Decanter contributors, staff and DWWA Regional Chairs nominated their top three stand-out bottles of 2022, which were then tasted blind and scored by an expert panel to determine the best and most exciting wines of 2022.
Here we present a quick and easy way to see tasting notes and scores for the 62 red, white and rosé wines spanning still, sparkling, sweet and fortified styles that all scored 95 points or more.
| Producer | Appellation | Score | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louis Roederer, Cristal Brut | 2013 | 99 | Created in 1876 to satisfy the demanding tastes of Tsar Alexander II, Louis Roederer’s Cristal has since become a symbol of luxury all around the world. Produced only during the best years, it’s made from 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, the grapes coming from 45 of the finest lieux-dits in the region. 2013 was a late bloomer, with flowering only taking place in July after a cool spring. The summer was ideal with long periods of dry and warm weather. One third of the wine is aged in oak and there’s no malolactic fermentation. Vincenzo Arnese: Packed with elegant yet powerful aromas of ripe orchard trees that merge with brioche and dry cookies. This is a harmonious and well-defined Champagne with integrated residual sugar and astonishing acidity. Divine! Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW: Lemon coloured with a pink hue. Like a blanc de noirs, with cherries and white fruit aromas. Balanced and suave. Goes from less to more, with an exceptionally long and complex finish. Amanda Barnes: Appealing notes on the nose of pastry dough and apple tart that are very open. On the palate there’s beautiful concentration with lingering savoury notes. Minerally and sophisticated. Nominated by Peter Liem Click to see full details | ||
| Ornellaia | Bolgheri | 2012 | 99 | This famed SuperTuscan wine (a Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend with 10% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot) is the flagship cuvée of Ornellaia, one of the most prominent estates in the small Bolgheri region and owned by the Frescobaldi family. Like 2011, it was a dry growing year in 2012, and it wasn’t until scattered showers hit the vines in August and September that the ripening was propelled, resulting in fine overall ripeness. Each variety was vinified separately before being moved into 70% new barriques. Vincenzo Arnese; Complex notes of ripe blackcurrant and dark cherry on the nose, with walnut, cedar and smoked charcoal. The palate is fresh and vibrant, showing rich yet integrated tannins. It will also improve with time. Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW: Amazingly refined cassis, blackberry, ink and dried flower aromas, with a touch of spice. On the palate it’s deep, complex, multi-layered, silky and long. Impressive. Amanda Barnes: There are seductive notes of crème de cassis with some cigar box and liquorice on the nose. A very inviting blend with a silky fruit profile and a mineral tension to the fine tannins and fresh acid. Nominated by Ronan Sayburn MS Click to see full details | |
| Tolpuddle Vineyard, Chardonnay | Coal River Valley | 2021 | 99 | Owned since 2011 by Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw of Shaw & Smith Wines in the Adelaide Hills, the 20ha northeast facing Tolpuddle vineyard occupies a prime position in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley. The pair saw the vineyard’s potential immediately, and have been producing exceptional single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir ever since. There was a particularly wet start to 2021 – one of the coolest on record – resulting in much smaller but more concentrated grapes. Harvested by hand, the grapes are whole-bunch pressed then aged in French oak for nine months. Vincenzo Arnese: The nose is fresh and ripe with incredible structure, showing quince, candied lemon peel, grapefruit juice and subtle oak. A lingering acidity completes the frame of this outstanding wine. Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW: A wonder of lightness and precision; a hedonistic mix of immediate restrained pleasure and long-term intellectual provocation. An amazingly subtle and complex finish. I adore this wine. Amanda Barnes: Aromas of gunflint, lavender, lemon peel and wet stones lead into a mouthfilling yet svelte wine with mouthwatering acidity and a long, savoury finish. Will cellar well for more than a decade. Nominated by Sarah Ahmed Click to see full details | |
