Wines of the Year 2021: the top Value 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 bottles in the Value category, under £25, blind tasted by our judging panel.
Neither the category nor price is revealed to the judges in Decanter’s Wines of the Year, so every entry is assessed purely on a quality basis – a fact appreciated by our judges, Stefan Neumann MW, Matt Walls and Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW.
‘It should always be about the quality in the glass before price becomes a consideration,’ said Neumann.
Full list of all Value wines nominated and tasted
See tasting notes and scores for the top Wines of the Year: Value
Related content:
Wines of the Year 2021: top-scoring bottlesTop-scoring wines of 2021: 100-point wines
Jansz, Premium Cuvée Brut, Tasmania, Australia
94
<p>Complex aromas of croissant, salted butter, hints of caramel and cashew nuts, wind candied Amalfi lemon peel nuances. It delivers power and elegance in equal measures. Delicious from start to finish. Nominated by Justin Knock MW.</p>
Jansz
Graham Beck, Ultra Brut, Franschhoek, South Africa, 2015
93
<p>Toasty nose of brioche with hints of seashell and oysters. Crunchy and crisp on the palate, quite refreshing with a lot of persistence. Nominated by Fiona McDonald.</p>
2015
Graham Beck
Baron de Ley, Tres Viñas Reserva Blanco, Rioja, Spain 2018
97
<p>A very expressive nose of clarified butter, vanilla, toasty nuts and peaches, with hints of red apples. Creamy on the palate with a fresh acidity which adds lift and liveliness. Has great energy, with a savoury edge. Nominated by Sonja van Praag.</p>
2018
Baron de LeyRioja
Oldenburg Vineyards, Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2020
97
<p>Inviting nose with touches of lime skin, oyster shell, green fruit, wax, candied rose petals and hints of curry. This is very classic and seriously focused, intense with a vibrant and perfectly integrated freshness. Nominated by Fiona McDonald</p>
2020
Oldenburg Vineyards
Coffele, Ca' Visco, Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy, 2020
95
<p>Lovely freshness with mineral undertones, delicate yellow plum, ripe citrussy notes and hints of exotic fruits under peach and pear aromas. Peppery and crisp palate with freshness and elegance. Nominated by Michael Garner</p>
2020
CoffeleSoave Classico
Villa Huesgen, Alte Reben Enkircher Steffensberg Riesling, Mosel, Germany 2019
94
<p>Aromatic and fresh aromas or petrichor, nectarine, yellow plums, white peaches, lemon peel and subtle kerosene notes. Nice crunchy mid-palate with a citrusy spark of ripe lemon and lemongrass. Nominated by Markus Del Monego MW.</p>
2019
Villa Huesgen
Bodegas Garcia de Lara, Finca Villalobillos Pie Franco Airen, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain 2019
93
<p>Mineral and salty nose with a flinty touch and nuances of almond and macadamia nuts. Impressive freshness and focus with a persistent finish. Nominated by Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW.</p>
2019
Bodegas Garcia de Lara
Domaine Claudie Jobard, En Villerange, Rully, Burgundy, 2019
93
<p>Aromatic and expressive with buttery notes, brioche and white toast under yellow apple and cloves. Crisp and concentrated on the palate. Nominated by Andy Howard MW.</p>
2019
Domaine Claudie JobardRully
Cullen, Cullen Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon, Wilyabrup, Western Australia 2017
93
<p>Delicate floral expression with minty undertones, nettles and yellow apples with waxy nuances. Harmonious and crisp on the palate. Nominated by Sarah Ahmed.</p>
2017
CullenWilyabrup
Verget, La Roche, Mâconnais, Mâcon-Vergisson, Burgundy 2020
93
<p>Generous aromas of ripe stone fruit, lemon rind and savoury notes. Gently plump with a remarkable freshness, crisp and saline. Nominated by Charles Curtis MW.</p>
2020
VergetMâconnais
La Guardiense, Janare Senete Falanghina, Falanghina del Sannio, Campania, Italy 2020
93
<p>Aromatic blossom, peach, lemon curd and ripe lime notes on the nose. Refreshing in the mouth with a chalky mid-palate. Nominated by Susan Hulme MW.</p>
2020
La GuardienseFalanghina del Sannio
Cape Landing, Blackwood Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia 2019
98
<p>Cape Landing is an independent, family-owned winery making classic Margaret River wines. Single-vineyard wines are made in order to reflect the style of each plot, integrating biodiversity, restoration and the maintenance of native species in the vineyards. The finest parcels of fruit from each vintage are selected for Blackwood Cabernet Sauvignon, and production is generally restricted to 1,800 bottles per year. Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW: Fragrant with notes of dill and rosemary. Loads of blackcurrant mixed with woodsmoke and spice. Acidity adds an element of freshness. Stefan Neumann MS: This is a highly perfumed style. Shows ripeness of dark fruit but it’s not too fruity or intense. Has a remarkable balance of power and concentration yet elegance. Matt Walls: A perfumed, pure Cabernet Sauvignon that feels very Margaret River; elegant, refined, pure. Very silky, velvety, plush, but still fresh and harmonious. Very seductive. Nominated by Rupert Owen.</p>
2019
Cape LandingMargaret River
Argento, Single Vineyard Finca Altamira Organic Malbec, Uco Valley (Altamira), Argentina 2019
95
