Sommelier Wine Awards 2012 Winners

Unmistakably Gewurz in both style and perfume.

'Exotic lychee, rose and stone fruit flavours on the nose with a rich, unctuous palate, complete with ripe peach and lychee tones, plus a long finish,' said Angus Macnab, formerly The Lanesborough. Food choices ranged from foie gras on gingerbread to grilled scallop and smoked bacon, but perhaps its most ambitious conquest was the Thai green curry it championed at our food matching tasting (see pXX).

£8.80 Boutinot

Showing some development, all agreed, this is great entry level Riesling.

'Fresh, clean and mineral, with good acidity and a fine balance between the green apple and stone fruit flavours, and almond notes,' said Irina Atanasova, Madison Restaurant.

'Complex, showing some lovely structure – lemon fresh with waxy character,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie. Aperitif or with crustacea or smoked salmon.

£7.45 Boutinot

'Nice, complex bouquet, with floral hints alongside citrus and stone fruits and a touch of beeswax,' said Angus Macnab, formerly The Lanesborough.

'The palate is complex with good texture, fruit and minerality.'

£15.12 Mentzendorff & Co

Plenty on the nose, with aromas of melon, peach, honey and hints of white pepper.

'There's a touch of residual sugar on the ripe mid-palate of honey and apples,' said Galvin La Chapelle's Andrea Bricarello.

'High acidity, well-integrated and balanced with a long aftertaste,' said Madison Restaurant's Irina Atanasova.

'Great for tuna or Asian food.'

£11.60 Boutinot

Floral notes sit alongside ripe peach and apricot flavours, honey and almonds.

'Refreshing sweet style, suitable for honey-roasted meat or even desserts,' said Madison Restaurant's Irina Atanasova.

£12.25 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Great typicity and a versatile food matching capabilities makes this a stand-out. Aromas of violets and iris mix with ripe berries, a pinch of pepper and the garrigue on the nose, leading to a sour red cherry palate with notes of spice.

'Youthful but good,' said The Greenhouse's Sara Bachiorri. For food, think either pan-fried salmon or tuna, or roast pheasant with beetroot.

£9.71 Bibendum

'Lollypop candied red fruit on the nose leads to red fruit on the palate and a dry savoury finish,' said The Glasshouse's Sara Bachiorri.

'Fresh bright aromas; juicy fresh, lively and gluggable,' added consultant Richard Bampfield MW.

£6.30 Boutinot

'Showing a bit of age, this has lots of spices and cherry notes,' said Angus Macnab, formerly The Lanesborough, adding: 'This is very complex and evolved, yet still fresh and vibrant, with an earthy, savoury finish.'

£14.59 Bibendum

Jammy cherry notes on the nose, with very pure dry red berries on a dry, crisp palate and an intense tang for the money.

£6.45 Boutinot

'Very aromatic with delicate notes of rose petal and raspberry, this is tight on the palate with mineral notes, sour cherry and savoury tannins. Will pair well with food,' said Angus Macnab, formerly The Lanesborough.

£8.62 Louis Latour Agencies

A fleshier style of Beaujolais thanks to the judicious use of sweet oak.

'Nice structure with refreshing acidity, this will age well,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie, continuing: 'The fruit is abundant but tight at this stage.'

£16.50 SARL J & S Wilding

'Both herbal and floral with deep cherry fruit and bright acids,' said Sarah Jane Evans MW. Consultant Angus Macnab noted a 'nice floral nose with plenty of violets', while Galvin La Chapelle's Andrea Bricarello felt this was a 'serious food wine'.

£7.15 Hatch Mansfield

With black fruit aromas and a touch of orange zest, the palate sports bright mouthwatering black cherry fruit.

'Food-friendly,' said Sara Bacchiorri, The Glasshouse.

£7.50 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Wonderful savoury complexity to keep the drinker enthralled, with a bouquet of leather, blackcurrants and savoury farmyard aromas. Hints of cinnamon spice and drying tannins balance soft squashy red and black fruts on the palate. While the Northcote's Adam Pawlowski thought it was 'almost New World in style', the Royal Thames Yacht Club's Mariyana Radulova, said it was 'Powerful yet balanced.'

£19.79 Castel

Medium ruby/purple in the glass, this is a great example of what the Right Bank can do. Beginning with aromas of tobacco, red berries and cherry, the enticing balance of cedary spice and red fruits continues onto the palate with a dash of grippy acidity.

'Banqueting wine,' thought Frédéric Billet, consultant. With its nice structure of supporting tannins and smooth finish,' the Rib Room's Louise Gordon spoke for all when she suggested – you guessed it – Rib of Beef!

£7.46 Cavendish Wines

Lime gold in colour, the gentle oak and toasted almonds on the highly aromatic nose run alongside citrus and peach aromas. With two-thirds of the blend being Sauvignon Gris, the palate is creamy with an exotic fruit note alongside lemon spice, following through to a lengthy finish with dry toasty notes.

£9.98 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Precise, youthful and well-defined, said an impressed Kristin Kalmy, The Aubrey at The Kensington Hotel.

'Sweet and appealing dark fruits on the palate, with firm texture and grip,' was journalist Jamie Goode's view.

'This has everything to age beautifully: fine tannic structure, high acidity and the fruit,' said Emilie Courtois.

'I would lay it down and forget about it for a few years.'

£17.07 Castel

Fragrant and enticing, this wine boasted elegance rather than being a blockbuster. Medium ruby with purple glints, this carries a perfumed mix of red petals, and red and black fruits with spicy overtones on the nose. Red and black fruits mix with cedar spice on a well balanced palate.

'Ripe, rich and opulent,' said Practical Matters' Nicola Thomson.

£10.76 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

A breath of fresh air to find cheery Bordeaux at this price.

'While Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister liked the 'red crunchy fruit and well managed tannin', Fionnuala Synnott, Pollen Street Social said, 'Soft, supple and fresh.'
Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson said 'Earthy, quite fruity, juicy, light and grippy. Amazing value.'
In fact, ideal for our Perfect Pub Pair in the By the Glass section.

£4.95 Boutinot

Approachable and seriously complex, this was one of very few wines to do the treble, picking up not just Gold, but a Food Match and Critics Choice. Bramble fruit mixes with fennel, cardamom, graphite and a touch of smoke on the nose. The palate shows medium tannins and elegant cooked fruit, while the garnet tones suggest some ageing, but still a good freshness.

'An amazing choice,' said Terroirs' Emilie Courtois.

£9.98 Enotria&Coe

Medium tawny in colour, this shows menthol top notes on the elegantly aged nose, while leathery flavours mix on the palate with figs and spice, macerated red fruits, firm tannins and long finish.

£21.30 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Complex and heady, there's a 'good balance between barrel age and fruit,' said Marco Feraldi, Galvin La Chapelle. Gentle at the beginning, this builds with juicy plums, a little chocolate, plus cedar notes, good acids and balanced tannins.

£23.74 Bibendum

Fine complexity on the palate matched by nice ripe red and black fruits on the nose and a few vegetal notes. Sweet vanilla from the deft use of oak, fresh acidity and some enticing pine notes make this 'definitely a food wine,' said an impressed Emile Courtois, Terroirs.

£10.78 Castel

'Deep, dark and youthful with lots of potential' was how Kristin Kalmu, The Aubrey at The Kensington Hotel, put it, while Claire Love found 'cassis and blackcurrant leaves on the nose, with dry tannins and lean black fruit on the primary palate, and some menthol-fresh acidity.'

£14.07 Castel

A wine that needs time to be of its best, with an exciting complexity of cigar box, plum confit, blackcurrants and expresso notes on the nose. Handford Wines' Greg Sherwood MW said: 'Classy, with its raspberry and cassis flavours, and depth and breadth'.