| Billecart-Salmon. Louis Salmon Blanc de Blancs Brut | 2008 | 98 | A ripe and intense style, showing energy and vibrancy. Flinty, slightly earthy aromas that are more suggestive of long ageing in bottle. Sublime balance between salivating acidity, coy sweetness and richness. A reference for delicacy and refinement. Nominated by Charlotte Hale Click to see full details | ||
| Château Brane-Cantenac | Margaux (2ème Cru Classé) | 2010 | 98 | 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. Still a very youthful and lively Margaux with fine tannins and fresh acidity. The wine needs a long time to reach its peak; it is a top classic. The nose is refined and layered, with notes of blueberry and prune, followed by integrated oak with evidence of charcoal wood and pencil shavings. Nominated by Michael Denton Click to see full details | |
| Château Figeac | St Emilion (Premier Grands Crus Classes) | 2006 | 98 | 33% each of Merlot and Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. Complex and unfurling with notes of animal, cedar and aged tobacco with a subtle cassis running through the core. Distinctive, restrained and elegant. Despite the powerful structure it has unbelievable finesse, with fine-grained tannins, a dusty texture and a long finish. Incredible! Nominated by Andrew Jefford Click to see full details | |
| De la Riva, Vino de Pasto Macharnudo | 2019 | 98 | 100% Palomino. A new, more approachable version of Jerez Palomino. Deliciously tempting nose of salt and sourdough that lures you into a full-bodied and mouthfilling wine that is bone dry and lean in the finish, with minerality and a touch of salinity in the mouth. Great new-generation Sherry, so indicative of origin. Nominated by Sarah Jane Evans MW Click to see full details | ||
| Henriques & Henriques, 20 Year Old Terrantez | 98 | The most amazing array of complex flavours in an old wine, a top example of noble ageing and brave resilience. Racy acidity, depth of rancio character, chestnut and dried figs, a kiss of sweetness, and an everlasting finish, it’s intense yet balanced. A mind-blowing wine that deserves to be savoured. Nominated by Richard Mayson Click to see full details | |||
| López de Haro, Classica Gran Reserva | Rioja | 2004 | 98 | Inky and rich with evolved notes of cigar box and leather. The palate is fresh, acidity is lingering, the fruit is still present and tannins are perfectly integrated. Ready to be enjoyed but also has potential to age. A great Rioja, putting together classic know-how and a modern approach. Nominated by Laura Bianco Click to see full details | |
| Mastroberardino, Antonio Radici Taurasi Riserva | Irpinia Aglianico | 2008 | 98 | Showing beautiful evolution with notes of peppermint oil, truffle and dried rose petals. Vibrant structure, subtle earthiness, fine grain and easygoing freshness. A powerful attack and delicate touch. A vinous wine (100% Aglianico) with a good persistent finish and notes of tobacco and cigar box. Nominated by James Button Click to see full details | |
| Mauro Molino, Gallinotto | Barolo | 2017 | 98 | A powerful wine with a tender soul. A hint of spearmint lifts this otherwise brooding nose of black cherry and earth. The palate is poised, with firm tannins helping to smooth the acidity, and combining to give an impossible pairing: a feeling of delicacy with a touch of infinite power. Nominated by Susan Hulme MW Click to see full details | |
