6th Annual CoCo Wine Festival

It was an afternoon of great wine and food with some 400 tasters sampling the more than 140 wines including those selected as medal winners by the festival.

Anytime there is a wine festival with so many wines available for tasting you might forget about the food. You can’t forget the food at the CoCo Festival because of the participation of so many, as described by Festival president and CEO Pat Goodwin, “local culinary chefs and exquisite dining locations. My opinion is we have so many that we often take them for granted.”
That is one of the reasons why the Festival created a Culinary Endowment. “This year monies above the cost of the event will be donated to support our commitment to provide a Culinary Endowment Fund for the Culinary Program at Augusta Technical Institute,” said Goodwin.
Chef Heinz of La Maison; Chef Ozzie of Events 2020; Chef Jack from Pizza Central; Personal Caterers Italia and Stella, Jai from Casa Blanca and students from the Augusta Technical College Culinary Program delighted tasters with such treats as scallops, Seafood Strudel with Lobster infused oil, Sun Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Tartlets, Blue Cheese Mousse, Beef Sate and Warm Phyllo Triangle filled with Camembert and dried apples and several Italian dishes..

And there was also several beers presented including some that are new to the market like Strangford Lough’s Legbiter Ale and their St. Patrick’s Best Ale. Several craft beer lovers stopped me to comment on them and on the AndyGator a Helles Dopplebock by Abita (I can promise that brew will be reviewed soon on BottleReport).

Many tasters interviewed kept mentioning the big Cabs that won Best-In-Show honors like the Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Meyer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 and the Regusci Cabernet Sauvignon 2007.

Another wine that grabbed people’s attention, including this taster, was the Treana Red Blend. It didn’t make it into the competition this year but it would have given the others in the Red Blend category some competition. This wine from Hope Family and carried by Empire Distributing is worth checking out.

 

 

 

 

Here are the wines sorted by Varietal (or type) (* denotes a medal winner in a category. ** designates a Best In Show Category Winner. Clicking on the * will take you to the list of Winners. Also showing is the distributor presenting the wines):

Cabernet Sauvignon

•Lander Jenkins Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Lander-Jenkins, St. Helena, California (Empire Distributing)*(SILVER Cabernet Sauvingon 19.99 or less)

•Clos de Gat Har’El Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Clos de Gat, Israel (Gusto Brands)

•Ray’s Station Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Ray’s Station, North Coast, California (United Distributing)

•Robin K. Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, William Knuttel Winery, Sonoma County, California (Hemisphere)

•Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Goldschmidt Vineyards, Alexander Valley, California (Georgia Crown Distributing)*(SILVER Cabernet Sauvingon 20 or more)

•Felino Vina Cobos Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Vina Cobos, Mendoza, Argentina (Quality Wine & Spirits)*(GOLD Cabernet Sauvingon 20 or more)

•Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Truchard Vineyards, Carneros, Napa Valley (Atlanta Wholesale Wines)

•Meyer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Hestan Vineyards, Napa Valley, California (Hemisphere)**(Best in Show-Silver – Cabernet Sauvingon 20 or more)

•Steele Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Steele Wines, Lake County, California (National Distributing Company)

•North by Northwest Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, NxNW, Columbia Valley, Washington (National Distributing Company)

•BonAnno Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, BonAnno, California (Prestige Wines)

•Regusci Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Regusci Winery, Stags Leap District, Napa (Georgia Crown Distributing)**(Best in Show-Honorable Mention – Cabernet Sauvingon 20 or more)

•Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Liberty School, California (Empire Distributing)*(GOLD Cabernet Sauvingon 19.99 or less)

•Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Rutherford Ranch, Napa Valley, California (Empire Distributing)**(Best in Show-Gold – Cabernet Sauvingon 19.99 or less)

•337 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Delicato Family Vineyards (second label), California (Georgia Crown Distributing)

•J Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, J Lohr, California (Empire Distributing)

•Laetitia Nadia Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Laetitia, Arroyo Grande Valley, California (Empire Distributing)

•Waterbrook Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Waterbrook, Washington State (Empire Distributing)

Chardonnay

•Rombauer Chardonnay 2010, Rombauer Vineyards, Carneros, California (Prestige Wines)*(GOLD Chardonnay 20 or more)

•Bernardus Monterey County Chardonnay 2009, Bernardus Winery, Monterey County, California (National Distributing Company)

•Talbot Logan Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay 2009, Robert Talbott Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands, California (National Distributing Company)

•Hannah Nicole Chardonnay 2010, Hannah Nicole Vineyards, Contra Costa County, California (Gusto Brands)

•Educated Guess Chardonnay 2009, Roots Run Deep Winery, St. Helena, California (Quality Wine & Spirits)*(SILVER Chardonnay 19.99 or less)

