The Sommelier Wine Awards 2014 were a great success
Sparkling Wine & Champagne
House wine
Rosé above £5.50
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Sweet wines & Fortified
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Found 13 wines
Complexity and the classic Pinot quality made this the wine to swoon over, winning it a well-deserved Critics Choice award. Yes, it was pricey, but despite that, the judges loved its evolved nose of tar, truffles, cinnamon and leather. 'Balanced and fresh, it's an elegant palate – to be drunk now!' said consultant sommelier Nicolas Clerc MS. Food tips majored on meat and game or – you guessed it – truffles.
£49.85 Boutinot
What a winner! From the off, this wine's heady aromas evoke good Syrah, and the quality fruit, flavour and balance inspired all who crossed its path. 'Juicy berry fruit, well-integrated tannins with some hints of sweet spice,' said a happy Katherine Balanovsky of Michael Caines at Abode Manchester. Food match suggestions were plentiful, including duck and plum sauce, Anjou pigeon, beef carpaccio, stews, foie gras and Sunday roast… Inspiring indeed.
£9.41 Bibendum
Ripe and concentrated. The oxidative style wowed the judges with its distinctive elegance. 'Notes of blue cheese, chestnuts, almond and honey on the mouth,' said Stefano Marro of Caravaggio Restaurant. 'Dry and lean, wtih really pure, flinty, oxidative notes and a very fresh finish,' said Matthieu Longuere MS of Le Cordon Bleu.
£21.45 Templar Wines
Its elegance and fine-boned structure, not to mention its velvety tannins and versatility, made this one of the most garlanded wines of this year’s competition. Spicy, earthy aromas of dense dark fruits and sour cherries lead to more of the same on a medium-bodied palate, with good acidity and a cinnamon flourish on the finish. Versatile on the food front, it scooped the pizza Food Award, but that's just the beginning. Definitely one to write home about.
£8.75 Alpine Wines
Focus and precision, and a step up in complexity won our judges' hearts. Ripe and round with spices and minerals, there's a little tutti frutti on the palate, with confit lemons and good balance. 'So much more sense of place,' said team leader Simon Woods. 'This is a great food wine, and still at a very good price,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, immediately thinking of fish. Other suggestions included sashimi with a touch of lime.
£14.92
What a turn-out – the second Gold for Il Cascinone and a Critics Choice to boot! 'This over-delivers,' said team leader Laura Rhys MS succinctly. 'With a floral character on top of the red fruits, this has lots of intensity and warmth,' said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering. Its bold structure triggered food suggestions aplenty, including game, steak, bresaola with polenta, anything Italian – even Gorgonzola cheese.
£8.90 Boutinot
Gewürz comes of age in the New World with this Critics Choice Gold-winner, with its wonderful aromatics and beautifully balanced palate. With perfumed floral notes mixing with honey, apricot and ginger on the nose, the palate offers further stone fruit, honeyed tones and parma violet notes. Great as an aperitif, and all agreed on the outstanding value.
£4.80 CyT UK
Well structured and inspirational, this is very perfumed, with smoke and floral notes alongside the dark fruit, and an elegant delicacy to the palate. 'Firm and complex, with different layers of flavours balanced with good alcohol,' noted a happy Riccardo Marcon of Hakkasan Mayfair. Long and persistent in its finish, a welcome food partner. Think pan-seared tuna.
£19.75 Berkmann Wine Cellars
Age and beauty, this entertained from the start. Complex aromatics of citrus, flint, nuts, spices and petrol lead to an elegant body. 'There's a real classic touch of honey, petrol and complexity,' said Filipe Bhering Reis of Barbecoa, adding: 'This is showing some minerality, with a long finish. Awesome!' A versatile food matcher, everything from smoked salmon to Tomme de Savoie cheese or big creamy dishes. You decide!
£11.59 Hallgarten & Novum Wines
Distinctive freshness and tremendous value took this new style for SWA not just to Gold but to the Caspar Auchterlonie award, given each year to the most outstanding fortified wine. Amber in colour, it combines honey and almonds with green notes of eucalyptus, herbs and pine resin. Whether it's to partner foie gras, milk chocolate dessert, or macaroons – or to be added into cocktails – one not to miss. £9/75cl
£9.00 Size: 75cl Boutinot
Not just Gold but a Critics Choice for this fascinating wine. Very fruity and floral, with grapey, mineral notes, the palate is judiciously oaked with a lively panoply of sherbets and minerality. 'Light but well made, with a long finish,' said Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa. Perfect with Thai seafood or miso cod.
£11.17 Hallgarten & Novum Wines
LIcensed to thrill, this turned heads, securing a highly coveted Critics Choice award. 'Complex nutty nose of toast and brioche followed by crisp lemon acidity, mineral and saline notes, and crushed oyster shells. Infused with mature tropical fruit with butterscotch and toasted nuts,' said consultant Ronan Sayburn MS. 'Really hedonistic and moreish,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW.
£85.13 Liberty Wines
A lovely mature style won not just Gold but a Critics Choice gong. 'Very good balance of fruit and biscuity aromas, with flowers, yellow and golden apples, nuts and bread,' said Riccardo Giacomelli of Bocca di Lupo. 'Fresh and vibrant – very opulent,' added Bruno Piane of Babbo. Delightful solo, or try with mushroom risotto or quail.
£24.50 Charles Palmer Vineyards