| Produttori del Barbaresco, Montestefano Riserva | Barbaresco | 2016 | 98 | Subtle and complex aromas of dried fruit, fresh plums, kerosene, dried flowers and pencil. Racy and vibrant with intense, pulsating acidity and tightrope tannins. It shows complexity and a long finish. A wine to decant, or cellar. Delicious. Nominated by Michaela Morris Click to see full details | |
| Tenuta delle Terre Nere, Calderara Sottana | Etna | 2019 | 98 | 100% Nerello Mascalese. A seductive nose with ripe berry fruit, white truffle and dried rose notes. Elegant and fresh with a balanced structure, volcanic mineral aromas and a vibrant finish. A refined wine that has energy and complexity with tension like silk, and will age well. Longstanding and persistent. Nominated by Anthony Rose Click to see full details | |
| Domaine Alain Voge, Les Vieilles Fontaines | Cornas | 2019 | 97 | With violets and spice, lavender, mint, earth, cherries and berries, this is so Rhône. Impressive tannins pass smoothly but leave a long memory. The refreshing acidity lifts the wine at the end, enticing you for another sip. This dense Syrah shows the might and depth of Cornas and its great ageing potential. Nominated by Matt Walls Click to see full details | |
| Dominus Estate | Napa Valley (Yountville) | 2018 | 97 | Ripe blackcurrant and vegetal aromas of tomato leaves and aubergine. So distinguished on the nose with discreet notes of cassis, tertiary spicy aromas and that earthy undertone. A full-bodied and long red wine with fine fruit tannins and extra layers of texture from oak ageing. A classic style of a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Nominated by Georgina Hindle Click to see full details | |
| Giaconda, Estate Vineyard Chardonnay | Beechworth | 2017 | 97 | Elegant and intense, ripe and concentrated. Hints of gunflint and smoke lead the way in this savoury Chardonnay. Amazing blend of French oak ageing, batonnage and top-quality cool-climate fruit, resulting in an appealing aromatic expression. Dense but smooth on the palate, immediately appealing, and a very long and complex finish. Nominated by Richard Mayson Click to see full details | |
| Pasqua, Famiglia Pasqua | Valpolicella (Ripasso Superiore) | 2017 | 97 | 65% Corvina, 35% Rondinella. A ripe nose reveals morello cherry and underlying notes of strawberry, raisin and figs. A powerful, referential Valpolicella wine, with evidence of deft ripasso, great concentration and a smoothing acidity. Supple and quite silky with a kiss of sweetness, this is a full-bodied and long wine with exquisite balance. Nominated by Michela Nassiz Click to see full details | |
| San Francisco Javier, Viña Corrales Fino (bottled 2021) | 97 | A sweaty, aged fino in the best of ways, showing its age but with youthful notes of camomile and apple blossom as well as marzipan, almond skin and saline aromas. Complex, long and quite mouthwatering. In old fino style, drink very slowly while keeping focus on the very long, expressive finish. Nominated by Paz Levinson Click to see full details | |||
| Vietti, Derthona Timorasso | Colli Tortonesi | 2020 | 97 | Reserved on the nose, with more citrus aromas and little lees. Delicious persistence in the mouth, it is really classy, with elegant acidity and open fruit expression. It is textured and oily, and has the Piedmont purity - an austere mountain wine. Nominated by Susan Hulme MW Click to see full details | |
| Balassa, Villő Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos | 2017 | 96 | Intense nose of apricot, marmalade, peach compote and saffron. Delicious palate, with a crisp balanced acidity with relevant sugar and typical botrytis hints. Exquisitely sweet and wonderfully expressive. Pure elixir. Nominated by Caroline Gilby MW Click to see full details | ||
| Bernhard Huber, Schlossberg Chardonnay Grosses Gewächs | 2020 | 96 | A flinty, skinny-jeans style of Chardonnay with a rock ’n’ roll attitude – great presence, length and tension. Very lively. There’s freshness and savoury fruit, oak is present but integrated and gives body and complexity. Has an appealing fruity finish. Nominated by Caro Maurer MW Click to see full details | ||
