by Fred McMillin
for December 31, 1999
Winery of the Week
Our Winery of the YEAR!
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Vines of our Winery of the Year.
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Leaving 1999, we looked back at the 300 or so wineries represented
in our tastings during the year and
found the one whose wines were rated highest by
my panel. First, the runners-up.
5th—Rosenblum Cellars, Alameda, CA. No other
winery made Zinfandels that matched the
vineyard-designated classics of Kent Rosenblum.
4th - Grgich Hills Cellar, Rutherford, Napa Valley.
Chardonnay, Fumé (foo-may) and Cabernet...Mike
Grgich does it all...to perfection.
3rd—Jarvis, Napa Valley. I have known a few
people so talented, they excel in any
field they enter...such as Dr. Max Lake in
Australia (hand surgeon, outstanding author,
Australian Cabernet-French oak pioneer).
William Jarvis is another. Fourteen years
in seven universities included graduate studies
in Greek philosophy, music theory, particle
physics and electronics. Little wonder that after
humongous success with his Wiltron electronics
firm, his winery is already one of our top five.
The reds are dazzling.
2nd - Rosemount Estate, Australia.
Perhaps the source of the world's top Shiraz (Syrah).
The Balmoral makes a great gift ($40).
Our Winery of the Year
1st - Guenoc Winery, Guenoc Valley, Lake County.
A 100 years ago, the celebrated British
actress Lillie Langtry came to the Guenoc
Valley to make the greatest claret in the
country. The current proprietors, Orville
Magoon and wife Karen, have finished the job.
Their higher-priced reds and Chardonnay are
world-class.
Postscript
If you wish to learn more about any of our top
five, here are some WineDay articles about them.
Rosenblum—"The Zin Man", June 11, 1999
Grgich—"My Grgich Problem", April 22, 1999
Jarvis—"A 90-Rated Winery", Nov. 19, 1999
Rosemount—"A Sensational Syrah", Sept. 7, 1999
Guenoc—"Beautiful Lady, Beautiful Wine", Oct. 13, 1999
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About the Writer
Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history
for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine
courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College.
In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred
with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded
to American wine writers.
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More articles by
Fred McMillin
W elcome to WineDay, the electronic
Gourmet Guide's daily update. Monday through Thursday,
WineDay presents a wine profile. Then on Fridays we present
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