CWA 2010: Cabernet Sauvignon

(32 entries, 20 medals)

Despite a solid medal ratio, judges agreed Canada should not focus on cabernet sauvignon. A lovely example from B.C.’s Nk’Mip earned a gold medal, and Ontario wines from the hot, dry, 2007 vintage also collected medals, but this didn’t soften opinion. “I encountered a wide variety of faults and imbalanced wines, perhaps due to sites inappropriately planted to cabernet,” said Brad Royale. “There were a few good examples of cool-climate cabernet, but overall, many wines lack finesse, balance and ripeness,” said Janet Dorozynski. “Perhaps the best cabernet is going into blends, and perhaps more should.”

Gold

Nk’Mip Cellars 2007 Qwam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Silver

Peller Estates Niagara-on-the-Lake 2007 Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $38

CedarCreek 2007 Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $40

Burrowing Owl 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $38

Magnotta 2007 Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $15

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2006 SunRock Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Orofino Vineyards 2007 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia     $40

Kacaba Vineyards 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $45

Magnotta 2007 Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $20

Bronze

Desert Hills 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Peller Estates Okanagan 2008 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, British Columbia     $20

Ruby Tuesday 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Reif Estate 2007 First Growth Cabernet Sauvignon, Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $50

Church & State 2007 Coyote Bowl Cabernet Sauvignon, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $35

Painted Rock 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $40

Stag’s Hollow Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $23

Reif Estate 2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $26

Pelee Island Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Pelee Island, Ontario     $25

Cattail Creek 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $40

Thirty Bench Wine Makers 2007 Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $40

Nk’Mip Cellars 2008 Qwam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

See more results from the Wine Access 2010 Canadian Wine Awards