San Diego, Calif. (July 18, 2024) – The 21st annual Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits competition is in the books, with plenty of winners to celebrate. The competition, which took place June 22-23 in San Diego, saw high-quality wines and spirits continue to find their way to the top in this blind judging.
“It’s always worth taking a look at what passes muster with the Critics Challenge judges,” says Competition Director Rich Cook. “Our judges are respected wine and spirits reviewers, who tend to have an extremely wide view of the marketplace.”
Top honors in the Wine Division – the Robert Whitley Trophy for Wine of the Year, in memory of the late wine critic and competition founder – went to the Dutcher Crossing 2021 Cut Root Vineyard Pinot Noir from Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley AVA. The Pinot earned a score of 98 points, edging out some serious competition. At a full retail price of $61, it’s as good as several offerings that cost twice as much.
Chief Wine Judge Michael Franz described the Dutcher Crossing winner as “a Pinot that displays the important varietal virtue of punching above its weight. This is fresh and shows some delicacy, but then kicks in with expressive, deep, and lasting flavors recalling dark cherries and berries. The balance of fruit, acidity and wood is excellent, so this is ready to go but also has years of positive development ahead of it.” Dutcher Crossing also took the competition’s Domestic Winery of the Year award based on a strong portfolio showing.
Wine of the Year, Import, went to the Schloss Vollrads 2021 Riesling Kabinett Rheingau – with a 95-point score and a retail price of $34.
Australia’s Wakefield/Taylors grabbed the Import Winery of the Year title thanks to Platinum Awards in the Shiraz and Riesling categories. Pernod-Ricard’s worldwide array of winemakers secured the Critics’ Wine Company of the Year award with a portfolio spanning Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Paso Robles’ Bella Luna Estate Winery won the Small Producer of the Year prize with three Platinum Awards.
The Spirits Division continues to impress, with producers showcasing new and innovative spirits each year. The Spirits judges awarded Spirit of the Year to a completely unique product – the Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rum, Sevillian Orange Cask Finished ($40), which earned a score of 98 points. This product from rum’s most recognizable producer reaches into new territory, finishing in casks that previously held wine made from Sevillian oranges.
Colorado’s Lasso Whiskey earned the Distiller of the Year honor with a fine set of well-aged whiskies.
A recap of top awards follows. For a complete list of results, go to www.CriticsChallenge.com
Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition, founded in 2004, has become one of the most prestigious wine and spirits competitions in the world. The blind tasting is judged entirely by noted wine and spirits journalists. Gold and Platinum winners receive publishable comments from the individual critic that awarded the medal, and Platinum winners are reviewed in WineReviewOnline.com or SpiritsReviewOnline.com. Critics Challenge is part of the Challenge Series of international wine and spirits competitions that includes the San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge (formerly San Diego Wine Competition), Winemaker Challenge, Distillers Challenge, and Sommelier Challenge.
