2007 Pacific Rim & Riverside International Competition Results

We were recently asked why we publish competition results which would seem to contradict our policy of urging consumers to drink what they like, not what others recommend. The short answer: I enjoy reading how east coast and midwestern wineries fare against West Coast wines. I hope you do too. Thus, here are results from the 2007 Pacific Rim Wine Competition and the 2007 Riverside International Wine Competition.

2007 Pacific Rim Wine Competition

Gold/Best of Class
Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves (CA): Blanc de Blancs 2003
Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves (CA): Blanc de Noir NV
Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves (CA): Sonoma Brut NV
Wyndham Estate (AU): Sparkling Chardonnay NV
Drytown Cellars (CA): Red -On-Red
Red Zeppelin Winery (CA): 2005 Black Zeppelin
Montevina (CA): 2005 Barbera
Biltmore Estate Winery (NC): Cabernet Franc NV
Monte Xanic (MX): 2002 Gran Ricardo
Little Boomey (AU): 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
J. Lohr Estates (CA): 2005 Seven Oaks, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
Gordon Brothers Cellars (WA): 2005 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Jekel Vineyards (CA): 2004 Monterey Cabernet Sauvignon
J. Lohr Estates (CA): 2004 Hilltop Vineyard, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
ZD Wines (CA): 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Forest Glen Reserve (CA): 2003 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
Eaton Hill Winery (WA): 2003 Yakima Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Askerne Estate (NZ): 2004 Hawke's Bay Merlot/Malbec/Cab Sauvignon/Cab Franc
Windsor Vineyards (CA): 2004 North Coast Meritage
Peter Vella (CA): NV Merlot
Hahn Estates (CA): 2005 Monterey Merlot
Hook & Ladder Winery (CA): 2005 Russian River Valley Merlot
Raymond Vineyard (CA): 2004 R Collection California Merlot
V. Sattui Winery (CA): 2004 Napa Valley Merlot
Camelot Winery (CA): 2003 California
Bianchi Vineyards (CA): 2004 Paso Robles Syrah
Church & State Wines (BC): 2005 Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir
Baileyana Winery (CA): Pinot Noir 2005 Grand Firepeak Cuvee, Edna Valley
Willowbrook Cellars (CA): 2004 Russian River Valley Estate Grown Pinot Noir
V. Sattui Winery (CA): 2006 California White Zinfandel
Handley Cellars (CA): 2006 Mendocino County Pinot Rose
Chateau Reynella (AU): 2004 McLaren Vale Grenache
Little Boomey (AU): Shiraz 2006 South Australia
Kendall-Jackson Vineyards (CA): 2005 Vintner's Reserve Syrah
Michael Pozzan Winery (CA): 2005 Napa Valley Syrah
Wyndham Estate (AU): 2004 Bin 555 Shiraz
Eberle Winery (CA): 2004 Paso Robles, Steinbeck Vineyard Syrah
Bridge Pa Vineyards (NZ): 2004 Louis Syrah
Eberle Winery (CA): 2005 Cotes-du-Robles
Fetzer Vineyards (CA): 2005 Valley Oaks Zinfandel
Victor Hugo (CA): 2005 Paso Robles, Estate Zinfandel
Rancho Zabaco Winery (CA): 2004 Heritage Vines Zinfandel
Rodney Strong Vineyards (CA): 2004 Knotty Vines Zinfandel
Trecini (CA): 2004 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
Vina Robles Winery (CA): 2004 Paso Robles Red 4
Breitenbach Winey (OH): NV Frost Fire
Stone Hill Winery (MO): 2006 Steinberg White
Jacob's Creek Wines (AU): 2005 Chardonnay Reserve
Glen Carlou (South Africa): Chardonnay 2005 Paarl, South Africa
ZD Wines (CA): 2005 Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley
Covey Run (WA): 2005 Columbia Valley Chardonnay
Willowbrook Cellars (CA): 2004 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
Devil's Lair (AU): 2005 Fifth Leg White
Windsor Vineyards (CA): 2006 Chenin Blanc
Navarro Vineyards (CA): 2005 Gewurztraminer 2005 California, Cuvee Traditional
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery (BC): 2006 Private Reserve Gewurztraminer
Anthony Road Wine Company (NY) 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling
Ferrante Winery (OH): 2005 Grand River Valley Riesling
Brassfield Estate (CA): 2005 Late Harvest Johannisberg Riesling
Duck Walk Vineyard (NY): 2004 Sauvignon Blanc
Miramonte Winery (CA): 2004 Sauvignon Blanc
Peter Lehmann Wines (AU): 2005 Barossa Valley Semillon
Navarro Vineyards (CA): 2005 Anderson Valley Muscat Blanc
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi (CA): 2005 California Muscat
Hester Creek Estate Winery (BC): 2006 Okanagan Valley Pinot Blanc
Norman Vineyards (CA): 2006 Santa Barbara County Pinot Grigio
Breitenbach Winey (OH): NV America Viognier
Rabbit Ridge (CA): 2005 Paso Robles Viognier
Callaway Winery (CA): 2005 Temecula Roussanne
Oak Knoll Winery (OR): NV Niagara
Montelle Winery (MO): 2006 Seyval Blanc
Dr. Konstantin Frank (NY): 2006 Rkatsiteli
Andeluna Cellars (Argentina): 2006 Winemakers Selection Torrante's
Ackerman Winery (IA): 2006 Red Raspberry
Navarro Vineyards (CA): 2005 Anderson Valley White Riesling
Leelanau Cellars (MI): Cherry
Leonesse Cellars (CA): 2003 Tucalota Vineyard Cinsault Port
Rancho de Philo NV Triple Cream Sherry

2007 Riverside International Wine Competition
Value Winery of the Year - Concannon Vineyard (CA)

Sweepstakes Awards
Sweepstakes Sparkling Wine: Mumm Napa (CA) - NV Methode Champenoise Brut
Sweepstakes Rose Wine: Barnard Griffin Winery (WA) - 2006 Sangiovese Rose
Sweepstakes White Wine: Chateau Lafayette Reneau (NY) - 2006 Johannisberg Riesling
Sweepstakes Red Wine: Victor Hugo (CA) - 2005 Estate Zinfandel
Sweepstakes Dessert Wine: Navarro Vineyards (CA) - 2005 Navarro Vineyards Muscat, Late-Harvest Cluster Select (Blanc)

Chairman's Award (Unanimous Gold)
Michael~David Winery (CA): 2004 Earthquake Syrah
Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery (CA): 2003 Merlot
Rutherford Wine Company (CA): 2005 Grand Pacific Starliner Red
Breitenbach Wine Cellars (OH): NV Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
Navarro Vineyards (CA): 2005 Late-Harvest Riesling
Foster's Wine Estates (AU): 2006 Lindemans Shiraz
Foster's Wine Estates (NZ): 2006 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates (CA): 2004 Mt Veeder Highland Estates Cabernet Sauvignon
Concannon Vineyards (CA): 2004 Sauvignon Blanc
Weibel Family Wine Group (CA): 2005 Mendocino Chardonnay
Pilot Peak Vineyard & Winery (CA): 2005 Paramour
Spangler Vineyards (OR): 2005 Sundown Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Mumm Napa (CA): Brut Prestige NV
Maurice Carrie Winery (CA): 2006 Muscat
Windsor Vineyards (CA): 2004 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Windsor Vineyards (CA): 2006 Mendocino County Semillon
Carneros Creek Winery (CA): 2005 Reserve Pinot Noir
Chalet Debonne (OH): 2006 Riesling
Red Newt Cellars (NY): 2005 Cabernet Franc
Astrale E Terra (CA): 2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Peninsula Cellars (MI): 2005 Gewurztraminer
Pedroncelli Winery (CA): 2006 Dry Creek Valley Vintage Selection
Yangarra Estate Vineyard (AU): 2005 Shiraz
Swedish Hill Winery (NY): NV Concord
Swedish Hill Winery (NY): 2005 Late Harvest Vignoles
Vinum Cellars (CA): 2006 Chenin Blanc
Quail Creek Cellars: 2002 North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon
Baldwin Vineyards (NY): Raspberry
V. Sattui Winery (CA): 2005 Napa Valley Sattui Family
Silver Mountain Vineyards (CA): 2004 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
WineSmith (CA): 2004 Cabernet Franc
Madrona Vineyards (CA): 2004 El Dorado Reserve, Estate
Baileyana Winery (CA): 2005 Edna Valley Chardonnay
Trinchero Family Estates (CA): 2004 Napa Valley Main Street Cabernet Sauvignon
Trinchero Family Estates (CA): 2004 Napa Valley Stagecoach Cabernet Sauvignon
Trinchero Family Estates (CA): 2006 Montevina Pinot Gris
Carol Shelton Wines (CA): 2006 Rendezvous Rose
Black Star Farms (MI): 2006 Riesling
Renteria (CA): 2005 Carneros Pinto Noir
Cline Cellars (CA): 2005 Contra Costa Mourvedre
Cosentino Winery (CA): 2005 Lodi Tempranillo
Cosentino Winery (CA): 2005 California Chardonnay
Sunset Cellars (CA): 2003 Twin Creeks Vineyard Barbera
Cosentino Winery (CA): 2005 California White Meritage
Geyser Peak Winery (CA): 2005 Alexander Valley Chardonnay
Granite Springs Winery (CA): 2004 Estate Zinfandel
Granite Springs Winery (CA): 2004 Petite Syrah
Wattle Creek Winery (CA): 2003 Alexander Valley Syrah
Barboursville Vineyards (VA): 2006 Pinot Gris
Fess Parker Winery (CA): 2005 Santa Barbara Pinot Noir
Jackson Family Farms (CA): 2004 Mendocino Zinfandel
Jackson Family Farms (CA): 2003 Sonoma Merlot
Fox Run Vineyards (NY) 2005 Dry Riesling
Chateau Lafayette Reneau (NY): 2005 Finger Lakes Chardonnay
Galleano Winery (CA): 2000 Zinfandel Port
Ste. Chapelle Winery (ID): 2005 Merlot
St. James Winery (MO): Niagara (Country White)
St. James Winery (MO): 2005 Late Harvest Chardonel
Brandt Family Winery (CA): 2005 Santa Barbara Syrah
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards (NY): 2006 Off-Dry Riesling
Chrysalis Vineyards (VA): 2005 Barrel Select Norton
Mount Palomar Winery (CA): 2003 Temecula Valley Meritage

