As I sifted through the results of the recent Critics Challenge International Wine Competition, I was struck by the prowess of the B’s. The Killer B’s.
There was Barone Ricasoli of Tuscany, otherwise known as Brolio. This is the comeback kid of Chianti Classico, yet another testament to the brilliance of winemaking consultant Carlo Ferrini. A decade ago Brolio was a Chianti you would have been well advised to avoid.
What a difference a decade can make. With refurbished vineyards, a new winemaker and an eye on quality the turnaround of this historic Tuscan property is now complete.
Two Platinums and a Gold award (see Critics Challenge Judge Michael Franz’s comments on these wines in this week’s Reviews section, coming online Wednesday) were the result of breathtakingly good Chianti.
And you have to give a huge kudo to the folks at Beringer for delivering delicious wines at affordable prices. Beringer’s Founders’ Estate (line priced at $11) grabbed a Platinum and a Gold and its slightly more upscale Third Century took a Platinum and two Golds.
One of the biggest surprises of the competition, however, was the performance of North Carolina’s Biltmore Estate in the sparkling wine category. The Biltmore Blanc de Blancs Brut scored a Platinum while its Blanc de Blancs Chateau Reserve and Blanc de Noir Brut claimed Golds.
What’s more, Biltmore Estate took four medals with its table wines for seven overall.
Randall Grahm’s Bonny Doon also enjoyed a banner year with a Platinum (Le Cigare Blanc), two Golds and a Silver. I was most impressed with the Gold for an estate Ca’ del Solo Albarino. Nice to see that a domestic winery has been able to adapt this wonderful Spanish grape variety to local conditions.
And it was gratifying to finally (after five years) see a few winning entries from Greece. Boutari, probably the best-known Greek wine producer, walked off with two Golds and a Silver.
Barone Ricasoli
Critics Gold 2003 Brolio Chianti Classico Tuscany $19.99
Critics Platinum 2001 Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico Tuscany $54.00
Critics Platinum 2005 Rocca Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riserva Tuscany $25.00
Beringer Founders’ Estate
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon California $11.00
Critics Platinum 2005 Merlot California $11.00
Beringer Third Century
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast $14.00
Critics Platinum 2005 Syrah Central Coast $14.00
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay Central Coast $14.00
Biltmore Estate Wine Company
Critics Silver NV Celebration American $20.99
Critics Silver 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Antler Hill Napa Valley $48.00
Critics Gold 2004 Blanc de Blancs Brut, Chateau Reserve North Carolina $29.99
Critics Platinum NV Blanc de Blancs Brut American $24.99
Critics Gold NV Blanc de Noir Brut American $24.99
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Antler Hill Napa Valley $35.00
Critics Silver 2007 Viognier, Chateau Reserve North Carolina $18.99
Bolla
Critics Silver 2007 Chianti DOCG Tuscany $8.99
Critics Gold 2006 Bardolino Veneto $8.99
Critics Silver 2006 Valpolicella DOC Valpolicella $8.99
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Pavia $8.99
Bonny Doon Vineyard
Critics Silver 2004 Le Cigare Volant California $30.00
Critics Platinum 2006 Le Cigare Blanc California $20.00
Critics Gold 2005 Syrah Le Pousseur Central Coast $18.00
Critics Gold 2007 Albarino, Ca’ del Solo Estate Vineyard Monterey County $20.00
Boutari
Critics Silver 2001 Naoussa, Grande Reserve Greece $25.00
Critics Gold 2006 Moshofilero Greece $17.00
Critics Gold 2007 Santorini Greece $28.00
Brassfield Estate
Critics Gold 2006 Serenity, High Serenity Ranch High Valley $15.99
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, High Serenity Ranch High Valley $23.99
Critics Silver 2004 Merlot, High Serenity Ranch High Valley $22.99
Critics Silver 2004 Syrah, Round Mountain High Valley $23.99
Critics Silver 2004 Syrah, Monte Sereno High Valley $29.99
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Grigio, High Serenity Ranch High Valley $14.99
Buena Vista Carneros
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Carneros $24.99
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir, Ramal Vineyard Carneros $37.99
Critics Silver 2005 Syrah Carneros $22.99
Critics Silver 2005 Syrah, Ramal Vineyard Carneros $37.99
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay Carneros $17.99
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Ramal Vineyard Carneros $32.99
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Gris Carneros $19.99
CLICK HERE FOR CRITICS CHALLENGE RESULTS
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