Sonoma pinot wins three awards in Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge

Sonoma’s Westwood Estate was the top winner of the 2016 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge with a triple threat. The 2014 Clone 37 pinot noir from Westwood’s fog-cooled Annadel Gap Vineyard took home the Best of Show Red, Best of Sonoma County and Best of the Best awards.

The Westwood Estate 2014 Sonoma Valley Annadel Gap Vineyard Clone 37 Pinot Noir was the judges’ top pick, receiving 99 out of 100 points. The deep red pinot, with hints of black cherry and spice and a long finish, inspired the judges to comment, “An absolute stunner. Wow!”

Westwood Estate Winemaker Ben Cane, a native of Australia who has made pinot noir for Joseph Phelps’ Freestone Vineyards and Twomey Cellars, produced the classic Burgundian Cotes de Nuits style pinot from Clone 37, also known as the Mt. Eden clone.

The Navarro Vineyards 2015 Mendocino County Pinot Blanc won Best of Show White as well as Best of Mendocino County. The dry white wine from the well-known Anderson Valley producer is popular in the Alsace region of eastern France, and Navarro specializes in aromatic, Alsatian varietals. “It is a wine meant to be consumed young and fresh,” said Deborah Cahn, owner of Navarro Vineyards. The judges called the aromatic wine “floral and pretty” with a nose that “follows into the palate.”

Kokomo Winery 2015 North Coast Grenache Rosé won Best of Show Rosé. The delicate pink wine with a silky texture and hints of strawberries and watermelon was made from Teldeschi Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley and Tollini Vineyard in the Redwood Valley of Mendocino County,

The Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards 2004 Late Disgorged Carneros Cuvée Brut, the flagship sparkling wine of the Carneros producer, took Best of Show Sparkling Wine. The effervescent bubbly, made from premium estate fruit, opens with aromas of Asian pear and apples with hints of Meyer lemon for balanced acidity. The judges liked its “complexity,” “tiny bubbles” and “beautiful almond aromas.”

Husch Vineyards 2014 Anderson Valley Late Harvest Gewurztraminer won Best of Show Dessert/Late Harvest wine. The judges called it “floral, vibrant, grounded and elegant.”

In the Best of County Awards, Hagafen Cellars 2015 Lake County Clearwater Ranch White Riesling won Best of Lake County. The judges described it as “stylish” and “well balanced.”

Amizetta Estate Winery 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon won Best of Napa County. The judges compared it to a “cashmere sweater: silky, luxurious and elegant.”

DeLoach Vineyards 2013 Marin County Pinot Noir won Best of Marin County. The judges called it a “classic pinot noir” with “vibrant fruit and a lingering finish.”

Cairdean Vineyards 2014 Suisun Valley Riesling won the Best of Solano County. The judges described it as a “wonderful California Riesling” that “the consumer will love to indulge in.”

Watch Monday for a full online list of winners. Wednesday’s Feast section will include winners and complete coverage of the Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge.