The judgement of Paris is known in wine circles as a

The judgement of Paris is known in wine circles as a “David and
Goliath” wine tasting put on by Steven Spurrier in the spring of 1976.
Steven was a wine merchant by trade. He sold the grandest wines
available (read French) and his shop in Paris off the Rue Royale became very
popular because of this. In a flash of entrepreneurialism he decided to put
together a tasting of the greatest wines from France and compare them to a
selection of boutique Californian producers. His aim was to sell more French
wine by having the clumsy American wines showcase the elegance of France.
French judges were invited to carry out two blind tasting comparisons.
They were to score each wine out of 20. The scores were then tallied up and
the highest scored wines were to be the winners. To everyone’s surprise
(especially Steven’s) the Americans took top spot in each category.
The tasting became international headlines as the greatest white
Burgundies and Clarets were beaten by wines no one had ever heard of. This
was the start of the California wine boom.
It is with the Judgement of Paris in mind that this wine list was
constructed. Comparing the great wines of America and France side by side
and listed varietally for yourself to choose. As we are now almost 40 years on
from this tasting, the lines between California and France continue to blur even
more.
1
2
Quartet, Brut NV.
9.5
55
12.5
75
Anderson Valley, California, USA
Moët & Chandon, “Brut Imperial” NV.
Epernay, France
Cuvée Jean-Paul, Blanc de Blancs Sec 2014.
5
14
21
7
20
29
8
22
32
11.5
34
48
12.5
38
52
15.5
44
67
5
14
21
8.5
24
38
Côtes de Gascogne, France
Domaine Saint Paul Colline, Picpoul de Pinet 2014. *
Langudoc, France
Wally, Sauvignon Blanc 2015.
Val de Loire, France
Marimar Estate, Albariño 2012.
Russian River Valley, California. USA
Moobuzz, Chardonnay 2013.
Monterey County, California, USA
Wind Gap, Trousseau Gris 2013. *
Russian River Valley, California, USA
Cuvée Jean-Paul, Rosé 2014.
Côtes de Gascogne, France
M de Minuty, Rosé 2015.
Cotes de Provence,. France
3
Cuvée Jean-Paul, Vaucluse Rouge 2013.
5
14
21
7
20
29
8.5
24
35
10
28
42
12
35
49
14
39
58
5.5
10
54
6
10
60
8
13
78
10
16.5
99
15
24
144
Pays du Vaucluse, France
Domaine Brusset, “Laurent B.” Côtes du Rhône 2015.
Rhone Valley, France
Familia Cassone, “Finca La Florencia” Malbec 2015.
Mendoza, Argentina
Fabrice Gasnier, “Les Graves” Chinon 2014
Loire Valley, France
Jackhammer, Pinot Noir 2013. *
Central Coast, California, USA
Copain, “Tous Ensemble” Syrah 2012.
Yourkville Highlands, California, USA
Edmeades, Zinfandel 2011.
Mondocino county, California, USA
Broc cellars, Cuvee 13.1Syrah 2013.
Santa Lucia Highlands, California, USA
La Stella, “Fortissimo” 2013.
Okanagan Valley, Canada
Chateauneuf Du Pape, Château La Nerthe 2006.
Rhone Valley, France
Hirsch Vineyards,’’San Andreas Fault’’ 2012.