| Bisci, Vigneto Fogliano | Verdicchio (di Matelica) | 2019 | 96 | Steely and saline, with intense citrus and a note of crushed almond. This Verdicchio is all about precision and focus, with a mouthwatering mouthfeel that lingers with flavours of wild flowers and citrus fruit. Nominated by Michael Garner Click to see full details | |
| Blandy’s, 20 Year Old Malmsey | 96 | Coffee and kerosene haunt the nose of this intense yet smooth Malmsey. Elegant, impressive, very complex, with amazing acidity to counterbalance the high sugar. The finish is of mocha, chocolate and orange caramel – stunning. Nominated by Demetri Walters MW Click to see full details | |||
| Bodegas Muriel, Viña Muriel Reserva Blanco | Rioja | 2013 | 96 | From the founding estate of renowned Spanish wine group Muriel Wines, this single-variety white Rioja is made with specially selected Viura grapes from vines more than 40 years old, planted on chalky clay soils on the El Gallo estate in Rioja Alavesa. It undergoes fermentation for 20 days in French oak barrels, followed by eight months’ ageing in the same vessels. It is then aged for a minimum of 18 months before release. Vincenzo Arnese: This wine has incredible complexity. The nose is ripe with precise oak characters, and the palate shows richness and creaminess, ending with a lingering finish. Excellent. Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW: Classic Rioja style, with evidence of oak ageing and refined citrus aromas. Very well balanced in the mouth, with the right acidity and nice extract. Very well made. Amanda Barnes: A wine that is yet to reach its prime. Hints of gunflint on the nose and a lively acidity that endures in the aftertaste, with a rolling smoky finish. This is a wine to hold on to. Nominated by Sonja van Praag Click to see full details | |
| Castello del Terriccio, Lupicaia | 2016 | 96 | Good intensity and freshness, the wine is showing ripe blackcurrant and a note of fresh bramble from its Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot fruit. Fine-grained tannins and refreshing acidity, with a long, balanced finish. A great wine, it gets better and better in the glass. Nominated by Aldo Fiordelli Click to see full details | ||
| Charles Heidsieck, Blanc des Millénaires Brut | 2007 | 96 | Intense aromas of candied citrus, grapefruit juice and lemon peel. Incredibly youthful for its age, with a chalky minerality and richness on the palate. A finely built 100% Chardonnay with very discreet dosage, flinty acidity and an overall balance suggestive of a grande marque. It has great sophistication and poise. Nominated by Michael Hill Smith MW Click to see full details | ||
| Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion | Pessac-Léognan | 2018 | 96 | 37% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot. A ripe fruit core with cassis and bramble fruit, and savoury layers of spice and minerals. Amazing structure in the mouth; well-grained, deep and complex, so distinctive. Vibrancy on the palate and potential to age. Nominated by Yohan Castaing Click to see full details | |
| Domaine Berthet-Bondet, Château-Chalon | 2014 | 96 | 100% Savagnin. The wine screams Jura, with a nice intensity on the nose and pronounced toastiness, as well as distinctively nutty notes with sourdough and salt. Powerful and lingering, it shows greater complexity from ageing, and unfurls on the palate for moments after sipping. Nominated by Thierry Meyer Click to see full details | ||
| Fleur de Miraval, ER2 Exclusivement Rosé | 96 | 75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir. The 2021 edition of this powerful rosé Champagne has a complex nose with notes of shiitake, preserved cherry and citrus peel. The palate is multilayered with freshness and nicely integrated oxidation, and the finish is mushroomy and chalky. Nominated by Elizabeth Gabay MW Click to see full details | |||
| Henri Giraud, Blanc de Craie Brut | 96 | Restrained, subtle, amazingly elegant 100% Chardonnay, with the complexity that only an aged Champagne can offer. Notes of fresh apples with marzipan notes and freshly cooked biscuits. Sublime delicacy on the palate, with as firm an architecture as roses carved in stone. The finish is impressively slow and complex. Nominated by Charlotte Hale Click to see full details | |||