Results of the 2006 Jefferson Cup Invitational

We are quite a bit behind schedule posting competition results, one of which was the 2006 Jefferson Cup. "The Jefferson Cup Invitational, a seven-year-old wine competition, is the only competition that honors the best of the best among US wineries from all of America’s wine regions. Each year we select great wines from across America. This year, at the end of the second day of tasting, December 1 st, 2006, wines from seven different states had captured top honors. Just as the event’s namesake would have it, democracy reigned at this year’s Jefferson Cup Wine Competition. The Jefferson Cup Invitational does not award golds, silvers and the like. Rather, the invited wines have all proven their excellence in competitions and tastings throughout the last year. We believe and try to publicize our belief that these are wines that are extremely deserving of the nation’s attention.

This year, out of four hundred ninety-nine chosen wines, the judges chose just over two hundred thirty-six wines to receive the “Certificate of American Merit”, which respects wines exemplary of their regions and varieties. Next the judges chose ninety wines (there was no pre-ordained number or percentage) that they believed were truly great examples. Those will receive certificates announcing them as “American Examples of Greatness”.

This year, sixty-seven wines were selected as Jefferson Cup honorees; these wines were nominated by the four judging committees to receive Jefferson Cups. Out of those sixty-seven honored wines, the judges picked nineteen wines to be awarded the Jefferson Cups. By selecting both vinifera and non-vinifera wines for the Jefferson Cup each year, the hope is to respect the diversity of American viticulture and Jefferson's own acceptance of native varieties and hybrids. For the first time, the judges chose to honor three of the Jefferson Cup nominees with a new, top award called THE JEFFERSON TROPHY." Courtesy of the 2006 Jefferson Cup.
The 2006 JEFFERSON TROPHY winners were:
White Hall Vineyards Petit Manseng 2005 Monticello
Jade Mountain La Provencale 2004 California
Stone Hill Winery Late Harvest Vignoles 2005 Missouri

The 2006 JEFFERSON CUP winners were:

For Non-Vinifera White Wine:
Augusta Winery Seyval Blanc 2005 Missouri
Chalet Debonne’ Vidal Blanc 2005 Ohio
Montelle Winery Vignoles Dry 2005 Missouri

For Vinifera Red Wine:
Trespass Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2003 St. Helena
Snoqualmie Vineyards Merlot Reserve 2003 Columbia Valley
Andrew Will Winery Syrah Annie Camarda 2002 Red Mountain/Horse Heaven Hills
Michael David Earthquake Syrah 2004 Lodi
Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Montebello 2003
Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2004 Columbia Valley
Clos du Bois Marlstone 2003 Sonoma
Cosentino Winery The Poet 2003
Concannon Vineyards Petite Sirah Limited Release 2004 Central Coast
Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel Heritage Vines 2004 Sonoma County

