The best wines in the world were awarded in Singapore
Technical Committee Members of the Wine Pinnacle Awards 2022 presented by Resorts World Sentosa.
From left to right: Oz Clarke, Doug Frost MW & MS, Jeannie Cho Lee MW, Kenichi Ohashi MW, Andreas Larsson.
The prestigious black-tie soirée of the Wine Pinnacle Awards Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony 2022 celebrated 18 winners of the second edition of Wine Pinnacle Awards presented by Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). Of the awards given out in the evening, the ‘Technical Committee’s Choice’ was the most coveted title. The award was presented unanimously by the five members of The Technical Committee to Barbara Banke, Chairman and Proprietor of Jackson Family Wines. Read spanish version.
The distinguished event at Resorts World Ballroom within Resorts World Convention Centre at RWS in Singapore hosted nearly 500 of the leading figures and luminaries in the wine world which included distinguished winemakers, top wine professionals, and wine enthusiasts alike. The much-awaited celebration was the finale of a five-day programme that featured exclusive wine dinners, industry masterclasses, and a two-day symposium.
Mr Tan Hee Teck, CEO of Resorts World Sentosa, said “It’s a pleasure to see a great variety of guests from all over the world represented here tonight. The diversity on display – both in terms of attendees and the geographical origin of the nominees – beautifully demonstrates the dedication of Wine Pinnacle Awards to celebrating diversity, inclusivity, and excellence. Leading a business, let alone a vintage, to triumph can be an uphill battle, and, as such, we are eager to shine the spotlight on the commitment, ability, and sheer hard work of our deserving nominees and winners. I wish them the best of luck for the future and congratulate them on their win in these prestigious awards.”
A Celebration of Excellence
After months of anticipation, the 18 winners of the 2022 Wine Pinnacle Awards were revealed and celebrated as guests indulged in an exquisite eight-hands, four-course collaboration dinner, specially curated by four of the most talented and renowned chefs in the world: chef Arnaud Dunand Sauthier (2 Michelin stars, Maison Dunand Bangkok), chef Cedric Vongerichten (Wayan, New York), chef Guillaume Galliot (3 Michelin stars, Caprice Hong Kong) and chef Olivier Bellin (2 Michelin stars, L’Auberge des Glazicks). The chefs each presented a course meticulously paired with rare and exceptional wines from Domaine de Montille, Château Léoville-Las Cases, and Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm.
“As a chef, it’s all about tasting, discovering, and having an open mind. Like wine, as it ages and becomes more elegant and refined, the more I travel, the more knowledge I gather, and I get better and better with age and experience as long as there is passion in the mind,” explained three-star Michelin Chef Guillaume Galliot.
Wine Pinnacle Awards Nomination Process
The Technical Committee comprises five internationally renowned wine experts, Committee Chairwoman Ms Jeannie Cho Lee of Hong Kong, Mr Andreas Larsson of Sweden, Mr Doug Frost of the United States, Mr Kenichi Ohashi of Japan, and Mr Oz Clarke of the United Kingdom. They were responsible for establishing the award categories and the nomination structure, forming a credible panel of jury members from different parts of the world, including Asia, the US, and Europe, and overseeing the nomination process to ensure a focus on diversity, quality, and merit. The results are the culmination of the expert opinions of 61 of the world’s leading wine professionals – among whom are 38 masters of Wine, 6 Master Sommeliers, and 6 ASI Best Sommeliers.
Votes by the jury were gathered by way of a secure and anonymous online nomination ballot. Each jury member submitted up to nine votes for wines and makers in each category, according to their preference. Each wine and winemaker then received a total number of points after an audit of each vote. Nominees with the highest points are the winners of their category.
