Wines of the Year 2021: the top Offbeat wines
Decanter staff, and its experts around the world, were asked to nominate their favourite classic, offbeat and value wines that most impressed in 2021. See the top-scoring wines in the Offbeat category (unusual grape, winemaking method, region or unearthed gem) blind tasted by our judging panel.
More whites than reds are usually submitted in the Offbeat category of Decanter’s Wines of the Year, and 2021 was no different, with a host of ‘idiosyncratic, characterful and fascinating’ examples with strong identities that ‘kept us on our toes’, said judge Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW.
For their Offbeat selection, Decanter World Wine Awards Regional Chairs, key contributors and staff were asked to recommend an unearthed gem or a wine featuring an unusual grape, winemaking method or region.
Neither the category nor price was revealed, so the wines were assessed purely on a quality basis – a fact appreciated by Cherutti-Kowal and fellow judges Matt Walls and Stefan Neumann MS.
‘Hárslevelű, Timorasso and Pinot Bianco are not that well known except by wine geeks like us,’ said Walls, ‘so I was pleased to see them stepping up to the plate and fighting it out with classic varieties like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.’
He also singled out the three Naoussa Xinomavros. ‘It’s a style of wine that deserves more recognition.’
Neumann agreed, and was also happy to see less common wine regions and varieties shining through, from China to Azerbaijan, from Blaufränkisch [in Austria] to Kékfrankos [in Hungary]’.
Full list of all Offbeat wines nominated and tasted
97 points
Benvenuti, San Salvatore Muškat, Hrvatska Istra, Croatia , 2015. Nominated by Caroline Gilby MW.
Henriques & Henriques, 20 Year Old Verdelho, Verdelho, Madeira, Portugal, NV. Nominated by Michael Hill Smith MW.
J. Hofstätter, Vigna Pirchschrait Gewürztraminer, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy, 2008, Markus Del Monego MW.
96 points
Lustau, Palo Cortado VORS 30 Years Old, Jerez, Spain, NV. Nominated by Julie Sheppard.
Thymiopoulos Vineyards, Vrano Petra, Nouassa, Greece, 2017. Nominated by Anthony Rose.
95 points
i Fabbri, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany, Italy, 2016. Nominated by Aldo Fiordelli.
Vigneti Massa, Montecitorio Derthona, (Colli Tortonesi), Piemonte, Italy, 2017. Nominated by Alessandra Piubello.
94 points
Bell Hill, Chardonnay, North Canterbury, New Zealand , 2016. Nominated by Bob Campbell MW.
Kracher, Zwischen den Seen Nummer 9 Welschriesling, Burgenland, Austria, 2018. Nominated by Jeannie Cho Lee MW.
La Rioja Alta, Viña Ardanza, Rioja Reserva, Spain, 2012. Nominated by Beth Willard.
Red Newt Cellars, The Knoll Lahoma Vineyards Riesling, Finger Lakes, New York State, USA, 2016. Nominated by Tina Gellie.
93 points
Clos Figueras, Font de la Figuera, Priorat, Spain, 2019. Nominated by James Lawther MW.
Dominio do Bibei, Lapola, Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain, 2019. Nominated by Matt Walls.
Gérard Bertrand, Clos du Temple, Languedoc-Cabrières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2020, Michael Denton.
Gutter & Stars, I Wanna Be Adored Bacchus, Crouch Valley, Essex, England 2020. Nominated by Justin Howard-Sneyd MW.
Hunter’s, Offshoot Chardonnay, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2018. Nominated by Georgina Hindle.
Le Due Terre, Sacrisassi, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Italy, 2018, Richard Baudains.
Le Soula, La Macération du Soula No 19, Vin de France, Fenouillèdes, Roussillon, France, Multi-Vintage. Nominated by Amy Wislocki.
Winzer Krems, Orange Gruner Veltliner, Wein aus Österreich, Austria, 2019. Nominated by Peter Czismadia Honigh.
92 points
Alexandre Cady, Résilience Chenin, Vin de France, Anjou, Loire Valley, France, 2020. Nominated by Jim Budd.
Chabiant, Madrasa, Hajihatamli, Ismayilli, Azerbaijan, 2017. Nominated by Simon Field MW.