•Hob Nob Chardonnay 2009, Hobnob Vineyards, France (Georgia Crown Distributing)*(GOLD Chardonnay 19.99 or less)

•446 Chardonnay 2010, Delicato Family Vineyards (second label), Monterey, California (Georgia Crown Distributing)

•Milbrant Traditions Chardonnay 2007, Milbrant Vineyards, Columbia Valley, Washington (Atlanta Wholesale Wines)

•Kendall-Jackson Avant Chardonnay 2009, Kendall Jackson, Santa Rosa, California (United Distributing)

•Bridlewood Chardonnay 2009, Bridlewood Estate Winery, Monterey County, California (United Distributing)

•Robin K. Chardonnay 2008, William Knuttel Winery, Healdsburg, California (Hemisphere)

•Lander Jenkins Chardonnay 2009, Lander-Jenkins, California (Empire Distributing)

•Anaba Chardonnay 2008, Anaba Wines, Sonoma Coast (Artisan Vines)*(SILVER Chardonnay 20 or more)

•Liberty School Chardonnay 2009, Liberty School, Paso Robles, California (Empire Distributing)

•Rutherford Ranch Chardonnay 2009, Rutherford Ranch, Napa Valley, California (Empire Distributing)

•Black Stallion Chardonnay 2010, Delicato Family Vineyards (second label), Monterey, California (Georgia Crown Distributing)

•Mer Soleil Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2009, Mer Soleil, Santa Lucia Highlands, California (Empire Distributing)

•Mer Soleil Barrel Unoaked Chardonnay 2009, Mer Soleil, Santa Lucia Highlands, California (Empire Distributing)

•J Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay 2009, J Lohr, California (Empire Distributing)

•Francis Coppola “Presents” Unoaked Chardonnay 2009, Francis Coppola, (Empire Distributing)

•Groth Chardonnay 2009, Groth, (Empire Distributing)

•Waterbrook Chardonnay 2009, Waterbrook, Washington State (Empire Distributing)

Dessert Wine

•Dow’s Trademark Reserve Port NV, Dow’s, (Georgia Crown Distributing)*(GOLD Dessert/Sweet Combined)

•ChocoVine NV, Europa, (United Distributing)*(SILVER Dessert/Sweet Combined)

•Chocolate Shop NV, Chocolate Shop Wine, (Empire Distributing)

•Boutier Georgia Wine on My Mind Peach NV, Boutier, Georgia (Gusto Brands)

Malbec

•Rock & Vine High Elevation Malbec 2008, Nine North Wine, Lake County, California (Georgia Crown Distributing)*(SILVER Malbec 19.99 or less)

•Norton Reserva Malbec 2008, Bodega Norton, Mendoza, Argentina (National Distributing Company)*(GOLD Malbec 19.99 or less)

•Montes Malbec 2010, Montes, Colcagua Valley, Chile (National Distributing Company)

Merlot

•R Collection Merlot, Lot No. 3 2007, Raymond Vineyards, California (Quality Wine & Spirits)

•Lambert Bridge Merlot 2005, Lambert Bridge Winery, Sonoma County, California (National Distributing Company)

•L De Lyeth 2007, Lyeth Estate, Sonoma County, California (National Distributing Company)

•Donedei Merlot 2006, Donedei , Columbia Valley, Washington State (Artisan Vines)*(GOLD Merlot Combined)

•Candor Merlot NV, Hope Family Wines, Central Coast, California (Empire Distributing)*(SILVER Merlot Combined)

•181 Merlot 2009, Delicato Family Vineyards (second label), California (Georgia Crown Distributing)

•Waterbrook Merlot 2009, Waterbrook, Washington State (Empire Distributing)

•14 Hands Merlot , *(GOLD Other Whites Combined)

•Ecco Domani Moscato 2010, Ecco Domani, (United Distributing)*(SILVER Other Whites Combined)

Petite Sirah

•Petite Petit 2008, Michael David, Lodi, California (National Distributing Company)

•Proulx 2010, Blackburn Wine Company, Paso Robles, California (Hemisphere)

Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris

•Acrobat Pinot Gris 2010, King Estate Winery, (National Distributing Company)*(SILVER Other Whites- Off Dry Combined)

•Zenato Pinot Grigio 2010, Zenato, Italy (Prestige Wines)*(GOLD Other Whites- Off Dry Combined)

•Vanilla Vine Pinot Grigio 2010, Vanilla Vine, Italy (Empire Distributing)

Pinot Noir

•Lucky Star Pinot Noir 2010, Lucky Star, California (Prestige Wines)

•Robin K. Pinot Noir 2008, William Knuttel Winery, Central Coast, California (Hemisphere)*(GOLD Pinot Noir 19.99 or less)

•667 Pinot Noir 2010, Delicato Family Vineyards (second label), Monterey, California (Georgia Crown Distributing)