The Wine Pinnacle Awards team prides itself on the validity of the awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to honour those most deserving for their brilliance and work ethic, distinguishing them from their peers and proving them worthy of recognition, and this celebration of diversity and excellence was apparent from the 18 award categories that include recognition towards mature wines that are ready to drink, such as Best Vintage Bordeaux Red from 1996/1998/2000 and Best Vintage Champagne from 2002/2004/2008, ‘Best Recent Releases’, ‘Comfort Wines <€40/S$56’, and ‘Best Friend of the Earth (Winery)’.
Highlights from the Results of the Wine Pinnacle Awards
Pandemic Hero (Personality): Barbara Banke, Chairman and Proprietor of Jackson Family Wines
“We are cognizant of the difficulties faced by many people in the wine industry over the past few years. Barbara Banke and Jackson Family Wines are the epitome of a pandemic hero with their outstanding contributions to a society significantly affected by the pandemic.” – Jeannie Cho Lee MW
Best Friend of The Earth (Winery): Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Alsace, France
“In my opinion, Best Friend of the Earth is the most important category of all. If we are to have a future in wine and on the earth, we must better steward our place on the earth.” – Doug Frost MW & MS
Best 1996, 1998, 2000 Vintage Bordeaux Red: 1996 Château Latour
“Château Latour’s determination to make the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine in the world from its vineyards in Pauillac has never wavered. If you ever yearn to experience the true glory of a majestic, imperious red Bordeaux in its pomp, this is the wine.” – Oz Clarke (wine expert and broadcaster)
Best Recent Release – Cabernet Sauvignon: 2018 Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA
“Due to the scarcity of Burgundy wines, wine lovers are becoming enthusiastic about exploring excellent Pinot Noir wines. However, Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the most widely planted international varieties, is the one that has long been an obsession of wine lovers around the world. The reaffirmation of the world’s best Cabernet Sauvignon is of great importance, and this wine deserves the honour.” – Kenichi Ohashi MW
Comfort White < €40 / S$56: 2019 Joh. Jos. Prüm, Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Mosel, Germany
Comfort Red < €40 / S$56: 2019 Domaine Jean Foillard, Morgon, Beaujolais, France
Comfort Rosé < €40 / S$56: 2020 Château Miraval, Côtes de Provence Rosé, Provence, France
“Despite all of the illustrious names and great vintages, I’m always eager to see the everyday or comfort wines because that’s what you end up drinking the most of.” – Andreas Larsson (Best Sommelier of the World).
WINE PINNACLE AWARDS 2022 TOP 3 NOMINEES AND WINNERS:
MATURE WINES CATEGORY:
Best 2002, 2004, 2008 Vintage Champagne
– 2008 Louis Roederer, Cristal Millésimé Brut (WINNER)
– 2002 Krug, Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs
– 2002 Salon, Cuvée ‘S’ Le Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs
Best 1999, 2002 Vintage Burgundy Red
– 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, La Tâche Grand Cru Monopole (WINNER)
– 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti Grand Cru
– 2002 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, La Tâche Grand Cru Monopole
Best 1996, 1998, 2000 Vintage Bordeaux Red
– 1996 Château Latour (WINNER)
– 1998 Château Cheval Blanc
– 2000 Château Haut-Brion
Best 2001, 2004 Vintage Piedmont Red
– 2001 Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino Barolo Riserva DOCG (WINNER)
– 2001 Bruno Giacosa, Falletto Riserva, Falleto Vigna Le Rocche Barolo DOCG
– 2004 Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino Barolo Riserva DOCG
Best 2004, 2006 Vintage Tuscan Red
– 2004 Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia Bolgheri (WINNER)
– 2006 Masseto
– 2006 Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia Bolgheri
BEST RECENT RELEASES CATEGORY:
Best Recent Release: Sauvignon-Blanc
– 2018 Château Margaux, Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux, Bordeaux, France (WINNER)
– 2018 Didier Dagueneau, Pouilly-Fumé Silex, Loire, France
– 2019 Château Margaux, Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Best Recent Release: Riesling
– 2019, Joh. Jos. Prum, Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel, Germany (WINNER)
