Award-winning Wines

We do not put too much stock in either ratings or awards, because we know quite intimately the limitations of that approach, and we would prefer that, over time and with experience, you gain confidence in our ability to select wines of character and describe them honestly. But it is also hard to resist sharing the information when someone else raves about a wine that we love. So here are some examples of the recognition won by the wines and wineries we represent. For a more complete look at our philosophy on wine evaluation and awards, see our blog entry on the subject.

Assennato

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Borgo di Colloredo

  • 2003 Biferno Rosato DOC 'Gironia'
  • "third best Italian Rosato of 2003"
  • ~ renowned Italian critic Luca Maroni
  • "Due bicchieri"
  • ~ Gambero Rosso
  • 2004 Biferno Bianco DOC 'Gironia' - Sold Out
  • Silver Medal winner
  • ~ 2005 Long Beach Grand Cru.
  • 2003 Molise Rosso Doc
  • Gold Medal and Best of Class
  • ~ Los Angeles County Fair WIne of the World Competition - May 2006
  • View Wine Award
  • "...here's a secret. Enrico di Giulio makes absolutely killer Montepulciano in Italy's Molie province. His 2003 Molise Rosso, from vineyards within spitting distance from the Adriatic, is lively and fresh. I've made it my go-to wine for summer barbecues." Wolfgang Weber - Critic's Picks
  • ~ Wine and Spirits Magazine, June 2007
  • 2003 Aglianico IGT 'Terre degli Osci'
  • Gold Medal
  • ~ Los Angeles County Fair WIne of the World Competition - May 2006
  • 2005 Falanghina del Molise DOC
  • Chairman's Award (Unanimous Gold)
  • ~ Riverside International WIne Competition, 2007
  • "Simply the best white wine from the region [Molise]"
  • ~ Gambero Rosso Guida - 2007
  • 2001 Biferno Rosso DOC 'Gironia'
  • DOUBLE-GOLD Medal
  • ~ San Francisco Intl. Wine Competition, June 2007
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Cascina Adelaide