•Lucas & Lewellen Pinot Noir 2007, Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards, Santa Barbara County (Quality Wine & Spirits)

•Bearboat Pinot Noir 2007, Bearboat, Russian River Valley, California (National Distributing Company)

•Roth Estate Pinot Noir 2009, Roth Estate, Sonoma Coast (Atlanta Wholesale Wines)*(SILVER Pinot Noir 20 or more)

•Fog Dog Pinot Noir 2008, Freestone Vineyards, Sonoma Coast (National Distributing Company)

•Anaba Pinot Noir 2009, Anaba Wines, Sonoma Coast (Artisan Vines)**(Best in Show-Honorable Mention – Pinot Noir 20 or more)

•Meiomi Pinot Noir 2010, Belle Glos Wines, (Empire Distributing)*(GOLD Pinot Noir 20 or more)

•Stangeland Pinot Noir 2008, Stangeland, Willamette Valley, Oregon (Artisan Vines)*(SILVER Pinot Noir 19.99 or less)

•J Lohr Falcon’s Perch Pinot Noir 2009, J Lohr, California (Empire Distributing)

•Laetitia Pinot Noir 2009, Laetitia, California (Empire Distributing)

•Mark West Pinot Noir , Mark West, (United Distributing)

Red Blends

•Fidelity 2007, Goldschmidt Vineyards, Alexander Valley, California (Georgia Crown Distributing)*(GOLD Red Blends 19.99 or less)

•Francis Coppola Claret 2009, Francis Coppola, (Empire Distributing)

•Apothic Red 2009, Apothic Wines, (United Distributing)

•Cirque du Vin 2009, Peachy Canyon Winery, Paso Robles, California (Quality Wine & Spirits)

•Red Rock Winemaker’s Blend 2009, Red Rock Winery, (United Distributing)*(SILVER Red Blends 19.99 or less)

•Tamayo Red Wine 2008, Tamaya Family Vineyards, Contra Costa County, California (Gusto Brands)

•KitFox 2007, Kit Fox Vineyards, (Hemisphere)

•Quinta Nova Reserva 2007, Quinta Nova, Douro, Portugal (Artisan Vines)*(SILVER Red Blends 20 or more)

•Westside Red Troublemaker NV, Hope Family Wines, Paso Robles, California (Empire Distributing)

•Hedges Red Mountain 2008, Hedges Family Estate, Washington State (Atlanta Wholesale Wines)

•Zaca Mesa Z Cuvee 2007, Zaca Mesa, Santa Ynez Valley, California (Georgia Crown Distributing)*(GOLD TIE Red Blends 20 or more)

•Marietta Angeli Cuvee 2007, Marietta Cellars, Geyserville, California (Quality Wine & Spirits)

•Quinta Nova Unoaked 2009, Quinta Nova, Douro, Portugal (Artisan Vines)*(GOLD TIE Red Blends 20 or more)

•Gnarly Head Authentic Red 2009, Gnarly Head, California (Georgia Crown Distributing)

•Ste Chappelle Soft Red NV, Ste Chappelle, Idaho (Georgia Crown Distributing)

•Treana Red Blend 2009, Treana (Hope Family), California (Empire Distributing)

•Ventoso Morellino di Scansano 2008, Ventoso, Tuscany, Italy (Gusto Brands)

Reds

•Borsao Garnacha 2009, Bodegas Borsao, Spain (Prestige Wines)*(SILVER Other Reds Combined)

•Anaba Sonoma Valley Rose 2010, Anaba Wines, Sonoma County, California (Artisan Vines)*(SILVER Rosé Combined)

•Faustino V Rioja 2005, Bodegas Faustino, (National Distributing Company)*(SILVER Rioja Combined)

•Vina Zaco Rioja 2007, Bodegas Bilbainas, Rioja, Spain (Georgia Crown Distributing)*(GOLD Rioja Combined)

•Chateau Pesquie Terrasses 2009, Chateau Pesquie, Rhone (Quality Wine & Spirits)

•Quinta Nova TN 2008, Quinta Nova, (Artisan Vines)*(GOLD Other Reds Combined)

•Santa Rita Carmenere 2008, Santa Rita, Colcagua Valley, Chile (National Distributing Company)

Riesling/Gewurztraminer

•Loosen Bros. Dr. L Riesling 2010, Loosen Bros., Germany (Atlanta Wholesale Wines)

•St. Urbans-Hof Riesling 2010, St. Urbans-Hof, Germany (Quality Wine & Spirits)

•Bex Riesling 2009, Bex, Germany (United Distributing)

•Carl Ehrhard Riesling 2009, Carl Ehrhard, Germany (Artisan Vines)*(SILVER Riesling 19.99 or less)

