50th Anniversary Judgement of Paris Tasting

Two 50th Anniversary Judgement of Paris events took place in Manila within the space of 3 weeks. The first was one organized by the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS) Philippines Branch following the initiative of the Society's Europe/Africa Zone to hold tastings with various branches around the world using a prescribed set of wines representing all continents (except Asia). The second was with a group of friends using more recent vintages of some of the original reds.

Here are the results for the IWFS tasting:

Wine Region Score/points
1. Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2020 South Africa 139
2. Jadot Chablis Fourchaume 1er Cru 2022 Burgundy 133
3. Yarden Chardonnay 2021 Israel/Asia 131
4. Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2024* New Zealand 125
5. Montes Alpha Special Cuvee Chardonnay 2022 Chile 124
6. Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2021 California 110
7. Bouchard Beaune du Chateau 1er Cru 2019 Burgundy 106

Reds

Wine
1. Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 California 141
2. Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2019* South Africa 137
3. Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages 2018 California 137

Please note that Cinq Cepages and Paul Sauer were tied in points but we determined the Paul
Sauer to come in before the Cinq Cepages as it got more #1 rankings (2 vs 1 for Cinq
Cepages) and it is also a cheaper wine.

4. Malartic Lagraviere 2018 Bordeaux 135
5. Talbot 2018 Bordeaux 133
6. Yarden Cabernet 2019 Israel/Asia 128
7. Catena Alta Historic Rows Cabernet 2020 Argentina 124
8. Mosswood Cabernet Sauvignon 2021* Australia 122

Wine marked with * are prescribed by London

As we had access to some Israeli wines we decided to put them in so Asia is represented as well. We also tried to get the ages of the wine and the prices as close as possible. The New World beat France again, and decisively so in the red category. South Africa did really well, taking the top spot in Chardonnay, and second place in Bordeaux blend/Cabernet.

The second tasting was done last night at Cafe Ysabel. Again California decisively beat France, taking the top 3 spots. The results in order:

1. Heitz Martha's Vineyard 2003
2. Ridge Montebello 2002
3. Clos du Val 2002
4. Mounton Rothschild 2002
5. Leoville Las Cases 2001
6. Haut Brion 2003

[David M. Bueker]

Actually had the 2001Las Cases a few weeks ago, and to say it was charmless was an understatement. Just a grumpy bottle of wine.

Lots of tastings themed around the Judgement this year, some with same wines, some with newer wines from same estates (like your second tasting), some with similar status current France/US wines, some more basically New World vs Old (like your second tasting).
All fun to read.
But boy if I was choosing Bordeaux vintages to show well 2002 and 2003 would be far down my list. I like 2001, but LLC is always so ungiving.
Thanks for posting.

I think the wording needs to be corrected

"Please note that Kanonkop and Paul Sauer were tied in points"

Paul Sauer is Kanonkop

Good catch! Thank you and corrected.

[Jenise]

Friends in Vancouver did the IWFS tasting as well, and the Ridge was #1 there, too.