New Fine Wine Competition Chooses the Winners

The inaugural South Florida Fine American Wine Competition in Boca Raton, Florida, last week was a smashing success. Sponsored by the South Florida Business Journal, it is believed that this event is the first wine competition in the country to limit entries to American products only, as well as establish a threshold wine value which must be reached in order for a wine to participate.

From the week’s initial removal of a cork from, and the judging of, a fine Sauvignon Blanc, to a gala celebration dinner where all the wines that were evaluated were available for the 400 attendees to taste, the week was one of great anticipation and triumph for the Journal, its publisher Gary Press, the participating sponsors, the Journal’s event chair Shari Gherman, and your co-founding humble writers. Monty also supervised the judging while Sara was responsible for wine acquisition, a task at which she excelled (this part written by Monty), as you will see when you review the wines and their awards. In fact, not only did the number of wines submitted for judging exceed expectations, but so did the amount of money bid for wines and art at the dinner – over $170,000.00, most of which will go to benefit two worthwhile charities, Kids in Distress and Homesafe.

For many years we have brought you the results of various wine competitions with the idea that a good panel of judges tasting blindly is likely, for the most part, to award medals to properly deserving wines. Of course, this reasoning does not hold true for every competition, since sometimes there are outside forces (even subconsciously) pushing one to award a medal for reasons other than simple merit. This might occur when judging panels include, for example, vintners who understandably want to promote their award winning wines, or distributors who just as judiciously want to push these same wines to retail stores. There are no problems with these motives in usual circumstances, but at the least they cast a shadow over a judging. At other times, the panel approach might not be the best when it is comprised of individuals who grant awards based solely on their own taste rather than a wine’s inherent characteristics, or whether it achieves varietal correctness.

For this competition the judges were selected by Shari Gherman and Monty, who sought out those with no conflicts - perceived or otherwise. The three of us also spent a great deal of time studying and analyzing how competitions were run nationwide so that our ultimate event combined what we felt was the best of all others. Most importantly, we required fine wines and unbiased, highly skilled judges.

And there was no disappointment. By the time the wines were logged in, over 400 had been sent to Florida from about 160 wineries in California, Oregon, Washington, New York, and Virginia. Each judge below who accepted the task more than fit the established criteria, and as a group they meshed to form the kind of panel vintners like to see. In fact, numerous vintners have written that it was the quality of this panel that helped sway them to enter this competition when they usually enter none at all.

Matt Adler Wine writer and merchant consultant, he is the publisher of the soon to be seen Wine Guardian, a multi media consumer wine guide
Charlie Arturaola Legendary sommelier for some of the country’s finest restaurants, and now consulting for insurance companies and large private collectors
Fred Barger Wine writer for such publications as Ocean Drive and the Miami  Herald, he serves as consultant for Crown Wine and Spirits
Jenny Benzie Having earned the Advanced Sommelier certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers, she is now head sommelier at Café Boulud in Palm Beach
Chip Cassidy Former head sommelier at the Breakers in Palm Beach, wine educator,
and presently wine director for Crown Wine and Spirits
Brian Chamis Sommelier for 14 years at one of Florida’s great wine establishments, Café Chardonnay
Philippe Cherruault Head sommelier at The Four Seasons in Palm Beach
Barry Gump Emeritus Professor of Chemistry and Adjunct Professor of Enology at
California State University, Fresno
Jan Jorgenson Chef/owner of Two Chefs restaurant, and internationally acclaimed as a
leader in food and wine pairings
Jen Karetnick Wine and restaurant critic with reviews published in numerous magazines and newspapers nationwide
Dale LoSasso Former corporate wine director for China Grill Management and presently owner of North One 10, one of Florida’s finest restaurants
Angelo Morinelli  Owner of Cucino D’Angelo, with a highly honored wine list         
Kyle O'Brien Wine merchant and partner in the Wine Warehouse, a retail establishment with numerous locations
Virginia Philip A Master Sommelier, she was selected as the country’s best by the American Sommelier Association in 2002, and is now at The Breakers in Palm Beach   
Monty Preiser Wine writer for the Boca News, South Florida Business Journal, and
Sallys-Place.com, he co-publishes The Preiser Key to Napa Valley 
Delius Shirley Long time restaurateur, consultant, and creator of award winning wine lists, he has owned many restaurants, including the acclaimed Ortanique in Miami
Zachery Smith Former sommelier at some of Florida’s most well known restaurants, he is now carrying out that duty at Opus 5 in Boca Raton
Patrick Sullivan Currently the wine and spirits editor for Dine magazine, he trains
food and beverage staffs in Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico

So what wines did this group like the best? Well, they liked almost all of them – no surprise given the quality of what was being poured for 9 hours over two days. Yet we do not have room to list all the results. So, following is the Best of Show in red, white, and dessert wines; the Double Golds (100% of the panel had to agree to award this color); and the Golds and Silvers (requiring at least 75% of the panel to concur). Medals were not easy to come by, so if one was awarded, the wine earned it. And wineries should be proud of any medal from this event, especially Silver and above.