| Littorai, One Acre Pinot Noir | Mendocino County (Anderson Valley) | 2019 | 96 | Clean, well-defined cherry and berry aromas, with a spicy note. Palate is refined, vibrant and intense, nice fruit sweetness, blending the strawberry flavours with the sweet spices. A good finish with velvety tannins merging in the refined acidity. Nominated by Stacy Slinkard Click to see full details | |
| Marco Felluga, Amani Friulano | Collio | 2021 | 96 | Leesy and rubbery, this has intense marzipan and earthy notes like dry white mushrooms. Fresh and creamy in the mouth, it's distinctively gentle, with a long, very pure and fruity finish. Elegant and delicious. Nominated by Alessandra Piubello Click to see full details | |
| Marguet, Sapience 1er Cru Brut Nature | 2010 | 96 | 50% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Meunier, 17% Pinot Noir. An oxidative style of Champagne, with evolved notes of truffle, honey, baked apple and evidence of oak ageing. Gorgeous developed style, with the complexity of ageing a firmly built base wine. Savoury in finish, completely dry but so appetising. Nominated by Yohan Castaing Click to see full details | ||
| Remírez de Ganuza, Olagar Gran Reserva Blanco | Rioja (Alavesa) | 2014 | 96 | 100% Viura. There's richness, ripeness and complexity in this stunning, long-lived Viura. Impressive aromatic expression, with lots of vanilla and toasty notes over citrus and pear fruit. A long finish with layers of flavour. Powerful and gentle, a wine to play in the top leagues. Nominated by Laura Bianco Click to see full details | |
| Shaw & Smith, M3 Chardonnay | Adelaide Hills | 2021 | 96 | Restrained, elegant and complex, with no hint of tropical fruit but relevant citrus and white fruit notes in this cool-climate Chardonnay. Oak integration is stunning and the wine shows personality, vibrancy, mouthwatering acidity and a precise, long finish. Nominated by Justin Knock MW Click to see full details | |
| Wine by Farr, Tout Près by Farr Pinot Noir | Geelong | 2019 | 96 | Black smoked tea notes lead a toasty, full-bodied Pinot Noir with bold black fruit aromas and a long, peppery finish. Long refreshing notes of menthol and eucalyptus are framing a well-made wine with a palate that shows great structure and intensity. Deliciously balanced in the mouth – complex and very deep but keeping a joyful expression. Nominated by Huon Hooke Click to see full details | |
| Bodega Noemia, J Alberto | Río Negro | 2019 | 95 | Restrained and elegant, this Malbec blended with a little Merlot has discreet blackberry notes and a touch of violet. The palate is fleshy and bold, there’s intense acidity and a good finish. This charming wine offers lovely balance and poise, with a refreshing yet lingering finish. Nominated by Aldo Fiordelli Click to see full details | |
| Bodegas de Alberto, Dorado | Rueda | 95 | Nutty and wild with interesting notes of caramel, sourdough and pecan pastry. A balanced Verdejo with a lovely oxidative touch, clean and straightforward. Deep complexity with richness and great length, the finish is fresh and intense. Nominated by Gabriela Colotto Click to see full details | ||
| Caravaglio, Chianu Cruci Bianco | 2021 | 95 | A distinctive wine (80% Malvasia with other local varieties) has very pure Malmsey notes – slightly musky but with a nice herbal freshness. The palate has pronounced acidity and good vibrancy; saline seaside notes with a tangy minerality and a lingering, mouthwatering finish. A wine to lap up with oysters and shellfish by the sea. Nominated by Peter Liem Click to see full details | ||
| Caravaglio, Palmento di Salina | 2021 | 95 | A third each of Nerello Mascalese, Corinto Nero and Calabrese. Invitingly elegant, fresh red fruits with a note of flowers, this sings. A fresh, crunchy wine with appealing juicy fruit in the palate and a lively finish with untempered racy acidity. A seriously drinkable, and rather dangerous bottle... this light red would be far too easy to finish within moments. Nominated by Elizabeth Gabay MW Click to see full details | ||