£34.50 Freixenet

Medium purple in the glass, plums, cherries and sweet spice aromas hit you first, with soft squashy ripe fruits following on the palate, complete with drying cedar and tobacco tannins, and a fresh finish.

'More elegant,' said an impressed Frédéric Billet, consultant.

£12.00 Boutinot

Welcoming notes of spice and wood on the nose lead to nicely textured palate.

'There's a good balance of spice and fruit on a plummy palate with a woody finish,' said Sandia Chang, Roganic.

£16.43 Enotria&Coe

With raspberry confit on the nose, this is rich and expressive on the palate,' said Greg Sherwood MW, Handford Wines.

'Ripe textured with suave but sweet tannins, this has a lovely mocha chocolate finish.'
Available in the UK via WaverleyTBS.

£15.95 Jean Baptiste Audy

With black fruits aplenty, this has savoury notes, fine, grippy tannins, a dash of liquorice, plus flavours of chocolate and coffee and a long finish.

£9.35 Castel

Elegant and eloquent, this wine mixes floral aromas with savoury truffle notes on the nose. Black fruits on the palate run alongside grippy tannins, finished with a flourish of liquorice.

£12.20 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Gunflint and sherbert notes on the nose run alongside floral notes, leading to a palate with nice acidity and length.

£6.75 Bancroft Wines

'With a beguiling perfume of violets, dried fruit, pot pourri and chocolate, the juicy palate shows great black cherry fruit laced with anise,' said Sandia Chang, Roganic.

'Classic Left Bank – very approachable.'

£17.55 Bibendum

Plenty of ripe tannins to enjoy in this wine, with cedar, dark cherry, plum and sweet spice on the nose.

'Concentrated and elegant,' said Diego Muntoni, OXO Tower Restaurant.

£18.65 Freixenet

A head-turner from the start, this is textbook Chablis.

'Fine, fresh and nutty. Good mouthfeel, with excellent underlying chalkiness, good balance and length,' said Richard Bampfield MW.

'Green, floral aromas with notes of grass and herbs,' added Jan Konetzki, Gordon Ramsay.

'Very pretty example.'
Menu of choice? Shellfish and scallops.

£11.60 Bibendum

A honeyed twist, an expressive nose and serious value gives us our first Chablis Gold.

'Excellent nicely balanced palate with decent weight of fruit and fresh acidity,' said consultant Richard Bampfield MW.'
Ripe pear and citrus flavours and nice crisp finish.'
'Lively and very succulent,' said WineChap Tom Harrow.

'A Chablis with broad appeal.'
Try with white fish in a creamy sauce.

£7.95 Boutinot

'Steely pear and confit lemon nose with soft mango on the palate and clean acidity,' said Louise Gordon, Rib Room.

'Citrus with a savoury touch. Light grapefruit with a little spice and excellent minerality and length,' said Kyri Sotiri, Soho Wine Supply.

'A good expression of terroir,' said Andaz' Joris Beijn. Try with roast turbot with beurre blanc.

£13.50 Charles Hawkins & Partners

Pricey yet impressive, Richard Bampfield MW noted 'lifted expressive oak and almost tropical fruit on the nose'.

'Pear and delicate spice appear in the mid-palate with tight minerality and a very long finish,' said Kyri Sotiri, Soho Wine Supply. Available to the UK on-trade via Liberty Wines.

£37.17 Advini

'Pronounced citrus aromas with a light savoury touch, decent texture and mineral intensity carries the citrus fruit through to a long finish,' said Kyri Sotiri, Soho Wine Supply.

£14.99 Maison Albert Bichot

'Lemon, grapefruit and pear with nice flinty top notes and steely sides.

'Unmistakeably Chablis,' said Louise Gordon, Rib Roomat the Jumeirah Carlton.'
Persistent and refreshing with chalkiness on the finish,' added Richard Bampfield MW.

£9.45

With a grassy note on the nose, this starts restrained and elegant, continuing to a youthful, dry, green apple and citrus-infused palate with breezy acidity.

'Lovely minerality with some depth,' said Fionnuala Synnott, Pollen Street Social.

'A lot of white pepper on the palate,' said Northcote's Adam Pawlowski, adding 'Serve as an aperitif, or with fish, shellfish or salads.'

£6.35 Enotria&Coe

An accomplished, complex Sancerre, with a fine mix of smoke, minerals, soft white fruits, elderflower and citrus notes on the nose.

'Mineral palate of lemon zest and stones, with a lengthy finish and good balance,' said Tom Forrest, Vinopolis, adding 'Waxy notes, apples in the background'.

'Classical Sancerre - elegant and refined,' said Louise Gordon, Rib Room at the Jumeirah Carlton Hotel. Try with prawn cocktail, or seafood.

£15.00 Sogrape UK

With classic Sancerre notes of gooseberry, fresh cut grass and hay, minerals and – of course – cats pee on the nose, this shows a fine acidity and complexity on the palate – think stone fruit, apples, pears and zippy gooseberries – and a medium finish. Goat's cheese salad was the popular match.

£12.75 Laporte

A textured – and many would say, textbook – Sauvignon, this has fresh green characters of Granny Smith, zippy nettley aromas, gooseberry and lime with a streak of minerality. With its soft juicy palate and nice finish, Hamish Anderson's The Tate Group, called it 'Good entry point stuff.'

£7.18 Berkmann Wine Cellars

With flint and gunsmoke on the restrained herbaceous nose, there's 'oranges and satsumas, apricots and peaches on a zingy palate', said Igor Sotric, China Tang at The Dorchester Hotel.

'Quite a classic style,' said consultant Angela Reddin, adding 'the subtle flavours and definition are excellent.'

£9.50 Greene King

With plenty of citrusy length on the palate, the judges liked the lemon zest and apple flavours, hints of stony minerals and grassy notes.

'Smoked bacon, steely nuttiness, lanolin and grapefruit,' noted Diego Muntoni, OXO Tower Restaurant. Might well have gone further, aside from the price.

£23.00 Sogrape UK

Pale garnet in colour, this boasts light earthy aromas of red fruits, with a fine flourish of red cherries and berries on the palate, rose petals, fresh acidity and moderate tannins.

'Elegant and light,' commented Mariyana Radulova, Royal Thames Yacht Club.

£11.50 Bibendum

Plenty of texture and complexity with this expresive wine. An opulent nose of white peach with herbal hints, the palate shows a fine minerality and good, lengthy finish. Already good, would some bottle age help it open up and evolve more?

£11.75 Boutinot

Light and balanced, Mariyana Radulova, Royal Thames Yacht Club, found it 'Elegant, with ripe, white peach on the nose and inviting honeyed notes, leading to a citrus-infused palate with a good long aftertaste.'
White flowers, herbal hints of almonds and chives, and aromas of gooseberry add to the experience.

£12.49 Bibendum

Aromas of cooking apples mix with Turkish Delight and herbal notes on the nose, leading to a palate with ripe apples and pears, punchy acidity, an elegant minerality and a long finish. Available to the UK on-trade via Jascots Wine Merchants.

£11.80 Jascots Wine Merchants

'Green aromas of gooseberry and grass lead to a rounded mineral palate with some ripeness and tropical fruit on this zippy Sancerre,' said Vinopolis' Tom Forrest.

'A strong mineral dryness leads to a refreshing length.'

£10.40 Boutinot

'Lovely clean scents, herbaceous hints and a flinty top note lead through to excellent layering in the mouth,' said consultant Angela Reddin, adding that it 'manages to be crunchy and smooth at the same time – great finish.'

£11.95 Boutinot

After an attractive, sweet jasmine and honey perfumed nose, the palate is juicy and vibrant, with apricot, passionfruit and peach, plus good minerality.

'Could be more complex, but fun as it is,' said consultant Jade Koch.

£5.65 Boutinot

Bright and tangy, as Muscadet should be, with pear fruit on the nose, and a zesty, fresh palate with a dash of perfume.