DIRECTORS AWARDS – WINE
Robert Whitley Trophy for Wine of the Year
Dutcher Crossing 2021 Pinot Noir Cut Root Vineyard Russian River Valley $61.00
Platinum 98 points
Wine of the Year, Import
Schloss Vollrads 2021 Riesling Kabinett Rheingau $34.00
Platinum 95 points
Winery of the Year, Domestic
Dutcher Crossing Sonoma County, California
Winery of the Year, Import
Wakefield/Taylors Clare Valley, Australia
Wine Company of the Year
Pernod-Ricard Winemakers Worldwide
Small Producer of the Year
Bella Luna Estate Winery
Templeton (Paso Robles), California
Best of Show Sparkling Wine
J Vineyards NV Brut Rosé Russian River Valley $45.00
Platinum 95 points
Best of Show White Wine
ZD Wines 2022 Chardonnay Reserve Carneros $85.00
Platinum 96 points
Best of Show Rosé Wine
Oak Farm Vineyards 2023 Rosé Estate Grown Lodi $26.00
Platinum 94 points
Best of Show Red Wine
Dutcher Crossing 2021 Pinot Noir Cut Root Vineyard Russian River Valley $61.00
Platinum 98 points
Best of Show Dessert Wine
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines 2023 Late Harvest White Riesling Arroyo Seco $25.00
Gold 91 points
Best Barbera
Navarro Vineyards 2022 Barbera Mendocino $29.00
Gold 92 points
Best Blanc de Blancs
Trump Winery 2018 Blanc de Blanc Monticello $29.99
Gold 93 points
Best Bordeaux Blend
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines 2021 Cuvée ST. E Paso Robles $50.00
Platinum 97 points
Best Boxed Wine
Franzia NV Pinot Grigio/Colombard American $6.99
Gold 92 points
Best Cabernet Franc
MAX&NICO 2020 Terroir De Paso Paso Robles; Adelaida District $70.00
Platinum 94 points
Best Cabernet Sauvignon
ZD Wines 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $78.00
Platinum 97 points
Best Chardonnay
ZD Wines 2022 Chardonnay Reserve Carneros $85.00
Platinum 96 points
Best Fruit/Grape Blend
Barefoot Fruitscato NV Strawberry $6.99
Gold 90 points
Best Gewurztraminer
Navarro Vineyards 2023 Gewürztraminer Estate Bottled; Dry Anderson Valley $28.00
Gold 92 points
Best Grenache
Jeff Runquist 2023 Grenache Silvaspoons Vineyard Alta Mesa $29.00
Platinum 94 points
Best Grenache Blanc
Les Bottes à Terre 2022 Grenache Blanc Paso Robles $33.00 Gold
91 points
Best Gruner Veltliner
Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2023 Gruner Veltliner Cask 2 Schneckenleitner, Estate Grown Umpqua Valley $44.00
Platinum 95 points
Best Hybrid Wine
JOLO Winery & Vineyards 2023 Beach Bubbles North Carolina $36.00
Platinum 94 points
Best Malbec
Walport Family Cellars 2021 Malbec Applegate Valley $37.00
Gold 91 points
Best Merlot
Robert Hall 2020 Merlot Artisan Collection Paso Robles $19.99
Gold 90 points
Best Muscat
Jacob’s Creek 2023 Dots Moscato Australia $13.00
Platinum 94 points
Best Petit Verdot
Jeff Runquist 2022 Petit Verdot Creekside Vineyard Jahant $28.00
Platinum 94 points
Best Petite Sirah
McManis Family Vineyards 2022 Petite Sirah Estate Grown Lodi $11.99
Platinum 94 points
Best Pinot Blanc
Native Flora 2023 Pinot Blanc Karsts of the Andaman Dundee Hills $40.00
Gold 91 points
Best Pinot Grigio
Navarro Vineyards 2023 Pinot Grigio Anderson Valley $22.00
Gold 92 points
Best Pinot Gris
Navarro Vineyards 2023 Pinot Gris Anderson Valley $26.00
Platinum 94 points
Best Pinot Noir
Dutcher Crossing 2021 Pinot Noir Cut Root Vineyard Russian River Valley $61.00
Platinum 98 points
Best Port
JOLO Vineyards NV Muddy Paws North Carolina $45.00
Gold 90 points
Best Primitivo
Jeff Runquist 2022 Primitivo Nostro Vino Vineyard Amador County $30.00
Platinum 94 points
Best Prosecco
Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection NV Prosecco, Prosecco DOC $16.00
