As director of the international San Diego Wine & Spirits Challenge, I encounter many tasks too mundane to mention in this space, with one glaring exception. During the course of the SDIWC and the other three wine competitions I manage, I make a point to taste each of the wines awarded a platinum medal.

For practical purposes, I typically only taste the best of the best of the thousands of wines entered in the Challenge series over the course of a year. Each wine at the platinum level (there are also gold and silver levels) has been vetted by a team of wine professionals who are experts at weeding out problem wines.

Not only are all of the wines that come to the director's table delicious; they cover a broad range of prices, making them perfect for the broad range of price preferences within the "Wine Talk" readership. It's obvious from our wine recommendations this week — all platinum award winners at the SDIWC — that excellent quality at a reasonable, or even bargain, price level is not as far-fetched as many think.

This week's tasting notes offer a case of platinum wines that are sure to enhance your wine cupboard without making an extraordinary dent in your budget.

Tasting Notes

Wines are rated on a 100-point scale. Wines are chosen for review because they represent outstanding quality or value, and the scores are simply a measure of this reviewer's enthusiasm for the recommended wine.

Clos Pegase 2013 Merlot Mitsuko's Vineyard, Carneros ($40) — Merlot in general takes a back seat to cabernet sauvignon, particularly in the Napa Valley. However, merlot can soar at times and eclipse the more expensive red. Clos Pegase has produced a well-crafted merlot for its Mitsuko vineyard in the Carneros district of Napa Valley. It's cooler in Carneros than the rest of the Napa Valley, and merlot thrives on the cool breezes off the San Pablo Bay. Clos Pegase Mitsuko is an impressive wine with layers of ripe black cherry and plum fruit and fresh acidity to balance the sweetness. The tannins are firm, but nicely integrated. The overall balance of the wine and the mouthfeel are exquisite. It won Best of Class for merlot at the San Diego Wine Challenge. Rating: 96.

Domaine 2013 Pinot Noir Estate, Carneros ($38) — With a deeply fragrant nose, this Carneros pinot is seductive and inviting at first sip. It is supple and smooth on the palate with a mouthwatering acidity and layers of red fruit and spice. Notes of cherry and strawberry are complemented by a gentle touch of oak spice. It was awarded Best of Class for pinot noir at the San Diego Wine Challenge. Rating: 96.

Ron Rubin Cellars 2013 Syrah 'Cool Climate,' Green Valley ($32) — As cool climates go, California's Green Valley is one of the coolest, which makes it a natural climate for chardonnay and pinot noir. But syrah also has an affinity for cool weather, as this effort from Ron Rubin demonstrates. Typical of syrah grown under cool conditions, this one displays an attractive blend of white pepper spice and rich blue fruits. It has a savory element that makes it a winner to pair with roasted meats. This syrah was designated best in its class at the San Diego Wine Challenge. Rating: 95.

Carol Shelton 2014 'Coquille Blanc,' Paso Robles ($24) — Carol Shelton's 2014 Coquille Blanc is a classic white Rhone-style blend exhibiting complex fruit notes of pear and peach with hints of baking spice in the background. Round and slightly oily, this white wine can be paired with rich seafood and pasta dishes. Coquille was Best of Show for white wine at the San Diego Wine Challenge. Rating: 95.

Mocen 2015 Verdejo, Seleccion Especial, Rueda DO, Spain ($16) — This wine is everything anyone could ever want in a Spanish verdejo. From the nose of white flowers and minerals to the palate of citrus, cantaloupe and wet stone, it shows splendid varietal characteristics, good balance, mouthwatering acidity and excellent persistence on the finish. Rating: 95.

D & L Carinalli 2014 Pinot Noir, Estate, Russian River Valley ($25) — This estate-grown Russian River pinot noir from Carinalli is a stunner for its price. It offers aromas of black cherry and spice on the nose. This wine really shines on the palate with a bright acidity that lifts and balances the fruit. Firmly structured, it stands to improve with age. Rating: 95.

Bolla 2011 'Creso,' Veronese IGT, Italy ($25) — This is Bolla's idea of a super-Veronese, which is patterned after super-Tuscan blends that combine indigenous grapes with Bordeaux grape varieties. The Creso utilizes Corvina, the workhorse red grape of the Veneto region of Italy, with cabernet sauvignon (35 percent) to craft a red that shows impressive weight and depth while retaining the freshness and brightness of the native Corvina. Rating: 95.

Mr. Riggs 2014 Montepulciano d'Adelaide Hills, Australia ($24) — The Montepulciano grape is perhaps the most misunderstood wine grape in the world. Montepulciano wine is often mistaken for the red wine from the Tuscan village of Montepulciano, which is actually made from sangiovese grapes. Montepulciano wine actually comes from a region of the Adriatic coast of Italy, the Abruzzo coast — unless it doesn't. This wine is made of the Montepulciano grape from vineyards in Australia's Adelaide Hills, hence the touch of eucalyptus on the nose, which you won't find in reds from Abruzzo. If you are now completely confused, this is all you need to know: It is rich and delicious, an exquisite expression of this native Italian grape variety. Rating: 94.

Giesen 2012 Pinot Noir 'The Brothers,' Marlborough, New Zealand ($35) — Giesen's pinot noirs often play second fiddle to its exceptional sauvignons, but the reality is the pinots from this cool region on New Zealand's South Island are outstanding in their own right. This vintage of "The Brothers" pinot shows earthy, forest floor notes on the nose, and impressive depth and gorgeous red fruits and spice on the palate. Rating: 94.

New Clairvaux Vineyard 2014 Barbera 'Poor Souls Block,' Tehama County ($20) — New Clairvaux flips the barbera grape on its head. Typically a grape variety that makes a high-acid wine that can be tart when young, the Poor Souls Block is something different altogether: a ripe, juicy, mouthwatering drink that shows bright red fruits with a supple palate, and long, persistent finish. The New Clairvaux won Best of Class Barbera at the international San Diego Wine Challenge. Rating: 94.

SeaGlass 2014 Riesling, Monterey County ($12) — This vintage of SeaGlass riesling is fresh and appealing, showing ripe stone-fruit notes and hints of white flower and spice. It's a beautiful wine to quaff during summer. Rating: 94.

Pico & Vine 2013 Meritage, Napa County ($18) — This easy-drinking red Meritage from Pico & Vine delivers a burst of ripe red and black fruits on the front of the palate and a hit of oak spice on the back end. It is an excellent bang for the buck. Rating: 90.

Follow Robert on Twitter at @wineguru. To find out more about Robert Whitley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.