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How we taste: Decanter panel tastings

Panel tastings are a core component of Decanter magazine’s monthly buying guide, and results are also published online alongside other regular tasing articles by our experts.

Each panel tasting is judged by three experienced tasters chosen for their authority in the category of wine being rated.

All wines are tasted blind and are pre-poured for judges in flights of eight to 10 wines. Our experts taste and score wines individually but then discuss their scores together at the end of each flight.

Any wines on which scores are markedly different are retasted; however, judges are under no obligation to amend their scores. Judges are encouraged to look for typicity in wines, rewarding those that are true to their region.

Do experts know the price of the wines?

When judging, experts are aware of wine price bands – under £15, £15-£30 and over £30 – with the aim of recognising and rewarding quality and value.

Where are panel tastings held?

The tastings are held in the controlled environment of Decanter’s tasting suite: a quiet, purposely designed room, with natural light.

We limit the number of wines tasted to a manageable level – a maximum of 85 per day – allowing judges to taste more thoroughly and avoid palate fatigue.

Drinking windows

Drink-by dates indicated are based on how long it is prudent to keep the wine in question. However, some wines will have a longer ageing capacity if stored in pristine conditions throughout their lifespan.

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Peter Liem, Alan Bednarski and Claire Thevenot MS tasted 28 wines, with 3 Outstanding and 20 Highly recommended.

Vintage rosé Champagne panel tasting scores

28 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 3

Highly recommended 20

Recommended 5

Commended 0

Fair 0

Poor 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their current-release, single-vintage rosé Champagnes, allowing for any style from zéro dosage through brut to demi-sec

Rosé Champagne is a difficult category to generalise about, and vintage rosé perhaps even more so. Most in this tasting were of excellent quality, showing that there are multiple ways to achieve success. One conspicuous element was a relatively restrained dosage, even for those wines not labelled as extra brut or non-dosé.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores from the vintage rosé Champagne panel tasting

Historically there has been a tendency to dose rosés slightly higher than their blanc counterparts, often due to an archaic stereotype about rosé being sweeter to suit the female palate – but some winemakers also believe that the tannins of red wine need more sugar to balance.

Vintage rosé Champagne panel tasting scores

The judges

Peter Liem is an awarded wine writer and author specialising in Champagne. Resident in Epernay, he publishes his website champagneguide.net and co-hosts the annual La Fête du Champagne event in the US. His book Champagne was published in 2017 (Mitchell Beazley).

Alan Bednarski is a sommelier, wine consultant and a DWWA judge. He is co-owner of a new ‘comfort European food’ restaurant due to open in Katowice, Poland in spring 2023, and is soon to launch his Cool Climate Wine Guide initially online.

Claire Thevenot MS is owner of UK-based importer Vins-Clairs. She moved from eastern France in 2002, rising to be head sommelier at Hotel du Vin in Winchester, then in 2006 she became the first French female Master Sommelier, winning the UK Sommelier of the Year competition in the same year.

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Adriatic whites: panel tasting results

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The post Vintage rosé Champagne: panel tasting results appeared first on Decanter.

Caroline Gilby MW, Isa Bal MS and Darrel Joseph tasted 151 wines, with 8 Outstanding and 67 Highly recommended.

Adriatic whites panel tasting scores

151 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 8

Highly recommended 67

Recommended 72

Commended 4

Fair 0

Poor 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their current-release white wines from Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro or Bosnia-Herzegovina, single varietals or blends using any grapes, but preferably including a large proportion of indigenous varieties

The eastern shore of the Adriatic sea is better known for its tourism than for wine, but results from this tasting showed that it’s home to many wines to spark wine lovers’ interest. Croatia, with some 1,800km of Adriatic coastline, submitted most wines, but there was also a good showing from Slovenia (47km of coast) and a handful from Bosnia & Herzegovina (just 20km of seashore).

This was an impressive, and often exciting, two-day tasting, with very few poor wines. As Isa Bal MS pointed out: ‘I found the quality to be of a very high standard,’ highlighting, ‘some excellent Malvasia from Croatia and some very well-made, pyrazine-free examples of Sauvignon Blanc from Slovenia.’

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top wines from the Adriatic whites panel tasting

Local grapes dominated the entries and provided many of the top-scoring wines. Malvasia Istriana (Malvazija Istarska is the local spelling) was the superstar, showing its potential in several styles. It has gone from ordinary workhorse to something quite special in the last two decades. It makes great bright, fruity, appealing wines when vinified cool in steel, though even these simpler versions can keep remarkably well. Among the 2021 wines, the main reservation was that, though quality was generally very good, the wines were all quite similar.

