Decanter’s top Panel Tasting wines 2020

Conducting our panel tastings this year was not without challenges. Logistical issues, travel restrictions and precautionary measures meant that there was much uncertainty, rejigging and rescheduling. Still, our team, judges and submitting producers stood firm and made them possible in one way or another. [subscriber-content]The diversity and quality of the top-scoring wines shows that the effort was fruitful. And that these tastings are particularly pertinent when it comes to understanding a specific vintage, grape or region. By engaging different palates and minds around a line-up of samples, it is possible to have a more critical and objective view. As always, Decanter Panel Tastings serve both to confirm and challenge assumptions, and this was certainly true in 2020. [breakout] Decanter Panel Tastings 2020: 1391 wines tasted

Exceptional 3

Outstanding 52

Highly Recommended 445

[/breakout] The year kicked-off with an assessment of new-release English sparkling wines . Quality was overall high among the varied styles and the line-up was a good showcase of the trial-and-error stage of an industry that is still blooming. Our panel found that vintage variation, use of oak and the choice of variety played a more crucial part than regionality in shaping the quality of the samples tasted. But only one wine made it beyond the 95 points mark. New World Single Vineyard Pinot-Noirs , on the other hand, feature prominently in our top-scoring round up, with the wines showing great varietal and regional character. Although New Zealand and Chile comprised more than half the wines submitted, the judges singled out South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde and Elgin wines for consistently high quality and regional expression, despite the small number entered. Our Affordable Rioja expert panel found it harder to frame typicity and expressiveness. The region's identity is itself shifting and if the regional style was, until now, mostly shaped in the cellar, there's an increased shift to less heavy-handed, more terroir-driven winemaking. Still, plenty of high-scorers at great value. Garnacha Blanca may not be as well-known as Spain’s other native white grapes, but for adventurous wine lovers that’s undoubtedly part of its appeal. Our expert panel confirmed that in the hands of talented winemakers, it can be a hidden gem. Wines were tasted regionally and one region in particular – Catalunya - was a highlight for all three judges. Scroll down for our top scoring Panel Tasting wines 2020 The result of the assessment of the northern Rhône appellations ( Cornas, Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage ) in one of the region's most talked-about – 2010 – speaks for itself: just 33 samples yielded 1 exceptional, 7 outstanding and 19 highly recommended wines. ‘The ratio is the best I’ve ever had in a tasting,’ said Christian Honorez . Although some of the wines needed considerably more time in bottle to be at their best, and some were too influenced by oak, the outcome was overwhelmingly positive. Chianti Classico Riserva and Gran Selezione 2015 and 2016 also delivered a stellar line-up which the judges praised for the freshness and accessibility of the wines despite the warm vintages. The panel found the best samples to have great depth and definition, offering immediate drinking pleasure but also great ageing potential. But quality can also come from less predictable places and that was perhaps the case with our Corbières panel tasting . It delivered good results and also a great line-up of bottles in the £10-15 bracket. The judges highlighted the youthfulness, expressiveness and drinkability of the wines and were surprised by the consistency of a tasting to which they arrived, assumedly, with low expectations. Andrew Jefford was clear when stating that ‘this was certainly the most successful Corbières tasting I’ve ever done,’. High expectations, on the other hand, are inevitable when it comes to Barolo. With only 29 wines to be tasted, our experts agreed that the Barolo 2006 line-up was perhaps not representative enough, especially given that this is sometimes considered a controversial vintage. Still, our judges agreed that best wines were showing great poise and beautiful evolution, still retaining enough structure and freshness to be aged longer. Sancerre was, unsurprisingly, the big star of the Loire Sauvignon Blanc tasting . But Touraine also showed well, with expressive wines at the affordable price points. The judges arrived with some scepticism, namely about the 2018s, but this proved unfounded; they left convinced of the expressiveness and vivacity of all the vintages on show (2017, 2018 and 2019). The panel unanimously highlighted the incredible food-pairing potential of the best wines. You might be surprised to find two Italian sparkling wines on this list but this is testament to the quality and consistency our judges found in the Traditional Method Italian Sparkling Wines line-up. Although the lack of availability outside Italy might be cause of frustration. Our first 2021 Panel Tasting: Non-vintage Champagne Availability is something that is certainly not an issue when it comes to Provence Rosé . With a whopping 178 samples submitted, our judges got a broad overview of one of the most popular categories in the market. The definition and quality of the cru classé wines was cause for positive surprise. The 2019s stood out, as did the Ste-Victoire and Bandol appellations. The recipe for a perfect rosé? ‘Creaminess from the lees, phenolics from the skin giving enough but not too much fruitiness, acidity and weight, and many of them had all of those in good harmony’ said Rod Smith MW. Some of what you’ll find in the five wines that made it above 95 points. From a familiar to a maverick category: South American Syrah . Entries from Chile, Argentina and Brazil earned top scores with quality and consistency. 'When South American Syrah is good, it’s certainly as good as Australia and New Zealand,' summed up Alistair Cooper MW. But the judges agreed there’s room for growth and refinement. Our 2020 Panel Tastings closed with a particular highlight: California Cabernet 2016 . Although smaller than usual, the line-up still delivered the highest number of outstanding wines – a total of nine bottles that shine in the list below. The judges praised the vintage’s charms and, in the best examples, elegance. They all picked out Alexander Valley AVA for its particular bright acidity, vivid blue-fruit character and alcohol restraint. But the region remains challenging when it comes to price. [/subscriber-content] Top scoring Decanter Panel Tasting wines 2020 The following wines scored 95 points and above. [wine-collection] Read next : Best Prosecco under £20 to buy this Christmas Top Côtes du Rhône wines under £20/$25 Napa Valley Cabernet 2018: Top 10 producers and 10 wineries to watch