Ledson wins big at the Critics Challenge + under $25 winners

The annual Critics Challenge International Wine Competition has announced its 2015 winners. The competition features esteemed oenophiles serving as judges, such as the Bay Area’s own Leslie Sbrocco and the legendary Mary Ewing-Mulligan (she co-write Wine for Dummies and is the first woman to be certified as a Master of Wine).

This year, Sonoma Valley’s Ledson Winery and Vineyards took home two big awards: Best White and Best Chardonnay both for their 2013 Russian River Valley Chardonnay Reserve ($48). Famed wine reviewer Rich Cook described the winner as:

“A structured, elegant chardonnay with crisp flavors of apple, pear and subtle spice, carried on lively acidity that enables the finish to intensify the flavors.  This is my kind of Chardonnay!”

The wine is exclusive to the winery and you can head up to the mansion in Kenwood or roll down to the Sonoma Plaza to their tasting room at the Ledson Hotel for a swig. ledson.com

Here are some other Sonoma Valley winners with an emphasis on affordability (under $25) for those of us who can’t quite invest in a 94 point Chateau St. Jean 2010 Cab Sauv Cinq Cepages Sonoma County for $90 (with 94 points and named a Critics Platinum prize):

• Critics Gold – Pinot Noir
  • Chateau St. Jean
    2012 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($21)
• Critics Platinum – Chardonnay
  • Custard (Sebastiani & Sons)
    2013 Chardonnay Sonoma Valley ($21.99)
• Critics Gold – Sparkling
  • Gloria Ferrer
    NV Blanc de Noirs ($22)
• Critics Silver – Pinot Noir
  • Kenwood Vineyards
    2012 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley ($15)

DRINK LOCAL! GO SONOMA VALLEY!