The Wine Press • Fourth Edition, 2011

2011 California State Fair

Big fun and big values!

Gold Medal Winners

Director of Adult Beverages

They've Got the Golden TouchGet to know the winners from the California State Fair's wine competiton

Hank Beal

Some winemakers just have the magic touch; whatever they create turns to gold. When

you win one or two Gold Medals in a major wine competition, you might call it luck. When

you win five — and four of them are Double Gold — you’re just good.

Case in point: Jeff Runquist is that good. At the recent 2011 California State Wine Fair,

Jeff won the Golden Winery award, which is given to the winery that has the greatest

number of wines winning the highest number of awards. To even be eligible for this award,

a winery must enter a minimum of 10 wines. I talked to Jeff recently, and he was equally

proud of the awards that the McManis Family winery won, as he is also very involved in the

making of those wines.

Every year, we devote an entire issue of the Wine Press to the Gold Medal winners from

the State Fair. It is one way that new wines are introduced into our stores, and existing wines

get some extra attention. It is always exciting to see which wines win. This year, many of the

winners are wines that we’ve already been carrying for some time, with some new faces

too, like Forefront from Pine Ridge winery, not to mention Cameron Hughes.

One category that just seems to be on fire is the blended red wine category, and we

are featuring several of these, ranging in price from $9.99 to $14.99. We also have a Double

Gold Medal Chardonnay at $3.99 and the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the state at $23.99,

with a broad spectrum in between.

Whatever your palate or your price range, there is something in here for you! And

remember: you always save 10% when you buy six or more 750 ml bottles of wine (or

spirits) — mix and match!

Double Gold Medal

Golden Winery

Best of California

Best of Class: California (State)

Appellations

Originally made for the winery

staff, this is made from the wine left

over after all the other single-varietal

wines are made. It is so good that it

recieved a Double Gold and proves

again what a talented winemaker

Jeff Runquist is. 1448 is the elevation

of the winery. 750 ml. California

Double Gold Medal

Best of Class: North Coast

Appellations

Lake County is famous for

Sauvignon Blanc, and this wine

proves the point. A complex mix of

tropical fruit, including pineapple,

quince and guava. The lively

acidity enhances juicy flavors of

grapefruit and white peaches on

the long finish. A perfect quaffing

wine on a summer day or anytime

you need a little sunshine. 750 ml. Lake Country

Double Gold Medal

Golden Winery

Best of Region: Other California

Appellations

Best of Class: Other California

Appellations

This is a big inky, wine, but it is

creamy and rich, with layers of

black fruits. The tannins are softer

than you would expect because

the fruit is so concentrated. The

use of French oak helps to "polish"

the wine as well. 750 ml. Lodi

Double Gold Medal

Best of Class: South-Central

Coast Appellations

This wine is all about freshness

— the juice is kept totally

void of oxygen exposure. It is

fermented in stainless steel tanks

at cold temperatures to retain

the natural tropical flavors. This

wine is bottled early and sealed

with a screwcap to preserve its

freshness. 750 ml. Santa Barbara County

1499 $1

999 $1

2399 $2

999 $3

2009 Jeff Runquist 1448 Red Blend

2010 Guenoc Sauvignon Blanc

2008 Jeff Runquist Salman Vineyard Petite Sirah

2010 Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc

97

98

98

98

Double Gold Medal

Best of Class: North Coast Appellations

This one offers aromas of honeysuckle blossoms, white stone

fruit, honeydew and lemon. Just slightly sweet, but vibrant,

revealing its balanced combination of bright fruit and zesty

acidity while simultaneously offering a full, luscious mouth-feel.

Even “non-wine drinkers” have been known to fall in love with

the Husch Chenin Blanc. 750 ml.

Mendocino County

2010 Husch Chenin Blanc

$2 899

Gold Medal

This Chardonnay is a blend

of grapes from Lodi, Trinity

and Napa Valley. A rich

and balanced wine, with

characteristics of ripe, delicious

stone fruits and crisp acidity.

100% sustainably grown —

good for the land, good for the

grapes, good for the wine.

750 ml. California

Gold Medal

Best of California

Best of Class: Lodi Appellations

This is a fruit salad in a glass!

The aromas jump with scents of

citrus, apricot and honeysuckle.

Along with its rich body, this

wine also has balanced acidity

and even a little minerality.

750 ml. Lodi

999 $4 799 $5

2009 Lander Jenkins Chardonnay

2010 Loredona Viognier

95 95

Double Gold Medal

Best of California

Best of Class: South-Central Coast Appellations

California's best Pinot Noir, this truly represents the central state!

