DIRECTOR'S WRAP-UP: Jenblossom Cellars Takes Top Honors in Wine; Courvoisier Repeats its Feat in Spirits (July 9, 2026) - The 23rd annual Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits competition is complete, and there are plenty of award winning products to celebrate. I'm happy to report that very high quality wines and spirits continue to find their way to the top in blind judging events, and it's always worth taking a look at what passes muster with wine journalists, who tend to have an extremely wide view of the marketplace. Once again, we are thrilled to share their insights with the public. 
The winner of our founder's memorial award - the Robert Whitley Trophy for Wine of the Year - is the Jenblossom Cellars 2022 Cabernet Franc from Sonoma County's Knights Valley AVA, landing a score of 97 points and surpassing some serious competition. Chief Wine Judge Michael Franz commented “Although this is a wine of power and persistence, it remains recognizable as Cab Franc on account of a subtle leafy accent note and ultra-fine tannins. Lots of those tannins are present, but their ripeness and fine grain makes them entirely welcome as structural partners for the intense and very deeply flavored fruit, which recalls blackberries above all on account of its dark tones combines with freshening acidity. This wine is somewhere very close to as good as Cabernet Franc gets in the New World – or just about anywhere, for that matter. Bloody impressive wine." Jenblossom Cellars is part of a fine portfolio of wines from Heath Family Brands, which includes the labels Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, K Estate Vineyards and Invention Vineyards. 
A wine coming in at just a point less, and at less than ten percent of the price of our top wine obliges a new award - The Best Value Wine - taken by a stellar Pinot Noir. The DeLoach Vineyards 2024 Pinot Noir (Certified Sustainable). It comes with a California appellation and a $15.99 suggested retail value. My comment: "Layered aromas of black cherry, damp and dry earth, and soft oak spice translate directly to comparable palate flavors, with bright and balanced acidity carrying the layered impression through a long finish. And then there’s the price…run, don’t walk!" Let the celebration begin! Oregon's King Estate took Domestic Winery of the Year for the second year in a row, taking two Platinum and 8 Gold awards. Australia’s Zonte's Footstep grabbed the Import Winery of the Year title with a strong showing, and Sonoma County player Florence Vineyard won Small Producer of the Year recognition an impressive lineup from the Rockpile sub-AVA. Spirits judges awarded Spirit of the Year to a very fine Cognac: the Courvoisier Cognac XO, repeating its feat from the 2021 Critics Challenge. This amazing XO regularly beats out competitors that cost two or three times the price, and it's an offering that is relatively easy to find. Spirits Cheif Judge Michael Cervin had this to say: "A solid iteration of Cognac. Light caramel aromas lead inot real depth of resin, spices, amber and light wildflowers. A seamless blending of fruit, wood and spiceholds its own through the palate. The finish is strong and lengthy." You can check out all of the wine and spirits winners on our results pages, and don't miss the judges' comments on Platinum and Gold award winners there as well. Full reviews of Platinum winning wines can also be found at WineReviewOnline.com. Reviews of Platinum award winning spirits will be posted online at SpiritsReviewOnline.com over the next few weeks. Finally, If you’d like to learn more about Critics Challenge founder Robert Whitley you can read a collection of tributes at this link at WineReviewOnline.com – another one of his great ideas. It’s my honor to play a part in continuing Robert's legacy, and our team looks forward to celebrating more great beverages at the 2027 Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Challenge next June. Cheers! Rich Cook
Director |
