Watchlords

For the third time in five years, an Australian Cabernet was crowned the World’s Best Cabernet Sauvignon at the International Competition of Cabernets, held bang smack in the middle of France. And, worse, they have no one to blame but themselves as the award is decided by a panel of top sommeliers from – you guessed it – France.

No doubt our French friends would have handled the competition results with their usual flair and refinement, but it is hard to believe that behind the scenes, there might not have been just the slightest gritting of teeth and furrowed brows.

Fermoy Estate was the first Aussie winery to collect this gong, in 2015, followed by Penny’s Hill in 2016. The latest, Taylors from Clare Valley, in 2018 with its Clare Valley Cabernet, The Visionary 2014.

https://quillandpad.com/2020/07/07/tayl ... he-french/

Same thing happened in 1976 when California wines beat the best of Bordeaux and Burgundy at a tasting judged by France's most eminent wine experts. That competition was later immortalized as "The Judgement of Paris" and its surprising results turned the wine world upside down and put California wines on a level with the world's finest. A Chateau Montelena chardonnay and a Stag's Leap cabernet sauvignon took the top spots.

IIRC, the Recliner spoke highly of Clare Valley wines. Got to try one of them someday.

No mention of New Zealand's Purple Death?