I often marvel at the consistency of certain wines as they pile up medals in the various competitions I oversee. One of those jumps out at me now as I continue to peruse the results of the recent Critics Challenge International Wine Competition.
That would be the Kiwi Cuvee 2007 Sauvignon Blanc. It took a Critics Gold. When last seen before Critics, it was a Gold-medal winner at the San Diego International Wine Competition. This is an $8 wine. From the Languedoc, in the south of France. It is clean and crisp and shows all of the characteristics of a Sauvignon from Marlborough, New Zealand (indeed, a bit of gooseberry and passion fruit).
And it’s knocked the judges dead over two straight competitions. Go figure!
Same thing with Luis Canas, a Rioja Reserva from the less than stellar 2002 vintage, retail price of $25. Won Best of Show Red Wine at the San Diego International; backed that up with solid Gold at the Critics.
Take another Rioja, from Bodegas Montecillo. Two wines entered, two medals won, both of them Critics Gold awards. Talk about value. The 2002 Montecillo Reserva retails for $20, the 2000 Gran Reserva for $27.
You’ve got to love wines that hit home runs every time up and retail for less than $30 a bottle.
Other stellar performers:
Jacob’s Creek
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve South Australia $11.99
Critics Gold 2004 Merlot, Reserve South Eastern Australia $11.99
Critics Platinum NV Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir Australia $11.99
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay, Reserve South Australia $11.99
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Grigio South Eastern Australia $9.99
Critics Platinum 2007 Riesling, Reserve South Australia $11.99
Critics Gold 2006 Riesling, Steingarten Barossa Valley $27.99
Kendall-Jackson
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Hawkeye Mountain, Highland Estates Alexander Valley $55.00
Critics Platinum 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Trace Ridge, Highland Estates Knights Valley $70.00
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Mountain, Highland Estates Mount Veeder / Napa Valley $70.00
Critics Platinum 2005 Merlot, Taylor Peak, Highland Estates Bennett Valley $40.00
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Camelot Highlands, Highland Estates Santa Maria Valley $25.00
Critics Platinum 2006 Chardonnay, Piner Hills, Highland Estates Russian River Valley $30.00
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay, Seco Highlands, Highlands Estates Arroyo Seco $30.00
Kiwi Cuvee
Critics Gold 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Vin De Pays d’Oc $7.99
Luis Canas
Critics Gold 2002 Reserva Rioja $25.00
Michel Picard
Critics Silver 2006 Cotes du Rhone Rhone Valley $9.99
Critics Silver 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone Valley $39.99
Critics Silver 2006 Beaujolais-Villages Beaujolais $9.99
Critics Gold 2005 Pinot Noir, Bourgogne Burgundy $14.99
Critics Platinum 2006 Macon-Villages, Chardonnay Burgundy $11.99
Montecillo
Critics Gold 2002 Reserva Rioja $20.00
Critics Gold 2001 Gran Reserva Rioja $27.00
Mumm Napa Valley
Critics Gold 2003 Blanc de Blancs Napa Valley $26.00
Critics Gold NV Blanc de Noirs Napa Valley $19.00
Critics Platinum NV Brut Prestige Napa Valley $19.00
Critics Gold NV Reserve Brut Napa Valley $26.00
Critics Gold 2001 Grande Annee Napa Valley $30.00
Critics Silver NV Demi-Sec Napa Valley $30.00
Critics Platinum 2000 DVX Napa Valley $55.00
Origin
Critics Platinum 2003 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Collection Series Bordeaux $38.99
Critics Gold 2003 Santenay, Collection Series Burgundy $37.99
Perrier-Jouet
Critics Gold 1999 Fleur de Champagne Epernay $139.99
Best of Show Sparkling 2000 Fleur de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Epernay $399.00
Critics Platinum 2002 Fleur de Champagne Rose Epernay $299.99
Prima Mano
Best of Show Red 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Brunello Di Montalcino $49.99
Critics Gold 2007 Fiano-Greco Puglia $15.99
CLICK HERE FOR CRITICS CHALLENGE WINNERS
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