Jeff Runquist Wines 2020 Cabernet Franc – Gold Medal and Best of Class Winner at 3rd Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition & Celebration
At the 2022, Cabernet Franc Wine Competition and Celebration, Jeff Runquist Wines 2020 Cabernet Franc took a Gold Medal and Best of Class from the Professional Judges. This really is no surprise as Jeff Runquist at the previous Cabernet Franc competitions has received Silver and Gold Medals for prior vintages! The judges at the S.F. Chronicle also awarded him Best of Class for his 2020 Cabernet Franc. The cream always rises to the top!
Those not familiar with Jeff Runquist Wines, they are located at 10776 Shenandoah Road in Plymouth, Amador, California. Jeff makes some 41 wines from 25 varieties of grapes. The winery was voted as “2021 Winery of the Year” by Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition.
Jeff and his wife Margie, opened their winery in 2011, Jeff Runquist Wines in Amador. I had previously done various stories on Jeff Runquist Wines and one which gives a brief background on the winery and man, see: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2017/05/09/jeff-runquist-wines/ .
The Wine – 2020 Cabernet Franc
On the eyes a beautiful infusion of purple and garnet colors and a medium body. On the nose, aromas of vanilla, smoke and light oak fill the senses. On the palate, raspberries, strawberries and minerality fill but do not with overwhelm tastes. Soft tannins and a smooth finish with a hint of cocoa makes this wine an enjoyable drinking wine with or without food. Alcohol is 15.2%. It was released in November 2021 and is now sold out! The price was $26/bottle and 540 cases were produced. But don’t despair, the 2021 will be released in November of 2022.
The Food and Wine Pairing
Paired with an American summer cuisine of a seared BBQ burger, homemade potato salad and baked beans. Accompanied with a fresh garden salad with white balsamic dressing. A tasty meal and the wine was so pleasant with the meal.
Dallas legendary football coach Tom Landry once stated, “The secret to winning is constant, consistent management”. Details and more details. Jeff Runquist continues to impress wine aficionados’ with his consistent and high quality wines at every wine competition he enters. Here is just a small sampling of his recent awards besides his International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition and Celebration:
JEFF RUNQUIST WINES – RECENT WINE COMPETITION RESULTS
2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
BEST OF CLASS
2020 Cabernet Franc, Salman Vineyard, Clarksburg
2019 Petite Sirah, Salman Vineyard, Clarksburg
2020 Primitivo, Nostro Vino Vineyard, Amador County
2020 Tempranillo, Liberty Oaks Vineyard, Lodi
DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Three Way Vineyard, Paso Robles
2019 Petite Sirah, Salman Vineyard, Clarksburg
2020 Zinfandel, Massoni Ranch, Amador County
2019 Zinfandel, Peroni Ranch, Amador County
GOLD MEDAL
2019 Paso Robles Lagrein French Camp Vineyard
2019 Barbera Reserve, Amador County
2020 Barbera, Cooper Vineyard, Amador County
2020 Dolcetto, Amador County
2020 Grenache, Three Way Vineyard, Paso Robles
2019 Petit Verdot, San Joaquin County
2020 1448, California
2020 Viognier, River Junction
2019 Zinfandel, Nostro Vino Vineyard, Amador County
2021 Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition
BEST OF SHOW RED, BEST OF CLASS, TRIPLE GOLD
2019 “R” Lagrein, Paso Robles
BEST OF CLASS, TRIPLE GOLD
2019 “R” Reserve Barbera, Sierra Foothills
TRIPLE GOLD
2020 “R” Dolcetto, Sierra Foothills, Amador County
BEST OF CLASS, GOLD MEDAL
2016 “R” Sangiovese, “The Hill,” Amador County
GOLD MEDAL
2019 “R” Tempranillo, Shake Ridge Ranch, Amador County
2019 “R” Barbera, Amador County
2019 “R” Reserve Petit Verdot, Damir Ranch, Stanislaus County
He continues to get his excellent wines validated over and over again!
Slainte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 