| Domaine Gramenon, L’Emouvante | Côtes du Rhône | 2019 | 95 | Pure fruit with lovely violet, blueberry, flowery expression. Palate is fresh and classic, peppery and nice fruitiness, long finish. An enjoyable Syrah that delivers as a great all-rounder with fruit, spice and texture. Nominated by Matt Walls Click to see full details | |
| Errazuriz, Wild Ferment Pinot Noir | 2021 | 95 | Sweet red fruit, meadow flowers and a lift of wild herbs make this a very inviting Pinot Noir, but there’s grip and earthiness on the palate that show a much more serious side. Evidence of lovely oxidative ageing, increasing complexity and identity. Good finish and intense sweet spice note of nutmeg and cinnamon. Nominated by Alejandro Iglesias Click to see full details | ||
| Escala Humana, Credo Semillon | Uco Valley (Tupungato) | 2018 | 95 | Very classic, Bordeaux-style, with relevant oak aromas and discreet citrus fruit notes. It’s a savoury Semillon with gunflint and wet chalk notes with a very long, concentrated and mouthwatering finish. Appealing in its age but certainly capable of cellaring well for another decade at least. Nominated by Alejandro Iglesias Click to see full details | |
| Forage Supply Co, Caveman Carignan | 2021 | 95 | Elegant style of Carignan, with good freshness, and ripe, fresh aromas of blueberry and dark cherry. Amazingly concentrated with a silky structure and impressive persistence. Intriguing expression, with a unique blend of Mediterranean expressions and a grained texture. Nominated by Amy Wislocki Click to see full details | ||
| Girlan, Gschleier Alte Reben Vernatsch | 2020 | 95 | Ripe red cherry and crispy red flowers of good intensity. Light but persistent. Tart, crisp acidity underpins this bright red fruit-scented wine, leaving a mouthwatering finish. Mountain fresh herbal notes with a hint of shiitake add intrigue, and hint at the tertiary evolution to come. Click to see full details | ||
| Giuseppe Apicella, A’ Scippata Riserva | Costa d'Amalfi | 2017 | 95 | 80% Tintore Nero, 20% Piedirosso. On the nose the wine is a bit closed, showing ripe fruits of blueberry and plum, plus notes of herbaceousness and earthiness, forest floor and porcini mushrooms. Inky with graphite-like tannins and tension in the palate, underpinned by a youthful, racy acidity. Bold and brooding, with many years left to uncoil. Nominated by Alessandra Piubello Click to see full details | |
| Gusbourne Estate, Blanc de Blancs Brut | 2016 | 95 | This mature sparkling shows great depth of autolysis on the nose with very pure blanc de blanc aromas: citrus peel and dried citrus fruit with extremely elegant brioche, pastry and biscuit notes. The palate is clean and fresh with good intensity and a nice persistent aftertaste. Nominated by Charlotte Hale Click to see full details | ||
| Istine, Levigne Chianti Classico Riserva | 2016 | 95 | The nose already shows complexity and concentration, taking on tertiary notes of tar and truffle. This is an earthy Chianti which has complexity and a long, bone-dry finish. On the palate it keeps that Tuscan freshness with lots of concentration. Nominated by Barbara Philip MW Click to see full details | ||
| Lake Breeze, Bernoota Shiraz-Cabernet | 2019 | 95 | Uplifting eucalyptus and rosemary give a herbal nuance to this blend, which has a supple, fragrant finish and bright style. In the mouth it is hearty, soft, appealing, long and appetising. Balanced and juicy, this is a lively and distinctive wine. Nominated by David Sly Click to see full details | ||
| Mac Forbes, The Blind Spot Pinot Meunier | Yarra Valley | 2021 | 95 | A light ruby colour and shows an incredible aromatic uplift of fresh red fruits – strawberry and crunchy red cherry – and floral notes of red roses and geranium. Deliciously light and deep at the same time, with amazing acidity and a prolonged finish. Easy to enjoy, and one to drink chilled in summer! Nominated by Tina Gellie Click to see full details | |