Destinos Cruzados, Detrás da Casa Larga Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2019. Nominated by Beth Willard.
Establecimientos Juanico, Bizarra Extravaganza Amphora, Progreso, Canelones, Uruguay, 2019. Nominated by Amanda Barnes.
Sigalas, Nychteri, Santorini, Greece, 2019, Nominated by Ronan Sayburn MS.
Stopham, Pinot Gris, Sussex, United Kingdom, 2020, Nominated by Rosemary George MW.
91 points
Avondale, Qvevri, Paarl, South Africa, 2019, Fiona McDonald.
Pitticco, Serika Tazzelenghe, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, 2019, Nominated by Michael Garner.
Seppelt, Show Sparkling Limited Release Shiraz, Victoria, Australia, 2008, Nominated by Huon Hooke.
Tantalus, Reserve Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada, 2018, Nominated by Sonja van Praag.
Xavier et Caroline Perromat, Coucher de Soleil, Vin de France, France, 2020, Nominated by Jane Anson.
90 points
Fautor Winery, Aurore Rara Neagră, Valul lui Traian, Republic of Moldova, 2018, Nominated by Sylvia Wu.
Lightning Rock, Elysia Vineyard Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada, 2019, Nominated by Barbara Philp MW.
See tasting notes and scores for the top Wines of the Year 2021: Offbeat
Wines are listed in score order by style; white, orange, rosé, red, sweet and fortified
Related content:
Wines of the Year 2021: top-scoring bottlesTop-scoring wines of 2021: 100-point wines
J. Hofstätter, Vigna Pirchschrait Gewürztraminer, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy, 2008
<p>Perfumed nose of rose petals, dried mango, passion fruit, Turkish delight, beeswax and brioche. Rounded, soft palate with cumin and curry. Nominated by Markus Del...
2008
J. Hofstätter
Vigneti Massa, Montecitorio Derthona, Piedmont, Italy, 2017
<p>Lots of character on the nose, displaying scents of ripe apricots, mango, honeydew melon, pear, croissant and citrus notes with nutty nuances. Lovely weight balanced...
2017
Vigneti Massa
Bell Hill, Chardonnay, North Canterbury, Canterbury, New Zealand, 2016
<p>Poised and perfumed aromas of ripe red apples, quince, mango, guava and toasty scents of nuts and corn. Very crisp and fresh on the palate...
2016
Bell HillNorth Canterbury
Kracher, Zwischen den Seen Nummer 9 Welschriesling, Burgenland, Austria, 2018
<p>Powerful aromas of sweet candied peaches, apricot jam, lemon peel and pineapple. It shows a remarkable freshness with notes of sweet orange skin. Rich and...
2018
Kracher
Red Newt Cellars, The Knoll Lahoma Vineyards Riesling, Finger Lakes, New York State, USA, 2016
<p>Youthful expression with peaches, green apple, lemon oil, honey and petrol nuances. Real energy and cut on the palate. Dy, straight as a razor, precise...
2016
Red Newt CellarsFinger Lakes
Gutter&Stars, I Wanna Be Adored Bacchus, Essex, England, United Kingdom, 2020
<p>Aromatic notes of grass and nettles with a touch of almond and green tea leaves. Fresh and fruit driven, precise. Nominated by: Justin Howard-Sneyd MW</p>
2020
Gutter&StarsEssex
Hunter's, Offshoot Chardonnay, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2018
<p>Loads or ripe fruit on the nose with touches of popcorn and toasty spices. Creamy and round on the palate. Nominated by: Georgina Hindle.</p>
2018
Hunter's
Le Due Terre, Sacrisassi, Friuli, Colli Orientali, Fruili-Venezia Giulia, Italy, 2018
<p>Mature nose of nuts, honey, beeswax and nuances of hints and saffron. Tactile on the palate, layered and complex. Nominated by: Richard Baudains.</p>
2018
Le Due TerreFriuli
Domaine Cady, Résilience Chenin, Anjou, Loire, France, 2020
<p>Typical aromas of lemons and green apple with subtle honey notes. Soft and easy-going, easy to enjoy with a mineral edge. Nominated by: Jim Budd.</p>
2020
Domaine CadyAnjou
Le Soula, La Macération du Soula No 19, IGP Côteaux des Fenouillèdes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
<p>Cloudy amber colour. Punchy notes of burnt orange, tangerine skin, dried mango and honey. Savoury and textured palate. Nominated by: Amy Wislocki.</p>
Le SoulaIGP Côteaux des Fenouillèdes
Winzer Krems, Orange Gruner Veltliner, Kremstal, Niederösterreich, Austria, 2019
<p>Nose of dried fruit, and peach jam with hints of saffron and dried flowers. Tactile and textured with a precise acidity. Nominated by: Peter Czismadia...
