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Critics’ Platinum for John Duval, Maison L’Envoyé

Critics Challenge wine competition results are in!

The Critics Challenge International Wine Competition is judged by a lineup of wine writers and critics, who survey both imported and domestic wines. This is the 11th annual Critics Challenge.

BEST OF CLASS SHIRAZ
CRITICS PLATINUM, 95 pts
John Duval Entity Shiraz 2012
Yes! I love this wine. It’s true to its Aussie roots, but shows beautiful Rhone style, with blackberry, blueberry, citrus zest, mild pepper, light herb notes and deep, rich oak spice in both aroma and flavor profiles, with an incredibly long mouth watering finish. This could pair with just about any meat — red or white. Delicious!

BEST OF CLASS PINOT NOIR
CRITICS PLATINUM, 94 pts
Maison L’Envoyé Two Messengers Pinot Noir 2012
This exemplary Pinot Noir shows great purity and freshness, starting off with fresh scents of pie cherries and red berries as well as light floral accents that can express themselves thanks to very restrained oak. The flavors are likewise very fresh and bright, with truly light body that will make this very versatile at the table. Nevertheless, this is no mere wisp of a wine, as unusually high acidity and fine grained tannins will enable this to age gracefully and acquire even more complexity from time in bottle. Few American Pinots can match this for delicacy — arguably Pinots prime virtue.

CRITICS GOLD, 93 pts  –  Maison L’Envoye Bourgogne Blanc 2012

CRITICS GOLD, 92 pts  – Frisk Prickly Riesling 2013

CRITICS GOLD, 91 pts  – d’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2009

CRITICS GOLD, 90 pts  – Wine by Joe Pinot Noir 2012

CRITICS SILVER, 89 pts  – d’Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings 2009

CRITICS SILVER, 87 pts – d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab 2012

CRITICS SILVER, 87 pts – d’Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz 2011

CRITICS SILVER 87 pts – Shoofly Pinot Noir 2013

CRITICS SILVER, 87 pts – Wine by Joe Pinot Gris 2012

See the full list of awards add CriticsChallenge.com