So get your printers ready, as the following should prove a great guide for the next year or two.

Best of Show (White Wine):  2006 Summers Alexander Vlly Chard ($22)
Best of Show (Red Wine): 2005 Brochelle Paso Robles Syrah ($39)
Best of Show (Dessert Wine): 2005 Chalk Hill L. H. Semillion ($55/ 375 ml)

Double Gold Medal Winners:
             Sauvignon Blanc:
-2006 Hall Napa Valley ($20)
-2005 Kunde Magnolia’s Lane ($15)
-2006 Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home ($14)

             Chardonnay:
-2005 Truchard Carneros ($30)

             Pinot Noir:
-2005 Picket Fence Russian River ($29)
-2004 Rodney Strong Jane’s Vineyard ($35)

             Rhone Blend:
-2004 Clautiere Mon Beaux Rouge Paso Robles ($29)

             Bordeaux Blend:
-2002 Gordon Bros. Tradition Columbia Valley ($45)
-2004 Peachy Canyon Para Siempre Paso Robles ($40)

             Syrah:
-2003 Arcadian Hommage a Max Santa Ynez ($80)

             Zinfandel:
-2005 De Loach Forgotten Vines Sonoma ($32)

             Cabernet Sauvignon:
-2004 Brochelle Napa ($43)
-2004 Darioush Stags Leap ($74)
-2005 Honig Napa ($40)
-2004 Pelton House Knight’s Valley ($37)
-2004 Rombauer Napa ($38)
-2004 Verasion Stagecoach ($50)

             Dessert: -n/v Merryvale Antigua Muscat ($32)

Gold Medal Winners:
             Chardonnay:
-2005 Château St. Michelle Ethos Columbia Valley ($30)
                        -2005 Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills Washington ($30)
-2005 Frank Family Carneros ($33)
-2005 Hartford Court 4 Hearts Russian River ($36)
-2005 Landmark Lorenzo Russian River ($48)
-2005 Rodney Strong Reserve Russian River ($30)
-2006 Rombauer Napa ($30)

             Pinot Noir:
-2005 Dierberg Santa Maria ($42)
-2006 Patz & Hall Sonoma             Coast  ($42)
-2005 Robert Stemmler Carneros ($36)
-2005 Russian Hill             Estate ($34)
-2005 Russian Hill Tara Vineyard ($45)
-2006 Schug Carneros ($26)
-2006 Trinitas Carneros ($27)

             Merlot:
-2004 Chateau St. Michelle Horse Heaven Hills ($30)
-2005 O’Brien O Napa ($35)

             Rhone Blend:
-2005 Cass Rockin’ One Paso Robles ($42)

             Bordeaux Blend:
-2002 Boorman Metaphor Temecula ($40)
-2003 Conn Creek Anthology Napa ($54)
-2004 Cosentino Legends Napa ($80)
-2004 Meador Estate Magnus Arroyo Secco ($60)
-2004 Robert Foley Claret Napa ($110)
-2004 Sullivan Coeur de Vique Rutherford($90)
-2004 Trentadue La Storia Alexander Valley ($45)

             Syrah:
-2004 Brassfield Estate Monte Sereno ($30)
-2004 Clautiere Estate Paso Robles ($24)
-2005 Eric Ross Catie’s Corner Russian River ($28)
-2005 Krupp Brothers Black Bart Napa ($52)
-2004 Robert Biale Hill Climber Napa ($42)
-2005 Sequel Columbia Valley ($55)

             Zinfandel:
-2005 Tres Sabores Porque No? Napa ($20) 

             Cabernet Sauvignon:
-2005 Cass Napa ($38)
-2004 Ehlers Estate 1886 Rutherford ($95)
-2003 Frank Family Napa ($45)
-2005 Justin Paso Robles ($25)
-2004 Monticello Corley State Lane Napa ($58)
-2004 Parry Cellars St. Helena ($60)
-2003 Raymond Rutherford ($55)
-2004 Robert Craig Mt. Veeder ($70)
-2004 St. Helena Rd. Roy J. Maier            Sonoma ($49)
-2005 Shypoke Napa ($30)
-2002 Stryker Sonoma Monte Rosso ($48)
-2003 Trinchero Lewelling St. Helena ($45)
-2004 Von Strasser Post Napa ($75)

             Dessert:
-2006 Bouchaine L.H. Bouche d’Or Chardonnay ($24/375 ml.)
-n/v Quady Sweet Vermouth Aperetif ($21)
-2003 Thomas Fogarty L. H. Gewurztraminer Monterey ($45)