Sourced from Santa Barbara, San Louis Obispo and Monterey.

Rich aromas of dark cherry, spiced plum and wild raspberry, with

a complex, intense palate around a core of black cherry and

black raspberry. Balanced acidity keeps the fruit appealingly

fresh, with silky tannins. 750 ml.

Central Coast

2009 ForeFront Pinot Noir

$61899

Gold Medal

The Castle Rock folks source

fruit from all over the state and

beyond. This Pinot Noir is a

blend from different vineyards

along the Central Coast, an

excellent area for this varietal. A

medium-bodied, super-versatile

food wine with cherry and plum

flavors, silky texture and mild

tannins. 750 ml. Central Coast

Gold Medal

What is a newsletter without

a Bogle wine or two? They

are so good and consistent

across a wide range of varietals.

Fruit for this garnet-colored

Pinot Noir comes from the

cool confines of the Russian

River Valley, the coastal hills

of Monterey and the unique

Clarksburg delta. Varietally

correct and food friendly —

an amazing value! 750 ml. California

999 $4 999 $3

2009 Castle Rock Pinot Noir

2009 Bogle Pinot Noir

95 94

9898

Gold Medal

Big, bold aromas of spice and mocha — similar to the OZV

Zin — but this one has a little more alcohol and oak. Brazin is

a not a wine to be rushed — don’t be afraid to savor its long,

lingering finish. Serve with saucy ribs, a juicy pepper steak,

pasta with spicy red sauce, or pizza with the works! 750 ml.

Lodi

2008 Brazin Zinfandel

$51399

94

Gold Medal

From Lodi’s oldest operating winery. Produced from 50- to

100-year-old vines, this is not a crazy-high-alcohol Zin. It is

robust, with jammy fruit, raspberry, milk chocolate and mocha

flavors. An excellent barbecue wine. 750 ml.

Lodi

2008 OZV Zinfandel

$3999

95 Double Gold Medal

Best of Class: Napa Appellations

Napa Cellars is on a roll! Last year it was their Zinfandel, and

now they won Gold on their Cabernet and Double Gold on

this Merlot. Aromas of dried cherry, brambly fruit, dark tobacco

and earth lead to a very well-balanced palate. Firm acidity

supports fruit on the mid-palate, with notes of dried herbs,

cherry and currant. 750 ml.

Napa Valley

Double Gold Medal

Best of Class: California (State) Appellations

Think bright, bold aromas of blackberry and boysenberry,

followed by more black and blue fruit flavors in the mouth.

Complexity is added with the use of new and used American

and French oak for aging. This wine is solid for the price! 750 ml.

California

2008 Napa Cellars Merlot

2009 McManis Merlot

$51399

$2999

98

98

Gold Medal

"Field Blend" means the grape varieties are grown together in

the vineyard, as opposed to grown separately and blended

after harvest. Combines Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and

Carignane to form a wonderfully smoky nose interwoven

with blueberry, raspberry and kirsch. The palate is deeply

concentrated with silky tannins and a rich, juicy finish. 750 ml.

California

Gold Medal

A brand-new offering from BV! (It seems every winery is now

getting into the blended red wine craze.) This is meant for the

more entry-level red wine drinker who enjoys a softer wine with

just a touch of sweetness. Predominantly Zinfandel and Merlot,

with a little Barbera and Petite Sirah. 750 ml.

California

2009 Cameron Hughes Lot 244 Field Blend

2009 BV Coastal Red Blend

$41099

$3799

95

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Double Gold Medal

Best of Class: California (State)

Appellations

Tinto Rey means "Red King".

Tempranillo is the king of

Spanish reds and is a prominent

component: 40% Tempranillo,

35% Syrah, 17% Cabernet

Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah and

3% Graciano. Nice fruit flavors,

followed by a supple mid-palate

and a long, spicy finish. Available

in 1.5L at some stores. 750 ml. California

Gold Medal

A kitchen sink blend of six

different varietals: Petite Sirah,

Malbec, Alicante Bouchet,

Syrah, Zinfandel and Barbera.