'Good minerality on the mid-palate and a breezy finish,' said Jade Koch, consultant.

£5.00 Cavendish Wines

The potential of youth impressed the judges here. Already showing great complexity of foresty, earthy notes with fine crunchy red and blackberry fruit, smoked bacon notes, good bitterness and tobacco leaves on the finish.

'The use of oak is noticeable but fairly balanced,' said Xavier Rousset, Texture, while Min Jiang's Felicity Hall enjoyed the 'perfumed violets on the nose, good balance and smooth finish. I'd suggest guinea fowl.'

£13.75 Boutinot

With its autumnal feel and dried-fruit flavours, the elegance and wisdom of age shows in this wine, but it did provoke debate about whether it would work on your list. Sarah Guignard, The French Table, was in favour: 'A really pleasant mature fruit nose. Amazing fruit and tannin balance and moreish on the finish.'
Texture's Xavier Rousset said: 'Good, but expensive. Needs drinking now.'
Game was the food tip.

£48.00 Boutinot

Top drawer wine.

'Beautiful fruit and acidity, with a complex nose and rich palate,' said Xavier Rousset, Texture.

'The fruit jumps from the glass, tinted with spice. Solid core, but so many directions in the mouth. Yum!' said consultant Angela Reddin.

'Stunning, silky, elegant and very complex. Properly structured fruit with a whiff of truffle. A thing of beauty,' said The Arts Club Athila Roos. Game or roast blackleg chicken with morels.

£43.00 Boutinot

Much deliberation, primarily due to price, but eventually the complexity on offer won the panel over.

'Lovely nose with wild berries, leading to a smoky, dry wood forest-scented palate with medium tannins,' said Stéphanie Dhont, The French Table.

'Beautifully mature, showing subtle but pure characters,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

£34.23 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Big with plenty of impact, this has good cherry fruit on the nose alongside meat aromas and hints of rusty nails. The palate sports wild berries, medium tannins, leather and vanilla spice, with several judges feeling that it needed a year or two to be of its best.

£14.77 Enotria&Coe

This has savoury, farmyardy notes on the nose alongside floral, cherry and raspberry aromas. The earthy yet youthful mid-palate features crushed cassis with a hint of cherry, soft tannins and spices.

£9.99 Maison Albert Bichot

With dried cranberry notes on the nose alongside warm spices, the palate has a gentle sweetness, red fruits and soft tannins.

'The oak is present, lifting the fruit a bit,' said Xavier Rousset, Texture.

'The delicious acidity brings the wine to life with a satin-like texture and beautiful perfume. Seductive Burgundy,' said The Arts Club Athila Roos.

£16.61 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Big and bold.

'A complex bouquet of light spices, wood and red fruits leads to a multi-layered vibrant palate with leather and meat notes alongside the fruit,' said Stéphanie Dhont.

'Lovely structure and depth – really intense and long. Fab!' said consultant, Angus Macnab.

£29.99 Alliance Wine

A head-turner, this well balanced wine is juicy and earthy with sweet spices and soft tannins.

'Fennel-scented and very vibrant in the mouth, with gorgeously lifted sweet red fruit. Lovely elegance,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

£20.36 Matthew Clark

A wine with a bright future, this is certainly pleasurable, and journalist Natasha Hughes for one who felt that some bottle age would lend richness to the weight.

'Sure to please,' was Greg Sherwood MW's confident comment about this complex wine. Pear, apple and white peach mix with herbal hints on the nose, while the palate shows 'concentrated green apple and minerals, and superb balance'.

£29.62 Bibendum

Medium ruby in colour, despite the price, the sophistication of this wine won the panel over. Violets and smoky hints mix with savoury notes of meat, blood and iron on a complex nose.

'Balanced white pepper and floral, berry fruits,' said Vinopolis' Tom Forrest of the palate, while The Chester Grovenor's Garry Clark noted the 'rich, jammy red fruity character and firm balanced tannins'.

£26.50 Boutinot

Serious complexity on an elegant framework, the one the guys wanted to take home. With coffee, spicy, tobacco, walnuts and savoury aromas alongside the fruit confit on the nose, I can see why.

'Silky, voluptuous palate with real character,' said Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward. 'Excellent flavours,' said Searcys Club's Antoine Faucheux, while consultant Angela Reddin simply said: 'I love it.'

£19.00 Boutinot

A fresh food-friendly complexity gave this attractive well-balanced white the edge. There's aromatic pear, exotic fruit aromas and floral notes on the nose alongside a light citrus fruit zest. While Terroirs' Emilie Courtois appreciated the 'lovely salinity' on the palate, consultant Jamie Goode felt it was 'stylish and expansive with precise flavours and good acidity'.

£10.89 Bibendum

One for the decanter, this complex, layered wine shows a perfect balance between fruit, tannins and acidity.

'Cherry and blackberry on a lightly spiced nose leads to a full similarly-fruited palate,' said Hakkasan's Serdar Balkaya, while colleague Roberto Loppi appreciated the chocolate and vanilla notes.

£11.50 Bancroft Wines

Unfussy and flavoursome – and excellent value left our panel in no doubt, this was Gold material. Black fruit flavours with hints of spice and a medicinal note to the nose. On the palate, consultant Sarah Jane Evans MW said: 'Very juicy, with a mocha note. Very fun - good House Wine,' while consultant Peter McCombie MW simply said 'Gutsy!' Food matches range from pub classic shepherds pie to plum crumble.

£5.40 Boutinot

Restrained and elegant, Angela Reddin felt this was 'very smart and ripe. Still very tight but all the elements are there,' while Texture's Xavier Rousset said 'Good concentration of fruit, spice, plums and liquorice. The alcohol is present but kept under control.'

£15.95 Bancroft Wines

Deep and dense, with a spicy, brambly nose, big, firm tannins and good, balanced acidity.

'Juicy and fresh, this needs food – flesh!' was consultant Peter McCombie MW's comment, while Michael Harrison recommended decanting to make the most of this savoury, mineral-infused wine.

£8.44 Bibendum

'Expressive on the nose with aromas of violet, blueberry and a touch of black pepper,' said Vivat Bachus' Laura Ward. On the palate, this has spicy tannins, plenty of red currants and cherries, plus good acidity and balance.

'Easy to drink, at this price it's a good entry Northern Rhône,' said Julien Sahut, China Tang at The Dorchester.

£7.85 Hatch Mansfield

'Fresh taut and characterful,' said journalist Jamie Goode of this good value Rhône, with a nose of white flowers and apricots and a creamy palate. Claire Love, Loves Restaurant, liked the warmth of ripe stone fruit balanced by the green apple skins' acidity.

'Good all round classy wine,' said Greg Sherwood MW, Handford Wines.

£6.25 Boutinot

Honey, quince and yellow fruit aromas mix with nutty, oxidative notes on the nose, while the palate shows a complex blend of sweet lemon and peach, savoury notes and pear and ripe apple.

'A hand sell, but worth it,' said Greg Sherwood MW, Handford Wines. Try with halibut with capers.

£29.30 Mentzendorff & Co

Despite the price, this wowed the judges. A complex nose of rosemary, black pepper and mint is backed-up by a well-structured wine with powerful tannins, red and black fruits, plus notes of spice and herbs.

'A sublime wine,' said the Tate Group's Gustavo Medina.

£47.75 Boutinot

More complexity, with honied fig and quince notes mixing with melon, vanilla and musk. Good depth with a fresh, fruity broad palate. While The Kensington Hotel's Kristin Kalmu felt the wine was still 'very young', consultant Jamie Goode felt the wine had a 'lovely personality'.

£15.25 Boutinot

'Amazing aromatics,' said an impressed Jamie Goode, consultant. With exotic peach, pear and spice, the elegant palate is 'powerful, expressive, nutty and lively, with good acids,' he said.