– 2018 F.E. Trimbach, Clos Sainte Hune Riesling, Alsace, France
– 2018 Egon Müller, Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese, Mosel, Germany
Best Recent Release: Burgundy White
– 2019 Domaine Bonneau du Martray, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (WINNER)
– 2016 Domaine Coche-Dury, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
– 2018 Domaine Leflaive, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
Best Recent Release: Chardonnay (ex-Burgundy)
– 2018 Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia (WINNER)
– 2018 Cullen, Kevin John Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia
– 2019 Kumeu River, Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Auckland, New Zealand
Best Recent Release: Cabernet Sauvignon
– 2018 Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA (WINNER)
– 2016 Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia, Bolgheri, Italy
– 2019 Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA
Best Recent Release: Pinot Noir (ex-Burgundy)
– 2018 Tolpuddle Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Tasmania, Australia (WINNER)
– 2018 Ata Rangi, Pinot Noir, Martinborough, New Zealand
– 2019 By Farr, Farrside Pinot Noir, Geelong, Australia
Best Recent Release: Rhone Red
– 2016 Château Rayas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France (WINNER)
– 2016 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, Hermitage, France
– 2017 E. Guigal, Côte-Rôtie, La Landonne, France
Best Recent Release: Spanish Red
– 2010 Vega Sicilia, Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain (WINNER)
– 2018 Pingus, Dominio de Pingus, Ribera del Duero, Spain
– Vega Sicilia, Unico Reserva Especial Release 2021 (2009, 2010, 2010 vintages), Ribera del Duero, Spain
COMFORT WINES CATEGORY:
Comfort White < 40 Euros
– 2019 Joh. Jos. Prüm, Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Mosel, Germany (WINNER)
– 2018, Joh. Jos. Prüm, Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett, Mosel, Germany
– 2018 Joh. Jos. Prüm, Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Mosel, Germany
Comfort Red < 40 Euros
– 2019 Domaine Jean Foillard, Morgon, Beaujolais, France (WINNER)
– 2019 Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Morgon, Beaujolais, France
– 2020 Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Morgon, Beaujolais, France
Comfort Rosé < 40 Euros
– 2020 Château Miraval, Côtes de Provence Rosé, Provence, France (WINNER)
– 2020 Domaine Tempier, Bandol Rosé, Bandol, France
– 2020 Château d’Esclans, Whispering Angel Rosé, Provence, France
BEST FRIEND OF THE EARTH CATEGORY:
Best Friend Of The Earth (Winery)
– Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Alsace, France (WINNER)
-Bodegas Torres, Penedès, Spain
– Domaine Leflaive, Burgundy, France
PANDEMIC HERO CATEGORY (PERSONALITY):
– Barbara Banke, Chairman and Proprietor of Jackson Family Wines (Winner)
*Note to Editors: The winners are listed at the top of each category. The remaining nominees are listed not in order of ranking but alphabetical order. This list is also published online at www.winepinnacle.com
About Resorts World Sentosa
Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Asia’s premium lifestyle destination resort, is located on Singapore’s resort island of Sentosa. Spanning 49 hectares, RWS is home to world-class attractions including Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Dolphin Island and Adventure Cove Waterpark. Complementing the adventure and adrenaline of its theme parks and attractions are six unique luxury hotels, the world-class Resorts World Convention Centre and a casino. RWS offers award-winning dining experiences and exciting cuisines from around the world across its many renowned celebrity chef restaurants, establishing itself as a key player in Singapore’s vibrant and diverse dining scene and a leading gourmet destination in Asia for epicureans. The integrated resort also offers world-class entertainment, from concerts to public shows. RWS has been named “Best Integrated Resort” since 2011 for the 10th year in a row at the TTG Travel Awards which recognises the best of Asia-Pacific’s travel industry.
RWS is wholly owned by Genting Singapore, a company of the Genting Group. For more information, please visit www.rwsentosa.com | Instagram | Facebook
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