For Non-Vinifera Red Wine:
St. Julian Vineyards Red Heron nv Michigan

For Dessert Wine:
Flat Creek Estate Moscato Blanco 2005 Texas Hill Country
St. James Winery Late Harvest Chardonel 2004 Missouri
Stone Hill Winery Cream Sherry nv Missouri
Rotta Winery Black Monukka 2003 California

Warm Lake Estate

This week we received our quarterly newsletter from New York's Warm Lake Estate. This winery is located in the Niagara Escarpment, a new AVA which borders the southern coast of Lake Ontario. Warm Lake Estate produces Pinot Noir, and only Pinot Noir, from the largest pinot planting east of the Rockies. We were pleasantly surprised to read that their 2003 Pinot Noir was named "Best in Show" at the 16th Annual Boston Wine Expo. This trade event is the largest of its kind in the United States and trade representatives chose the 2003 Warm Lake Estate Pinot Noir over thousands of other wines poured at the event. Congratulations.

Results of the 2007 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition

Thanks to the Finger Lakes Weekend Wino for alerting us that the results of the 2007 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition have been posted. The year the annual event was held March 31st and April 1st in Rochester New York. Just over 1,700 wines were submitted, representing wineries in the United States, Canada, and other other international wine producing regions. Most of the judges reside in New York, but some came as far away as France, Germany, United Kingdom, Argentina, and New Zealand.

Besides awarded traditional medals, this competition bestows a Best Ice Wine and Best Riesling award. The Best Ice Wine was given to Vignoble du Marathonien from Havelock Quebec for their 2004 Vin de Glace Vidal Ice Wine. My limited French translated the wine's description as follows. "The wine is made from 100% Vidal grapes and was harvested in December when temperatures were between -10 and -14 degrees Celsius." The wine is priced at 50 Canadian dollars. The Best Riesling was awarded, not to a New York or Germany winery, but to Washington's Chateau St. Michelle, for their 2005 Columbia Valley Horse Heaven Hills Reserve Ethos Late Harvest White Riesling. That's a mouthful in itself. According to winemaker Bob Bertheau, this is “a complex wine, the Ethos Late Harvest Riesling exudes aromas of honey, apricot and spice. The harmonious balance of sugar and natural acidity results in a smooth and viscous mouth feel and a long-lasting finish.” This wine retails for $39.99.

There were quite a few wines that were awarded Double Gold medals, in which the judges unanimously decided the wine deserved a Gold medal. The list includes:

Vignoble Clos Saint-Denis (QC), 2005 Fine Pomme de Glace Aged in Oak Casks
Cosentino Winery (CA), 2005 California The Franc
Bronco Wine Company, Napa Ridge Winery 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Honeymoon Trail Winery (NY), Lake Erie Pink Catawba
Jacob's Creek Wines (AU), 2006 South Eastern Australia Chardonnay
Galen Glen Vineyard and Winery (PA), 2005 PA Stone Cellar Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
Reif Estate Winery (ON), 2004 Vidal Icewine
Royal DeMaria Winery (ON), 2003 Niagara Peninsula RDW Vineyards Vidal Icewine
Weingut Frey, 2005 Essinger Osterberg Kerner Beerenauslese
Lynfred Winery (IL), 2005 Malbec
North Lake Wines (Chile), Escudo Rojo 2003 Maipo Chile Red (55% Cab Sauv / 27% Carmenere / 8% Cab Franc / 7% Syrah)
Gallo Family Vineyards (CA), Twin Valley California Merlot
WineHaven Winery & Vineyard (MN), Minnesota Raspberry Wine
Wimbledon Wine Company (CA), Hahn Estates Winery 2005 Monterey Pinot Noir
Centarra Wine CO (NZ), Monkey Bay 2006 Hawkes Bay New Zealand Rose (70% Merlot / 17% Malbec / 7% Pinot age / 6% Syrah)
Widmer's Wine Cellars (NY), NV Widmer Solaira Cream Sherry
J. Lohr Winery (CA), 2005 Paso Robles South Ridge Syrah (80% Syrah / 10 % Petite Verdot / 5% Petite Syrah)
Jackson Wine Estates International (AU), Yangarra Estate Vineyard 2005 McLaren Vale Estate Grown Shiraz
Wild Wood Winery (CA), 2003 Syrah Gina
Wimbledon Wine Company (CA), Hahn Estates Winery 2004 Central Coast Syrah
Arbor Hill Grapery (NY), 2005 Finger lakes Classic Traminette
Rappahannock Cellars (VA), 2006 Virginia Viognier
York Mountain Winery (CA), 2005 Paso Robles Viognier