Sonoma Coast, California, USA
Wine freshly poured from tap
4
Brut
Moët & Chandon, “Imperial” NV. Epernay
Pierre Gimonnet & fils, “Cuvée Cuis 1er Cru”
Besserat de Bellefon, “Cuvée des Moines” NV. Epernay
Paul Déthune, “Ambonnay Grand Cru” NV. Ambonnay
Pommery, “Brut Silver” NV. Reims
Delamotte, “Blanc de Blancs” NV. Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Henri Giraud, “Hommage à François Hérmart” NV. Ay
Krug, “Grande Cuvée”. NV. Reims
75
79
85
97
100
119
124
270
Rosé
Moët & Chandon, Imperial Rosé NV. Epernay
Laurent Perrier, Cuvée Rosé NV. Tours-Sur-Marne
Deutz, Rosé NV. Ay
75
119
146
Devaux, 2005. Côte des Bar
Besserat de Bellefon, “Cuvée des Moines” 2002. Epernay
Philipponnat, “Clos des Goisses” 2000. Ay
Louis, Roederer, “Cristal” 2005. Reims
99
119
189
245
Vintage
USA
France
Argentina
Quartet, Brut NV. Anderson Valley, Sonoma, California
Francis Coppola, “Sofia Blanc de Blancs” 2013. Monterey County, California
Domaine de la Taille aux Loups, “Triple Zéro” NV. Montlouis-Sur-Loire
Chandon, Brut NV. Uco Valley, Mendoza
Alma 4, Sparkling Bonarda 2011. Mendoza
55
74
48
51
49
5
USA
California
France
Australia
Camino Cellars, 2013. Monterey County
Grayson Cellars, “Lot 11” 2013.
Wente Vineyards, “Heritage Block Riva Ranch” 2012.
Moobuzz, 2013. Monterey County
Au Bon Climat, “Wild Boy” 2013. Santa Barbara County
Heitz Cellar, 2013. Napa Valley
Frogs Leap, 2012. Carneros
Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs, 2013. Sonoma Coast
Sandhi Wines, 2012. Santa Barbara County
Matthiasson, “Linda Vista Vineyard” 2014. Napa Valley
Chateau Montelena, 2011. Napa Valley
Ramey, “Hyde Vineyard” 2012. Carneros
Monterey County
Domaine Talmard, Mâcon-Uchizy 2014.
Stéphane Aladame, “Découverte” Montagny 1er Cru 2013.
Domaine Daniel Dampt, “Côte de Léchet” 1er Cru 2013.
Domaine Christian Moreau, “Vaillon” 1er Cru 2013.
Domaine Gilles Bouton, “En Remilly” Saint Aubin 1er Cru 2014.
Domaine Jean-Louis Chavy, Puligny-Montrachet 2013.
Domaine Jean Pascal, Puligny Montrachet 2009.
1500ml
er
Domaine Lamy, “Les Frionnes” Saint-Aubin 1 Cru
1500ml
2010.
Penfolds, “Bin 311 Henty” 2011. Australia
38
43
45
52
62
68
71
75
80
88
95
105
29
62
63
73
78
87
200
221
79
6
USA
California
France
Loire Valley
USA
California
France
France
Rhone Valley
Dry Creek, Fume Blanc 2013. Sonoma County
Clos du Val, “Ariadne” 2010. Napa Valley
Frogs Leap, 2014. Rutherford
Matthiasson, “White Wine” 2013. Napa Valley
Caymus, “Conundrum” 2012.
53
58
64
80
85
Sirius, Sauvignon Blanc- Sémillon 2013. Bordeaux
Wally, Sauvignon Blanc, 2015. France.
35
32
Domaine Didier Dagueneau, “Buisson Renard” Pouilly-Fumé 2011.
183
Cambria, “Tepusquet Vineyard” 2014. Santa Maria Valley
Freemark Abbey, 2011. Napa Valley
Tablas Creek, “Cote de Tablas Blanc” 2011. Paso Robles
51
67
71
Maison Nicolas Perrin, 2014. Rhone Valley
Andre Perret, “Chery”Condrieu 2013. Rhone Valley
Domaine de Vedilhan, 2013. Pays d’Oc
34
139
26
Les Trois Bises, Côte du Rhône Villages 2014.
Domaine du Tunnel, St Peray 2011.
39
76
7
USA
Broc Cellars, “Vine Starr” 2013.
