Chateau Montelena's 1973 Chardonnay didn't just win, it challenged expectations at the highest level. Competing against some of Burgundy's most respected producers from Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, the wine was crafted in a distinctly Old World style — restrained, structured, and driven by acidity and minerality rather than overt richness. It was only their fourth vintage, ever.

In the blind tasting, several judges assumed it was white Burgundy, not Napa Valley. When it was revealed as the top-ranked wine, it not only stunned the panel but also redefined what Napa Valley Chardonnay could be.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars' 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon emerged as the top-ranked red in a blind tasting that included some of Bordeaux's most celebrated estates, such as Château Mouton Rothschild and Château Haut-Brion. At the time, these wines represented the global benchmark for Cabernet Sauvignon.

The S.L.V. bottling stood out for its balance and structure, offering depth and complexity alongside a more approachable texture. The vines were barely five years old. Its first-place finish marked a turning point, helping establish Napa Valley as a serious contender in the world of fine wine.