Choosing a wine for a retail shelf and choosing a bottle to take home have something in common: quality matters, but so do price, presentation, and the occasion.

That is the thinking behind USA Wine Ratings—The Wine Competition for the U.S. Retail Market. Positioned by its organizers as the only U.S. wine competition focused specifically on independent, regional and national retailers, it assesses wines on quality, value and packaging. The approach connects the award to the decisions retailers and consumers make when selecting a bottle.

Its judging panels bring commercial buying experience into that assessment. The announced 2027 judges include Tim Marson MW, Category Director at Wine.com; Eduardo Dingler, VP of Wine at Wine Access; Karli Massie, Wine Buyer at Jimbo’s Natural Family; and Debbie Zachareas, Owner/Partner and Wine Buyer at Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant. These professionals understand how wines fit into a range and what customers look for when making a purchase.

For retailers, the results provide a starting point for sourcing and tasting. For consumers, they offer a way to discover wines evaluated with the retail purchase in mind.

The ten American wines below each earned 96 points and a Double Gold medal at the 2026 USA Wine Ratings, sharing the highest score shown in the published results. They are presented as an equally scored selection, rather than a ranking from first to tenth.

1. Forthright Winery “The Fort” 2019

96 Points | Double Gold | Wine of the Year | Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year

Forthright Winery’s “The Fort” earned two additional distinctions: Wine of the Year and Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year. The published tasting notes describe concentrated blackcurrant and cherry flavors, a full-bodied palate, fresh acidity, and smooth tannins.

For consumers seeking a substantial American red, this is a name to explore for a special dinner or gift. For retailers, its overall trophy provides a clear starting point for a featured display or staff recommendation.

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2. Early Mountain Vineyards Five Forks 2024

96 Points | Double Gold

Virginia’s Early Mountain Vineyards brings a distinctive white wine to the selection. Five Forks lists Petit Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay in the results. Its winner profile highlights citrus and stone-fruit aromas, a generous texture and a honeyed finish balanced by freshness.

For shoppers interested in exploring American whites beyond their usual varietal, Five Forks offers a discovery opportunity. For retailers, it provides a way to introduce Virginia wine through an award-winning blend with a clear regional story.

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3. Schmidt Family Vineyards Wilderness, Non-Vintage

96 Points | Double Gold

Wilderness from Schmidt Family Vineyards combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah, according to the published competition results. The non-vintage red earned 96 points and Double Gold.

For consumers who regularly buy Cabernet Sauvignon, this blend offers a familiar grape as an introduction to a different label. Retailers could consider it for an American red-blend feature, explaining how the three varieties contribute to the wine’s identity.

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4. Evergreen Family Wines Alki Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

96 Points | Double Gold

Alki Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 from Evergreen Family Wines secured a place among the highest-scoring American entries with its 96-point Double Gold result.

Cabernet drinkers can add this label to their next wine-shop conversation. For retail buyers, it is a candidate to taste alongside existing Cabernet listings, assessing its style, price and role within the store’s range.

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5. Evergreen Family Wines Alki 2022

96 Points | Double Gold

A separate winning entry from Evergreen Family Wines, Alki 2022 lists Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. It matched the producer’s Alki Cabernet Sauvignon with 96 points and Double Gold.

For curious consumers, the two wines suggest a side-by-side tasting of different blends from the same producer and vintage. For retailers considering both, distinct shelf descriptions will help customers understand which bottle suits their preferences.

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6. Mercer Wine Estates Subsoil Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

96 Points | Double Gold

Subsoil Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 from Mercer Wine Estates earned 96 points and Double Gold. The results list Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec for this winning entry.

For consumers building a shortlist of American Cabernets to discover, Subsoil is another name to investigate. For grocery and bottle shop buyers, its award offers a starting point for a tasting, followed by an assessment of how it fits the store’s customers and price structure.

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7. Mercer Wine Estates Mercer Bros Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

96 Points | Double Gold

Mercer Bros Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 gives Mercer Wine Estates a second place in this selection. The competition’s tasting notes describe ripe dark fruit, subtle spice, structured tannins, and a long finish with a graphite-like character.

For consumers drawn to structured reds, this is a bottle to explore. Retailers could taste it alongside Subsoil to identify the best fit for their range, or use the comparison to help staff explain different expressions from the same producer.

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8. Grand River Cellars Vidal Blanc Ice Wine 2025

96 Points | Double Gold

Grand River Cellars’ Vidal Blanc Ice Wine 2025 introduces a dessert-wine option. The published tasting notes highlight concentrated tropical-fruit aromas, lively acidity, and a balanced, lingering finish.

For consumers, it offers a reason to explore American ice wine for an after-dinner occasion. For retailers, it is a candidate for a dessert-wine or gifting feature, supported by clear advice on serving and occasions.

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9. Debonne Vineyards Vidal Blanc Ice Wine 2024

96 Points | Double Gold

Debonne Vineyards’ Vidal Blanc Ice Wine 2024 also achieved 96 points and Double Gold. It is a separate winning entry from Grand River Cellars’ 2025 wine, providing another American ice wine for buyers to explore.

For shoppers interested in dessert wines, this is another name to ask about at a specialist shop. Retail buyers could compare the two winning ice wines to determine which best suits their customers and selection.

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10. Folded Hills Winery Wilder Red Blend 2024

96 Points | Double Gold

Wilder Red Blend 2024 from Folded Hills Winery completes the selection. Its listed varieties—Grenache, Syrah and Carignan—offer a different direction from the Cabernet-based reds featured here. It also received 96 points and Double Gold.

For consumers, Wilder is a name to consider when exploring a different American red blend. For retailers, its grape combination provides a useful talking point for customers ready to move beyond their regular purchase.

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Recognition With the Retail Purchase in Mind

The value of this selection comes from the thinking behind the assessment. USA Wine Ratings puts the U.S. retail market at the center of its competition, considering quality alongside value and packaging—the factors that help shape a buying decision.

Its winner pages also identify the professionals who evaluated individual wines through the “Tasted By” section. For example, the 2026 panel shown for “The Fort” includes Timothy Tidgewell of Total Wine & More and Kristen Zuver of Last Bottle, alongside Susan Lin MW and Hady Kahale. That transparency gives readers a closer look at the commercial expertise behind the result.

For your next listing or personal purchase, use these winners as a starting point. Ask about the awarded vintage, confirm availability and pricing, and choose the wines that best match your customers—or your own table.

Explore the complete 2026 USA Wine Ratings results.

Also Read:
Top U.S. Retail Buyers Lead First Round of Judges Announced for the 10th USA Wine Ratings
How USA Wine Ratings Helps Wineries Reach U.S. Retail Buyers
The Largest U.S. Wine Retailers and Merchants