Malvasia is also capable of greatness in a whole range of styles, from classic oak fermentation to skin contact, orange and natural wines aged in other vessels such as clay amphora, larger casks and even acacia wood. Bal noted ‘some very competent winemaking using skin contact and natural yeast’.

Other local grapes also showed well, not least the incredibly rare Grk – grown on a handful of hectares on the island of Korčula – as did Korčula’s other special white grape, Pošip. There’s real intensity and great texture, underscored by a sea-salt mineral freshness in these unique local grapes. Darrel Joseph noted that ‘most of these wines are gorgeous exotica, treasures of where they are so at home’.

See all 151 wines from the Adriatic whites panel tasting

There were only a few examples submitted to the tasting of the flagship Rebula grape (Ribolla Gialla) from western Slovenia – though these did show its quality and versatility.

Bosnia & Herzegovina’s flagship Zilavka was praised by Joseph: ‘Zilavka has really been coming into its own in recent years,’ he said. ‘The variety’s wonderful Mediterranean herb and citrus characteristics and its gently elegant acidity shine through in the wines with such focus, clarity and freshness. Even better, Zilavka’s diversity is so enticing. It’s not just about young and fresh steel-aged wines; it does so well also as barrel-matured and – joyously – even as a natural, amber-style wine with age. Such exciting potential!’

Yet it’s not just about local grapes here, and you’ll find several excellent examples of international varieties that can also showcase the terroir. Pinot Gris was particularly strong, with several high-scoring wines showing an intensity and balance that wouldn’t be out of place in Alsace or Collio. There were also some excellent Chardonnays, and Sauvignons in a unique regional style between the aromatic fruitiness of New World and the mineral intensity of the Loire.

All in all, this tasting was evidence of a dynamic, if less well-known part of the wine world that is well worth exploring.

Top scoring Adriatic whites

The judges

Caroline Gilby MW is an awarded wine writer, author and speaker, with a passion for the wines of the Balkans, central & eastern Europe and the Black Sea. She is joint DWWA Regional Chair for North, Central & Eastern Europe.

Isa Bal MS is a consultant Master Sommelier. Winner of the prestigious Sommelier Award 2022 from Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland, he was also winner of the Best Sommelier of Europe competition in 2008, and was head sommelier for The Fat Duck Group for more than 12 years.

Darrel Joseph has been writing about the wines of central and eastern Europe since 1995, now also covering Croatia, Serbia and all other Balkan wine countries. He is a regular wine judge, educator and speaker, and is joint DWWA Regional Chair for North, Central & Eastern Europe.

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Stephen Brook, Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW and Aldo Fiordelli tasted 87 wines, with 2 Outstanding and 44 Highly recommended.

Barbaresco panel tasting scores

87 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 2

Highly recommended 44

Recommended 39

Commended 2

Fair 0

Poor 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit village or MGA-level Barbarescos, with a maximum of two wines per producer and preferably to include one current vintage and one older vintage, or two different crus 

The results of this Barbaresco panel tasting were impressive, with 46 wines (just over half) scoring 90 points or above.

It was dominated by the consistently attractive and newly released 2019 vintage, represented by 54 wines.

These balanced, fruity and structured wines are accessible in their youth but, in most cases, should also age well. This is in line with recent trends in the region, where even Barolos are now being made in a less demanding and dense style so that consumers are no longer obliged to cellar these wines for a decade or more.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top wines from the Barbaresco panel tasting

Top scoring Barbarescos

The judges

Stephen Brook is a Decanter contributing editor and the DWWA Regional Chair for Piedmont. The author of almost 40 books, he has won several awards for his work in wine.

Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW is a widely published wine writer, consultant, educator and WSET lecturer, and was an Acting Regional Chair for Tuscany at DWWA 2022.

Aldo Fiordelli is a widely published journalist, wine writer and author, and a DWWA judge. He qualified as a sommelier in 2003, and in 2022 received a special award from Tuscany’s Consorzio Cortona Vini.

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Roger Jones, Melanie Brown and Rebecca Palmer tasted 116 wines, with one Exceptional, five Outstanding and 40 Highly Recommended.

