San Antonio test awards 32 golds

Photo by William M. Dowd

SAN ANTONIO, TX -- The final medal result are in for the 7th annual San Antonio Express-News Wine Competition, which I helped judge last month at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa.

The 39 judges awarded 350 medals overall, 32 gold, 122 silver and 196 bronze. Not all categories had entries that rose to the gold level. The "Chardonnay, Under $15" category turned out six gold medalists, largest from any one category.

Here are all 32 gold-medal winners:

• Cabernet Sauvignon Blends: Meritus Texas Hill Country Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003. $39.99.

• Cabernet Sauvignon, Over $15: Kunde Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, CA, 2003, $18.99; Mt. Veeder Cabernet, California, 2003, $35; Robert Mondavi Napa Reserve Cabernet, Napa, CA, 2003, $120; Rodney Strong Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon , Sonoma, CA, 2002, $34.99.

• Chardonnay, Under $15: Clos du Bois Chardonnay, North Coast, CA, 2005, $11.99; Irony Chardonnay, California, 2004, $14; J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco, CA, 2005, $11.99; Napa Ridge Napa Valley Chardonnay, Napa, CA, 2004, $12.99; Pheasant Ridge Chardonnay, Texas High Plains, 2004, $14; Sister Creek Chardonnay, Texas High Plains, 2005, $14.95.

• Italian Appellation Blends: Dievole Reserve Chianti Classico, Italy, 2001, $18.

• Merlot, Over $15: Napa Ridge Reserve Merlot, Napa, CA, 2003, $19.99.

• Other Whites, Dry: Adelasia Cortese, Piedmonte, 2004, $7.99; Haak Blanc du Bois (dry), Texas, 2005, $12.95; Hogue Fume Blanc FF, Washington, 2005, $11; Llano Estacado Signature White, Texas, 2005, $8.99.

• Pinot Grigio: Trinity Oaks Pinot Grigio, California, 2005, $6.95.

• Pinot Noir: Sebastiani Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, CA, 2005, $18.

• Porto, Other: Ficklin 10 Yr Tawny Port, Madera, Non Vintage, $25.99.

• Rhone Blends: Cline Red Truck blend, California, 2004, $9.

• Riesling: Monchhof Riesling Kabinett, Urziger Wurzgarten, Germany, 2005, $15.

• Sauvignon Blanc: Terrunyo Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca, Chile, 2005, $19.99; Whitehall Sauvignon Blanc, California, 2005, $15.

• Spanish Varietals: Tapena Garnacha Red Blend, Tierra de Castilla, Spain, 2005, $8.99.

• Super Tuscan Blends: Viviano, Texas, 2003, $33.99.

• Syrah/Shiraz: d'Arenberg 'The Footbolt' Shiraz, McLaren Vale, 2004, $19; St. Hallet Faith Shiraz, Barossa, Australia, 2004, $16.99; Yellow Tail Reserve Shiraz, Southeastern Australia, 2005, $9.99.

• White Dessert: Konzelmann Ice Wine, Ontario, 2004, $49.99.

• Zinfandel, Over: Rodney Strong Knotty Vines Zinafandel, Sonoma County, 2004, $16.99; Wild Oak Zinfandel, California, 2004, $25.

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