  • 2001 Barolo DOCG 'Riserva per Elen'
  • 94 Points. "Displays attractive aromas of porcini and ripe fruit. Full-bodied, with velvety yet chewy tannins. Long and very rich. Needs a little more time to come around, but this is very generous. From a selection of the best Nebbiolo grapes on this estate. Best after 2010."
  • ~ Wine Spectator, October 2007
  • 2003 Barolo DOCG Cannubi
  • 90 Points. "Displays aromas of blueberry and vanilla, with a hint of sandalwood. Full and soft, with lovely fruit and fine tannins. Needs to come together in the bottle. Concentrated. Best after 2010."
  • ~ Wine Spectator, October 2007
  • 2003 Barolo DOCG Preda
  • 91 Points. "Aromas of plum and blackberry, with hints of truffle, lead to a full-bodied palate. Shows sweet strawberry flavors and hints of vanilla, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Best after 2010."
  • ~ Wine Spectator, October 2007
  • 2000 Dolcetto d'Alba DOC
  • "The best Dolcetto I have ever tasted."
  • ~ Dan Berger
  • 86 Points. "Highly Recommended"
  • ~ Beverage Testing Institute, Tastings.com
  • 2000 Barolo DOCG 'Riserva per Elen'
  • Due bicchieri rossi (finalist for tre bicchieri)
  • ~ Gambero Rosso - 2007 Italian Wine Guide
  • "Aromas of very ripe fruit, with lots of oak and dried flowers. FUll-bodied, round, and velvety, with a long, long finish. Maybe just a tad too much new wood, but an opulent wine nonetheless. " 90 pts
  • ~ WIne Spectator
  • 2001 Dolcetto d'Alba DOC - Sold Out
  • "Two stars."
  • ~ Veronelli
  • 2001 Barbera d'Alba DOC - Sold Out
  • Gold Medal
  • ~ L.A. County Fair Wine Competition, 2004
  • 2001 Langhe Rosso DOC 'Jula'
  • "Due bicchieri"
  • ~ Gambero Rosso 2004
  • 1999 Barolo DOCG - Sold Out
  • "Classic Barolo aromas. Juicy and structured. Pure expression with judicious oak matching, balanced acid, well-extracted tannins and long. Drink 2-8 years. 4 stars ('highly recommended')"
  • ~ Decanter Magazine
  • 1999 Barolo DOCG Cannubi
  • "Five stars"
  • ~ Decanter Magazine
  • "Due Bicchieri"
  • ~ Gambero Rosso
  • "Chairmans Award" (unanimous gold)
  • ~ Riverside International Wine Competition 2004
  • 2002 Barbera d'Alba DOC
  • "WINE OF THE WEEK: 2002 Cascina Adelaide Barbera d'Alba, Piemonte: Classy aroma of dried herbs and fresh and dried cherries. Firm tannins, but silky texture with explosive, juicy fruit. A terrific wine for now or aging a few years."
  • ~ Dan Berger, October, 2005
  • 2002 Langhe Nebbiolo DOC - Sold Out
  • "Magnificently drinkable - Due bicchieri"
  • ~ Gambero Rosso 2005
  • Gold Medal and Best of Class, Chairman's Award
  • ~ Riverside International Wine Competition, May 2005
  • Bronze Medal Award
  • ~ L.A. County Fair, Limited Production Wine Competition 2006
  • 2000 Barolo DOCG
  • Gold Medal
  • ~ Long Beach Grand Cru International Wine Competition, July 2005
  • 2000 Barolo DOCG Cannubi
  • "Due bicchieri rossi" (2 red glasses - in the final for 3 glasses)
  • ~ Gambero Rosso
  • "Three stars" (highest rating) "90 points"
  • ~ Veronelli
  • "Gold Medal" and "Best of Class"
  • ~ L.A. County Fair Wine Competition - 2005
  • Golden Glass
  • ~ Slow Food Italy – Gambero Rosso
  • 2000 Barolo DOCG Preda - Sold Out
  • "Gold Medal" and "Best of Class"
  • ~ L.A. County Fair Wine Competition 2004
  • "Due Bicchieri"
  • ~ Gambero Rosso
  • "One of the best wines of the year - 3 stars - 91 points"
  • ~ Veronelli
  • 2003 Dolcetto d'Alba DOC - Sold Out
  • "Gold Medal" and "Best of Class"
  • ~ L.A. County Fair Wine Competition - 2005
  • 2001 Barolo DOCG Preda
  • 90 points - "Wonderful aromas of strawberry, light oak, and milk chocolate. Full-bodied, with lots of ripe fruit and round tannins. Long, with a slightly smoky aftertaste. Best after 2007.
  • ~ Wine Spectator
  • DOUBLE-GOLD Medal
  • ~ San Francisco Intl. Wine Competition, June 2007
  • Silver Medal Award
  • ~ L.A. County Fair, Limited Production Wine Competition 2006
  • 2004 Barbera d'Alba DOC 'Le Mie Donne'
  • "A Barbera that never went into oak barrels, it has a stunning blueberry and pomegranate aroma, and a tart, yet silky texture. From Sergio Molino, one of Italy's greatest young winemakers." "Exceptional"
  • ~ Dan Berger, Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences
  • 2003 Barbera d'Alba DOC Superiore 'Amabilin' - Sold Out
  • 90 points - "Lots of chocolate, blackberry, and vanilla. Full-bodied, and very rich, with loads of fruit on the finish. Drink now."
  • ~ Wine Spectator
  • 2004 Langhe Nebbiolo DOC
  • Bronze Medal Award
  • ~ San Francisco International Wine Competition, 2007
  • 2001 Barolo DOCG
  • Due Bicchieri
  • ~ Gambero Rosso Guida
  • Silver Medal Award
  • ~ L.A. County Fair, Limited Production Wine Competition 2006
  • 2001 Barolo DOCG Cannubi
  • Due Bicchieri
  • ~ Gambero Rosso Guida
  • Silver Medal Award
  • ~ L.A. County Fair, Limited Production Wine Competition 2006
  • 2004 Barbera d'Alba DOC Superiore 'Vigna Preda' - Sold Out
  • Bronze Medal Award
  • ~ San Francisco International Wine Competition, 2007
  • 2004 Barbera d'Alba DOC Superiore 'Amabilin'
  • 2 Bicchieri Rossi (finalist for 3 bicchieri)
  • ~ Gambero Rosso - 2007 Italian Wine Guide
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Cornarea

  • 2001 Tarasco
  • Silver Medal
  • ~ Los Angeles County Fair: Limted Production Wine Competion 2006
  • Golden Glass Award
  • ~ Slow Food Italy – Gambero Rosso
  • 1999 Tarasco - Sold Out
  • "This dessert-style arneis is a textural pleasure, silky flavors of pear, with velvet rich honey and dried fruits in the finish. It has a slight passito character, best with savory almond cookies or hazelnut biscotti." 90 pts
  • ~ Wine and Spirits Magazine, Dec. '04
  • 2004 Roero Arneis DOC - Sold Out
  • "This arneis is as rich in texture as a New World chardonnay, with zestier spice...lush flavors of pineapple and lemon curd...deeply flavorful.. - 90 pts.
  • ~ Wine and Spirits Magazine, Dec. 2004
  • "Due bicchieri"
  • ~ Gambero Rosso
  • 2006 Roero Arneis DOCG
  • Bronze Medal Award
  • ~ San Francisco International Wine Competition, 2007
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La Badia