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc panel tasting scores

116 wines tasted

Exceptional 1

Outstanding 5

Highly recommended 40

Recommended 45

Commended 21

Fair 4

Poor 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their latest releases of still white wines made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc from any region in New Zealand

New Zealand wines – particularly Sauvignon Blanc – suffered severe shortages in the 2021 vintage, so it was gratifying to see such a large number entered for this two-day tasting. In our discussions during and following it, we three judges considered regional and vintage differences as well as the range of Sauvignon Blanc styles, notably considering whether there is a lighter, more focused style emerging.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top wines in the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc panel tasting

Top scoring New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

The judges

Roger Jones is the retired former owner of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn restaurant in Wiltshire. He is now a wine writer, judge and consultant with a particular interest in the hospitality trade, as well as helping charities. He is a DWWA judge, with a focus on New World regions.

Melanie Brown is founder and CEO of Heist Group, which includes New World-focused online wine merchant Specialist Cellars and The Laundry restaurant, Brixton. From New Zealand, she arrived in the UK in 2015 to work as a chef for the likes of Raymond Blanc, Peter Gordon and more.

Rebecca Palmer is associate director of Corney & Barrow, based in the UK, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. She heads up the commercial buying team, covering most world regions. At DWWA 2022 she judged in the New Zealand and USA & Central America categories.

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Greg Sherwood MW, Daniel Grigg and Roger Jones tasted 137 wines, with 11 Outstanding and 75 Highly Recommended.

South African Shiraz/Syrah panel tasting scores

137 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 11

Highly recommended 75

Recommended 45

Commended 5

Fair 0

Poor 0

Faulty 1

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their latest vintage releases of still red wines made using a minimum of 85% Shiraz/Syrah

With striking examples being produced in almost every corner of the Cape at varied price points, Shiraz has to be one of the strongest weapons in South Africa’s armoury when taking on other New World competitors in wine.

In this impressive two-day panel tasting, the vast majority demonstrated what all three judges felt was the driving force behind the rise in both quality and global perception of South African wines in general.

Namely, the winemakers’ courage and determination to make the wines they want to make, rather than what is expected of them. Were this an Australian Shiraz tasting, for example, we questioned whether we would have been treated to such a plethora of wine styles.

Scroll down for the top-scoring South African Shiraz/Syrah

While producers seemed to use new oak to distract from a lack of substance in some wines, Daniel Grigg highlighted other wines where it was used to great effect, bestowing a sense of gravitas and enhancing the grape’s varietal identity and purity of fruit.

Top-scoring South African Shiraz/Syrah: 

The judges

Greg Sherwood MW is the widely travelled senior buyer at Handford Wines. He publishes his Fine Wine Safari blog at gregsherwoodmw.com, and in 2021 was the DWWA Regional Chair for South Africa.

Daniel Grigg is managing director of merchant Museum Wines, winner of the South Africa Specialist category in the 2021 Decanter Retailer Awards.

Roger Jones is the retired former owner of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn restaurant in Wiltshire. He is now busy as a wine writer, judge and consultant, with a particular focus on the hospitality trade, as well as helping charities. He is a DWWA judge, including the South Africa category in 2021.

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Andy Howard MW, Sara Bachiorri and Michael Garner tasted 75 wines, with 1 Exceptional and 4 Outstanding.

Verdicchio panel tasting scores

75 wines tasted

Exceptional 1

Outstanding 4

Highly recommended 59

Recommended 11

Commended 0

Fair 0

Poor 0

Faulty 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their latest-release vintages of still dry white wines from DOCs Verdicchio di Matelica or Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, and DOCGs Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva or Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva

In a white wine world dominated by Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, extolling the virtues of Verdicchio – the Italian white grape made infamous by curvy, amphora-shaped bottles in the 1970s – might seem like hard work. Yet ask Italian wine experts for their opinion of this variety and you may be surprised.

In his book Native Wine Grapes of Italy, Ian d’Agata states: ‘Verdicchio is arguably Italy’s greatest variety.’ The results of this panel tasting seemed to support the view that Verdicchio is a grape capable of producing high-quality, ageworthy wines.

Scroll down for the top-scoring Verdicchio wines

The results were certainly impressive, averaging 91 points across the range of 75 wines. This came as no surprise to Italian wine expert and panel judge Michael Garner, who commented that ‘this Verdicchio tasting more than lived up to my expectations – and they were already high’.

Top-scoring Verdicchio: 

The judges

Andy Howard MW is a Decanter contributing editor and DWWA 2022 Regional Chair for Central Italy (excluding Tuscany). A former retail wine buyer, he now runs his own consultancy Vinetrades.