'So complex and broad, this is a lovely wine.'

£22.75 Boutinot

With its thyme and rosemary nose, good concentration and well balanced, medium body, this impressed the judges. The Tate Group's Gustavo Medina like the 'mature tannins and long length'.

£11.70 Boutinot

Plenty to write home about here, although it might need a bit of time to open up.

'Blackberries and chocolate biscuits and a touch of spiciness on an elegant nose,' said Hakkasaon's Roberto Loppi, before adding: 'The palate is elegant with good structure, velvetty tannins and good length.'

£10.80 Bibendum

Youthful 'but so gorgeous,' said consultant Angela Reddin, speaking for all.

'With its lifted open nose, aromas of smoke and game, this has bright, beautifully layered fruits and spice and oak,' she explained.

'One for food', thought The French Table's Sarah Guignard.

£17.17 Bibendum

Intensely purple in colour, ripe aromas of black fruits mix with smoky spicy hints.

'White pepper spice, smoky, spicy dark berries on the palate with good minerality,' said Vinopolis' Tom Forrest.

'Great balance,' added Michael Deschamps, Marcus Wareing.

£10.98 Alliance Wine

'Intensely fruity on the nose, with layers of smoky minerality,' said Hakkasan's Serdar Balkaya.

'Typical pepper spice on a sweet palate with well integrated oak, good length and acidity' added Hotel du Vin's Michael Harrison.

£7.00 Boutinot

Lively, exotic, nutty and waxy, this shows interesting yellow fruit on a medium-bodied, fresh palate with hints of honey and herbs and a long finish.

£14.25 Boutinot

'Superb value and balance, this has delicate white pepper notes and a lengthy finish. Excellent wine,' said James Hocking, Vineyard at Stockcross.

£5.93 Hatch Mansfield

Yet another palate-pleaser from the talented Jean-Luc. James Hocking enjoyed the 'lovely opulence and balance', citing the 'good use of spicy and oak', while Marco Carboni found it 'powerful'.

£7.10 Hatch Mansfield

'Delicate, fresh and textured, with white peach and pear fruit,' said consultant Jamie Goode, adding that it was 'dry with lovely weight in the mouth and a soft nutty finish.'

£10.30 Hatch Mansfield

Universally popular, Texture's Xavier Rousset thought this was a good ad for Southern Rhône. Raspberry and damson fruits on the nose lead to a round, rich, smooth and spicy palate, full of fruit with hints of crushed pepper and savoury notes.

£14.68 Hatch Mansfield

An elegant, accomplished Cotes du Rhone with much ageing ability. Cherries, plums and blackcurrant compote lead the flavour charge, with a lick of savoury sophistication to balance the flavours.

£11.09 Bibendum

Excellent fruit definition with delightful plums and red cherries balanced with refreshing acidity on a medium-bodied palate with hints of cinnamon.

'Elegant and smooth,' said Marco Carboni, Broad Street Kitchen.

£7.92 Hatch Mansfield

Deep purple in the glass, this has ripe aromas of dark berries with smoky spice and meaty, savoury elements. The latter continues on to the palate to blend with more dark fruits, black pepper and spice.

'Good balance,' said an approving Mariyana Radulova, Royal Thames Yacht Club.

£12.71 Hatch Mansfield

Ripe and precise with pithy, exotic fruit flavours of quince, baked apple alongside floral notes and cherry blossom.

'Very lively with nice precision,' said consultant Jamie Goode.

£15.00 Mentzendorff & Co

Baked lemon curd and melon mix with classic Viognier notes of peaches, pears, overlaid with hints of honeysuckle.

'The precise and textured palate shows lovely fruit and good acidity,' said journalist Jamie Goode.

£11.25 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Decidedly food friendly, this shows some evolution on the nose, with damson and plums alongside herbaceous tea leaves. The palate has black fruits, sturdy tannins, pepper spice, plus relatively high alcohol but good acidity.

'Try with beef stew,' suggested Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri.

£9.06 Enotria&Coe

Everyone liked something different about this wine. For Terroirs' Emilie Courtois it was 'the mouthfeel and the finish. It is very fresh, with a great minerality' 'The nose is outstanding,' said consultant Joe Wadsack,' showing lovely apricot and peach notes.'
'This is relaxed southern French class,' said Kofler and Kompanie's Nigel Lister, 'Lovely, juicy, peachy flavour. Delicious.'

£9.10 Greene King

Rich yellow-golden in colour, the sheer quality of the aromatics lifts this wine. Buttery notes alongside seriously ripe stone fruits and almonds on the nose lead to a creamy, soft and juicy palate with good length.

'Rich and very well balanced, I would pair it with similarly aromatic Asian dishes,' said Terroirs' Emilie Courtois.

'Very attractive,' said consultant Joe Wadsack. Available to UK on-trade via Liberty Wines.

£6.95 Advini

Perfume and a 'beautiful structure' won the day with this elegant white. A fresh nose of nectarines and fresh citrus mingles with mimosa blossom, nuts and a light butteriness, while the multi-layered palate is long and well balanced. Think Dover Sole or other aristocratic white fish.

£10.35 Enotria&Coe

Bright, juicy red cherries and brambly fruit with vanilla notes, delicate tannins, and a 'fair length. This is 'young, modern and lively,' said Terroirs' Emilie Courtois.

'Suave finish,' added Olivier Marie, Coq d'Argent.

£5.56 Castel

Showing good development on the nose with its complex mix of oak, plums and spice, Hakkasan's Philippe Loiseau liked the 'elegant, masculine, aged character,' commenting 'lovely finish'. A touch of 'bretty grip', said Peter McCombie MW, noting the 'uncompromising but ripe tannins'.

£11.00 Boutinot

Fresh black cherry and blackcurrant/cassis notes on the nose lead to a 'light, lively palate with a spicy finish,' said Sara Bachiorri, The Glasshouse, adding 'It shows great character and depth of fruit for such a price.'

£5.75 Alliance Wine

Highly aromatic with jasmine mixing with apricots and light honey, followed by a well-textured, well-balanced palate with more stone fruit and orange citrus fruit and good length. Available to UK on-trade via Liberty Wines.

£7.95 Advini

Tropical fruits on the nose alongside floral hints, the palate is fresh palate with good length, fine minerality and a zesty finish.

'The nose has a seashell hint that I enjoy,' said Terroirs Emilie Courtois.

'Very well balanced.'

£5.60 Boutinot

Earthy, smoky and savoury, this has good tannins on a fresh palate.

'Generous, bold and fruity on the nose, this has squashed plum and damsons on the palate,' says consultant Peter McCombie MW.

'A bit rustic but delicious.'

£6.85 Castel

Fine minerality sets this wine apart.

'With its floral nose, almond and mineral notes, this has a lovely texture with great fruit and a slatey grip,' said Nigel Lister, Kofler and Kompanie.

'The palate is balanced with ripe pineapple and stone fruits,' said Guillaume Mahaut, The Jugged Hare.

£8.86 Bibendum

Very floral on the nose, this has lovely pineapple, apple and quince flavours on the palate. With its broad texture and good length, Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri liked 'the pleasant acidic crunch on the finish.'

£6.85 Castel

From a lesser known region of the Languedoc, this boasts citrus and quince notes on the nose, leading to a textured palate.

'There's a lovely crisp minerality with a linear, smooth richness,' said Joe Wadsack. Try with chicken or fish in a light sauce.

£7.31 Bibendum

Predominantly Vermintino - locally known as Rolle – with a splash of Ugni Blanc, this has a rich textured palate, with hints of flint, smoky notes, a pleasant minerality and a refreshing citrus finish.

£8.95 Boutinot

Concentrated and intense, with an earthy, jammy, red berry nose, this has grippy tannins on a dry but balanced palate with dark red and black fruits.