USA
Pine Ridge, Chenin Blanc-Viognier 2014. Napa Valley
Dry Creek Vineyard, 2012. Clarksberg, California
39
46
Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau, “Cuvee Silex” Vouvray 2013. Loire
36
Sokol Blosser, “18th Edition” Evolution NV. Dundee Hills, Oregon
42
Hugel, “Tradition Hugel” 2011. Alsace
44
Fox Run Vineyards, 2013. Finger Lakes, NY
Smith-Madrone, 2012. Spring Mountain District, California
64
74
Domaine Weinbach, “Cuvée Théo” 2014. Alsace
89
France
USA
France
USA
France
Central Coast, California
83
8
Ugni Blanc
Vermentino
Melon de
Bourgogne
Albariño
Gros Manseng
Bourboulenc
Cuvée Jean-Paul, Sec 2014. Côtes de Gascogne, Southwest, France
21
Les Vignes de L’Eglise, 2014. Pays D’Oc, France
24
Domaine de la Chauvinière, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie
2014. Loire Valley, France
Château du Coing, “Cuvée Excellence” Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine
Sur Lie 2000. Loire Valley, France
28
Marimar Estate, 2012. Russian River Valley, California. USA
48
Charles Hours, “Cuvée Marie” Jurançon Sec 2012.
49
Château d’Anglès, “Grand Vin” 2012.
Southwest, France
La Clape, Languedoc, France
49
50
Malvasia Bianca
Birichino, 2012.
Gewürztraminer
Hugel, “Jubilee” 2008. Alsace, France
69
Cuvée Jean-Paul, 2014. Pays des Côtes de Gascogne
M de Minuty, 2015. Cotes de Provence
21
38
France
Monterey, California, USA
55
9
Canada
USA
Oregon
Tantalus, 2012. Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Le Clos Jordanne, “Village Reserve” 2009. Ontario
Firesteed, 2012.
Sokol Blosser, “Delinea 300” 2013. Willamette Valley
Domaine Drouhin, 2013. Dundee Hills
Adelsheim, 2012. Willamette Valley
69
81
44
51
74
80
Bergström, “Cumberland Reserve” 2013.
97
Willamette Valley
California
De Loach Vineyards, “Heritage Reserve” 2013.
Block Nine, “Caiden’s Vineyards” 2012.
Nielson by Byron, 2013. Santa Barbara County
La Crema, 2013. Sonoma Coast
Cuvaison, “Estate Grown” 2012. Carneros
Marimar Estate, “La Masia” 2010. Russian River Valley
Kutch, Falstaff vineyards, 2014, Sonoma Coast
Hirsch Vineyards, “San Andreas Fault” 2012. Sonoma Coast
39
47
49
62
65
86
100
145
France
Burgundy
Dominique Gruhier, Epineuil 2012.
Domaine Roblet-Monnot, “Saint François” Volnay 2009.
Frédéric Magnien, “Vielles Vignes” Chambolle-Musigny 2010.
Domaine Henri Gouges, Nuits-Saint-Georges 2008.
Domaine Dujac, Morey-Saint-Denis 2012.
Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot, Vosne Romanée 1er Cru 2011.
Mongeard-Mugneret, “Echezeaux” Grand Cru 2012.
Frédéric Magnien, “Clos de Vougeot” 2005.
Domaine Pavelot, Pernand-Vergelesses 2012.
Bouchard Père & Fils, “Beaune du Château” 1er Cru 2011.
Domaine Francois Carillon, “Les Pitangerets” 1er Cru 2013.
Prunier-Bonheur, Auxey-Duresses 2012.
Domaine du Prieuré, Savigny-lès-Beaune 2007.
1500ml
Domaine Pavelot, “Corton” Grand Cru 2010.
49
89
110
118
155
192
279
310
75
77
81
85
141
147
10
Domaine Faiveley, Mercurey 2012.
Céline et Vincent Dureuil, “Champs Cloux” Rully 1er Cru 2010.
Clos Salomon, “Clos Salomon Monopole” Givry 1er Cru 2012.
58
62
78
Domaine André Dezat, Sancerre Rouge 2014.
48
USA
California
Hedges Family Estate, “CMS” 2012. Columbia Valley, Washington
J. Lohr, “Seven Oaks” 2012. Paso Robles
Slingshot, 2012. Napa Valley
Brea, “Margarita Vineyards” 2012. Paso Robles
Heitz Cellar, 2009. Napa Valley
Heitz Cellar, “Trailside Vineyard” 2004. Napa Valley
Dunn Vineyards, 2002. Napa Valley
Ridge, Monte Bello 2010. Santa Cruz Mountains
Dominus Estate, 2003. Napa Valley
49
57
59
82
110
145
189
264
282
France
Bordeaux
Clarendelle by Haut Brion. 2010.
