We recently had a lively and provocative discussion on value wines here in the virtual editorial offices of Wine Review Online.
I’m not as discouraged as some of my colleagues about their perceived lack of value in California vino, and I believe the results of the recent Critics Challenge largely support my argument that qulity and value are not incompatible concepts within the California wine industry.
I will focus today on two of the outstanding performers from the Critics Challenge — Concannon Vineyards and Cycles Gladiator. Concannon, with wines priced bwteen $10.99 and $25, won 11 medals. Cycles Gladiator, a value brand produced by Monterey County’s Hahn Estates, won two gold medals from a handful of wines entered. The Cycles Gladiator wines retail for $10.
Neither was a fluke. Concannon has been a force in all three of the major wine competitions I’ve overseen this year (Monterey and the San Diego International are the other two) and Cycles Gladiator has not failed to win top medals in those same competitions since its inception a few years ago.
Of course, we also treasure our outstanding performers at the higher end, such as Chanson, the Burgundy negociant that is highlighted today. Chanson won five medals with Burgundies priced from $45 to $74. And I could make a case that those are “value” prices given the fact they are Burgundies from a great vintage.
But I’ve decided not to press my luck!
Capel Vale
Critics Silver 2005 Shiraz, Debut Western Australia $16.00
Critics Platinum 2005 Shiraz, Regional Series Mount Barker $22.00
Critics Gold 2007 Chardonnay, Debut, Unwooded Western Australia $16.00
Chanson
Critics Gold 2005 Nuits St. George Burgundy $54.00
Critics Silver 2005 Savigny-Dominode, Premier Cru Burgundy $46.00
Critics Silver 2005 Volnay Cote de Beaune $74.00
Critics Platinum 2006 Meursault Cote de Beaune $74.00
Critics Gold 2005 Pernand-Vergelesses, Les Caradeux 1er Cru Cote de Beaune $45.00
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Indian Wells Columbia Valley $18.00
Best of Show Dessert 2006 Riesling Ice Wine, Eroica Columbia Valley $75.00
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay, Canoe Ridge Estate Horse Heaven Hills $24.00
Critics Gold 2006 Late Harvest White Riesling, Ethos Columbia Valley $39.00
Critics Silver 2007 Dry Riesling Columbia Valley $12.00
Critics Gold 2007 Riesling, Eroica, Dr. Loosen Columbia Valley $22.00
Concannon Vineyard
Critics Silver 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Livermore Valley $25.00
Critics Gold 2005 Grenache, Reserve Livermore Valley $24.00
Critics Silver 2006 Merlot, Selected Vineyards Central Coast $10.99
Critics Silver 2004 Merlot, Reserve Livermore Valley $24.00
Critics Silver 2004 Petite Sirah, Reserve Livermore Valley $36.00
Critics Silver 2005 Syrah, Selected Vineyards Central Coast $10.99
Critics Silver 2005 Syrah, Stampmaker’s, Limited Release Central Coast $15.00
Critics Gold 2006 Tempranillo, Reserve Paso Robles $25.00
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Reserve Livermore Valley $25.00
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Selected Vineyards Central Coast $10.99
Critics Silver 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Selected Vineyards Central Coast $10.99
Cosentino Winery
Critics Gold 2004 Cabernet Franc Napa Valley $50.00
Critics Gold 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa County $45.00
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Sonoma County $40.00
Critics Gold 2007 Pinot Grigio Solano County $20.00
Crossing Vineyards And Winery
Critics Gold 2006 Cabernet Franc Pennsylvania $21.00
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Pennsylvania $22.00
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay Pennsylvania $17.00
Critics Silver 2006 Riesling Pennsylvania $16.00
Cycles Gladiator
Critics Gold 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast $9.99
Critics Gold 2006 Syrah Central Coast $9.99
CLICK HERE FOR CRITICS CHALLENGE WINNERS
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