gold	2004	Merlot	Paso Robles	$20.00	Concentrated and fleshy with a tremenous 'yum' factor. -- Robert Whitley
	Critics Award	2004	Pinot Noir	Central Coast	$25.00	Linear and taut right now but has potential to age beautifully. Elegant. -- Leslie Sbrocco

Wildhurst Vineyards
	Critics Gold	2005	Sauvignon Blanc	Lake County	$11.00	A very well-made and classic sauvignon blanc. -- Marguerite Thomas

William Hill Winery
	Critics Award	2001	Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve	Napa Valley	$36.00	A pretty wine with floral and cherry sweetness. -- Jordan Mackay
	Critics Award	2004	Chardonnay	Napa Valley	$20.00	Golden color, sunshine-laden style. Ripe tropical and fleshy. -- Leslie Sbrocco
	Critics Award	2004	Chardonnay Reserve	Napa Valley	$27.00	Caramel, toasty richness but balanced in fresh, vibrant fruit notes. -- Leslie Sbrocco

Williamsburg Winery
	Critics Award	2004	'Susan Constant Red'	American	$8.00	Super ripe, has swagger. -- Stephen Brook
	Critics Gold	2004	Late Harvest Vidal	Virginia	$24.00	Impressive baked pineapple and spice. -- Jamal Rayyis

Winter's Hill Vineyard
	Critics Award	2004	Pinot Noir 'Pommard Clone Cuvee'	Dundee Hills, Oregon	$35.00	A creamy, red cherry scent. -- Patrick Comiskey
	Critics Award	2004	Pinot Noir Reserve	Dundee Hills, Oregon	$45.00	Demonstrative, jammy strawberries with graceful red cherry flavors. -- Patrick Comiskey
	Critics Award	2005	Dry Rose of Pinot Noir	Dundee Hills, Oregon	$17.00	Light, clean, easy and dry. -- Jordan Mackay
	Critics Award	2005	Pinot Gris	Dundee Hills, Oregon	$18.00	Fresh and delicate. -- Marguerite Thomas

Woodhaven
	Critics Award	2004	Chardonnay	California	$7.99	Delicate, oaky aromas. Fresh, juicy and nicely balanced. -- Stephen Brook

Wyndham Estate
	Critics Award	2005	'Bin 777' Semillon Sauvignon Blanc	South Eastern Australia	$8.99	Bright fruit, good texture and a dry finish. -- Gerald Boyd
	Critics Award	2003	Cabernet Sauvignon 'Bin 444'	South Eastern Australia	$8.99	Lean and classic with great concentration. -- Jordan Mackay
	Critics Award	2004	Merlot 'Bin 999'	South Eastern Australia	$8.99	Complex aromas of mocha, red berries and cola. -- Marguerite Thomas
	Critics Award	2005	Chardonnay 'Bin 222'	South Eastern Australia	$8.99	Light, crisp and fruity. A summer sipper. -- Leslie Sbrocco

XYZin
	Critics Award	2004	Zinfandel '10 Year Old Vines'	California	$28.00	Powerful and rich. Nick -- Passmore

Zahtila Vineyards
	Critics Gold	2003	Zinfandel	Dry Creek Valley	$20.00	Built to last. Fairly tannic but tempered with dark berry finish and chocolate notes. -- Leslie Sbrocco

Zeveri
	Critics Award	2004	Muller Thurgau	Trentino Superiore, Italy	$21.00	Floral aromas with a nice rounded palate enlivened by acidity. A good aperitif wine. -- Stephen Brook

CRITICS CHALLENGE 2006 WINE COMPETITION RESULTS U - Z		By winery: A-E F-J K-P	Q-T U-Z	_