  • 2005 Moscato d'Asti DOCG 'Badis'
  • Chairman's Award (Unanimous Gold)
  • ~ Riverside International Wine Competition, 2007
  • Gold Medal
  • ~ Los Angeles International WIne and Spirits Competition 2007
  • Silver Medal Award
  • ~ San Francisco International Wine Competition, 2007
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La Tordera

  • Prosecco Superiore di Cartizze
  • A creamy, voluptuous sparkler, this delivers sweet, peach fragrances with background notes of chopped basil, mango, and kiwi. Pair it with smoked salmon canapes. - 88 points
  • ~ Wine Enthusiast - Dec. 2007
  • Prosecco Extra Dry 'Alne'
  • Double Gold, Sweepstakes winner: Best Sparkling WIne of the Competition
  • ~ Los Angeles County Fair WIne of the World Competition - May 2006
  • Medaglia di Bronzo (Bronze Medal)
  • ~ VInitaly 2006, XIV Concorso Enologico Internazione
  • View Wine Award
  • Best of Class, Gold Medal
  • ~ L.A. County Wines of the World Competition
  • Bronze Medal Award
  • ~ San Francisco International Wine Competition, 2007
  • Prosecco di Valdobbiadene DOC 'Brut'
  • Silver Medal
  • ~ L.A. County Fair, Limited Production Wine Competition 2006
  • 89 Points - This Brut is noticeably sweet with deep floral tones, backed by fragrant beeswax, honey, and peach. It has a fatter, thicker feel in the mouth with very good intensity of flavors and a lively, refreshing finish.
  • ~ Wine Enthusiast - Dec. 2007
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Savignola Paolina

  • 2003 Chianti Classico Riserva
  • Gorgeous aromas of crushed blackberry and cherry follow through to a full-bodied palate, with a solid core of fruit and a long, long finish. Best after 2007 92 points
  • ~ Wine Spectator
  • 2004 Chianti Classico
  • An enticing nose, with crushed black fruit and hints of flowers, chocolate, and mineral. Medium to full-bodied, with lots of chocolate-tinged fruit flavors, silky, tightly packed tannins, and a medium finish. Well-balanced, wieth loads going on. Great value. 90 points
  • ~ Wine Spectator
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Spring Vale

  • 2005 Gewurztraminer
  • Not an award per se, but check out what super-sommelier Courtney Cochran has to say about Spring Vale Gewurztraminer on her blog, ! Hip Tastes
  • ~ Hip Tastes, Oct. 2006
  • 2005 Pinot Noir
  • Gold Medal
  • ~ Tasmanian WIne Show - 2007 (James Halliday, Chairman of Judges)
  • 93 Points Deep notes of dark cherry and a rich, lovely intensity characterize this Tasmanian devil of a Pinot Noir.
  • ~ Patterson's "The Tasting Panel" June '07
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St. Pauls

  • 2006 Pinot Grigio Exclusiv 'Egg Leiten'
  • Two Red Glasses (finalist for "tre bicchieri") - "One of the winery's calling cards. Characterized by rich aromas of sambuco and Pear Williams, full and harmonious in the mouth, with a long and dynamic finish"
  • ~ Gambero Rosso, 2008 Edition
  • Silver Medal
  • ~ San Francisco Intl. Wine Competition, June 2007
  • 2001 Lagrein Dunkel DOC Exclusiv 'Gries' - Sold Out
  • "Intense on the nose and fresh on the palate, with good density and continuity. Due bicchieri"
  • ~ Gambero Rosso
  • 2002 Pinot Bianco DOC Exclusiv 'Plotzner' - Sold Out
  • "Due bicchieri rossi"
  • ~ Gambero Rosso
  • 2003 Lagrein Dunkel DOC Exclusiv 'Gries'
  • Silver Medal Award
  • ~ Slow Food Italy – Gambero Rosso
  • 2004 Pinot Grigio Exclusiv 'Egg Leiten'
  • Silver Medal
  • ~ Los Angeles County Fair WIne of the World Competition - May 2006
  • Silver Medal Award
  • ~ Slow Food Italy – Gambero Rosso
  • 2005 Pinot Grigio Exclusiv 'Egg Leiten'
  • Bronze Medal
  • ~ San Francisco International Wine Competition, 2007
  • 2006 Gewurztraminer Exclusiv St. Justina
  • Gold Medal
  • ~ San Francisco International Wine Competition - June 2007
  • Exceptional - "An aroma of juniper and rose oil, huge spiced lichee, and a dry entry. One of the finest wines of its type I have ever tasted"
  • ~ Dan Berger's VIntage Experiences, Nov. 1, 2007
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Valle dell'Asso

  • 2001 Piromafo IGT Salento
  • 5 glasses (highest rating)
  • ~ Guida ai Vini di Puglia e Basilicata, 2006 edition.
  • DOUBLE-GOLD Medal
  • ~ San Francisco International Wine Competition, June 2007
  • Silver Medal Award
  • ~ L.A. County Fair, Limited Production Wine Competition 2006
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