Best in Show Red Wine Finalists and Winner | 2023 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition

by The Tasting Alliance Team  |  09.19.2023

The results of the 2023 New York World Wine and Spirits competition have been recently revealed, showcasing the crowning glory of red wines. Join us as we unveil the 2023 Best in Show Red Wine Finalists and the ultimate winner.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist; Best Spanish Red: Campo Viejo Reserva 2017 Red

This elegant wine is a true expression of the premium Rioja vines, crafted from a blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo grapes. It undergoes a meticulous aging process of a minimum of three years, spending 18 months in American and French oak barrels followed by an additional 18 months of bottle aging. The outcome is a wine that exemplifies the art of patience and craftsmanship, delivering a rounded, flavorsome, and impeccably balanced tasting experience. This meticulous aging process imparts depth and complexity to the wine, making it a delightful choice for those seeking a refined and harmonious Rioja wine.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist: Messina Hof Paulo 2018 Sagrantino

Paulo Sagrantino is an exquisite bold wine with flavors of black plum and dark, jammy fruits. Hints of spice with earth come through from oak aging. Unique and exclusive, it is the first Sagrantino to be grown in Texas.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist; Best Pinot Noir: Weather Wines 2020 Pinot Noir

Within this wine, a delightful bouquet unfolds, revealing the enticing aromas of dried cherry and cranberry, intertwined with subtle hints of leather, earthiness, and the freshness of eucalyptus. As you savor it, you’ll discover a light-bodied character adorned with the essence of cherry-flavored fruit.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist; Best Premium Non-Bordeaux Blends: Graveyard Vineyards 2020 SCREAM

When you uncork this enticing bottle, your senses are immediately greeted by a symphony of aromas—blackberry, lilac, and a subtle hint of smoke, a testament to the American Oak and French Oak influence. This wine is a harmonious blend of Petite Sirah’s richness, Cabernet’s velvety smoothness, and the spicy finish of Syrah. As you take a sip, your palate will experience a variety of flavors—cocoa, espresso, and boysenberry—each note playing its part in this delicious composition. With medium tannins and a remarkably smooth finish, this wine proves that it’s not just fun on the outside; it’s a true delight for your taste buds.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist: Oso Libre Por Vida 2019 Red Blend

Por Vida is Oso Libre’s proprietary Estate blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo, and Mourvedre.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist; Best Non-Bordeaux Blends: Alamos 2020 Red Blend

Mendoza-grown Malbec leads this Red Blend, providing a foundation brimming with layers of dark plum. Bonarda imparts notes of juicy dark cherries to the blend while Cabernet Sauvignon brings layers of bold dark fruit. Syrah offers finishing touches of blackberry and black pepper while light oak gives our Red Blend a rich mouthfeel and approachable wine.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist: Alamos 2020 Malbec

Alamos Malbec offers layers of dark cherry and blackberry and a velvety mouthfeel. Aromas of violet intertwine with spice and vanilla, while balanced tannins create a velvety mouthfeel and expansive finish. This Malbec delivers a complex fine red wine that pairs beautifully with a wide range of cuisine and goes beyond the expected.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist: San Juanito 2019 Malbec, Gran Reserva

Elevate your wine experience with a taste of Valle de Bernal, Queretaro, Mexico. At a staggering 1,930 meters above sea level in the heart of a semi-desertic climate, these vineyards produce wines like no other. Aged to perfection for 24 months in American and French oak coopers, each bottle is a harmonious blend of nature’s artistry.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist; Best Malbec: Revolucion 2019

A red wine from Mendoza, Argentina, this wine has 24 mentions of red fruit notes (cherry).

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist: 7 Vines Vineyard 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve

This complex Red Mountain Cabernet exudes notes of dark cherry, black plum, red currant, ripe raspberry, pomegranate, wood spice, maple & oregano. This wine finishes with a creamy vanilla and assertive tannins that linger on the finish. Oak aged for 20 months.

Pair with grilled meats, peppery sauces, blue cheeses, braised short ribs, or mushroom stroganoff.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist: Serial Wines 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2020 Serial Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon stands out with deep color and aromas. Wild, red, and blackberries, sweet herbs, and cedar on the nose intensify on the palate with Chambord, chocolate nib, mocha, and licorice flavors. Savory notes of black pepper and cigar balance the richness of the fruit and accentuate a long back-palate finish. Smooth and supple, the tannins are velvety with medium plus body.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist; Best Cabernet Sauvignon: John Anthony Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

This dense ruby-hued cabernet sauvignon leads with wildly aromatic black and red currants and floral notes of violet, lavender, and rose. Cracked pink peppercorn and savory spices give further depth to the aromatics. On the palate, sumptuous blackberries and ripe Bing cherries meld with hints of kola nut, cordovan leather, and dark mole. Wonderful tannin structure carries decadent layers of chocolate raspberry cake and crème de cassis into a long, lingering finish.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist: Barefoot Cellars NV Merlot

Barefoot Cellars Merlot is a luscious wine with alluring flavors of boysenberry and split cherries followed by hints of silky chocolate for a decadent finish.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist; Best Merlot: Bulletin Place 2022 Merlot

Discover a wine that’s uncomplicated yet exquisitely balanced. It greets you with primary fruit aromas, showcasing plums, and red berries, complemented by a subtle hint of peppery spice. On the palate, you’ll encounter gentle tannins that provide a supportive structure to the plummy, herb-infused fruit flavors. It’s a delightful sip that strikes between simplicity and refinement, making it a perfect addition to your wine collection.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist: Black Box Wines 2021 Merlot

Hints of plum, black cherry, and baking spices unfold smoothly across the palate with soft tannins and supple acidity. A medium-bodied California red wine, Black Box Merlot pairs heartily with pork roast and tomato sauces.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist; Best Zinfandel: Legend 2021 Zinfandel

LEGEND wines take their inspiration from the magnificent and legendary wild lynx. Known for being mysterious and powerful with a strong characteristic of elegance, the lynx is a true champion of our brand and values. LEGEND Zinfandel is sourced from selected, 100% organically certified estate vineyards in the Templeton Gap District of the Paso Robles AVA.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist: Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2021

The luscious elegance of the Clare Valley fruit marries superbly with the slightly peppery fruit from McLaren Vale.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist; Best Syrah: Abolengo de Don Juan 2016 Syrah

The San Juanito vineyard has a rich composition of vine varieties: Malbec, Syrah, Tinta de Bernal, and Cabernet Sauvignon, we will gradually increase our diversity, with the same patience with which each bottle of good wine must be made.

Best in Show Red Wine Finalist; Best Red Rhône Blend: Taylors Reserve Parcel Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2021 GSM

Selected for their uniqueness of character and outstanding quality, these Reserce Parcels represent the finest aspects of each vintage. This medium-bodied GSM (Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre) is full of fresh plum, dark chocolate undertones, hints of spice and a smooth, satisfying finish. Seductive in its youth this wine will continue to develop over the short to medium term.

Best Italian Red; Best in Show Red Wine: Casa Marrone 2021 Primitivo

A powerful Primitivo in a bag-in-box offering a generous red wine made of sun-ripened Primitivo grapes from Puglia in the south of Italy. The favorable climate gives the characteristic fullness and richness of the taste that has made Primitivo an obvious choice for many.

Casa Marrone Primitivo is a red full-bodied wine with an oak character and fruity aromas of plum, dark cherries, vanilla, and milk chocolate. As it is generous in both taste and size, there will be wine for everyone in your casa.