Accolades
San Francisco International Wine Competition
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - Double Gold Medal
2005 Ancestsor - Gold Medal
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - Double Gold Medal
2006 Ancestor - Silver Medal
2009
Côtes
de Paso Blanc - Silver Medal
2007 Syrah - Gold Medal
2007
Côtes
de Paso - Bronze Medal
Best of Appellation
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon - Double Gold Medal
2007 Viognier - Gold Medal
2008 Ranch White - Double Gold Medal
2008
Côtes
de Paso Blanc - Gold Medal
2006 GSM - Double Gold Medal
2006 Ranch Red - Gold Medal
Riverside International Wine Competition
2004 Ancestor - Chairman's Award/Unaminous Gold Medal
2006 Syrah - Silver Medal
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - Bronze Medal
2009 Sauvignon Blanc - Silver Medal
2006 Ancestor - Silver Medal
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - Gold Medal
2007
Côtes
de Paso - Bronze Medal
Orange County Fair Wine Competition
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon - Gold Medal
2003 Syrah - Silver Medal
2004 Syrah - Silver Medal
2004 Ancestor - Silver Medal
2008 Viognier - Silver Medal
2008 Sauvignon Blanc - Bronze Medal
2006 GSM - Silver Medal
2009 Sauvignon Blanc - Gold Medal
2007
Côtes
de Paso - Silver Medal
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - Bronze Medal
2007 Syrah - Silver Medal
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - Silver Medal
2007
Côtes
de Paso - Silver Medal
2005 Ancestor - Bronze Medal
Denver International Wine Competition
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - Gold Medal
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar Focus on the Central Coast
2005 Ancestor Estate Reserve Paso Robles
($44; 26% each of cabernet sauvignon and merlot, 22% malbec, 19% cabernet sauvignon and 7% syrah)
Bright ruby. Cherry-vanilla and boysenberry aromas are complemented by cola, licorice and roasted coffee. Rich, palate-coating dark berry flavors are brightened by a zesty note of cracked pepper and framed by gentle tannins. The licorice and coffee notes resonate on the juicy, nicely persistent finish. I'd drink this now, for its sweet, supple fruit. 89 points
2008 Viognier Paso Robles
($24; includes 11% roussanne)
Bright gold. High-pitched citrus and pear aromas are complicated by jasmine, mint and brown spices. Juicy lime and poached pear on the palate, with hints of lemongrass and talc on the back end. Nicely concentrated wine with good finishing lift and suave echoes of
candied flowers and dusty minerals. 88 points
2006 Syrah Estate Bottled Paso Robles
($28; includes 17% malbec and 7% mourvedre)
Bright ruby. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with woodsmoke and licorice nuances adding complexity. Light-bodied, gently
sweet cherry and redcurrant flavors are given an edge by a slightly tart quality and show no tannins. Finishes with good lift and cut. I'd serve this easy-drinking wine lightly chilled. 87 points
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled Paso Robles
($28; includes 9% merlot, 6% malbec and 5% cabernet franc)
Ruby-red. Cassis, cherry-vanilla, tar and mint on the nose. Supple and minty on entry, then a bit rigid in the middle, with a strong vanilla note and sweet cherry flavor. I like this wine's depth of fruit and spiciness but find the oak a bit strident today. Finishes with dusty tannins and lingering sweetness. 87points
San Diego International Wine Competition
2005 Syrah - Silver Medal
2007 Viognier - Silver Medal
2006 GSM - Silver Medal
2005 Merlot - Gold Medal
2007 Syrah - Gold Medal
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - Silver Medal
2007
Côtes de Paso - Silver Medal
Los Angeles Wine Competition
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon - Silver Medal
2005 Syrah - Silver Medal
2006 GSM - Silver Medal
2006 Syrah - Silver Medal
2004 Ancestor - Silver Medal
2005 Ancestor - Silver Medal
2009
Côtes
de Paso Blanc - Silver Medal
Central Coast Wine Competition
2005 Syrah, Double Gold Medal - Best Red Wine in Show
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon - Gold Medal - Best in Class
2005 Sauvignon Blanc - Silver Medal
2005 Cabernet Franc - Silver Medal
2008 Viognier - Bronze Medal
2006 GSM - Silver Medal
2006 Syrah - Bronze Medal
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - Bronze Medal
2004 Ancestor - Silver Medal
2007 Syrah - Silver Medal
2007
Côtes
de Paso -Silver Medal
2005 Ancestor - Bronze Medal
Decanter World Wine Awards
2007 Syrah - Silver Medal
2009
Côtes de Paso Blanc - Silver Medal
2007
Côtes de Paso - Silver Medal
2009 Viognier- Silver Medal
Syrah Du Monde
2007 Halter Ranch Syrah - Silver Medal
2005 Halter Ranch Syrah is awarded a Gold Medal: Syrah du Monde® 2008 brought together 384 wines from 23 countries, making this competition into one of the world’s top events for Syrah/Shiraz wines. The 15 and 16 of May 2008 in Ampuis, France, an international wine competition awarded the best Syrah of the world. Halter Ranch Vineyard was one of two producers from the United States awarded a Gold Medal. For more information visit www.syrah-du-monde.com.
Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
2007
Côtes de Paso - Gold Medal
2007 Syrah - Silver Medal
2008
Côtes de Paso Blanc - Silver Medal
2004 Ancestor - Bronze Medal
2005 Ancestor - Bronze Medal
California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition
2005 Syrah, Double Gold Medal - 97 Points
2007 Viognier - Silver Medal
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon - Silver Medal
The Wine Advocate #172, August 2007, review by Robert Parker
2004 Halter Ranch Syrah, 90 points, "...Rhone like notes of tar, earth, forest floor, crushed rocks, white flowers, and blue and black fruits are found in this medium to full-bodied, elegant, finesse and flavor-filled Syrah. This impressive effort demonstrates the tremendous potential of the Halter Ranch Vineyard..."
Connoisseur's Guide To California Wine, December 2007
Halter Ranch 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, 88 points, 1 puff. "With deep, well-defined curranty qualities that beg comparison with its kin from Napa Valley, this nicely extracted and handsomely oaked effort hits all the right marks from focus to balance. It has a youthfully tanic edge to lose and will most assuredly do so with age, and, if a few years in the cellar seems a good idea here, we can see it growing for a half-dozen more."