The power of California cabernet sauvignon has just been reaffirmed with the release this morning of the results of this past weekend's Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition. For the fifth straight year - as long as the young competition has been running - a wine based on California cabernet sauvignon has won Grand Champion Best of Show, the judging's highest honor. This year it's the Stag's Leap Winery 2004 Napa Valley Stag's Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon ($45).

The competition drew 1,969 wines from 606 wineries in 16 countries.

The Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show - basically, runnerup to the Grand Champion - also was a California wine, the Orogeny Vineyards 2005 Green Valley Orogeny Vineyard Pinot Noir ($36). (Green Valley is in Sonoma County.)

Two local wines did exceptionally well. The Michael-David Winery 2004 6th Sense Syrah ($17) was named top red wine (aside from the champions), while the Montevina Winery 2005 Sauvignon Blanc ($10) was named the champion sauvignon blanc.

The top white wine was the Pacific Rim 2006 Chenin Blanc ($10), while the top value wine was the Marquis Philips 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($15).