2006 Wines of the South Results

Recently the results of the 2006 Wines of the South competition were posted online. This competition is open to thirteen southern states from Texas to Virginia and was held at the UT Conference Center in Knoxville, Tennessee on November 11, 2006. Tennessee's Chateau Ross Vineyards & Winery was awarded the Best in Show trophy for their 2003 Big Bitch Red, a Sangiovese/Zinfandel blend. Another hometown winner was Apple Barn Winery, who won Best Fruit wine with their Apple Strawberry wine. Florida's SeaBreeze Winery was awarded Best Dessert wine for their American Port, made from muscadine grapes. And two North Carolina wineries won the Best Red and Best White wines, Childress Vineyards for their Winemakers Meritage and Biltmore Estate Winery for their Biltmore Estate Century (Muscat/Gewürztraminer/Riesling).

Several more wineries won Concordance Gold awards where the judges decided unanimously that a specific wine deserves a Gold medal:

Apple Barn Winery (TN): Apple Raspberry fruit wine
Apple Barn Winery (TN): Muscadine
Beans Creek Winery (TN): Rosey Cheeks (Vidal)
Biltmore Estate Winery (NC): Biltmore Estate House Wine (Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay)
Chateau Elan Winery (GA): Muscadine dessert wine
Chatham Hill Winery (NC): Blackberry fruit wine
Childress Vineyards (NC): 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Duplin Winery (NC): Hatteras Red (Muscadine)
Duplin Winery (NC): Scuppernong Blush (Muscadine)
Henscratch Farms Vineyard & Winery (FL): Carlos (Muscadine)
Post Familie Vineyards & Winery (AR): Vignoles "the Dreamer"
Shelton Vineyards (NC): 2005 Estate Chardonnay
Shelton Vineyards (NC): 2005 Riesling

Frederick Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Recently we were able to visit the newly opened Maryland winery, Frederick Cellars. Just before opening, the winery was able to purchase Catoctin Vineyards and hire Robert Lyons as their new winemaker. This was a major coup since Mr. Lyons is noted as being perhaps Maryland's best winemaker. He produced several award winning wines under the Catoctin label - including the 2004 Governors Cup for his 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon. Now, two years later, Lyons and Frederick Cellars repeated this feat with the 2006 Governors Cup for their 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon. Made from grapes grown in the Mountain Creek Vineyards in the Catoctin AVA, this is a full bodied wine with a slight peppery finish. But why the award? The wine's complexity; balance; I don't know. Maybe because this wine has character – a tangible that can’t be described accurately but makes this an excellent wine. The downside; this wine isn't cheap - at least for Maryland wines. Priced at $30, the benefit of being a cup winner has definitely been factored into the price. We thought it worth the price; but you make the call.

Linganore Winecellars - Maryland Merlot

This week we opened our last bottle of Linganore Winecellar's Maryland Merlot, the winner of the 2005 Governor's Cup. This is a great full-bodied wine, with a strong cherry nose and flavor. The finish is long and smooth. The grapes are from the Hemsley Fortune Vineyard in Queen Anne's County. Perhaps conditions in southern Maryland are similar to those in Long Island, because if you like Long Island Merlot, you will love this wine. We also recommend visiting Linganore Winecellars. They host several music festivals throughout the summer and fall such as the Caribbean Wine Festival, Swingin' Blues Wine Festival, and Reggae Wine Festival. And during the winery tour, Anthony Aellen, the winery’s owner, presents a colorful commentary of both his wine as well as the American wine industry in general. We will miss this wine. In a few weeks we will post on the 2006 Maryland Governor's Cup winner, Frederick Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2001.

Best in State 2006

Every year the wineries in several states participate in competitions to determine the best wines produced in that state. Here are a list of the Governor Cup winners in a few states. We have tried the Frederick Cellars 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon and the Rappahannock Cellars 2005 Reserve Viognier; both are excellent.

Illinois: Owl Creek Vineyard Bald Knob 2005
Maryland: Frederick Cellars 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
Michigan: Peninsula Cellars 2005 Gewurztraminer - Manigold Vineyard
Missouri: Augusta Winery 2004 Vignoles
New Jersey: Tomasello Atlantic County Vidal Blanc Ice Wine 2005
New York: Hermann J. Wiemer 2005 Reserve Riesling
North Carolina: Childress Vineyards Syrah
Pennsylvania: Pinnacle Ridge Winery 2004 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
Virginia: Rappahannock Cellars 2005 Reserve Viognier