Sara Bachiorri works in buying for merchant WoodWinters. First a DWWA judge in 2013, in the 2022 competition she judged in the Piedmont and Veneto categories. Born in Perugia, Umbria, she was formerly head sommelier at The Glasshouse in Kew, then at Chez Bruce in southwest London.

Michael Garner is co-owner of Italian specialist Tria Wines, author of Amarone and The Fine Wines of Verona (£35 Infinite Ideas), and DWWA Regional Chair for Northern Italy (excluding Piedmont & Verona).

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Alistair Cooper MW, Dirceu Vianna Junior MW and David Williams tasted 149 wines, with 15 Highly Recommended.

Value Argentinian Malbec panel tasting scores

149 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 0

Highly recommended 15

Recommended 92

Commended 40

Fair 1

Poor 1

Faulty 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their latest-release vintage Argentinian red wines containing at least 85% Malbec

We received a whopping 149 samples for this marathon tasting, illustrating just how competitive this sector of the Malbec market is.

Having recently taken part in the impressive premium Malbec tasting for Decanter, I was keen to assess the value proposition at the more affordable end of the market.

Disappointingly I was left underwhelmed and somewhat confused as to the direction that producers are pursuing at the grass roots level.

Scroll down for the top-scoring value Argentinian Malbec wines

Stylistic uncertainty seems to be the key issue, as well as inconsistency.

At the premium end we had seen a refreshing move away from over-extraction and over-oaking towards an emphasis on purity and expression of place. Yet here we saw too many clumsy wines, with winemakers favouring style over substance.

Top-scoring value Argentinian Malbec: 

The judges

Alistair Cooper MW is a wine consultant, writer, broadcaster and educator with a particular focus on South America. President of the Cata d’Or wine awards in Chile, he is also consultant wine buyer for United Cellars in Sydney.

Dirceu Vianna Junior MW is a wine writer, consultant, educator and broadcaster. Moving to the UK in 1989, he spent much of his career as wine director for some of the UK’s most prominent wine distributors, and in 2008 he became the first South American male to obtain the Master of Wine title.

David Williams is a regular contributor to Decanter on all things Spanish. He is also wine correspondent for The Observer, deputy editor of The World of Fine Wine, and a columnist for trade magazine The Wine Merchant.

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Georgina Hindle, Vincenzo Arnese and Andy Howard MW tasted 62 wines, with two Exceptional and 11 Outstanding.

Médoc grand cru classé 2017 panel tasting scores

62 wines tasted

Exceptional 2

Outstanding 11

Highly recommended 45

Recommended 4

Commended 0

Fair 0

Poor 0

Faulty 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their 2017 vintage red wines from Bordeaux cru classé estates, first growth to fifth growth, with both grand vin and second label wines welcome.

The 2017 vintage in Bordeaux was a challenge for winemakers, posing multiple problems throughout the year including frost, drought and untimely rainfall, but it had the added misfortune of falling in the middle of a long run of great vintages. At that time, 2017 was overshadowed by the two preceding years and the three subsequent ones.

Scroll down for tasting notes & scores for the top-scoring Médoc grand cru classé 2017 wines

Almost five years on, all the tasters found much to enjoy from the 2017s of the classified estates of the Left Bank, and were pleasantly surprised at the quality and drinkability on show.

The top scoring Médoc grand cru classé 2017: 

The judges

Georgina Hindle is Decanter’s regional editor for Bordeaux and Burgundy, and editor of Decanter Premium online. She lives in Bordeaux.

Vincenzo Arnese is head sommelier at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, London. Originally from Naples, he specialised in sommellerie at hospitality school in Stresa, Italy, going on to work in prestigious hotels in Switzerland, Italy and Australia, as well as in the UK at The Waterside Inn in Bray and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Andy Howard MW is a Decanter contributing editor and DWWA Regional Chair. A former retail wine buyer for more than 30 years, he now runs his own consultancy Vinetrades, focusing on wine education, judging, investment and sourcing, and has a house in southwest France.

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Sarah Jane Evans MW, Christine Parkinson and David Williams tasted 51 wines, with 3 Outstanding and 30 Highly Recommended.

Godello panel tasting scores

62 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 3

Highly recommended 30

Recommended 15

Commended 3

Fair 0

Poor 0

Faulty 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their latest-release dry whites made from 100% Godello.

Choose Godello and you can’t go wrong. That was our verdict from a most enjoyable tasting.

