Wines for the week: August 2023
August’s selection of whites, rosés, reds and fortifieds at £20 or less, chosen by the Decanter team.
The Decanter in-house tasting team spends an awful lot of time out and about at tastings, finding new and exciting wines, or new vintages of existing wines, for everyday drinking. On these pages we bring you 25 top picks that are all ready to drink now, available in the UK and priced at £20 or less.
This month’s highlights
Must-try fizz: Filipa Pato, 3B Rosé Extra Bruto, Beiras, Portugal NV
Must-try white: Pikes, Traditionale Riesling, Clare Valley, South Australia 2022
High street choice: Asda, Extra Special Pinot Noir, North Canterbury, New Zealand 2020
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 week: August 2023
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Filipa Pato, 3B Rosé Extra Bruto, Beiras, Portugal
92
A blend of indigenous grapes Baga and Bical from Bairrada (hence the name 3B), this traditional-method sparkling exudes texture, elegance and salinity. Husband-and-wife team extraordinaire Filipa Pato and William Wouters deliver mineral tension and purity of fruit, seen here in the clear outline of the cranberry, pink grapefruit and pomegranate notes, topped by savoury aniseed and tarragon.
Filipa Pato
Ancre Hill Estates, Pink Pét Nat, Wales, United Kingdom
90
<p>From Wales' pioneering biodynamic estate comes this frothy pink little number, a rosé from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Full of floral aromas and peachy flavours, with a foamy, viscous, creamy mouthfeel. It's a lively, refreshing, vibrant sparkling that deserves to be shared, preferably in the sunshine. A well-executed pét nat.</p>
Ancre Hill Estates
Artemis Karamolegos, The Society's Exhibition Santorini Assyrtiko, Aegean Islands, Greece, 2021
93
Made for The Wine Society by Artemis Karamolegos, from vines averaging 50 years of age. It's 90% Assyrtiko, with a little Athiri and Aidani added in. Lovers of Santorini Assyrtiko will find the salinity, structure and austere concentration that makes this style so successful, but it's super drinkable at the same time, with a weight of stone fruit on the nose and palate, zesty acidity and a persistent finish.
2021
Artemis Karamolegos
Pikes, Traditionale Riesling, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia, 2022
93
Now in its 38th vintage, Traditionale is Australia's best-selling premium Riesling. While not as incredible as the 2021 vintage (squirrel some away if you can find it), this is still a great-value, ageworthy drop from a fine, cool year. Bone-dry with a perky grip of lime juice acidity, orange blossom lift and crisp flavours of lemon sherbet and wet river stones. A great aperitif for shellfish.
2022
PikesClare Valley
Babylonstoren, Viognier, Simonsberg, Paarl, South Africa, 2022
91
A third of this wine was aged in large foudres and used barrels, the rest in stainless steel. Perfume and purity of fruit: ripe peach, apricot and honeysuckle all jostle for attention. Texture, warmth and weight from the oak, yet there's an overriding freshness which delights.
2022
BabylonstorenSimonsberg
La Guardiense, Falanghina Del Sannio, Falanghina del Sannio, Campania, Italy, 2022
91
This dynamic co-op hired the services of celebrated winemaker Riccardo Cotarella, and he has overseen the adoption of a more sustainable approach to winemaking, with minimal intervention. Falanghina may not be held in the same esteem as Campania's Greco di Tufo white grape, but it's famously fresh and fruity in style. Sourced from multiple plots, on a mix of sandy and volcanic soils, this new Majestic listing has a good weight and structure, a streak of minerality, and aromas of ripe pear, citrus and white flowers. Very easy sipping wine, 6g/L residual sugar but not intrusive. (Mix-six price: £8.99)
2022
La GuardienseFalanghina del Sannio
La Toledana, Toledana Vigne Rade, Gavi di Gavi, Piedmont, Italy, 2020
91
This single-vineyard Gavi di Gavi has a super-bright and mineral nose of lemon peel, herbs, and subtle licks of cream and nectarine. Fresh and intense with a creamy backbone, the palate is overlaid by pithy, salty stone fruits and citrus peel, lifted further by white flower fragrance. Lovely texture and weight is allied to superb freshness and a juicy peach finish.
2020
La ToledanaGavi di Gavi
Morrisons, The Best Marques de los Rios Rioja Blanco Reserva, Rioja, Spain, 2016
91
A sweet-spiced nose of yellow fruits, vanilla seeds and banana skin. Matured on lees in French oak for 12-18 months, this 2016 vintage white Rioja showcases great concentration of buttered apricot, grapefruit and pineapple flavours, leading to depth of dried fruits. The ripe palate is lifted by bright acidity (6.2g/l). Concentrated and long.
2016
Morrisons
Champalou, Réserve Champalou, Vouvray, Loire, France, 2021
89
This off-dry Vouvray is a delicious choice for those after a versatile white which is great with pork and chicken but can also be enjoyed on its own. Aromas of pineapple, citrus, honey and a chalky touch are followed in the mouth by a creamy intensity of honeyed apple, white flowers and a stony quality, all balanced with the touch of sweetness and fresh acidity.
2021
ChampalouVouvray
Workshop Wine Co, Mastercraft Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2022
90
Grassy with a rich undertone of passion fruit on the nose. Great concentration of gooseberry, sweet herbs and yellow peach on the palate. A touch of sweetness provides roundness and balance to the zesty acidity (7.7g/l), leading to white pepper spices on the finish.
2022
Workshop Wine Co
Canned Wine Co, Grüner No. 1, Niederösterreich, Austria, 2021
88
Peachy aromas with yellow pear and a touch of grass. Lemon zest and ripe peach on a round-textured palate with refreshing acidity; melon and a pinch of pepper towards the finish. A refreshing, light-hearted white packaged in a portable 25cl can.