 

SILVER MEDALS

Sauvignon Blanc

2006	Honig		Napa	$22
2006	Honig		Napa	$16
2006	Saint Supery		Napa	$19
2006	Merryvale		Napa	$18
2005	Handley		Dry Creek	$16
2005	Ceja		Napa	$26
2005	Raymond		Napa	$14
2006	Peju		Napa	$18
2006	EOS		Paso Robles	$15
2006	Source Napa		Napa	$29
2006	Chalk Hill		Sonoma	$28
Chardonnay: 2005	Schug		Carneros	$26
2005	Sullivan		Napa Reserve	$30
2005	Figge Cellars		Santa Lucia	$30
2005	Domaine Alfred		Chamisal	$24
2006	ZD		Napa	$34
2006	Schug		Sonoma Coast	$22
2006	Saint Supery		Napa	$22
2005	Kendall-Jackson		Santa Maria	$25
2005	Russian Hill		Russian River	$30
2005	Dierberg		Santa Maria	$36
2004	Thomas Fogarty		Santa Cruz	$27
2004	Rutz		Russian River	$30
2006	Testarossa		Central Coast	$30
2005	Elkhorn Peak		Napa	$28
2005	Patz & Hall		Russian River	$39
2005	Paul Hobbs		Russian River	$48
Rouge Blend 2004	Clayhouse		Paso Robles	$29
Merlot: 2003	Northstar		Columbia Vlly	$41
2004	Frazier		Napa	$40
2005	Woodward Canyon		Columbia Vlly	$40
2004	Rombauer		Napa	$29
2005	Schug		Sonoma	$35
2004	Pedestal		Columbia Vlly	$55
2004	Verasion		Atlas Peak	$50
2003	Chalk Hill		Chalk Hill	$68
Zinfandel: 2005	The Terraces		Napa	$28
2005	Seghesio		Sonoma	$24
2003	Ballentine		Block 9 Napa	$27
2005	Peachy Canyon		Paso Robles	$36
2005	Rodney Strong		Knotty Vines	$20
2004	Titus		Napa	$30
2005	Cosentino	Cigar Zin	California	$30
2005	Robert Biale	Zappa	Napa	$45
2005	Frank Family		Napa	$35
2005	Robert Biale	Monte Rosso	Sonoma	$50
Syrah: 2001	Broman		Napa	$30
2005	Justin		Paso Robles	$26
2003	Truchard		Carneros	$28
2005	Cass		Paso Robles	$34
2004	Justin		Paso Robles	$24
2003	Turnbull		Oakville	$35
2004	Columbia Crest		Columbia Vlly	$30
2004	Tallulah		Sonoma Coast	$28
2004	Cline		Carneros	$25
2005	Kinton		Santa Barbara	$17
2005	Copain		Santa Ynez	$40
2003	Rocca		Yountville	$42
2004	Rockblock		Rogue Vlly	$40