Put all this together, and it adds

up to a wine that excites your

palate at the beginning and

provides a smooth and longer-

than-expected finish. 750 ml. California

Gold Medal

Best of Region: North-Central Coast

Appellations

Best of Class (Tie): North-Central

Coast Appellations

This is one of the many blended red

wines in this issue. This Grenache,

Syrah and Mourvedre blend is

very typical of the Southern Rhone

Region of France. Grenache brings

berry and spice notes to the mix,

while Syrah provides color and

tannins, and Mourvedre adds

acidity and structure. 750 ml. Central Coast

Gold Medal

Best of Class: Lodi Appellations

This is a blend used quite often

in Australia. Dark intense fruit

from the Shiraz and depth and

structure from the Cabernet

Sauvignon. This full-bodied

yet very approachable

blend is loaded with flavors of

blackberries, cherries, currants

and plums, with a lengthy finish

and just a hint of oak. 750 ml. Lodi

1499 $3

899 $5

1199 $1

1099 $4

2007 Matchbook Tinto Rey Blend

2008 Hey Mambo Red

2010 Hahn GSM

2008 Van Ruiten Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz

98

95

95

95

Double Gold Medal

Best of California

Best of Class: Sierra Foothills Appellations

This wine scores again, and we love it! These guys make some

interesting and unique varietals. Touriga is a very important red

grape in the making of Port and also does well on its own as a

varietal. Very dark fruits, with many layers of complexity. 750 ml.

Amador County

2009 St. Amant Touriga

$31499

Double Gold Medal

Best of California

Best of Class: Lodi Appellations

Best Petite Sirah in the state! A

dark, inky purple — classically

Petite Sirah — with aromas

of fresh blackberries, toasted

walnuts and a toffee-like edge.

It is incredibly aromatic and

bright, like smelling a fresh

rose. Velvety, mouth-filling

tannins lead to a faintly sweet,

strawberry finish. 750 ml. Clarksburg

Gold Medal

Best of Class: Greater Bay

Appellations

Though Mourvedre is usually a

blending grape, this one stands

on its own. It offers a hint of

eucalyptus on the nose, distinct

chocolate characteristics and

a luscious deep plum flavor.

This scrumptious and unusually

delightful wine has a substantial

mouth-feel followed by soft

tannins. 750 ml. Contra Costa County

1099 $4 1399 $2

2009 The Crusher Petite Sirah 2010 Cline Mourvedre

98 95

96 Double Gold Medal

Best of California

Best of Class (Tie): Napa Appellations

Rated the "Best Cabernet Sauvignon" at the fair, and it is hard to argue

against that! From a great year, with intense aromas of ripe cherry,

cedar and pipe tobacco. Concentrated flavors of ripe plums and

dark bing cherries marry perfectly with the oak nuances, imparting

notes of brown spice and vanilla. Truly an elegant wine. 750 ml.

Napa Valley

2007 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon

$62399

Gold Medal

Best of Class: California (State)

Appellations

This is a Cabernet that is ready

now. It has good structure and

nice cherry and plum fruit. This

well-balanced red wine can be

enjoyed with a variety of meat

dishes, rich sauces or aged

cheeses. 750 ml. California

Gold Medal

Sourced from premium vineyards:

62% Red Hills (Lake County), 30%

Knights Valley (Sonoma County),

8% Napa Valley. A hearty wine,

with rich aromas of cassis, plum,

fig and black cherry. Flavors of

roasted black fruits, espresso,

licorice and toffee. 750 ml. North Coast

999 $3 1199 $3

2009 Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Cartlidge & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon

95 94

98

All prices subject to availablity, while supplies last.

The prices in this publication are effective from July 11, 2011, to August 31, 2011, while supplies last. Subject to availability. Not all items are available at all stores. We reserve the right to correct all printed or typographical errors. No rain checks.

Get a 10% discount on your wine purchase when you buy 6 or more 750 ml. bottles of wine or spirits, mix or match.

More State Fair Winners: Big Values & Big Fun!

Save 10% on your next wine purchase from Nugget!

2009 Doña Sol Chardonnay 399 $298 Double Gold Medal. 750 ml. California.

952009 Sutter Home Pinot Grigio 499 $140

Gold Medal. Best of California. Best of Class (Tie): California (State)

Appellations. 750 ml. Lodi.

2008 Coastal Ridge Shiraz 499 $294

Gold Medal. Best of Class California (State) Appellations. 750 ml. California.

2009 Cycles Gladiator Merlot 699 $4Double Gold Medal. 750 ml. California.98

2009 Cypress Cabernet Sauvignon 799 $495 Gold Medal. Best of Class: North-Central Coast Appellations. 750 ml. Central

Coast.

2010 Cypress Sauvignon Blanc 799 $494 Gold Medal. Best of Region: North-Central Coast Appellations. Best of Class

(Tie): North-Central Coast Appellations. 750 ml. Central Coast.

952009 Fat Cat Pinot Grigio 799 $2Gold Medal. Best of Region: California (State) Appellations. Best of Class

(Tie): California (State) Appellations. 750 ml. California.