Wines for the weekend: November 2023
Each month, Decanter’s editorial team tastes and rates a number of wines to be included in the magazine’s Weekend Wines section. This selection features our seven standout buys, all priced £20-£50 and sure to impress.
Get through the working week, and it’s time to crack open something a little bit more special.
As a companion selection to our 25 wines under £20, the Decanter team has selected seven standout bottles that are sure to impress, all available in the UK and priced between £20 and £50.
Wines for the weekend: November 2023
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Greyfriars Vineyard, Blanc de Blancs, Surrey, England, United Kingdom, 2015
A richly textured Blanc de Blancs from the North Downs. After six years on lees, it showcases yeasty mango, pineapple, and banana peel on the nose. The palate reveals additional rounded yellow fruits, seasoned with sweet spices and a touch of tannin. The creamy weight is balanced by still-vivid freshness. The finish is marked by toasty almonds.
2015
Greyfriars VineyardSurrey
Metzer, Montagne Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2020
For great single-vineyard terroir comparison (they are made the same way) try alongside Wade Metzer's equally fine Maritime Chenin. From 1964-planted Helderberg vines this is the more restrained – wisps of meadow flowers, spiced apple and mandarin – its strength coming from minerality and mouthfeel.
2020
Metzer
Suavia, Monte Carbonare, Soave, Classico, Veneto, Italy, 2021
Elegant and characterful Soave Classico, hailing from the prized Monte Carbonare ‘cru’, known for its distinct basalt soils. And this wine has a volcanic soul, with smoky nuances to the filigree lemon, apple and almond flavours. There's a pleasant width to the mid-palate. Enjoy with seafood risotto, truffle-based dishes or medium-hard cheeses. Great ageing potential.
2021
SuaviaSoave
Alonso & Pedrajo, La Pequeñita Maturana Blanca, Rioja, Spain, 2019
It's unusual to find Maturana Blanca in Rioja, even more unusual to find a skin-contact orange version. Made by Javier Alonso and Alberto Pedrajo – members of the Rioja n Roll group of new wave producers – this spends 100 days in amphora then seven months in oak. Tangy orchard fruit, quince and spice aromas lead to a textured palate with super freshness. Layers of flavour – dried orange peel, apple, pink grapefruit, tropical notes of dried mango – with brisk acidity and a lipsmacking saline finish. Characterful!
2019
Alonso & Pedrajo
Château La Garde, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, 2016
An inviting nose of berry fruit, floral fragrance and soft cedar tones. Crushed velvet textured tannins support a wide mouthfeel full of fresh and juicy red and black cherries, bright acidity with a salty, mineral undertone and soft liquorice and tobacco spices around the edges. Full, round, layered and so satisfying. Just opening up but will continue to give pleasure for a long time.
2016
Château La GardePessac-Léognan
Yalumba, The Tri-Centenary Grenache, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia, 2018
From a 0.8ha block of 820 bush vines planted in 1889. Left on skins for 100 days after fermentation giving gorgeous velvety texture to the mid-weight, flowing palate that shows macerated strawberries, stalky cranberry, provençal herbs and perfumed musky incense. A really gorgeous wine that's hitting it's stride now. The 10 months in hogsheads just rounds the whole – this is all fruit.
2018
YalumbaBarossa Valley
Castello di Radda, Chianti Classico, Riserva, Tuscany, Italy, 2016
<p>This Chianti Classico Riserva channels the verticality typical of wines from the Radda hills. Plummy and balsamic, with some dried fruit aromas, there’s a richness of ripe, sapid dark fruits and floral lift in the mouth, with racy acidity and sturdy tannins to balance, then a long, stony finish.</p>
2016
Castello di RaddaChianti Classico