Château Tour de By, 2010. Médoc
Château Ormes de Pez, 2005. St-Estèphe
54
61
140
Loire Valley
Canada
France
Bordeaux
La Stella, “Fortissimo” 2013. Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
78
Château Tanesse, 2010. Cadillac
Château Franc-Cardinal, 2010. Côtes de Francs
Domaine de la Pointe 2010. Pomerol
41
50
98
11
USA
California
Spring Valley Vineyard, “Katherine Corkrum” 2010.
Jonata, “El Alma de Jonata” 2005.Santa Ynex Valley
Walla Walla Valley
119
199
Domaine Fabrice Gasnier, “Les Graves” Chinon 2012.
Yannick Amirault, “La Petit Cave” Bourgueil 2011.
49
65
Argentina
Familia Cassone, “Finca La Florencia” 2014. Mendoza
Amancaya, “Gran Reserva” 2012. Mendoza
35
56
USA
California
Le Vieux Pin, 2010. Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Gnarly Head, Petit Syrah 2012.
Broc cellars, Cuvee 13.1 2013, Santa Lucia Highlands
Piedrasassi, 2013, Santa Barbara County
Bonny Doon Vineyard, “Le Pousseur” 2011. Central Coast
Freemark Abby, Petite Syrah 2012. Napa Valley
Hyde de Villaine, 2007. Carneros
L’Aventure, “Optimus” 2012. Paso Robles
84
46
60
69
78
89
115
122
Cave de Tain, “Domaine Belles Granges” 2012.
Domaine Etienne Pochon, Crozes-Hermitage 2012
Domaine Georges Vernay, “De Miraudie” 2013. Collines-Rhodaniennes
Vincent Paris, “Granite 30” Cornas 2013.
Château Château d’Aussières 2011.Corbières
29
54
54
62
53
France
Rhone Valley
Languedoc
12
California
Rhone Valley
California
Birichino, “Besson Vineyard” 2012. Santa Cruz
Tablas Creek, Côtes de Tablas 2011. Paso Robles
Wind Gap, “Old Vine” 2012.
65
73
89
Cuvée Jean-Paul, “Vaucluse Rouge” 2013. Pays du Vacluse
Domaine Brusset, “Laurent B” Côte du Rhône 2014.
21
29
Les Gamins, Côte du Rhône Villages 2014.
Domaine Les Pallières, “Terrasse du Diable” Gigondas 2011.
Château La Nerthe, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006.
39
84
99
Edmeades Vineyards, 2011. Mendocino County
Seghesio Family Cellars, 2012. Sonoma County
54
Wilde Farm, “Heritage” 2013. Sonoma Valley
78
Seghesio Family Cellars, “Home Ranch” 2012.
Gamay
Carignan
Sangiovese
Trousseau
Refosco
Château de Raousset, Fleurie 2013.
RPM, 2013. El Dorado, California, USA
56
Alexander Valley
Beaujolais, Burgundy, France
128
46
Broc Cellars, “Love Red” 2013. California, USA
Joseph Swan, “Côte du Rosa” 2011. Alexander Valley, California, USA
69
55
62
Seghesio Family Vineyards, 2012. Alexander Valley, California, USA
66
Arnot-Roberts, 2012. North Coast, California, USA
Matthiasson, “Matthiasson Vineyard” 2012. Napa Valley, California, USA
88
89
13
Barbadillo, Fino NV.
7.5
Spain
Gonzalez Byass, “Apostoles” 30-Year-Old Palo Cortado NV.
500ml
46
375ml
55
Spain
Grahams, “Six Grapes” NV. Portugal
5
750ml
37
Warres, “Otima” 10 Year Tawny. Portugal
8
375ml
40
9
375ml
34
11
375ml
Grahams, “Quinta dos Malvedos” 2004.
Blandy’s 10 year old Verdelho
Portugal
14