| Manzone, Rossese Bianco | Langhe | 2018 | 95 | Unique approach, with notes of quince, pear juice and a little yeast. Everything is in its place in this inviting wine: restrained, clean aromas, nice fresh impression, with enough extract to excite the senses. Stoney minerality with a richness from lees, resulting in a subtle yet full wine. Nominated by James Button Click to see full details | |
| Marchesi di Barolo, Sarmassa | Barolo | 2017 | 95 | Notes of ripe raspberry and red cherry fruits, fresh fig marmalade and integrated oak. Savoury and spiced, this mouthwatering Barolo is still in its youth with lip-puckering tannins that demand rich Piedmontese cuisine. Nominated by Michela Nassiz Click to see full details | |
| Marqués de Riscal, XR Reserva | Rioja | 2017 | 95 | Balanced and complex, showing ripeness and integrated oak, plus notes of nutmeg, walnut, cedar and crushed almond. This reserva with 5% Graciano evokes Christmas cake with vanilla and cinnamon spice dancing over the palate with dried fruit in the background. Textbook. Nominated by Laura Bianco Click to see full details | |
| Mount Pleasant, Cellar Aged Elizabeth Semillon | Hunter Valley | 2014 | 95 | A distinctive style of aged Hunter Valley Semillon has enticing pear and apple aromas opening up for gentle expression on the palate, with petrol, briney salinity and a tangy minerality. It has an enticingly long finish. A classic. Nominated by Sonja van Praag Click to see full details | |
| Mullineux, Olerasay 3 Chenin Blanc | 95 | Gold-to-amber colour. Waxy with lanolin, peaches and honey, this intensely sweet straw wine is sunshine in a glass! Unadulterated, heady, sweet joy… you can practically drink it with a spoon. Nice wine for dessert. Nominated by Malu Lambert Click to see full details | |||
| Piekenierskloof Wine Co, Grenache Noir | Piekenierskloof | 2020 | 95 | Spiced oak adds complexity to this silky Grenache with ripe blue fruit and floral notes. On the palate it becomes very lively. Very European in style, nobody would say it is South African – long, elegant, warm, complex, bold and juicy. Nominated by Fiona McDonald Click to see full details | |
| Pujanza, Norte | 2018 | 95 | Youthful still in its fresh fruit appeal with juicy notes of blackcurrant and a touch of graphite. Amazingly balanced, with restrained fruit that opens up little by little in the mouth, silky tannins and extraordinary persistence. Rioja with tension and texture, and a fruit-focused finish. Really enjoyable ultra-modern style! Nominated by Julie Sheppard Click to see full details | ||
| Rascallion Wines, The Devonian Chenin Blanc | 2021 | 95 | Pure Chenin Blanc nose, with quince and green apple followed by rubber and a lees note. Waxy yet bright, this is a wonderfully complete Chenin with great acidity, length and richness. Nominated by Malu Lambert Click to see full details | ||
| Rutini, Single Vineyard Altamira Malbec | Uco Valley | 2019 | 95 | Ripe and rich with a good intensity of aromas of dried blueberry and plum. Juicy and vibrant with crunchy bright fruit expression and a lively texture on the palate with great finesse. Pure Malbec explosion. Great style. Nominated by Cesar Soler Click to see full details | |
| T-Oinos, Clos Stegasta Rare Mavrotragano | Cyclades | 2019 | 95 | Quite concentrated dried apricot, lavender and cherries. A tangy wine with enticing salinity and refreshing acidity, this is a lively yet balanced red from Tinos. It is rich but elegant and the palate is complete, has linearity and integrated tannin structure. Nominated by Sylvia Wu Click to see full details | |
| Vignerons de Plaimont, Les Cépages Préservés | Saint-Mont | 2019 | 95 | A jewel of a wine (Gros Manseng with Petit Courbu and Arrufiac), so particular and distinctive, showing no ambition other than singing its origin. Aromas of apple and notes of vibrant peach, mirabelle plum, dried herbs and a suave enhancement of lees. Elegant and quite delicious with a finesse and fine spine of acidity. Nominated by Ines Salpico Click to see full details |