At the Concours International Des Cabernets (CIDC), one of the most prestigious wine awards in the world, the Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Mexican company “Vinos Don Leo” won the Trophy for The World’s Best Cabernet 2020 , as well as two gold medals.
Cabernet
is the most widely grown grape variety in the world and it’s used to produce several types of wine , such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Dorio, Cabernet Moravia, among others.
With this award, the Mexican Cabernet Sauvignon highlights the quality of Mexican red wines, especially those produced in Coahuila .
Winemaker and vineyard owner David Mendel , who founded “Vinos Don Leo” 20 years ago, said that “this is good news from Mexico, Coahuila, for Parras, and Viñedos Don Leo.”
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Mendel said the excellent result and awards were obtained thanks to the hardworking team at Don Leo and added that “the quality is the goal and vision of our company, and now it reflected on this award.”
The winemaker also emphasized that the “Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2013” won a gold medal and The World’s Best Cabernet 2020 title at the Concours International Des Cabernets. Moreover, the “Cabernet Sauvignon Chiraz 2016” also won a gold medal.
With these awards, “Vinos Don Leo” is consolidating as one of the best vineyards in Mexico and the world.
The vineyards are located in the mountainous region of Parras , Coahuila. Thanks to its enology richness , the state has become the epicenter of winemaking in Latin America.
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The family started this project in 2000, with just one hectare of land. Now, with 60 hectares of grapevines , the winemakers are producing 12 wine varieties, including Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec , and Chiraz , among others.
David Mendel explained that the company has two lines: Don Leo and Linde Premium. The premium line has created in honor of his grandparents. Around 70% of the company’s production is sold in Mexico, and the rest is sold abroad.
This is not the first time the vineyard has won an international award.
The Union de la Sommellerie Française (UDSF) participates at the Concours International Des Cabernets . The organization brings together 1,200 sommeliers . Their expertise and their knowledge of consumer tastes are a further guarantee of the quality of the wine selection. The results of the selection are communicated to USDF members after the event.
At the contest, juries are made up of 3 sommeliers who blind taste several wines in a category. Before tasting, bottles are covered, numbered, and sorted following their percentage of cabernet, origin, and terroir.
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