CWA 2010: Sauvignon Blanc

(28 entries, 18 medals)

The number of entries was down a bit, but the medal ratio is much better than last year, and the east-west split among the medallists is almost even. The judges were enthusiastic here and there, especially over the gold-medal, barrel-fermented, sauvignon sémillon Hidden Bench Nuit Blanche that Sid Cross called “sensational and classy, like a top Pessac-Leognan white from Bordeaux.” Several judges commented on a lack of stylistic direction and varietal definition in the category as a whole. “They have varietal expression,” said judge Stuart Tobe. “But most lack a juiciness and fullness of flavour, so they are drinkable, but boring.”

Gold

Hidden Bench 2008 Rosomel Vineyard Nuit Blanche, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario    $45

Silver

Strewn Winery 2009 Terroir Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $17

Peller Estates Niagara-on-the-Lake 2009 Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $30

Black Hills Estate 2009 Alibi, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2009 Proprietors’ Edition Sauvignon Blanc, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia    $11

Bronze

Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2009 Proprietors’ Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $14

Stag’s Hollow Winery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Osoyoos, Okanagan |Valley, British Columbia     $19

Lakeview Cellars 2009 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $18

Lake Breeze 2009 Seven Poplars Sauvignon Blanc, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $22

Mission Hill 2009 Five Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $14

Mission Hill 2009 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Peller Estates Niagara-on-the-Lake 2009 Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $19

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2008 Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Hillebrand 2009 Trius Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $14

Nyarai Cellars 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $19

Mission Hill 2008 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Artisan Wine Co. 2009 Rigamarole Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $15

Church & State 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

See more results from the Wine Access 2010 Canadian Wine Awards