I’m always happy to see wineries that I might consider underdogs achieve at a major international wine competition. It takes a bit of courage — as well as a bit of confidence — for an eastern U.S, winery to mingle with many of the stars of California, Washington, France, Italy and Spain.
Virginia and New York are not the traditional regions we would explore to find a great bottle of wine, though wine has been a part of the culture of those states since the Founding Fathers.
But in recent years it has become evident that both produce exceptional wines, and the recognition of the dozen assembled sommeliers for the 2nd annual Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition provides additional ammunition for the vintners of those regions.
Yesterday I highlighted the outstanding performance of Belhurst Winery of the Finger Lakes region and today I direct your attention to the stellar performance of Jefferson Vineyards of Monticello, Virginia: One platinum, two golds and two silvers. Wow!
In addition, I give you a number of other performances that caught my eye, including the seven silver medals taken by Middle Sister with its lineup of well made, tasty $12 wines.
Glen Carlou
Platinum 2006 Grand Classique Paarl $20.00 – Desi Eschavarrie
Gold 2009 Chardonnay Paarl $16.00 – Anani Lawson
Gloria Ferrer
Silver 2006 Merlot, Estate Grown Carneros $19.00 – Jesse Rodriguez
Silver 2005 Pinot Noir, Jose S. Ferrer Selection Carneros $35.00 – Jesse Rodriguez
Silver 2005 Pinot Noir, Rust Rock Terrace Carneros $40.00 – Michael Scaffidi
Gold 2005 Blanc De Blancs Carneros $24.00 – Lisa Redwine
Gold NV Brut Sonoma County $20.00 – David Lusby – Megan Yelenosky
Gold 2002 Royal Cuvee Carneros $32.00 – Will Costello
Best of Show Sparkling, NV Va de Vi Sonoma County $22.00 – David Lusby – Megan Yelenosky
Silver 2006 Brut Rose Carneros $42.00 – Andre Mack – Lisa Redwine
Gold 1999 Carneros Cuvee Carneros $50.00 – Brian Donegan – Jennifer Tremayne
Platinum 2007 Chardonnay, Estate Grown Carneros $18.00 – Jesse Rodriguez – Michael Scaffidi
J. Lohr
Platinum 2007 Cuvee St. E Paso Robles $50.00 – George Skorka
Gold 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Hilltop Vineyard Paso Robles $35.00 – Jesse Rodriguez – Michael Scaffidi
Gold 2008 Pinot Noir, Fog’s Reach Arroyo Seco $25.00 – Will Costello
Gold 2007 Chardonnay, Arroyo Vista Arroyo Seco $25.00 – Will Costello
Gold 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Carol’s Vineyard Napa Valley $24.00 – Jesse Rodriguez
Jefferson Vineyards
Platinum 2008 Meritage Monticello $30.00 – Brian Donegan – Jennifer Tremayne
Silver 2007 Merlot, Reserve Monticello $26.00 – Jesse Rodriguez
Gold 2009 Chardonnay, Reserve Monticello $22.00 – Michael Scaffidi
Silver 2009 Pinot Gris Monticello $20.00 – George Skorka
Gold 2009 Viognier Monticello $25.00 – Jesse Rodriguez
Justin Vineyards & Winery
Gold 2007 Savant Paso Robles $45.00 – Anani Lawson
Silver 2007 Isosceles Paso Robles $62.00 – Desi Eschavarrie
Gold 2007 Justification Paso Robles $45.00 – Desi Eschavarrie
Silver 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles $26.00 – Jesse Rodriguez
Kilikanoon
Silver 2007 Blocks Road Cabernet Sauvignon Clare Valley $30.00 – David Lusby – Megan Yelenosky
Gold 2007 Covenant Shiraz Clare Valley $40.00 – Lisa Redwine
Gold 2006 Oracle Shiraz Clare Valley $70.00 – Andre Mack – Lisa Redwine
Korbin Kameron
Gold 2006 Cuvee Kristin Estate Blend, Estate Grown Sonoma Mountain $55.00 – Desi Eschavarrie – George Skorka
Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley $40.00 – Jesse Rodriguez
Gold 2006 Merlot, Estate Grown Sonoma Mountain $35.00 – Will Costello
Middle Sister
Silver NV Rebel Red California $12.00 – Will Costello – Anani Lawson
Silver NV Mischief Maker Cabernet Sauvignon California $12.00 – Jesse Rodriguez
Silver NV Forever Cool Merlot California $12.00 – Jesse Rodriguez
Silver NV Goodie Two-Shoes Pinot Noir California $12.00 – Anani Lawson
Silver NV Smarty Pants Chardonnay California $12.00 – Lisa Redwine
Silver NV Drama Queen Pinot Grigio California $12.00 – Desi Eschavarrie – George Skorka
Silver NV Surfer Chick Sauvignon Blanc California $12.00 – Anani Lawson
Navarro Vineyards
Gold 2009 Edelzwicker Anderson Valley $13.00 – Anani Lawson
Silver 2009 Muscat Blanc Anderson Valley $19.00 – Jesse Rodriguez – Michael Scaffidi
Best of Show White, 2009 Gewurztraminer Anderson Valley $19.00 – Andre Mack – Lisa Redwine
Gold 2009 Gewurztraminer Late Harvest Anderson Valley $35.00 – Andre Mack – Lisa Redwine
Niner Wine Estates
Best of Class Merlot, 2007 Merlot, Boot Jack Ranch Paso Robles $24.00 – Jesse Rodriguez
Northstar
Gold 2006 Merlot Walla Walla Valley $60.00 – Andre Mack – Lisa Redwine
Gold 2006 Merlot Columbia Valley $41.00 – Andre Mack – Lisa Redwine
Click here for complete Sommelier Challenge results.
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