•St. Christopher Gewurztraminer 2009, Weinhaus Schloss Koblenz, (Gusto Brands)*(GOLD Riesling 19.99 or less)

•Clean Slate Riesling 2010, Clean Slate, Germany (Georgia Crown Distributing)

•J Lohr Bay Mist Riesling 2010, J Lohr, California (Empire Distributing)

Rose

•Amador Foothill Rosato 2010, Amador Foothill Winery, Amador County (Artisan Vines)*(GOLD Rosé Combined)

•Il Conte Stella Rosa NV, , Israel (Georgia Crown Distributing)

Sauvignon Blanc

•Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Craggy Range Vineyards, (National Distributing Company)*(SILVER Sauvignon Blanc Combined)

•Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Allan Scott Family Winemakers, Marlborough (Quality Wine & Spirits)*(GOLD Sauvignon Blanc Combined)

•Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Stoneleigh Vineyards, Marlborough (Atlanta Wholesale Wines)

•Foley Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Foley Wines, New Zealand (Georgia Crown Distributing)

•Groth Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Groth, Napa Valley, California (Empire Distributing)

•Waterbrook Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Waterbrook, Washington State (Empire Distributing)

Sparkling

•Muscanti Brut Sparkling NV, Cadelamsa, Spain (Georgia Crown Distributing)*(GOLD Sparkling Brut Combined)

•Saint-Hilaire Brut Sparkling NV, Saint-Hilaire, France (Quality Wine & Spirits)*(SILVER Sparkling Brut Combined)

•Emeri Pink Moscato NV, Emeri De Bortoli, South Eastern Australia (United Distributing)*(SILVER Sparkling Sweet Combined)

•Barefoot Bubbly Pink Moscato Sparkling NV, Barefoot, California (United Distributing)

•Pearly Bay Celebration NV, Pearly Bay, South Africa (Atlanta Wholesale Wines)

•Fratelli Moscato D’Asti 2010, Fratelli, Italy (Atlanta Wholesale Wines)

•La Marca Prosecco NV, La Marca, Italy (United Distributing)*(GOLD Sparkling Sweet Combined)

•G. H. Mumm Brut Champagne NV, G. H. Mumm, Champagne, France (National Distributing Company)

•Maschio Ca’Doro Moscato 2010, Maschio, Italy (Georgia Crown Distributing)

•Val d’Oca Prosecco NV, , Veneto, Italy (Gusto Brands)

Syrah/Shiraz

•Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2010, Mollydooker Wines, South Australia (Quality Wine & Spirits)*(GOLD Shiraz/Syrah Combined)

•Red Diamond Shiraz 2008, Red Diamond Winery, Washington State (United Distributing)

•DiStefano Syrah R 2007, DiStefano Winery, Columbia Valley, Washington State (Artisan Vines)*(SILVER Shiraz/Syrah Combined)

•Baker Lane Syrah 2008, Baker Lane, Santa Rosa, California (Artisan Vines)**(Best in Show-Honorable Mention – Shiraz/Syrah Combined)

White

•Casal Garcia Vinho Verde NV, Casal Garcia, (Quality Wine & Spirits)

•Tupin Torrontes 2010, Tupin, Mendoza, Argentina (Gusto Brands)*(GOLD Other Whites-Dry Combined)

•Vale D’Algares Alvarinho 2009, Vale D’Algares, (Artisan Vines)*(SILVER Other Whites-Dry Combined)

•Naia Verdejo , Bodegas Naia, (Prestige Wines)

•Anaba Coriol 2008, Anaba, Sonoma County, California (Artisan Vines)*(SILVER White Blends Combined)

•14 Hands Hot to Trot White 2010, Fourteen Hands Winery, (United Distributing)

•New Age NV, Quintessential Wines, (Atlanta Wholesale Wines)

•Conundrum White 2010, Conundrum Wines, Rutherford, California (Empire Distributing)*(GOLD White Blends Combined)

•Zaca Mesa Rousanne 2009, Zaca Mesa Winery, Santa Barbara County (Georgia Crown Distributing)

•Treana Marsanne/Viogner White Blend 2008, Treana (Hope Family), California (Empire Distributing)

•Si Soave 2009, Soave Italia, Italy (Empire Distributing)

Zinfandel

•Joel Gott Zinfandel 2008, Joel Gott Wines, California (United Distributing)

•Predator Zinfandel 2010, Predator Wines, Lodi, California (Empire Distributing)

•Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel 2008, Klinker Brick Winery, Lodi, California (Atlanta Wholesale Wines)*(GOLD Zinfandels Combined)

•Madrigal Zinfandel 2008, Madrigal Vineyards, Napa Valley, California (Hemisphere)*(SILVER Zinfandels Combined)

•Perry Creek “Zinman” Zinfandel 2009, , Sierra Hills, California (Gusto Brands)