2010
San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition
• Judge's Choice ~ 2007 Gracie Creek Syrah
• Gold ~ 2008 Pauli Ranch Barbera
• Silver ~ 2008 Tesoro
• Silver ~ 2008 Monte Rosso Sangiovese
• Silver ~ 2007 Unti Syrah
• Silver ~ 2007 Tesoro
2009
San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition
• Gold ~ 2007 Sangiovese - Pauli Ranch
• Gold ~ 2006 Sangiovese - Merlo Vineyards
Orange County Fair Wine Competition
• Gold ~ 2007 Tesoro
• Gold ~ 2007 Pauli Ranch Sangiovese
California State Fair Wine Competition
• Double Gold, 98 points ~ 2007 Pauli Ranch Sangiovese
• Gold ~ 2007 Pauli Ranch Sangiovese
Sonoma Valley Wine Competition
• Gold, Best of Class & Sweepstakes Winner ~ 2008 Rosato di Sangiovese
• Gold ~ 2008 Sangiovese
2008
San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition
• Gold ~ 2006 Barbera
• Silver ~ 2006 Sangiovese
Orange County Fair Wine Competition
• Gold ~ 2006 Tesoro
• Silver ~ 2006 Barbera
LA International Wine Awards
• Gold ~ 2005 Tesoro
• Silver ~ 2006 Barbera
• Silver ~ 2006 Sangiovese
• Silver ~ 2006 Tesoro
North of the Gate
• Silver ~ 2007 Rosato di Sangiovese
• Silver
~ 2006 Syrah Gracie Creek
• Silver ~
2006 Syrah Unti
2007
San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition
• Silver ~ 2005 Sangiovese
• Silver ~ 2005 Syrah
• Silver ~ 2005 Tesoro
2006
San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition
• Silver ~ 2005 Sangiovese
• Silver ~ 2006 Sangiovese
2006
ROSATO DI SANGIOVESE
Wine
Enthusiast
2007 Rating: 84
Carneros
Bistro Sommelier Christopher Sawyer
"Hands down one of the best American interpretations
of "Rosato," the classic style of dry pink wine
made in Italy. This clean, crisp wine features flavors of
fresh raspberry, strawberry, guava, honey and a refreshing
burst of zing-y acidity. Yummm!"
 2005
SANGIOVESE
Wine
Enthusiast
Rating: 84
"You never quite know what California Sangiovese is going
to give you. Here is a high-acid wine, very ripe in pie filling
cherry and raspberry flavors, and a bit sweet and simple."
San
Francisco Chronicle
The Chronicle Wine Selections: Domestic Sangiovese and Supertuscan-style blends
Lynne Char Bennett, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, March 7, 2008
Rating: TWO AND A HALF STARS 2005 Muscardini Cellars Merlo Vineyards Dry Creek Valley Sangiovese ($32) Winemaker Michael Muscardini has made a flashy, dense wine that focuses on dark plum, plump black cherry and vanillin. The oak influence - from spending 12 months in 35 percent new oak barrels, from both America and Hungary - provides soft but well-defined tannins.
2005
SYRAH
Orange Country Fair Wine Competition
Gold Medal
Renay
Santero
Wine judge and wine buyer for Oliver’s Market
"Here’s a treat. Every once in a while a winery
comes along that impresses me so much I get something of everything
they produce. This is such a winery. They do a Super Tuscan
blend called Tesoro, a Sangiovese, a Rose and this Syrah.
All very small production. For example, they made 198 cases
of this 2005 Syrah. Dark and richly done with a wonderful
smoothness across the palate with a touch of spice and smokiness.
The finish carries on and on. Dan Berger gave it an '‘Exceptional'
rating. I agree. Treat yourself."
Wine
Enthusiast
Rating: 87
"Unti is a well known vineyard in central Dry Creek that’s
the source of well-regarded Syrah, and here, the winemaker
justifies the fruit. The wine is dry, rich and complex in
berry flavors, with interesting leather, soy, cocoa and cola
layers, and an enormously spicy tang. It might age for five
years, but is best soon for its vibrancy."
Dan
Berger's Vintage Experiences
The Weekly Wine Commentary
Volume XXI, Issue 6 ~ March 22, 2007
Tasting Notes:
Exceptional ~
2005 Muscardini Syrah, Dry Creek Valley, Unti Vineyard
($36):
Distinctive cooler-climate aroma of pepper, violet and faint
hints of clove and earth. A near-perfect example of a grape
that all too often displays a lot of plum and prune. Will
age handsomely.
Anthony
Dias Blue
One of America’s top 10 wine writers
Rating: 91
"Rich and intense with lovely blackberry, toasty oak
and notes of vanilla; explosive fruit, great length and a
lively, balanced finish.
2005
TESORO
Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Awards
Gold Medal
Los
Angeles International Wine Competition 2007
Best in Class • Gold Medal
Limited Production Super Tuscan Blends
Wine
Enthusiast
Rating: 89
"Rated top of the Blended Red Wines. A rewarding wine.
A blend of Sangiovese, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, it offers
a profusion of berry and cherry flavors wrapped in rich, ripe
tannins. Probably best now and for a short while, to take
advantage of the upfront fruit."
San
Francisco Chronicle
IN OUR GLASSES
Friday, July 20th, 2007
"What sold us: Michael Muscardini got into wine from
construction, and in 2000 began planting Sangiovese at his
property in Sonoma's Valley of the Moon. His first commercial
vintage was 2005, and out of the gate this Super Tuscan-style
blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah is a sign
of a strong start. New oak is in ample supply, rounding out
doses of big, hulking fruit. But a well-managed acidity toward
the finish - hard to find these days - harmonizes it all and
some dusty mineral notes from the Sangiovese add nuance."
- Jon Bonné
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