Most exciting wines of 2019: Sparkling, fortified and sweet
Our final instalment of the wines of the year tasting results...
In the third and final part of our results from our wines of the year tasting, we bring the top scoring sparkling, fortified and sweet wines.
After over 100 wines were nominated by Decanter experts and in-house team, Sarah Jane Evans MW, Dirceu Vianna Junior MW and Tina Gellie spent two days tasting them against each other, to come out with our list of most exciting wines of 2019.
Find more top wines of 2019 here.
Most exciting wines of 2019: Sparkling, fortified and sweet
Charles Heidsieck, Blanc des Millénaires Brut, Champagne, France, 2004
Delicious; an elegant ensemble of yellow fruits, fresh apples and brioche. Power with delicacy, this shows glorious complexity with a refreshing, slightly savoury finish. World...
2004
Charles Heidsieck
Equipo Navazos, La Bota 78, Oloroso, Jerez, Spain
Undoubtedly Oloroso, with intense and inviting aromas of toffee, praline, caramel and nuts. Massive weight and concentration, wonderfully complex. Awesome.
Equipo NavazosOloroso
Quinta do Noval, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal, 2016
<p>Youthful and superbly ripe, with incredibly pure notes of blackberry, black cherry and violet. Has it all: acid, density and structure, backed by grippy tannins.</p>
2016
Quinta do NovalPort
Emilio Lustau, 30 Years Old VORS, Palo Cortado, Jerez, Spain
Glorious aromas of burnt butter, brazil nuts and honey. Powerful, rich and intense on the palate, with distinct walnut flavours and notes of raisins.
Emilio LustauPalo Cortado
Gramona, III Lustros Brut Nature, Catalonia, Spain, 2012
Biscuit and brioche aromas, with hints of baked apple and honey. Lovely age and complexity, a very good example with beautiful refreshing acidity.
2012
Gramona
Klein Constantia, Vin de Constance, Constantia, Constantia, South Africa, 2015
Very sweet, ripe and tropical, a lovely style. Intensely aromatic, overflowing with honeysuckle, pineapple, and orange marmalade.
2015
Klein ConstantiaConstantia
Mullineux, Straw Wine, Swartland, South Africa, 2017
Immense sweetness and concentration on the palate, with an unctuous texture infused by riveting acidity. Spicy, stem ginger, tropical fruit, honey-baked quince and apple flavours,...
2017
Mullineux
Wiston Estate, South Downs Blanc de Blancs Brut, Sussex, England, United Kingdom, 2011
Expressive nose of yellow fruits and freshly baked biscuits, with great toastiness. Beautiful texture and tight, brisk acidity with a long finish.
2011
Wiston EstateSussex
Griesel & Compagnie, Pinot Brut Nature, Hessische Bergstrasse, Germany, 2015
Fresh, bright and breezy with notes of grapefruit, fresh apples and wild flowers. Excellent concentration, leading to a slightly autumnal finish.
2015
Griesel & Compagnie
Osborne, Capuchino VORS, Palo Cortado, Jerez, Spain
Sensational bouquet displaying amazing complexity through notes of walnuts, chocolate, caramel and molasses. Powerful and long.
OsbornePalo Cortado
Bodegas Hidalgo, La Gitana Single Vineyard Pastrana, Jerez, Spain
Vibrant and uplifting, clean and flinty with notes of pomelo. Intense yeasty notes combine beautifully with crystalised fruit and bruised apples.
Bodegas Hidalgo
Bernard Magrez, Clos Haut Peyraguey, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France, 2015
Aromas of orange marmalade, honey and cashew jump out of the glass. Great brisk acidity and unctuous fruit. Fresh and delightfully creamy.
2015
Bernard MagrezSauternes
Gusbourne Estate, Blanc de Blancs Brut, England, United Kingdom, 2014
<p>Bonfire smoky nose with a lovely Chardonnay fruit purity beneath. Harmonious, with a pleasant creamy texture and well defined finish.</p>
2014
Gusbourne Estate
Jacquart, Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne, France, 2013
Aromas are seductive and restrained including notes of citrus fruits, honey, citrus blossom and brioche. Well balanced and complex.
2013
Jacquart
Bodegas Hidalgo, La Gitana, Manzanilla, Jerez, Spain
93
My house Manzanilla, and one of the best-value wines in the world of any kind, Hidalgo's classic, consummately food-friendly dry Sherry provides all the sea-breezy freshness and subtle Marmite-on-sourdough-toast yeastiness I look for in the style.
Bodegas HidalgoManzanilla
Roederer Estate, Quartet Brut, Mendocino County, Anderson Valley, California, USA
Owned by Champagne Roederer, this northern Californian sparkler comes with calibre. It opens on notions of creamy plum while lively bubbles showcase the cool briskness...
Roederer EstateMendocino County
