At last weekend’s North Coast Wine & Food Challenge in Santa Rosa, Allison Weakley of Burlingame plotted her path with a map of the 102 wineries pouring. She was determined to try a range of wines in the double digits.

The wines poured at the festival earned a gold medal or higher in The Press Democrat’s North Coast Wine Challenge in April.

For Weakley, and those like-minded, vetted wines with impressive scores are a big draw. They give curious palates a good place to start their tasting quest.

Weakley said she was taking notes on the most impressive wines at the festival so she could come back to the North Bay, visit their tasting rooms and potentially become a wine club member at some of those wineries. Her strategy is spot on.

In addition to the North Coast Wine Challenge, The Press Democrat also has weekly blind tastings and these wines can earn up to five stars.

While there are quite a few factors that come into play in these weekly tastings, balance and complexity are key. These two factors are typically the most influential in choosing which wines rise to the top.

Balance is the rounding out of these elements: sweetness, alcohol, acid, and tannin. Many are familiar with alcohol levels and sweetness in wine, but they may not know as much about acid and tannin.

Here’s a quick explanation: A wine with high acid tastes crisp and even a little tart. A wine that’s “tannic” can taste markedly astringent. Balance keeps all these elements in check, so no one element dominates, and the wine’s aromas and flavors are well integrated.

Complexity, on the other hand, is what gives a wine its intrigue because with each sip, you discover another flavor. When a wine has layered flavors, it’s considered complex.

What follows are 10 wines that have been vetted in recent Press Democrat blind tastings. These impressive wines, snagging 3.5 stars and up, won’t disappoint curious palates.

St. Supery, 2023 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 13.5%, $28, 4.5 stars. Refreshing with crisp acidity, this Sauvignon Blanc has notes of grapefruit, lime and a hint of jalapeño. It’s striking.

Cormorant Cellars, 2021 Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Secco, Monterey County Chardonnay, 13.4%, $27, 4.5 stars. Aromas of melon and citrus follow through to the palate. Buoyed by crisp acidity, this Chardonnay has pitch perfect balance. It’s striking and delivers for the price.

Valette, 2022 Sonoma Coast Rosé of Pinot Noir, 13.5%, $37, 4.5 stars. Aromas of strawberry, cherry and crème brûlée follow through to the palate. Pitch perfect balance. Nice length. Well crafted.

Roederer Estate, NV Anderson Valley Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, 12.5%, $39, 4.5 stars. Aromas and flavors of watermelon and strawberry follow through to the palate. Flavors of citrus and brioche are also in the mix. Nice mousse.

Coil, 2022 Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, 14.3%, $45, 4 stars. A complex Chardonnay with layered notes of honey, pear and hazelnut. Well crafted.

Pedroncelli, 2021 Sonoma Classico, Dry Creek Valley Red Blend, 14.4%, $22, 4 stars. Aromas of black raspberry, black cherry and cracked black pepper follow through to the palate. Lovely.

Honig, 2023 Napa/Lake Sauvignon Blanc, 13.5%, $24, 4 stars. A tasty Sauvignon Blanc with notes of grapefruit, pear and jasmine. Citrusy finish. Top rate.

Graziano Family of Wines, 2020 Mendocino County Petite Sirah, 15%, $23, 3.5 stars. An edgy Petite Sirah with concentrated notes of blackberry, red plum and toast. Feisty.

Wither Hills, 2023 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, 13%, $15, 3.5 stars. An edgy Sauvignon Blanc with great minerality. Very aromatic with notes of grapefruit, lime and a hint of peach.

Splurge-worthy: Shafer, 2021 TD-9 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 15.3%, $75, 4 stars. A supple Cabernet with aromas and flavors of black currant, thyme and cocoa. Great bones — structure. Pretty.

You can reach wine writer Peg Melnik at 707-521-5310 or peg.melnik@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @pegmelnik.