Top wines of 2017 from Decanter Panel Tastings
Our unique and famous Panel Tastings; three world class wine experts in their field review flights of wines on a particular theme. Each give their own individual scores, which are then averaged to give an overall mark. This mark is based on the theme chosen. In 2017 we've had panel tastings from little known Atlantic reds in Spain, to cool climate Australian Chardonnay, to vintage Champagne, all the way to the mighty 2012 Brunellos.
See the top Decanter Panel Tastings wines of 2017 below
In 2017, the magazine panel tastings have given out a myriad of scores – some predictable and some not so.
To make it easy, the Decanter team has sifted through thousands of panel tasting wine reviews to bring you our top picks of 2017.
These are not necessarily the wines that came top in each class, as we have taken into account factors such as availability, price and a score of above 90 points.
For example, we had many Muscadets score extraordinarily well in a panel tasting earlier this year, but many cannot be bought in the UK or USA, so we chose Pierre-Luc Bouchaud’s Pont Caffino Muscadet because it received high praise and can be bought at wine.com.
These are some of our experts’ top wines of 2017 and well worth seeking out to try.
Top wines of 2017: Decanter Panel Tastings
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Credit: Credit: Cath Lowe/Decanter
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Il Falchetto, Bricco Paradiso, Barbera d'Asti, Superiore, Piedmont, Italy, 2013
A melange of dried fruit and cordial notes to start off, leading to spicy, oaky shades. The aromas and flavours are still so fresh and...
2013
Il FalchettoBarbera d'Asti
Col d'Orcia, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy, 2012
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2012
Col d'OrciaBrunello di Montalcino
Pierre-Luc Bouchaud, Pont Caffino, Muscadet, de Sèvre et Maine, Loire, France, 2014
96
<p>Golden pear skin and a subtle struck-match aroma, with notes of pine, orange blossom and bergamot . The lean, tense palate unravels and opens out in the glass. It feels alive, energetic and delicately poised. A very pretty wine with a cherry-like acidity and a fresh, sappy finish. Plenty of concentration and length, a wine of serious intent with more to come from further ageing.</p>
2014
Pierre-Luc BouchaudMuscadet
Quinta do Noval, 20 Year Old Tawny, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal
Characterful and unapologetic, with an alluring – and very idiosyncratic – smoky quality. Roasted almonds, dried rose petals, Earl Grey and apricot mingle harmoniously. In...
Quinta do NovalPort
Larmandier-Bernier, Longitude Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru, Champagne, France
95
ME: Lovely classy green-gold colour shouts Chardonnay. Minerals, chalk, a hint of spices, and fine, fine tension in the mouth. Moreish and complete, a fine long wine. SF: Lively and energetic. The palate is spicy and firm with a soft white pepper backdrop. An accessible and ripe style, fresh and poised at the same time. TH: Slightly closed nose with grapefruit. Pretty high-pitched lemon pith notes coming through. It's a little uncompromising and hard for general champagne drinkers maybe, but this is a winner for those who like it honed, dry and persistent.
Larmandier-Bernier
Château de Vaudieu, Blanc, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France, 2016
SF: An attractive nose; chalky, orchard fruit, yellow fruit and soft spice give a great first impression. The palate is restrained, tight, but has intimations...
2016
Château de VaudieuChâteauneuf-du-Pape
Churton, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2016
95
MB: This wine is ripe with a dominating palate and length, asparagus-heightened savoury aromas, and zesty acid in an appealing, food driven style. It has so many lovely elements to it. BC: A weighty, concentrated wine with subtle nutty lees integrated into subdued tree fruit flavours. CD: There is a noticeable use of cork closure here, with a cork-wood layer to the bouquet, showing complexity and depth from the natural ferment and the complexities of winemaking. The palate reflects the nose; lovely flavours and length. Just dry on the complex finish.
2016
Churton
Château Simone, Palette, Provence, France, 2012
AH: An intriguing pot-pourri of aromas and flavours, showing some appealing maturity, with beautifully textured red cherry, raspberry and plum fruit all marrying together with...
2012
Château SimonePalette
Domaine Chevalier, Ladoix, Burgundy, France, 2015
93
A youthful, albeit concentrated nose, with some emerging floral touches. Intense fruit on the palate, still backward, but with a suggestion of more to come.
2015
Domaine ChevalierLadoix
Pelassa, Sot, Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy, 2013
92
A mosaic of floral and wild forest fruit characters fuel a heady, perfumed nose. Great concentration of red fruit and spicy oak flavours followed by a delicious sour acidity on the finish; a complete wine.
2013
PelassaNebbiolo d’Alba
Giant Steps, Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia, 2016
92
This is fresh and cool on the nose, with a peachy, restrained expression on the palate, adding complexity and length. The acid finish gives an added dimension.
2016
Giant StepsYarra Valley
Alain Coudert, Clos de la Roilette, Beaujolais, Fleurie, Burgundy, France, 2015
91
A serious, complex style with ageing in large, old casks adding additional complexity alongside the crisp and vibrant red fruit character. Very elegant, precise and pleasurable now, but with the ability to age.
2015
Alain CoudertBeaujolais