<p>Complex nose displaying ripe blackcurrant, plum, perfumed flowers and herbs. Fresh and drinkable, with firm tannins and elegance. Nominated by Amanda Barnes.</p>
2019
ArgentoUco Valley
Cafaggio, Villa Cafaggio, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, 2018
90
<p>Villa Cafaggio's vineyards are located in the heart of Chianti's Conca d'Oro ('Golden Basin'), considered a prime location for producing Chianti Classico. This easy drinking wine, presented here in magnum format but also available in 75cl bottle for £13.99, ages for 12 months in 65hl Slavonian oak barrels and a further 12 months in cement vats. It's expressive on the nose, fragrant with dark cherry fruit which continues on to the palate alongside some plum notes and a spicy length.</p>
2018
CafaggioChianti Classico
Château Lancyre, Coste d'Aleyrac, Pic St-Loup, Languedoc-Roussillon, 2019
95
<p>Aromatic and fresh nose with olive notes, tomato tapenade, lavender, plums, camphor and violets over nuances of creamy oak and leather. Rich and full on the palate with plenty of smooth tannins. Nominated by Michael Denton</p>
2019
Château LancyrePic St-Loup
Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, 2019
95
<p>Restrained nose with complex aromas of blackcurrants, dark plums and tobacco. Gentle and plush, with gravelly tannins and a crisp acidity. Seriously wonderful and complex expression of a modern Bordeaux. Nominated by Jane Anson</p>
2019
Château Smith Haut LafittePessac-Léognan
Cillar de Silos, Crianza, Ribera del Duero, Spain, 2018
95
<p>Highly seductive aromas of refined dark fruit with layers of spice and smoke. Refined elegance on the palate, with a bright acidity and fine-grained tannins, precise in style, fresh and focused. Nominated by Simon Field MW.</p>
2018
Cillar de Silos
Dagaz, Kolwe Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua, Chile, 2019
95
<p>Attractive aromas showing generous blackcurrants, blackberries, mint chocolate and leafy notes. Fine, elegant and fresh, yet showing serious concentration and velvety tannins. Very long finish. Nominated by Alistair Cooper MW</p>
2019
Dagaz
Diamantakos, Xinomavro, Naoussa, Macedonia, Greece, 2018
95
<p>Delicate nose with crunchy red fruits, spicy cumin, juicy raspberry and peppery cranberry aromas with hints of dried herbs. A good amount of concentration, with herbal freshness. Nominated by Yiannis Karakasis MW.</p>
2018
DiamantakosNaoussa
Babylonstoren, Shiraz, Simonsberg, Paarl, South Africa, 2019
94
<p>Perfumed and fresh nose with elegant notes of juicy black fruits seasoned by sweet spices and creamy undertones. Juicy and lengthy, with pliable, well-worked tannins. Fully ripe, defined and elegant. Nominated by Michela Nassiz.</p>
2019
BabylonstorenSimonsberg
Domaine Maby, Libiamo, Tavel, Rhône 2019
93
From grapes grown on the hotter galet roulé soils, the use of Cinsault and white Grenache keeps this wine at the paler end of the Tavel spectrum, while fermentation and ageing in barrel gives added weight – Maby aims for flavour rather than colour. A deep golden amber colour with delicate smoky chestnut aromas, the wine opens up to rich white chocolate, bitter orange and honeyed red fruits. It is powerful, complex, atypical, and rather gorgeous. The tannins are delicately integrated and sweet.
2019
Domaine MabyTavel
Château Joanin-Becot, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, 2018
94
<p>Ripe and concentrated plummy character on the nose with hints of oaky sweet spices. Rich in the mouth yet showing some restraint. Soft tannins, with a fresh acidity providing balance. Nominated by Yohan Castaing.</p>
2018
Château Joanin-BecotCastillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Château de Plaisance, Sur la Butte, Anjou, Loire, 2019
93
Vanessa Cherruau’s wines are a delight! This biodynamic blend of two Cabernets boasts a floral, red-berry perfume. The silky palate balances sappy fruit tannins, vibrant acidity and fleshy summer-pudding fruit. Graceful, generous and moreish.
2019
Château de PlaisanceAnjou
KWV, Roodeberg 1949, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2017
93
<p>Ripe and concentrated with smoke notes, cured meat, bramble and blackberries. Rich with a firm structure on the palate. Nominated by Greg Sherwood MW.</p>
2017
KWV
Moric, Blaufränkisch, Burgenland, Austria, 2019
93
<p>Savoury nose with sappy notes of fresh mushrooms and autumn leaf, paprika and blueberry. Juicy, lively and fluid, firm tannins. Nominated by James Lawther MW.</p>
2019
Moric
SC Pannell, Tempranillo-Touriga, South Australia, 2018
93
<p>High pinched perfume and peppery nose with gamey nuances and jammy red fruits. Great concentration and freshness, firm tannins. Nominated by Michael Hill Smith MW.</p>
2018
SC Pannell
Morris, Classic Liqueur Muscat, Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia
96
<p>Perfumed nose, full of caramelised sweet nuts, toffee, succulent dates, prunes and molasses. Silky on the palate with a line of orange zest-like acidity balancing its viscous texture. Never-ending layered finish. Nominated by Huon Hooke.</p>
MorrisRutherglen
Tokaj Nobilis, Hárs Barakonyi dűlő, Tokaj, Hungary, 2018
95
<p>Lovely toasty nose with tangerine peel, ripe red apple, spiced quince, cloves and oolong tea over nuances of lime marmalade. Very pleasant refreshing acidity with a slightly bitter backbone. Nominated by Caroline Gilby MW</p>
2018
Tokaj Nobilis
