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Wines align with high performance

B.C. wineries deliver some stand outs at 'The Nationals'
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Of all the results that came out of the WineAlign 2013 National Wine Awards (née Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards) the most meaningful may be The Performance Report that ranks just how well each participating winery performs when measured against its peers. (Full disclosure: I have been a co-head judge at the awards for 13 years.)

To be eligible, a winery has to enter a minimum of six wines in the competition. The computer then chooses the winery's five, top-scoring wines and applies a formula that rewards each medal earned — gold, silver or bronze — with a set number of points.

The value of each medal is determined by taking into the account the difficulty of winning a gold, silver or bronze medal. In short, the harder it is to qualify for a medal, the more valuable the medal in question. We think it's a very fair measure of a winery's performance and a useful tool for wineries to know where they stand among their peers.

At the WineAlign 2013 National Wine Awards of Canada (a.k.a. "The Nationals") grabbing gold is, as it ever was, a difficult task. This month I wanted to share with you a special list of the top 10 B.C. wineries, and some of the wines that got them there. The standings are based on a winery's overall performance at the competition that involved over 150 wineries and just under 1,200 wines all grown and produced in Canada.

First place in B.C., and the country, went to West Kelowna's Mission Hill Family Estate. It's the third time winemaker John Simes has captured the accolade since 2001. Mission Hill amassed 9,901 points to finish atop the standings. The judges awarded the winery five gold medals, two of which eventually became platinum medals by virtue of obtaining a score out of 100 that placed them in the top one per cent of entries. The wine to look for — and one of the best red blends in the country — is the Mission Hill Family Estate 2009 Compendium ($50). Steaks, anyone?

At 7,042 points, Road 13 Vineyards finished second among B.C. producers and third in the country. Winemaker J.M. Bouchard is the man behind the wines and his passion is evident throughout each of his wines that begin and end with terroir. "Delicious" describes the Road 13 Vineyards 2009 Home Vineyard Sparkling Chenin Blanc ($35); a surprise standout was Road 13 Vineyards 2011 Syrah Malbec Red Blends ($32). Overall, it was an impressive performance by the Oliver-based winery.

Number three in B.C. and fourth in Canada was Moon Curser Vineyards at 6,728 points. A surprise to some, but not to this writer who has enjoyed several excellent wines of late from the Osoyoos-based winery. Moon Curser's loud, shiny labels are not for everyone, nor do they reveal the serious nature of their wines, but that's why we taste blind. Best bets here include the 2011 Touriga Nacional ($35), 2012 Afraid of the Dark White ($22) and the 2010 Border Vines ($25).

On the Naramata Bench, winemaker Karen Gillis continues to impress with her fresh clean style that helps to better express B.C.'s terroir in her acclaimed Red Rooster wines. Red Rooster placed fourth in B.C. and seventh in the country with 4,589 points, and a big gold medal for its Red Rooster Winery 2011 Reserve Meritage ($25). Equally impressive is the 2012 Reserve Viognier ($22).

Number five in the province and 10th in the country is the fast-rising Meyer Family Vineyards at 4,469 points. The Okanagan Falls producer is actively pursuing the Burgundian holy grail of pinot noir and chardonnay in Okanagan Falls. At "The Nationals" they struck gold with their 2011 McLean Creek Chardonnay ($30) and 2011 Pinot Noir Reimer Family Vineyard ($40).

Oliver-based Burrowing Owl Estate Winery finished in sixth position in BC and 13th in the country, tallying 4,071 points. The noted cabernet franc and pinot gris producer scored big in 2013 with its 2010 Meritage Red ($45) and 2010 Athene Red ($38). Both blends reflect the warmer, drier climate of the south Okanagan where getting red grapes ripe is a little easier than in Naramata or Kelowna.

Number seven in B.C. and 14th overall goes to a former champion, Kelowna's CedarCreek Estate Winery with 3,852 points. Winemaker Darryl Brooker has been busy refreshing the lineup, lowering the alcohol in his riesling and ehrenfelser and, generally, upping the fruit flavour profile of all the wines. Brooker has been tinkering with CedarCreek's whites deepening textures and flavours but captured the judges' imagination with his 2009 Platinum Syrah ($40).

Number 16 in the country and eighth in British Columbia with 3,593 points goes to Osoyoos-based Nk'Mip Cellars and talented winemaker Randy Picton. Over the years Picton has made some superb pinots. In recent years he's really upped the winery profile, releasing well-made reserves under the Qwam Qwmt banner. In 2013 the judges were enamoured with the 2010 Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir and the 2010 Talon. Both are terrific beef wines.

Number 17 in Canada and ninth in British Columbia goes to Oliver's Tinhorn Creek. This winery is climbing up the quality pole of late under CEO and chief winemaker Sandra Oldfield's renewed commitment to making quality wine. Well known for its merlot in 2013, the judges were wowed by Oldfield's 2010 Cabernet Franc ($22) and 2012 Pinot Gris ($19).

Finishing a very respectable 10th in the province and 18th in the country is Skaha Bench-based Painted Rock Estate with 3,488 points. Owner John Skinner is completely committed to the long haul at Painted Rock and is one of the premier cabernet sauvignon producers in the country. Painted Rock struck gold with its 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($40) and silver with its 2010 Merlot ($40) and 2010 Syrah ($40).

All in all, it was an impressive showing by British Columbia's wineries in what is the toughest wine competition they will enter all year. If you are looking for the best in the province this is it.

For complete results of the 2013 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (The Nationals), log onto http://www.winealign.com/awards/2013/09/03/nwac-13-results.

Anthony Gismondi is a globetrotting wine writer who makes his home in West Vancouver, British Columbia. For more of his thoughts on wine log onto www.gismondionwine.com.