From the top-left corner of Spain – Galicia and Bierzo – comes a white grape variety that retains a distinction wherever it grows. It’s as comfortable with oak as without. It covers the gamut of citrus flavours, but additionally can show layers of honey and apricots, as well as potentially offering a mineral or saline finish.

If Godello hasn’t been on your top five white wine list, include it now.

Scroll down for tasting notes & scores for the top-scoring Godello wines

The top-scoring Godello wines:

The judges

Sarah Jane Evans MW is an awarded journalist, author and broadcaster, and a DWWA Co-Chair. Author of The Wines of Northern Spain (Infinite Ideas, 2018), she is also chair of Spain’s Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino.

Christine Parkinson is co-founder of Brimful Drinks, developing products in the no- & low-alcohol sector. She was formerly at Michelin-starred Hakkasan Group for over 18 years as a buyer, latterly as its group head of wine. Numerous career awards include The Caterer’s Wine & Spirits Ambassador Catey in 2018.

David Williams is a regular contributor to Decanter on all things Spanish. He is wine correspondent for The Observer, deputy editor of The World of Fine Wine, and a columnist for trade magazine The Wine Merchant.

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Matt Walls. Tanguy Martin and David Round MW tasted 96 wines, with 21 Outstanding and 59 Highly Recommended.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019 & 2009 panel tasting scores

96 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 21

Highly recommended 59

Recommended 13

Commended 3

Fair 0

Poor 0

Faulty 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their red Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvées from both the 2019 and 2009 vintages

Forty-eight Châteauneuf estates, two wines each: a 2019 and a 2009. That was the basis for what proved to be a fascinating and memorable tasting.

The two years in question have a lot in common – both defined by hot, dry growing seasons producing an impressive crop of rich, ripe, concentrated wines.

The main differences are that 2019 was marginally hotter than 2009, certainly drier. So how the 2009s are showing now should give us insight into how the 2019s will be showing in 10 years’ time – a good point at which to start opening top Châteauneuf. And if the 2019s age as well as the 2009s, the principal takeaway is: buying some 2019s and cellaring them for 10 years will prove a very savvy move.

Scroll down for tasting notes & scores for the top-scoring 2019 & 2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines

Top scoring Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019 & 2009

The following wines are listed in score order and all scored 93 points or above

The judges

Matt Walls is an awarded wine writer and consultant, a Decanter contributing editor and the DWWA Regional Chair for the Rhône. His latest book Wines of the Rhône (£35, Infinite Ideas) was published in January 2021.

Tanguy Martin is business development manager at Roberson Wine. After his oenology studies in Beaune and Montpellier, he moved to England in 2011 and began a prestigious career as a sommelier, working at Hotel TerraVina, La Trompette and Blandford Comptoir among others. He was the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2015.

David Round MW is head of wine at online platform Pix, a wine buying consultant and judge, including for the DWWA. He has worked in various senior positions such as buyer at Berry Bros & Rudd, fine wine manager at Direct Wines, and director roles at Bancroft Wines and Jascots.

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More panel tastings…

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Justin Knock MW, Roger Jones and Julia Sewell tasted 52 wines, with 10 Outstanding and 39 Highly Recommended.

Australian Riesling panel tasting scores

52 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 10

Highly recommended 39

Recommended 3

Commended 0

Fair 0

Poor 0

Faulty 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their dry, 100% Riesling latest-release vintages from Eden Valley or Clare Valley GIs and their sub-regions

In more than 15 years of tasting Australian wines for Decanter, I’ve never seen a line-up of such consistently high quality as this. Of 52 wines, 49 scored 90 points or above, and 10 of these were a golden 95pts or more. Roger Jones, also a veteran taster of Australian wines for Decanter, agreed:

‘Without doubt one of the best panel tastings, highlighting the value and quality of Aussie Riesling.’ ‘The quality exceeded my expectations,’ added Julia Sewell. ‘The wines were not just without fault, but with universal drinkability, complexity and finesse.’

Scroll down for tasting notes & scores for the top-scoring Australian Rieslings

Top scoring Australian Rieslings

The following wines are listed in score order and all scored 92 points or above

The judges

Justin Knock MW is director of wine for luxury wine merchant OenoGroup, overseeing their buying, marketing, trade and retail activities, and he is one of two DWWA joint Regional Chairs for Australia.

Roger Jones is the retired former owner of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn restaurant in Wiltshire. Now busy as a wine writer, judge and consultant with a particular focus on the hospitality trade, as well as helping charities, he is a DWWA judge for Australia.

