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This esteemed tasting panel comprised mostly of local winemakers and other wine professionals is hosted by the St. Helena Star & Napa Valley Vintners Association. They regularly conduct blind tastings and rank a wide range of Napa Valley wines. Held in the (CIA) Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, CA, they have been moderating these tastings for over a dozen years.
"From Cabernet Franc To Zinfandel: STAR/NVV Tasting Panelists Taste, Judge And Rank Napa Valley’s Wines"
by David Stoneberg
December 30, 2019
Alternative Whites
Fortunati Vineyards 2017 Viognier, Oak Knoll
"Napa Valley’s Small But Mighty White Blizzard"
by Catherine Bugue
July 30, 2019
The highest ranked wines were:
- 2017 Fortunati Vineyards, Estate Viognier, Oak Knoll. Viognier’s fortune was made in France’s northern Rhone Valley where small amounts of concentrated, intensely perfumed wines made the grape desired around the world. Fortunati’s Viognier has lovely apple, pear and citrus fruit flavors.
"Appreciating Napa Valley’s Sparkling & Sweet Wines"
by Catherine Bugue
December 10, 2018
Top Dessert Wines
-2014 Fortunati Vineyards, Syrah.
First place in its flight, this Port-style wine is fortified with spirit, producing a deep ruby sweet wine with thickly tinted legs and toasty, nutty red plums flavors, with a richly delicious texture.
"2017 Napa Valley Rosé Wines Foretell Story Of Last Year's Reds"
by Catherine Bugue
May 15, 2018
Top rosé wines chosen by the panel are:
-2017 Fortunati Vineyards Rosé of Syrah, Oak Knoll District.
The Syrah picked for this red cherry-strawberry-white blossom perfumed wine is picked specifically to make a rosé wine.
"Star/NVV Tasting Panel Finds ‘Bright Red Fruit Flavors’ In Napa Valley Zinfandels"
by Catherine Bugue
February 1, 2018
Panelists selected the following first-place wines:
-2015 Fortunati Vineyards Zinfandel Mt Veeder.
If you have written off zin, this wine is sure to change your mind. Bright red cherry fruits swirl seamlessly together with toasty oak and integrated notes of spice and herbs.
"Star/NVV Tasting Panel Judges Napa Valley Wines"
by Catherine Bugue
May 2, 2017
Top Still Wines
-2016 Fortunati Vineyards PRANZO Syrah Rosé Oak Knoll District, is a pale pink color with generous vine-ripened cherry fruit flavor.
"The Best Napa Valley Wines From 2016"
by David Stoneberg
December 30, 2016
The top rosés
-Fortunati Vineyards 2015 Pranzo Rosé of Syrah, Oak Knoll District
2014-2015 Aromatic Whites
-Fortunati Vineyards 2014 Estate Viognier
"Star/NVV Panelists Judge Napa Valley’s Aromatic Whites"
by Catherine Bugue
July 5, 2016
Here are those top picks of the region’s aromatic white wines:
-2014 Fortunati Vineyards Estate Viognier, Oak Knoll District, is rich and nutty with pear fruit, toasty oak, and fennel on a creamy palate.
"Napa Valley’s Top Fresh, Fruity Rosé Wines"
by Catherine Bugue
April 5, 2016
Panelists found the following Napa Valley wineries making the best rosé:
Fortunati Vineyards 2015 Pranzo Rosé of Syrah, Oak Knoll District. A refreshing sip of peach and candied cherry, this is a wine to sip poolside, catching up with friends. Its fun and fruity character begs for a sunshine-drenched day of relaxing.
"Star/NVV Panelists Enjoy A Year’s Worth Of Wines"
by David Stoneberg
January 6, 2015
Top 2013 rosés
Fortunati Vineyards, PRANZO
Favorite 2013 Aromatic whites
Fortunati Vineyards, Viognier
"Star/NVV Panelists Taste, Rank Aromatic Whites"
by Tiffany Van Gorder
August 4, 2014
Favorite wines
Fortunati Vineyards – The 2013 Viognier is packed with floral mineral notes and aromas of dried and crushed flower petals. Initial white peach and apricot are layered with more detailed, exotic flavors of passion fruit and lychee. This warm-weathered white wine can be enjoyed year-round and pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables, Asian noodles and fish.
"Rosés For Summer"
by Tiffany Van Gorder
July 1, 2014
Fortunati Vineyards, PRANZO – This dry rosé made from the estate syrah is one of Napa Valley’s earliest indicators of a near-perfect growing season. With a lovely salmon-pink hue in the glass, the 2013 rosé displays a classically Provencal color. It appears delicate, though it packs an aromatic punch and shows nice complexity. The fruit-forward nose suggests fresh strawberries, wild berries, and a touch of the earthiness inherent to syrah rosé. As it opens up, stone fruit aromas emerge, framed by an edgy minerality and charming floral notes of cut flowers. It’s fruit-forward on the palate, a juicy combination of white cherries, fresh strawberries, and hints of peach. Balanced by a subtle minerality and a layer of firm acidity, this is a substantial, earthy, complex rosé meant for some serious warm weather grilling.
"Star/NVV Tasting Panel Picks 6 Napa Valley Syrahs To Like"
by Catherine Seda
November 17, 2011
Fortunati Vineyards 2008 Oak Knoll District. The Fortunati Vineyard in Oak Knoll seems to favor syrah, producing wines like this one crafted under the vineyard’s label. This wine is rich and full of concentrated dark cherry and spice flavors. You’ll want smoky ribs with this syrah.