For The Love Of Port

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!

Did not see on Wine-Searcher???

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.