Julia Sewell is a wine consultant and educator offering services via juliasewellwine.com. A DWWA judge, she began her career in restaurants in Melbourne, Australia before moving to the UK and working at The Fat Duck in Bray, Hide Restaurant Mayfair and Davy’s Wine Merchants.

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Michael Garner, Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW and Michaela Morris tasted 92 wines, with six Outstanding and 33 Highly Recommended.

Valpolicella panel tasting scores

92 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 6

Highly recommended 33

Recommended 52

Commended 1

Fair 0

Poor 0

Faulty 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their current-release vintage reds from Valpolicella DOC and Valpolicella Superiore DOC

How encouraging to find ‘life beyond appassimento’! While nearly all Valpolicella DOC wine is produced from freshly picked grapes, much Valpolicella Superiore on the market these days includes at least a proportion of semi-dried fruit, blurring the stylistic lines that separate it from the other, richer-style Valpolicella denominations: Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto.

Scroll down for tasting notes & scores for the top-scoring Valpolicella wines

A good number of the higher-scoring wines from this panel tasting not only rely on freshly harvested grapes, but also include examples from the basic DOC category (such as the Valpolicella Classico 2020 from Montecariano). Two of the six Outstanding wines – Tommasi’s delicious Rafaèl 2020 and Flavio Prà’s elegant Corte Allodola, Flavs 2018 – are also, crucially, made from dedicated Valpolicella vineyards where the best of the crop is not creamed off for Amarone or Recioto: a recurring issue which frequently has a negative effect on the quality of the ‘simpler’ denominations.

The top scoring Valpolicellas: 

The judges

Michael Garner is co-owner of Italian specialist Tria Wines, author of Amarone and The Fine Wines of Verona (£35 Infinite Ideas), and a DWWA Regional Chair for northern Italy

Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW is a wine consultant, writer, judge and WSET educator. She consults to restaurants and wineries, acts as an ambassador for wine trade bodies, and was Regional Chair for Veneto at DWWA 2021

Michaela Morris is a wine consultant, lecturer, writer, judge and a WSET educator. A Regional Chair at DWWA 2021, she consults to restaurants and wineries, as well as acting as an ambassador for wine trade bodies

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Susan Hulme MW, Federico Moccia and Michaela Morris tasted 111 wines, with one Outstanding and 90 Highly Recommended.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione panel tasting scores

111 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 1

Highly recommended 90

Recommended 18

Commended 1

Fair 1

Poor 0

Faulty 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit reds from the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG only, with a maximum of two vintages per label

Gran Selezione is the highest Chianti Classico classification, sitting above Chianti Classico Riserva and annata (fresh style, suited to easy daily consumption). Introduced in 2014, the Gran Selezione category stipulates a minimum of 30 months’ ageing, so some wines from the 2010 vintage were already eligible to be released under the new classification from its inception.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top-scoring Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

This panel tasting – the first to be held in Decanter’s brand new tasting suite – comprised 111 Gran Selezione wines from across nine different vintages, ranging from 2010 to 2018. There was just one example each from 2010, 2011 and 2014, three from 2012 and five from 2013. The 11 wines from 2015 were pretty consistent, but the 33 from 2016 were perhaps going through a shy, adolescent period, given the exceptional quality of the vintage.

The top scoring Chianti Classico Gran Selezione wines: 

The judges

Susan Hulme MW is a wine writer, educator and presenter specialising in Italy. A DWWA judge across Italian regions, she runs her own consultancy company Vintuition and travels regularly to Italian wine regions

Federico Moccia is deputy head sommelier at London private member’s club 67 Pall Mall. An advocate for Italian wine, he is a DWWA judge and has recently written for decanter.com

Michaela Morris is a wine writer, judge, educator and speaker. Based in Vancouver, she teaches about Italian wine across Canada and abroad, and is a VIA Italian Wine Expert

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Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW, James Doidge MW and Stefan Neumann MS tasted 164 wines, with six Outstanding and 69 Highly Recommended.

California Cabernet Sauvignon panel tasting scores

164 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 6

Highly recommended 69

Recommended 85

Commended 2

Fair 0

Poor 0

Faulty 2

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit wines from both or either vintages 2017 and 2018 made with at least 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, from any region of California

Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape made for California. It excels in the long, sunny, warm and dry summers, enabling it to gain good physiological ripeness, and its thick skin means it can stand up to California’s sunshine.