£9.35 Enotria&Coe

Light and elegant, this has aromas of jasmine and peaches, while the palate sports apricot jam and orange zest, and a decent length.

£7.73 Bibendum

Plenty of aged character alongside the cranberry and redcurrant profile.

'Meaty on the nose, with raisins and dry fruit, fine tannins and good complexity' said Diego Muntoni, OXO Tower Restaurant.

£13.50 Boutinot

Texture, vibrancy and toasty oak steal the limelight here. Kicking off with a fabulous bouquet of minerals, white peach, quince, floral notes, lemon and mandarin, a rich, youthful palate with a long finish follows. Despite its attractive approachability now, due to the 'deft use of oak' and 'tangy acidity', most felt it would get even better with a bit more age.

£15.29 Sogrape UK

A 'classic Burgundy' with great 'personality', this shows an elegant balance of ripe melon and fragrant pineapple flavours, zingy acidity and flinty minerality. Peter McCombie MW felt it had 'very good concentration and length, and a very fresh backbone,' while Galvin La Chapelle's Andrea Bricarello recommended both turbot and chicken as ideal matches.

£38.50 Boutinot

With its 'smoky minerality', unimpeachable balance, and fine complexity, this caught the judges' eye.

'Nice hazelnut butter nose, with a round palate and a great mineral finish,' said an impressed Antoine Dugand, Pont de la Tour. 'Lovely wine with some upfront oak balanced with lively freshness,' said consultant Peter McCombie MW.

£19.95 Alliance Wine

Shining now, but with a bright future ahead, this zingy yet elegant Saint Véran charmed the judges. Orchard and floral aromas mix on a spring-like nose with a pleasant hint of fennel.

'Citric fruits give way to a slightly textured palate,' said Matthew Cocks, Cubitt House.

'Very bright and clean. Youthful with a long mineral finish,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

£10.76 Bibendum

With fine minerality, good structure and intensity, this is 'classic young Burgundy,' said Madison's Irina Atanasova.

'Expansive and mouthfilling, oak dominates and it is still a little raw but will settle,' said Matthew Cocks, Cubitt House, adding 'If you like it now, you will love it in three to five years.'

£19.99 Maison Albert Bichot

With a 'salty sea breeze nose with white flowers and wet rocks', Galvin La Chapelle's Andrea Bricarello liked the 'good citrus and apple notes', while consultant Peter McCombie MW found himself a fan of the 'fresh crispness on the palate. A little steely, with good balance.'

£7.96 Hatch Mansfield

Gentle lees aromas mingle with white stone fruit and bacon notes, leading to a palate with more punch, combining buttery notes, richness and minerality with a long finish.

£9.50 Maison Albert Bichot

Bacon notes and oak on a vibrant nose herald an intense experience, and the palate doesn't disappoint.

'Rich with creamy tones and a pleasant, fruit finish,' said Sarah Guignard, The French Table.

£16.00 Boutinot

Lovely oak embraces ripe fruit, fennel-like aromas, nougat flavours and fabulous acidity on a medium-bodied complex palate.

'The fruit overflows the palate. Sensational richness. Pure class,' said Angela Reddin, consultant.

£32.50 Boutinot

'Nutty, complex, elegant and long,' was Andrea Bricarello's succinct summary.

'Roaring leaping citrus fruit nose with lemon thyme, white nectarine and kumquat. Delicious, decadent fruit and oak marriage that glides along a fine mineral path,' was consultant Angela Reddin's lengthier description.

£21.17 Matthew Clark

Another felt to be a touch young, with perhaps its best years' ahead, this elegantly spicy wine still proved popular.

'Pleasant biting palate and clean, steel-like finish,' said Sarah Guignard, The French Table.

'Elegant, classic, if a bit pricey,' said Antoine Dugand, Gordon Ramsay.

'Potentially very good,' said consultant Peter McCombie MW.

£21.50 Boutinot

A delicate, attractive nose leads to a 'lemony, round and fresh palate with a great finish,' said Antoine Dugand, Pont de la Tour.

'Very good value.'

£6.99 Maison Albert Bichot

Beauty and the balance won Dreissigacker Gold.

'Light straw in colour, this has a warm, ripe fruity nose, sweet mid-palate, good body and lingering finish,' said Nick Chiu, Anderida at Ashdown Park.

'Rich and honeyed, with complex mineral flavours alongside the tropical fruit, this is effortless with beautiful balance,' said consultant Natasha Hughes. Great with calamri, Chinese stir fry or Asian crab dishes.

£14.50 Liberty Wines

Fantastic to see Axel Pauly, this rising star of the German wine world scoop not only Gold but a Critics' Choice award. Refreshing and balanced, this marries the minerality of some of the Mosel's steepest slate slopes with pure stone fruit from a low yielding year. Fresh and understated, the apples, zingy acidity and mineral and citrus flavours come together beautifully with what River Cafe's Emily O'Hare calls a 'tickle of sweetness'.

£9.95 Liberty Wines

Gold in the glass and Gold on the podium, this is aromatic on the nose, with a fine flourish of citrus and tropical fruits. Its floral, honeyed character runs alongside a good minerality, leading through to a long finish.

'Fresh, bright and complex, the palate is tingling with tension,' said River Café's Emily O'Hare. Try with pork ribs or in milk and sage.

£14.08 Liberty Wines

The 'balanced harmony of flavours' (Maria Rodriguez) is what set this wine apart. With its blend of honeydew melon, Golden Delicious apples, stone fruit, honeyed notes and 'perfect acidity', this was a judge's delight.

'Meticulous ageing reveals a complex bouquet, ranging from very ripe fruit through to marmalade, with the palate perfectly reflecting the nose,' said Galvin La Chapelle's Marco Feraldi. Rodriguez recommended braised chicken in banana leaf, mango with foie gras, or camembert fondue.

£13.37 Enotria&Coe

'With apples, lemons and flowers on the nose, this is off-dry with pleasing apple and lemon flavours, fresh acidity and good length,' said consultant Peter McCombie MW.

£9.95 Liberty Wines

Pale and delicate PInot character to the fore, with fresh crunchy redcurrants, raspberry leaf and a touch of minerality on the palate. A lighter style of German red with soft tannins and a marshmallow-creamy finish.

£9.95 Liberty Wines

With the merest whiff of kerosene, this has an appealing freshness that cuts through the sweet fruit.

'Nice balance of zesty acid and fruit,' said Peter McCombie MW, consultant. Try with octopus with paprika or Epoisse cheese, suggested Maria Rodriguez, consultant.

'Yes, cheese!'

£12.47 Bibendum

Polished and poised, a complex nose shows kerosene development, alongside tropical notes, quince and flowers, while the palate shows fine texture, minerals, and a trace of residual sugar on a good finish. Nick Chiu, Anderida at Ashdown Park, remarked that this wine was a 'mere youth' and there was more to come.

£20.17 Liberty Wines

Typically floral notes accompany the ripe tropical fruit and soapy mineralty. Packed with citrus and apricot flavours on the palate, the finish is long and pink grapefruit flavoured.

'Lipsmacking finish,' said Nick Chiu, Anderida at Ashdown Park.

£10.43 Enotria&Coe

Vibrant, refreshing, elegant and intensely tropical, this shows white blossoms and herbs on the nose.

'Nicely balanced with good minerality and a pleasant twist of bitter pith on the finish. A food wine,' said consultant Natasha Hughes.

£14.65 Matthew Clark

Quite a lean yet fresh Grüner Veltliner, with herbaceous hints alongside delicate mango and pear fruit, and a reasonably long finish.

'Good and uncomplicated – an easy drinking aperitif,' said Nick Chiu, Anderida at Ashdown Park.

£8.25 Alliance Wine

With its delicate citrus and floral aromas, this pretty wine shows good acidity and a juicy finish. But don't let the subtlety put you off. Etrusca Restaurant's Luigi Buonanno reckons this will match both lobster and seafood in general.