2021
Canned Wine Co
Domaine Zafeirakis, Limniona Rosé, Tyrnavos, Thessaly, Greece, 2020
92
A delicately fragrant nose with notes of crushed rose petals, wild strawberries and oregano followed by an expressive, creamy palate. The explosive zestiness of pink grapefruit lifts the richness of the peach and cherry fruit. Raspberry sorbet lingers on the finish.
2020
Domaine ZafeirakisTyrnavos
Mirabeau, Pure, Côtes de Provence, Provence, France, 2022
92
A pale and elegant Provence rosé that opens with breezy aromas of red berries and freshly washed linen. There's good intensity on the palate and a soft, redcurrant finish. Orange rind, watermelon and strawberries are tempered by a touch of spice, a lick of wet stone and a teaspoon of creaminess.
2022
MirabeauCôtes de Provence
Casa Balaguer, El Rosado de Padilla Colleción Origen Monastrell, Alicante, Spain, 2022
91
For the gastronomic rosé lovers, this 100% Monastrell aged in amphora is a gorgeous fuschia colour and bursts with bright cherry and blood orange aromas. This flows onto a full-bodied, textured palate with flavours of black cherry and red apple and a savoury, stemmy, earthy kick to the finish.
2022
Casa Balaguer
Distant Noises, Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia, 2019
93
We've recommended Tom Carson's Chardonnay and Pinot Noir before, and this is a cracking buy, too. Vibrant and pure herb-tinged cassis, cedar oak freshness and delicate smoky spices cushioned on supple tannins. Developing well now but will mature further.
2019
Distant NoisesYarra Valley
Ataraxia, Serenity, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Walker Bay, South Africa, 2020
92
Kevin Grant calls himself a 'terroiriste' not a winemaker, allowing his high-elevation, Atlantic-influenced wines to speak of their ancient soils. This blend of Pinotage and its parents Pinot Noir and Cinsault is quiet yet confident in its spiced, floral red-cherry fruit and filigree tannins.
2020
AtaraxiaHemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Château de Beauregard, Fleurie Poncié, Beaujolais, Fleurie, Burgundy, France, 2021
92
A simply delicious Fleurie with juicy fruit supported by vibrant acidity. Cherry, plum, red apples, thyme and oregano mingle on the palate, topped by a spicy layer of black and pink pepper. Supple and lively, perfect summer drinking, especially if served a bit chilled.
2021
Château de BeauregardBeaujolais
Domaine Jean-Louis Tissot, Trousseau, Arbois, Jura, France, 2021
92
Lovely filigree complexity with a core of sour cherry and plum fruit lined by thyme and tarragon. Firm, zesty tannins add vibrancy and give structure to the mid-palate. Delicious smoky nuances evoke the charcuterie and grilled vegetables with which this would pair so well.
2021
Domaine Jean-Louis TissotArbois
Venturina, Freisa d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2022
91
A new listing at Waitrose, this is the perfect red to sit outside with on a balmy summer's evening. The bright pink on the label and capsule might be a bit off-putting to some, but get past that and you'll find a wine that's bright cherry red in the glass, with a weight of ripe raspberry and strawberry fruit juiciness. Fleshy but fresh, with purity and exuberant unoaked breeziness. Chill it very briefly before opening.
2022
Venturina
Asda, Extra Special Pinot Noir, North Canterbury, Canterbury, New Zealand, 2020
90
<p>Asda has expanded its Extra Special range in 2023, with a strong focus on sub-regions. A good example is this tangy, unoaked Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s South Island, which offers great drinking at a fantastic price. Its bright, juicy red fruits are joined by subtle hints of orange peel and herbs on the palate, while bracing acidity gives energy and maintains freshness through to the end.</p>
2020
AsdaNorth Canterbury
Maison Ventenac, Les Dissidents La Muse, Vin de France, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
90
A fresh and floral Vin de France Syrah full of violets, blueberries and wild strawberries. It’s tactile and succulent, the juicy blackberry fruit laced with dried thyme and wet stone. Enjoy this lightly chilled with grilled vegetables or summer salads.
2021
Maison VentenacVin de France
Co-op, Irresistible País, Bío Bío Valley, Chile, 2022
89
Sourced from 130-year-old vines, the Chilean País is naturally organic. Herbal spices and menthol on the nose with fresh cherry and candied cranberry. Aged in old oak, showcasing black pepper, juicy ripe cherry and green tea on the palate with a touch of tannin. Spicy cranberry fruits towards the finish.
2022
Co-op
Sainsbury's, Taste the Difference Morador Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2020
89
The latest vintage of Sainsbury's good value Taste the Difference Argentinian Cab Franc delivers leafy black cherry and blueberry aromas with minty hints. Smooth palate of ripe black berries and blueberry, with nicely rounded tannins; a good match for roast pork or sausage and mash.
2020
Sainsbury'sUco Valley
Cockburn's, Fine White Port NV, Douro Valley, Portugal
90
White Port and tonic with a sprig of mint is a delicious and refreshing summer aperitif – white Port is typically around 20% alcoholic strength, so it's a lower-alcohol alternative to a G&T (usually around 40% strength). Or just enjoy a glass of white Port without any mixer, served at white wine temperature. Maybe just a dish of salted almonds at the side. This one – which is bursting with spicy, white stone fruit and citrus character – is great value at just over a tenner for a full 75cl bottle. If it's not a style you're familiar with, I'd urge you to try it. Once opened, it will last in the fridge for a few weeks.
Cockburn's
