After a two year hiatus, The Wine Spectator Grand Tour 2026 came back to Denver Saturday, April 18 showcasing, according to the magazine, 230 wineries and wines. The magazine estimated that more than 1,000 wine lovers packed the Sheraton Denver Downtown.
These were no ordinary wineries or wines. All of the wineries poured a wine that rated 90 points or higher in Wine Spectator blind tastings. And this was no ordinary tasting. By my count, guests were presented wines from 15 international wine regions – Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, France, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, California, Oregon, Washington. And most tables had winemakers and winery owners serving and conversing with tasters.
Wine lovers not only sampled from among some of the world’s best wines but also enjoyed the chance to meet winemakers and other faces behind some of their favorites.
Some of the highlights for me:
I had an opportunity to meet with Cynthia Lohr, Co-owner & Chief Brand Officer of J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines. We had a fascinating conversation about the evolution of the winery and her journey (including obtaining a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, as I also have) to joining the winery in 2002. We also tasted an excellent 2023 J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles “Hilltop”.
Cynthia Lohr poured the J. Lohr Chardonnay Arroyo Seco “October Night” 2023
I also had an opportunity to taste with Francisco Gil, 5th generation family member-owner of Gil Family Estates, which is celebrating 110 years in 2026. We tasted a refreshing 2023 Lagar da Condesa Albariño, a delightful 2022 Can Blau (Garnacha, cariñena, syrah); a tasty 2022 Rosa Vera Rioja Alvaresa; an impressive 2023 Jaun Gil Blue Label (old vine monastrell, cabernet sauvignon, syrah), and a striking 2022 Bodega El Nido “CLIO” (he called it El Nido’s little brother).
One of the company’s estates, Bodegas El Nido Jumilla “El Nido” 2022, was poured at the tasting.
And right before he had to head to the ballroom, Jeff Cole, Winemaker for Sullivan Rutherford Estate, sat down with me to discuss the history of the winery, its new ownership, and the continuous improvement he and owner Juan Pablo Torres Padilla are seeking. And our conversation was fueled with a glass of a fine 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon “Couer de Vigne”.
Jeff Cole and the Sullivan Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford “J.O. Sullivan Founder’s Reserve” 2021
And here is a list of many of the most impressive wines I tasted – among a collection of outstanding wines. Note some of the old vintages.
Argentina
Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Nicasia Vineyard 2006
California
Seghesio Family Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Cortina 2023
Chile
Clos Apalta “Apalta” 2022 (carmenère, cabernet sauvignon and merlot)
Viña Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Don Melchor Vineyard 2022
France
Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2023
Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022
Trimbach Riesling Alsace “Frédéric Émile’ 2017
Italy
Cantina Terlano Alto Adige “Terlaner I Primo Grande Cuvée” 2022
Poured by Sommelier and Restaurant Olivia Wine Director (and super Italian Wine expert)
Portugal
Croft Vintage Port 2007
Fonseca Tawny Port 20 Year Old Tawny
Sandeman Vintage Port 2000
Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port “Sentinels” 2022
And an impressive array of wines from the Kendal-Jackson family of wines:
- Diatom Chardonnay Santa Barbara County 2024
- Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Anderson Valley Sable Mountain Vineyard 2023
- La Crema Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2022
- Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder 2021
- Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2022
I can’t wait until the next time The Wine Spectator Grand Tour makes its way back to Denver.