£7.50

Deep purple in the glass, this shouts bright red raspberries and cherries, while the pleasantly structured palate has grippy tannins, herbaceous notes, and soft menthol notes. Perfect with savoury stews and vegetable goulash.

£5.39 Hatch Mansfield

Light, fresh and fruity, with 'big florality of red fruits,' according to Louise Gordon, this is the ultimate easy drinker.

'Slightly confected fruit,' noted Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks, adding that 'this selection is more about customers' value for money than our margin. Good for gastropubs.'

£3.60 Majestic Commercial

All marvelled at the value of this wine.

'Good rich compote of black fruits on the nose with a dash of vanilla thrown in and a reasonable long finish,' said Angela Reddin, consultant.

'Dark plum fruit and a ripe, yet firm tannin structure,' said Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks, adding that it would be perfect with 'a ribeye steak on a cheeky mid-week night out'.

£4.50 Majestic Commercial

It is perhaps no surprise that this extremely well priced New World Pinot should come from those Chilean maestros of this fickle grape. Fresh strawberries and plums on both nose and lightly-structured palate are wrapped up with cedary hints and balanced savoury characteristics. Equally at home flying solo or accompanying light-flavoured dishes, what's not to like?

£4.20 CyT UK

Floral aromas mix with damson and vanilla on the nose leading through to a balanced palate with a fresh, herby finish.

'Good extraction with black cherry and good depth,' said Luigi Buonanno, Etrusca.

'This has personality,' added consultant, Natasha Hughes, while Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister was all for siting down with tomato risotto and goats cheese.

£4.80 Lanchester Wine Cellars

Violet with ruby hints,' noted Terroirs' Emilie Courtois, saying 'It looks young and light but with its spicy vegetal character, the nose suggests some ageing.'
With its 'ripe plummy fruit, juicy mid-palate light savoury touch to the delicate mineral line and good length,' Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri was precise in his food tip: beef!

£5.00 Boutinot

'Delicate vegetal nose with hints of red berries, good earthy characters and stewed dark fruit. Soft mouthfeel, soft tannins – all the makings of a good House Wine,' said Anderida's Nick Chiu. Minty overtones, soft vanilla and spicy notes all add to the depth of this great value number.

'Try with savoury sausage dishes,' was Vinopolis' Tom Forrest's tip.

£5.00 Boutinot

Great to see such an elegantly perfumed character coming through at this price.

'Black cherries dominate, with hints of caraway and cacao. Juicy red fruit with gentle grip. Refreshing,' said Jan Konetzki, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. Happy solo, this will work wonderfully with cured meats and simply cooked, unsauced dishes.

£4.18 Majestic Commercial

Refreshing style with its charming cherry fruit, high acidity and medium tannins. Cabernet Franc-like in weight, this has a slightly dried red-fruited palate, with cherries, plums and spice thrown in for good measure.

'This is amazing value for money,' said Irina Atanasova, Madison. Ideal with bar bites – nuts, olives, crisps, Scotch eggs – or chips.

£3.74 Majestic Commercial

Ripe and open with expansive cranberry fruit on the nose, this matches redcurrant and plum fruit with savoury influences on a soft palate, throwing in a few vanilla notes, cloves and nuts, and closing with a bit of grip on the finish. Foodwise, Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister felt there'd be nothing better than mullet in tomato bouillabaise.

£4.60 Boutinot

Fleshy red and black berry fruit with a little oak and hints of pine on a light to medium body. Borough Wines' Gergely Barsi-Szabo noted 'light spice on the palate, along with good red fruit and polished tannins'.

£4.25 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'A medium bodied mix of very piercing red and black fruit,' said Matthew Cocks, Cubitt House.

'With its generous flavours, this is a highly drinkable house wine.'
'Cranberry on the nose with a crunchy palate,' added consultant, Angela Reddin.

£4.21 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Minty, leafy notes alongside crushed, ripe raspberries and wood on the nose, lead to a 'delicate palate of cranberies and tomato,' said Terroirs' Emilie Courtois, adding 'Quite light on the palate, but good balance'.

£5.37 Hatch Mansfield

'Would almost make you think that you had not been poured the House Wine! Abundant dark fruits, supple texture and some drying tannins on the finish,' said Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks.

'Well packaged and produced.'
Available to UK on-trade via Molson Coors.

£5.00 Advini

'Well-balanced, easy-going House Red,' said Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri. With its stewed fruit on the nose, light, bright sour cherry fruit on the palate, lightly herbaceous touch and soft tannins, it's also fantastic value for money.

£3.58 Greene King

While Hakkasan's James Teng said this was 'Rounded and approachable, with plenty of ripe fruit,' the OXO Tower Restaurant's Diego Muntoni particularly liked the red cherry and delightful balance.

£5.49 Alliance Wine

Hints of smoke and buckets of plums and blackcurrants give a lovely mouthfeel to this rich, juicy wine, with its fruity, creamy finish.

'A flavour bomb!' said consultant Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£4.75 Boutinot

Deep purple in the glass, with cherry, spice and hints of menthol on the nose, the palate sports medicinal cherry and dark fruit with a touch more spice. Medium in length, this offers tremendous value.

£3.45 Cavendish Wines

While Louise Gordon, Rib Room at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower, liked the 'spicy red fruits and nicely held structure', the ETM Group's Guillaume Mahaut said: 'With its perfumed raspberry nose, there's a perfect balance of soft tannins, soft summer fruits and praline. Great value.'

£5.00 Boutinot

'Perfumed purple fruits with a juicy red berry palate and soft tannins,' said Louise Gordon, Rib Room at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower, while Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri noted the 'savoury, herbal aromas and excellent structured palate. Fruit and spice follow through to an excellent finish.'

£4.50 Boutinot

Blackcurrants and brown spices with a juicy stewed red fruit palate and medium tannins. While Richard Bampfield MW felt that the full-flavoured wine 'needs food', the Northcote's Adam Pawlowski said, 'Solid effort! This is fruity and easy to drink.'

£4.65 Boutinot

Red cherry joins with blackberry and mineral notes on the nose while the palate sports sweet ripe red fruit character and some grip.

'Well balanced with good tannin structure, this has a fresh acidity and nice spicing,' said Northcote's Adam Pawlowski.

£4.35 Boutinot

Ruby red in colour, this is fruity on the nose, with vibrant crunchy fruit on the palate. Well-rounded and not too heavy, the vote on the food-front was for a naked steak.

£5.25 Patriarche Wine Agencies

Value to the fore here, but flavour has not been left behind. With its bright red raspberry and cranberry nose, pleasant plum and cherry fruit on a light palate and its good finish, this is an easy-going crowd-pleaser.

£3.64 Greene King

Floral notes alongside red fruit and herbal hints lead through to a 'generous, ripe palate with supple tannins and a decent finish', said consultant Natasha Hughes.

£4.36 CyT UK

With its dusky floral aromas, this has a ripe, juicy red- and blue-berried palate with a touch of herbaceousness, heathery notes, some firm tannins and a good finish.

'House Wine does not need only to be about sweet fruit compote,' said a happy Matthew Cocks, Cubitt House.

£5.00 Boutinot

'With its open plummy nose and warm juicy style, this is well made and priced,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

'With a seductive texture and well-woven tannins, I would be happy to have this as a house pour,' said Matthew Cocks, Cubitt House.

£5.08 Majestic Commercial

Almost rosé-like in colour, this is a light House Red that might well enjoy being served at cellar temperature. With its strawberry and bitter cherry flavours, this is low on acidity and tannin.

£4.40 Boutinot

An intriguing nose of roasted red plums and sweet confected fruit leads to a palate with dense blackcurrrants and hot warm spice.