Gold 92 points
Best Red Blend
Starfield Vineyards 2022 Sierra Highlands Smith Flat Red Blend Estate Grown El Dorado $24.00
Platinum 94 points
Best Red Rhone Blend
Eberle 2022 Cotes-du-Robles Paso Robles $38.00
Platinum 95 points
Best Riesling
Wakefield Taylors Wines 2023 St Andrews Riesling Clare Valley $40.00
Platinum 95 points
Schloss Vollrads 2021 Riesling Kabinett Rheingau $34.00
Platinum 95 points
Best Rosé
Oak Farm Vineyards 2023 Rosé Estate Grown Lodi $26.00
Platinum 94 points
Best Sangiovese
ONEHOPE 2017 Brunello de Montalcino Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG $125.00
Gold 92 points
Best Sauvignon Blanc
Zonte’s Footstep 2024 Excalibur Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills $27.50
Platinum 95 points
Best Shiraz
Wakefield / Taylors 2021 St Andrews Shiraz Clare Valley $80.00
Platinum 95 points
Best Sparkling Moscato
Barefoot Bubbly NV Moscato Spumante California $9.99
Platinum 94 points
Best Sparkling Rosé
J Vineyards NV Brut Rosé Russian River Valley $45.00
Platinum 95 points
Best Super Tuscan Style
Bella Luna Estate Winery 2020 Estate Riserva Carly’s Vineyard Paso Robles; Templeton Gap District $58.00
Platinum 94 points
Best Syrah
Dutcher Crossing 2019 Syrah Hidden Hill Vineyard Alexander Valley $50.00
Platinum 95 points
Best Tannat
GCV 2020 The Individualist Estate Texas Hill Country $82.00
Gold 92 points
Best Tempranillo
Bella Luna Estate Winery 2022 Tempestuous Never Idle Vineyard Paso Robles; Templeton Gap District $50.00
Platinum 96 points
Best Vermentino
Brick Barn Wine Estate 2021 Vermentino Santa Ynez Valley $40.00
Gold 92 points
Best Vintage Brut
Trump Winery 2017 Brut Reserve Monticello $94.99
Platinum 94 points
Best Viognier
Meadowcroft Wines 2023 Viognier Wyldvin Vineyard Dry Creek Valley $34.00
Platinum 94 points
Best Zinfandel
Dutcher Crossing 2019 Zinfandel Brother’s Reserve Dry Creek Valley $42.00
Gold 92 points
DIRECTORS AWARDS – SPIRITS
Spirit of the Year
BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho Rum, Sevillian Orange Cask Finish, 2023 Puerto Rico $39.99
Platinum 98 points
Distiller of the Year
Lasso Whiskey
Colorado USA
Best Vodka
Royal Mash British Vodka Batch 24 Great Britain $50.00
Platinum 94 points
Best Gin
Griffo Distillery Scott Street Gin Batch No. 26 USA $32.00
Platinum 95 points
Best Rum
BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho Rum, Sevillian Orange Finish, 2023 Puerto Rico $39.99
Platinum 98 points
Best Blanco Tequila
Familia Camarena Tequila Silver Mexico $17.00
Platinum 96 points
Best Reposado Tequila
Rey Coyote Tequila Reposado Mexico $55.95
Platinum 95 points
Best Añejo Tequila
Cierto Tequila Reserve Collection Añejo Mexico $179.00
Gold 93 points
Best Extra Añejo Tequila
Cierto Tequila Private Collection Extra Añejo Mexico $189.00
Gold 91 points
Best Cognac
Courvoisier XO Cognac France $200.00
Platinum 97 points
Best Rye
Lasso Whiskey Small Batch Colorado Rye Whiskey Aged 8 Years, Batch 1 USA $79.99
Platinum 95 points
Best Whiskey under 50% abv
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey V. Eady Butler USA $49.00
Gold 92 points
Best Whiskey over 50% abv
Lasso Whiskey Small Batch Colorado Wheat Whiskey Aged 6 Years, Batch 1 USA $69.99
Platinum 94 points
Best Liqueur
Griffo Distillery Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur Batch No. 19 USA $32.00
Platinum 96 points
Best Cocktail
Conte Camillo Classic Negroni Italy $39.99
Gold 92 points
Best Seltzer
High Noon High Noon Vodka Seltzer Watermelon USA $2.50
Gold 90 points
Find all winning results at CriticsChallenge.com
