Best of Show

[Roy Hersh]

It is not often that I post and recommend wines that are not fortified or from Portugal. Having judged a well-respected wine competition earlier this week, (the New World International Wine Comeptition; where I began as a professional wine judge in 1999) the winner of the entire competition shocked me, but I will admit to having been blown away by a domestic version of Barbera.

Yes, seriously ... a Barbera.

In fact, I just called the winery and ordered a case of this for myself. A wine I had never even heard of, in terms of the producer. It was up against some incredible wines and this had already been awarded a Gold Medal in order to make its way into the finale, a blind taste off that included all category winners: Best of Whites, Reds, Sparkling, Dessert, Other Fortifieds, etc.

Congratulations go to: 2012 Jeff Runquist, Barbera "Dick Cooper Vineyard" from Amador County, CA

If you like boldly flavored, perfectly balanced, elegant red wines ... this is the real deal!

[Moses Botbol]

Did not see on Wine-Searcher???

[Roy Hersh]

That is where I found this. Just put in: Jeff Runquist Barbera and you'll find it that way. I called the winery that was listed, albeit a retailer I did not know also had this specific wine ... make sure it is 2012 and also specifies the Cooper vineyard, so you don't get a different wine. It was $28/bottle less 10% for a case. In my view, a great price for such an extraordinary red wine.