£4.40 Boutinot

Plenty of complexity for your buck. Smoky and savoury notes join 'macerated cherries, cardamom, spice and ginger on the nose, leading to a palate packed with red fruits, liquorice and spice, soft but sturdy tannins, and good length,' said Practical Matters' Nicola Thomson.

£4.16 Treasury Wine Estates

With its bright red fruit nose, this is a light, fresh wine, with smooth raspberry fruit, some sweetness on the palate, and a splash of vanilla oak on the finish.

£4.16 Treasury Wine Estates

Touch of terroir coming through here, along with blackberries and herbs on the nose, and a little tomato leaf on the palate.

'Good for an Italian restaurant,' thought Terroirs' Emilie Courtois, adding 'ragu, etc,' by way of explanation.

£4.29 Majestic Commercial

Great balance between ripe red and black fruits on the nose and palate with spicy, savoury notes, tobacco (pipe) and oak.

£4.24 Encomienda de Cervera

Floral and brambly, with some sweet oak flavours on the ripe, round palate, this has 'a great mouthfeel and a good, dark cherry finish,' said Sarah Guignard, The French Table.

£4.29 CyT UK

As well as the good intensity of sweet spice and dark red fruit on the nose, and the slightly sweet and smoky palate, The Rookery's Mark Angell noted: 'plenty of fresh plums and cherries', and a 'lovely mouthfeel'.

£5.00 Boutinot

With plenty of leather and stewed fruit on the nose, the palate is lightly structured with grainy tannins and hints of spice.

£5.06 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Ripe plums and red berries feature strongly throughout, with a fair mineral and tannic line. Medium in both intensity and acidity, the finish is good.

£5.42 Alliance Wine

Bright red cranberry fruit on the nose, leads to a palate with some warmth and rusticity, a herbaceous red fruit character, hints of mint and light spicing to the finish.

£4.45 Boutinot

Raspberry and redcurrant aromas lead to a soft, juicy palate with a light savoury touch and delicate tannins on the mid-palate. A touch rustic.

£3.95 Boutinot

For the money alone, this would be a hard act to beat, but this rosé has definite food prospects too. Very pale in colour, while the nose boasts floral and sweet berry aromas, the palate is off-dry, with strawberry compote, a hint of spice, and a long length. And the food? Angela Reddin's vote was for rillettes with kumquat sauce. Mmmm!

£4.67 Eurowines

Medium deep pink/orange in colour, this is quite light and fresh with great balance.

'The light tannins plus salty finish lift the wine and not only make it good as an aperitif, but also paired with charcuterie,' said Terroirs' Emilie Courtois, while The Glasshouse's Sara Bachiorri was thinking seabass or salads with prawns – 'but not too much sauce'.

£4.35 Boutinot

Deep pink in the glass, this sports tinned strawberries on the nose alongside a whiff of tomato leaf. Made in an off-dry style the herbal notes continue alongside light red berries on the palate.

£5.50 Enotria&Coe

Glowing cerise in the glass, there's candyfloss on the nose and plenty of redcurrants and raspberrieson the palate with a long, crisp finish.

'Easy drinking and good for By the Glass,' said China Tang's Xavier Chapelou.

£3.64 Greene King

With rich fruit aromas and lots of red fruit flavour for the money embellished with a lick of vanilla, the acidity proved a touch high for some of the judges.

£4.99 Hatch Mansfield

With welcoming aromas leading to a good weight of ripe strawberries on the palate, this rosé finishes with a dry flourish.

£5.49 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'A more delicate style,' said The Greenhouse's Sara Bachiorri of this bright pink, dry number. With red berries and soft fruits, 'This just delivers a bit of sunshine,' said The Boundary's Chris Delalonde MS.

£4.42 Majestic Commercial

Universal approval, and not just because of the astonishing price.

'Light and fresh with light red fruits,' said Hawksmoor's Liam Davey.

'Lovely fruit-forward nose, with good acidity and length,' added Terroirs' Emile Courtois.

£3.45 Cavendish Wines

It's the elegance that took this wine to the top. Delightful freshness on a beautifully perfumed nose with nettles and subtle minerality leads to a fresh mix of tropical and orchard fruit with floral notes on a dry palate.

'A lifted acidity carries the flavours to the long finish,' said an impressed Northcote's Adam Palowski. Try with canapés, anchovies or Caesar Salad.

£4.36 CyT UK

Trivento does the double, scoring two Golds in this year's Awards with this winsome off-dry Torrontés.

'Very grapey and floral,' said consultant, Angus MacNab.

'The subtle aromatics are followed by fun blends of exotic fruits, leading into a good, clean medium finish,' said Nick Chiu, Anderida at Ashdown Park. Foodwise, Chiu reckoned it was 'a great all-rounder for Asian foods'. And happy to go solo too, I'd wager.

£5.00 CyT UK

A Gold medal winning variety show of clear, crisp fruit flavours here. Showing plenty of New World zest – think pineapples and greengage – alongside stone fruit and gooseberry, this has both balance and a long clean, aromatic finish.

'Good supporting acidity and varietally correct – leaves you wanting more,' was Vavat Bacchus' Laura Ward's verdict, while James Hocking, Vineyard at Stockcross said: 'A well-made, vibrant style. A real treat!'

£5.00 Boutinot

And so the first of the House White Golds arrives, and very pretty it is too. With crisp pear and peach alongside citrus grapefruit and floral notes on the nose, this is well made with a bit of a spritz and great freshness. Good concentration, a bright natural acidity and a clean finish makes it food friendly too. Think simple white fish dishes, Asian salads or spring vegetables.

£3.45 Cavendish Wines

What shone here and won Tabalí Gold was ambition: a tricky grape done commendably well at a very good price. This is aromatic and exotic with 'peach, apricot, honey, almonds, long acidity and a pleasant finish,' according to Madison's Irina Atanasova.

'Melon and pineapple on a very ripe palate,' added consultant Angus MacNab.

£5.00 Boutinot

The nose is vibrantly complex, with tropical fruits, peach kernel, floral notes and tomato leaf alongside angelica, fennel and bitter sweet nuances.

'The palate is rich, with a good layering of fruit and minerals, and a splash of umami,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

'Still young but a very long finish,' said Hakkasan's Roberto Loppi.

£5.08 Berkmann Wine Cellars

With plenty of ripe tropical fruit – think passionfruit, mango, melon and kiwifruit – with a touch of tart citrus peel and kumquat, this is great By the Glass material. Marco Carboni (Broad Street Kitchen) enjoyed the 'gentle palate and elegant aromatics, with its mature notes of honey, dried flowers and peaches'.

£4.47

Unlike many cheap Pinot Grigios, this is exuberantly intense on both nose and palate, with good minerality. 'You can alsmost smell the soil on the nose,' say Terroirs' Emilie Courtois.

'Well balanced, with lime and lemon flavours,' said Gustavo Medino, Tate Group.

'Easy to drink.'

£4.63

Wonderfully complex treat from what must be one of the first dry Pedro Ximenez to hit the UK. Floral perfume and leafy, herbal notes on the nose, lead to a delicate, medium bodied palate full of passionfruit, gooseberry and white peach. Zesty with hints of oak, well-balanced acidity, this has a creamy smoothness and good length.

£5.23 Enotria&Coe

Zesty with a green tinge to both its aromas and palate flavours, this is 'delicate, fresh, food-friendly and good value,' said Xavier Chapelou, China Tang at The Dorchester.

'Try with hake and crushed potatoes,' suggested The Lawn Bistro's Ollie Couillaud.

£3.60 Majestic Commercial

Intense aromas of fresh apples, pears and tinned fruit imbued with a hint of honey lead through to a light yet ripe palate. Well balanced and zippy, this is definitely more of a Pinot Grigio style than Pinot Gris, and none the worse for it.