It is the most widely grown, with more than 38,000ha planted in 2020 (NASS/ USDA, April 2021). Given its wide range of altitudes and terroirs, California can grow and make Cabernet Sauvignon to suit all styles and palates. And, as the 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting showed, California Cabernets can stand alongside the world’s best.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top-scoring Californian Cabernets 

Given the eclecticism of the wines that Decanter requested for this tasting (see ‘Entry criteria’, above), we tasted according to vintage, starting with the youngest, then with unoaked before oaked.

What was it that we enjoyed so much?

The top-scoring Californian Cabernet Sauvignons: 

The following wines all scored 91 points or above

The judges

Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW is a wine consultant, lecturer, writer, judge and a WSET educator. A Regional Chair at DWWA 2021, she consults to restaurants and wineries, as well as acting as an ambassador for wine trade bodies.

James Doidge MW is buyer and managing director at The Wine Treasury, a specialist importer in London. He has a particular interest in the wines of the Americas and southern Europe, where he travels and tastes regularly. He became a Master of Wine in 2021.

Stefan Neumann MS is an independent master sommelier running his own wine consultancy. A DWWA judge since 2017, from 2022 he is also the DWWA Regional Chair for Switzerland.

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The post California Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 and 2018: panel tasting results appeared first on Decanter.

Sarah Jane Evans MW, Diana Rollan and Beth Willard tasted 73 wines, with three Outstanding and 29 Highly Recommended.

New-wave Rioja panel tasting scores

73 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 3

Highly recommended 29

Recommended 31

Commended 6

Fair 4

Poor 0

Faulty 0

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit current-release vintages of red Rioja that don’t conform to the traditional oaked styles of Rioja defined by age statements; that showcase modern styles and different methods of winemaking; with ageing in concrete, amphora, etc; and single-vineyard wines

What an enjoyable tasting! To be sure, all these wines shared the ‘Rioja’ label, but then their paths diverged. For us as tasters it was an absorbing, delicious journey through the contemporary DOCa, its aspect and altitudes, its varieties and vinifications. What is happening in Rioja is so much more varied and exciting than the wine textbooks would have you believe.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top-scoring new-wave Riojas

Given the eclecticism of the wines that Decanter requested for this tasting (see ‘Entry criteria’, above), we tasted according to vintage, starting with the youngest, then with unoaked before oaked. What was it that we enjoyed so much?

The top scoring new-wave Riojas: 

The judges

Sarah Jane Evans MW is an awarded journalist, author and broadcaster, and a DWWA Co-Chair. Author of The Wines of Northern Spain (Infinite Ideas, 2018), she is also chair of Spain’s Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino

Diana Rollan is group head of beverage for D&D London restaurants group. A DWWA judge for Spain, she formerly managed wine buying and training at Hakkasan Group as its UK head of wine

Beth Willard is buying director for independent merchant Winetraders UK, with a focus on Spain and Eastern Europe, and former buying manager at Direct Wines. A member of Spain’s Gran Orden de Caballeros de Vino, she was a joint Regional Chair for Spain at DWWA 2021

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Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW, Amaya Cervera, Sarah Jane Evans MW and Alvaro Ribalta Millán MW tasted 77 wines with one Outstanding and 61 Highly Recommended

The wines that made Rioja famous panel tasting scores

77 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 1

Highly recommended 61

Recommended 13

Commended 1

Fair 0

Poor 0

Faulty 1

Rioja is Bordeaux’s intellectual heiress, on two counts. First, its wines could only achieve greatness when Bordelais winemaking knowhow – the ‘Médoc method’, as it was called – was imported into the region. Careful viticulture, fruit selection, destemming, long maceration and oak ageing are the necessary conditions to reveal Rioja’s true potential.

Second, the business model for the best traditional Rioja wineries was inspired by the French one: building prestige via the use of brands. While producers had the expertise around where the best wines could be made, wine merchants cared about names on labels.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top-scoring wines that made Rioja famous

In every other respect, Rioja and Bordeaux differed. To define who is better, French consumers had the debatable support of the Bordeaux region’s official 1855 Classification. Rioja producers, by contrast, were left to their own devices. To create a loyal customer base, two conditions are that brands have their own identity, and that they are deemed reliable.

See the top-scoring wines that made Rioja famous

The following wines all scored 91 points or above

The judges

Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW is a widely published wine journalist, educator and judge, and a regular contributor to Decanter on Spanish wines.

Amaya Cervera is the founder of website Spanish Wine Lover, and a freelance wine writer and journalist based in Madrid.

Sarah Jane Evans MW is a Decanter World Wine Awards Co-Chair, and a widely published and awarded journalist, author and broadcaster who specialises in Spanish wines.