2019
Winzer KremsKremstal
Gérard Bertrand, Clos du Temple, Cabrières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2020
This has consistently been the most floral of all five vintages. Aromas of white flowers, ripe peach, the sweetness of dill and oak and a...
2020
Gérard BertrandCabrières
La Rioja Alta, Viña Ardanza Reserva, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2012
<p>Mature nose displaying scents of dried fruit, mushrooms and smoke under oaky spices, sweet coconut and plum sauce notes. Creamy on the palate with strawberry...
2012
La Rioja AltaRioja
Thymiopoulos Vineyards, Vrana Petra, Naoussa, Macedonia, Greece, 2017
<p>Crunchy red fruits on the nose, with floral notes of dried roses, dried cherry, red plums and aromatic herbs. This has a beautifully integrated tannic...
2017
Thymiopoulos VineyardsNaoussa
I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Riserva, Tuscany, Italy, 2016
<p>Energetic, concentrated aromas of dried and pickled cherries, wild strawberries, spices and hints of game. Dense, firm palate with finely textured tannins surrounded by fresh...
2016
I FabbriChianti Classico
Clos Figueras, Font de la Figuera, Priorat, Priorat, Spain, 2019
<p>Interesting aromas of dried petals, wax, fresh peaches and yellow plums. Rounded texture with lots of body and lively acidity. Nominated by: James Lawther MW.</p>
2019
Clos FiguerasPriorat
Dominio do Bibei, Lalama, Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain, 2017
94
Which to choose? Dominio do Bibei’s Lacima with its sumptuous dark cherry preserve (93pts in my book) or Lalama? Lalama it is, grown on north-facing vineyards on schist and granite. It’s perfumed with an explosive palate, lovely freshness and refined oak. Javier Domínguez has been a leader in this region of heroic viticulture, aided by expert advice from Raúl Pérez, as well as Sarah Pérez (no relation) and René Barbier. Practising organically and biodynamically.
2017
Dominio do BibeiRibeira Sacra
Chabiant, Madrasa, Ismayilli, Azerbaijan, 2017
<p>Lovely, lively distinctive nose of sweet cooked plums, vanilla and sweet spices with dried roses and herbs. Soft and rounded palate. Nominated by: Simon Field...
2017
Chabiant
Destinos Cruzados, Detrás da Casa Larga, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2019
<p>Smoky nose with earthy and meaty nuances under notes of red cherries and black pepper. Refreshing acidity and lingering finish. Nominated by: Beth Willard.</p>
2019
Destinos CruzadosRías Baixas
Establecimientos Juanico, Bizarra Extravaganza Amphora, Progreso, Canelones, Uruguay, 2019
<p>Smoked cured meat nose with classy red and black fruit aromas. Huge and muscular yet polished on the palate. Nominated by: Amanda Barnes.</p>
2019
Establecimientos JuanicoProgreso
Benvenuti, San Salvatore Muškat, Coastal, Croatia, 2015
<p>Golden amber colour. A beautifully poised nose with pungent aromas of peach, mango, orange rind, rosewater, dried apricots, forest honey and just a hint of...
2015
Benvenuti
Henriques & Henriques, 20 Year Old Verdelho, Madeira, Portugal
<p>Perfumed nose with mango chutney notes and caramel, candied hazelnuts, dates, prunes and figs. Fantastic rapier-like acidity balancing the elegant sweetness. Ample, with a salty...
Henriques & Henriques
Lustau, VORS 30 Year Old Palo Cortado, Jerez, Spain
<p>Complex nuances of candied peel, sultanas, hazelnuts, woodsmoke, cardamom, beeswax, leather and saffron oil. Drive and energy, bone dry with a lingering finish. Nominated by...
Lustau