Dessert: 2006	Quady	Black Muscat	California	$25
2006	Saint Supery	Muscato	California	$20
2006	Quady	Orange Muscat	California	$25
NV	Wilson Creek	Cream Sherry	Temecula	$15
2006	Calera Wines	Dessert Viognier	Mt Harlan	$30
2006	Wolffer Estate	L. H. Chardonnay	Hamptons, LI	$37
2006	Ceja	Dulce Beso	Carneros	$45
2005	Macari	Block E Chardonnay	North Fork, LI	$40
2006	Prix	Res. L.H. Chard	Napa	$36
NV	Quady (Port)	Starboard Batch 88	California	$25
Pinot Noir: 2005	Domaine Serene	Yamhill Cuvee	Willamette Vlly	$30
2005	Erath		Dundee Hills	$38
2001	Cottonwood Cyn		Santa Maria	$39
2005	Rutz	Maison Grand Cru	Russian River	$30
2006	DeLoach	Green Vlly	Russian River	$45
2005	Domaine Alfred	Chamisal Vineyard	Edna Valley	$38
2005	Handley		Anderson Vlly	$30
2005	Pessagno		Monterey	$21
2004	Carrefour		Carneros	$30
2005	Hartford Court	Land's Edge	Sonoma Coast	$30
2006	Eric Ross	Poule D'Or	Russian River	$35
2005	Byron		Santa Maria	$25
2005	DeLoach	O.F.S.	Russian River	$38
2004	Arcadian	Pisoni Vineyard	Santa Lucia	$80
2003	Arcadian	Francesca	Santa Lucia	$90
2005	Bouchaine		Napa	$40
2004	Calera Wines	Ryan	Mt Harlan	$40
2004	Chehelem	Reserve	Oregon	$60
2005	Donum Estate		Russian River	$65
2005	Figge Cellars	Paraiso Vineyard	Santa Lucia	$40
2005	Meador Est		Arroyo Seco	$40
2005	Miner	Garys’ Vineyard	Santa Lucia	$60
2005	Tantara	La Colline	Arroyo Grande	$45
Bordeaux     Blend 2003	Falcor	Le Bijou	Napa	$42
2005	O'Brien	Seduction	Napa	$40
2004	Clayhouse	Hillside Cuvee	Paso Robles	$29
NV	Eagle Eye	Voluptuous	Napa	$22
2005	Clautiere	BDX	Paso Robles	$36
2004	Cliff Lede	Claret	Napa	$37
2003	Ballentine	Integrity	Napa	$32
2003	Northstar	Stella Maris	Columbia Vlly	$29
2004	Columbia Crest	Walter Clore Res.	Columbia Vlly	$44
2004	Cosentino	Poet	Napa	$65
2004	Jericho Canyon	Red Wine	Napa	$75
2002	Rodney Strong	Symmetry	Alexander Vlly	$55
2004	Prix	Melange Reserve	Napa	$75
2003	Selene	Chesler	Napa	$70
2003	St. Supery	Elu	Napa	$65
2003	Oakville Ranch	Robert's Blend	Napa	$80
2004	Kluge Estate	New World Red	Albemarle, VA	$58
2002	Spring Mt	Elivette Reserve	Spring Mt	$90
2004	Von Strasser	Sori Bricco	Diamond Mt	$70
2004	Miner	The Oracle	Napa	$70
2004	Cht. St Michelle	Artist Series	Columbia Vlly	$52
2002	Stryker Sonoma	E 1 K	Sonoma	$65
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005	Terrano	Cali 351	Napa	$45
2004	The Terraces		Napa	$48
2004	Reynolds		Napa	$45
2003	Carrefour		Napa	$40
2004	Buehler Vyds		Sonoma	$40
2004	Peachy Canyon	De Vine	Paso Robles	$40
2005	Amavi Cellars		Walla Walla	$25
2004	Justin		Paso Robles	$25
2003	Saint Supery		Napa	$28
2004	Hall		Napa	$40
2002	Truchard		Carneros	$35
2005	DeLoach	Wild Creek	Dry Creek	$38
2003	Markham		Napa	$29
2004	Roth		Alexander Vlly	$40
2004	Columbia Crest	Reserve	Columbia Vlly	$34
2004	Gabrielle	Juxta Position	Napa	$36
2004	Merryvale	Starmont	Napa	$34
2003	Elodian Cellars		Napa	$40
2005	Eberle		Paso Robles	$33
2004	Rodney Strong		Sonoma	$40
2004	Neal Family		Napa	$45
2002	Broman		Napa	$48
2003	Brassfield Est	Monte Sereno	High Vlly	$40
2004	Tres Sabores	Rutherford	Napa	$56
2003	Spring Mountain		St Helena	$50
2004	Anomaly		Napa	$75
2004	Swanson	Alexis	Oakville	$70
2002	Anakota	Helena Montana	Knight’s Vlly	$85
2003	Eponymous		Napa	$55
2003	Thomas Fogarty	Vallerga	Napa	$59
2003	St Helena Road	Roy J. Maier	Sonoma	$60
2004	Sullivan	Reserve	Napa	$100
2004	Bennett Lane		Napa	$55
2003	Rocca		Yountville	$55
2004	Turnbull		Napa	$52
2004	H’lywood & Vine	2480	Napa	$78
2005	ZD		Napa	$50
2004	Monticello	Corley Reserve	Napa	$65
2004	Robinson Family	Estate	Stags Leap	$56
2002	Eberle	Reserve	Paso Robles	$64
2004	Hall	Kathryn Hall	Napa	$76
2004	Frazier		Napa	$55
2004	Krupp Brothers	Stagecoach	Napa	$110
2003	Chalk Hill		Chalk Hill	$60
2003	Falcor	H Block	Howell Mt	$56
2004	Von Strasser		Diamond Mt	$50
2003	St. Supery	Dollarhide	Napa	$70
2004	Paul Hobbs		Napa	$75
2004	Frank Family	Reserve	Rutherford	$85
2005	Star Lane Vyd		Santa Ynez Vlly	$50
2004	Laurel Glen		Sonoma Mt	$60
2003	Raymond		St. Helena	$55
2003	Hunt	Cabovation	Paso Robles	$75
2004	Woodward C’yn	Old Vines	Columbia Vlly	$75

In only one year, as evidenced by the quality of the wines and judges, we believe this South Florida event already takes its place among the nation’s most prestigious competitions. We congratulate Gary Press and the South Florida Business Journal for undertaking the sponsorship, as well as their dedication to wine and the children of the charities.  It’s wonderful to have a resoundingly good time at a fine wine dinner, but it is even better when worthy causes are attached.