Alvaro Ribalta Millán MW works as Spanish wine buyer for UK specialist importer Indigo Wine, and is based in Barcelona.

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The post The wines that made Rioja famous: panel tasting results appeared first on Decanter.

Yolanda Ortiz de Arri Izarra, Sarah Jane Evans MW and Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW tasted 30 wines with four Outstanding and 25 Highly Recommended.

Viñedo Singular panel tasting scores

30 wines tasted

Exceptional 0
Outstanding 4
Highly recommended 25
Recommended 0
Commended 0
Fair 0
Poor 0
Faulty 1

See the top-scoring Viñedo Singular wines from the panel tasting:

The judges

Yolanda Ortiz de Arri Izarra writes for online magazine Spanish Wine Lover, taking care of its English edition. She previously worked as a news journalist for a range of publications including the Financial Times.

Sarah Jane Evans MW is a Decanter World Wine Awards Co-Chair, and a widely published and awarded journalist, author and broadcaster, who specialises in Spanish wines.

Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW is a widely published wine journalist, educator and judge. He is a DWWA joint Regional Chair for Spain, and a regular contributor to Decanter on Spanish wines.

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The post Viñedo Singular: panel tasting results appeared first on Decanter.

Greg Sherwood MW, Victoria Mason and Roger Jones tasted 142 wines, yielding an impressive seven Outstanding and 69 Highly Recommended.

The Pinotage panel tasting scores

142 wines tasted
Exceptional 0
Outstanding 7
Highly recommended 69
Recommended 59
Commended 7
Fair 0
Poor 0
Faulty 0

The cliché of Pinotage being a real ‘Marmite’ wine is definitely starting to fade as more producers continue to craft high-quality wines. More than anything, thanks to wide-scale plantings and parcels of older vines, Pinotage wines exude a true sense of place, with the best examples grown on all three of South Africa’s main soil types; ancient sandstone, shale, and decomposed granite.

Scroll down for the top-scoring Pinotage tasting notes and scores

See the top-scoring Pinotage wines from the panel tasting:

The judges

Greg Sherwood MW is a London-based South African Master of Wine and fine wine buyer at Handford Wines. He publishes his Fine Wine Safari blog at gregsherwoodmw.com, and was the DWWA 2021 Regional Chair for South Africa.

Roger Jones is the retired former owner of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn restaurant in Wiltshire. Now busy as a wine writer, judge and consultant with a particular focus on the hospitality trade, as well as helping charities, he was a DWWA 2021 judge for Australia and South Africa.

Victoria Mason is a wine buyer for UK supermarket Waitrose, responsible for sourcing its South African range since 2016. First a DWWA judge in 2019, she has focused on the South Africa category in the last two years.

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Rosemary George MW, Andy Howard MW and Frederic Marti tasted 122 wines, with two Outstanding and 47 Highly Recommended.

Roussilon reds panel tasting scores

122 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 2

Highly recommended 47

Recommended 70

Commended 3

Fair 0

Poor 0

Faulty 0

Six years have passed since Decanter’s last panel tasting of red wines of the Roussillon, in the Catalan southwest of France, and the change was palpable.

Fellow judge Andy Howard MW summed up recent developments in the region: ‘I was expecting more hefty, powerful wines and was pleasantly surprised by the restraint and elegance’. Frederic Marti agreed, commenting on the evident freshness, lift and diversity.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top-scoring Roussillon red wines

The production of table wine, locally called vin sec, as opposed to vin doux naturel (VDN) fortified, is a relatively recent development in the Roussillon.

In their heyday in the mid-19th century, 70 million bottles of VDN were sold per year, compared with just 3 million today.

Top-scoring Rousillon red wines from the panel tasting

The judges

Rosemary George MW is a wine writer based in London and the south of France. Author of more than a dozen books on wine, her latest is The Wines of Roussillon (£35 Infinite Ideas). She publishes her own blog, focusing on the Languedoc, at rosemary-george-mw.com

Andy Howard MW is a Decanter contributing editor and DWWA Regional Chair. A former retail wine buyer for more than 30 years, he now runs his own consultancy Vinetrades, focusing on wine education, judging, investment and sourcing, and has a house in southwest France

Frederic Marti is director of wines at five-star 45 Park Lane in London. Born and raised in the south of France, he began as a waiter, working up through Michelin-starred restaurants including El Bulli in Spain, before his first head sommelier role at London’s Pollen Street Social in 2013.

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