A few observations from the 2007 Critics Challenge, while they’re still fresh in my mind.
Champagne Charles Heidsieck has become a force to be reckoned with. This house’s multi-vintage Brut Reserve was among the finest Champagnes I tasted at the recent Concours Mondial, but its performance across the board at the Critics Challenge was nothing short of stunning, with five significant awards from its five wines entered.
Three Charles Heidsieck bubblies — the 1995 Blanc des Millenaires, the 1995 Vintage Champagne, and the 1985 Champagne Charlie — took Platinum awards, and two — the 1999 Rose and the multi-vintage Brut Reserve — captured Golds.
I felt compelled to give this brilliant Champagne house the Director’s Award as top European winery in a tie with the Cockburn’s Port house, which submited the Best of Show Dessert wine.
Best Sparkling, however, went to Piper-Heidsieck’s multi-vintage tetes de cuvee, Cuvee Rare. This was another of the top Champagnes that I tasted at the Concours Mondial, proving that these wines are not only exceptional but consistent.
My Director’s Award for top importer went to San Francisco’s Old Bridge Cellars, which brings in the first-rate d’Aarenberg wines from South Australia. D’Arenberg was named Winery of the Year for the Southern Hemisphere after taking nine awards in this year’s Challenge.
The top U.S. wineries, each with a slew of awards, were Missouri’s St. James Winery for the Eastern U.S. and Mendocino County’s Navarro Vineyards for the Western U.S.
All of the results can be found at the Critics Challenge website.
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