£5.17 Alliance Wine

Lemon and lime in character with herbacious, grassy notes, this is aromatic and dry, with crisp lemon acidity and medium length. A great value easy drinker.

£4.00 Boutinot

The ripe apple and citrus notes with hints of cream on the nose lead to a ripe stone-fruited palate with good acidity.

'Interesting,' said Julien Mahut, China Tang at The Dorchester.

£5.00 Boutinot

With classic Sauvignon Blanc character, the minerality and grassy green notes, alongside passion fruit and mineral undertones follow through onto the palate, with good fruit acidity and balance.'

£5.31 Hatch Mansfield

With citrus and yellow-fruit flavours on the nose, this is off-dry and mellow.

'A refreshing easy drinker,' said consultant Richard Bampfield MW.

£4.18 Majestic Commercial

Elegant and delicate on the nose, with floral and grapefruit citrus notes. Hakkasan's Serdar Balkaya found floral and tropical fruit flavours on the crisp palate.

'Attractively fruity with an easy drinkability,' said consultant Peter McCombie MW.

£4.45 Boutinot

With a powerful nose of fruits and flowers, this wine punches above its weight.

'The zesty taste of lemon, lime and stone fruits comes with a good balance of acidity and a clean, long finish,' said Gustavo Medina, Tate Group.

£5.05 Treasury Wine Estates

While Marco Carboni (Broad Street Kitchen) enjoyed the 'tropical white and yellow fruit and the pleasant, smooth finish', James Hocking (Vineyard at Stockcross) thought this 'zippy and fun'.

£4.16 Treasury Wine Estates

Gentle apple zest aromatics on the nose lead to a textured palate with white fruit alongside streaks of lime and good, balanced acidity.

£4.73 Enotria&Coe

Aromatic and textured with good Gewurz characteristics.

'Rose petals on the nose and a richly flavoured palate with a creamy soft finish,' said Sarah Guignard, The French Table, while consultant Angela Reddin noted 'stone fruits, flowers, and some honey.'

£5.10 CyT UK

With attractive aromas of tropical lemons and passionfruit, this appealed for its ripe, crisp fresh-fruited palate, balanced sweetness and acidity, and long finish.

£3.79 Cockburn & Campbell

Apples, pears and sherbetty citrus flavours with minerally hints make this a wine punching well above its price point.

'Quite aromatique [sic], nice fruit – sunny!' said Michael Deschamps, Marcus Wareing

£5.00 Boutinot

With hints of oak and spices alongside orchard and stone fruit flavours and medium acidity, Tom Forrest felt this was 'soft and easy drinking'.

£4.45 Boutinot

Welcome hints of flint on the nose alongside oaky notes, leading to a refreshingly poweful palate of grapefruit and bitter orange peel.

'Slightly peachy, slightly smoky,' noted consultant Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£5.00 Boutinot

Aromas of honeysuckle candles mixed with smoked vanilla lead to a green-tinged palate with a herbal lift on the creamy finish.

£4.18 Majestic Commercial

Fresh, crisp floral and fruity with good balance, this may not be full bodied, but all agreed it's great value.

'A medley of ripe exotic, fresh fruit with medium-plus acidity and a medium-to-long finish,' said Irina Atanasova, Madison Restaurant.

£3.70 Clink Wines

Plenty of apples and apple blossom, with more of the same on the palate.

'Good level of fruitiness,' said Hakkasan's Serdar Balkaya, while consultant Peter McCombie MW appreciated the 'pleasing texture and medium acidity'.

£5.00 Boutinot

Clean, fruity and refreshing, this has lemon-lime hints, a touch of tart apple and a long finish. And an amazing price!

£3.25 Treasury Wine Estates

Lovely stone fruit and sweet oak flavour.

'Delicate nose with floral tones, light spices, honey and roasted almonds; moreish on the palate with a very creamy finish,' said Stéphanie Dhont, The French Table.

£4.58 Alliance Wine

Fruity and intense, with some smoky notes among the apple and tropical fruits on the nose. This has 'good weight on the palate with green and citrus fruits and a long finish,' according to Angus Macnab, formerly The Lanesborough.

£4.99 Alliance Wine

With lovely aromas of fresh green apples and pears, this has good acidity and balance with a citrus twinge.

'Light delicate nose, refreshing palate, even a tiny bit of length!' said Sarah Guignard, The French Table.

£3.74 Majestic Commercial

A great example of what House White can be with its mineral hints and lengthy finish. Unbothered by oak, 'It's very clean, with peach, apple, good acidity and a tropical note,' said Julien Sahut, China Tang at the Dorchester.

£4.20 CyT UK

With its green and white fruited-medium palate and light minerality, this lighter style of House White sports a refreshing citrus finish.

'Attractive nose of dandelion and elderflower with tropical grapefruit and mandarin,' said Laura Ward, Vivat Bacchus.

£4.90 Boutinot

'Mineral and stony, this has good acidity and freshness, accompanied by a flourish of tropical fruit.

'Easy drinking,' said Antoine Faucheux, Searcys Club.

£5.34 Majestic Commercial

'Green and grassy' on the nose, the palate is more of the grapefruit and elderflower persuasion.'
Good texture and mouthfeel, with fresh acidity and good length,' said Michael Harrison, Hotel du Vin, Henley.

£5.39 Hatch Mansfield

Well-made and dry, this has minerality and a touch of savoury complexity alongside an apple-tinged, medium bodied palate.

£5.49 Italyabroad.com

Apples and pears on the nose, leading through to a well balanced palate with some herbal character and good freshness.

'Good body. Superb value with real character and class,' said James Hocking, Vineyard at Stockcross.

£5.00 Boutinot

Pale in colour and highly herbacious, with a dry, refreshing finish.

'An exotic, almost tropical Sauvignon Blanc with guava, passionfruit and ripe gooseberry,' said Olivier Marie, Coq d'Argent.

'A commercial crowd-pleaser.'

£5.00 Boutinot

'White peaches, apricot and flowers on the nose, with fine citrus and stone fruits plus a touch of herbs on a complex palate,' said Andrea Bricarello, Galvin La Chapelle.

'Punches above its weight,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

£4.00 Boutinot

Richness and complexity won the day here. Pear drop aromas mingle with ripe red apple notes, almonds, acacia, hawthorn and stone fruit on the nose. The waxy, textured palate is honeyed with rich intensity, good balance and a long finish. Perfect with scallops or shellfish risotto.

£9.50 Alliance Wine

Inspirational complexity showing Sangiovese ageing at its best. Red fruits on the nose mix with rose blossoms, pencil shavings, sandalwood and gingerbread. With fine-grained tannins, fleshy fruit and the right amount of acidity to support the rest of the wine, this finishes with a lengthy flourish.

'Typically Italian,' said Min Jiang's Felicity Hall, suggesting Osso Bucco and lamb stew.

£13.10 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Despite still being too youthful for all but the purists, the charms of this wine meant our judges couldn't fail to give it a Gold. With well-managed tannins, a delicate smokiness, leather and good cherry fruit, consultant Natasha Hughes felt it was 'gawky' now, 'but has the depth, complexity and poise to repay cellaring.'
Barbecue pork was the food match of choice.

£27.50 Bulles Blanc Rouge

This wine beguiled its audience.

'Beautifully elegant with refined fruit on the nose alongside white floral tones,' said Serdar Balkaya, Hakkasan.

'Though pricey, the depth, complexity and layers of tropical fruit and herbal flavours make it stand out,' said his colleague, James Teng.

£20.00 Vinum

With expressive aromas of apricot, peach and nectarine, the textured palate is ample and opulent with a 'lovely oiliness', finishing with a crisp flourish.

£9.28 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

With a mix of sour and fresh black cherry, herbs and violets on the nose, plus crunchy, juicy fruit on the palate, there's plenty of flavour here.

'Crisp with slightly chewy, rustic tannins,' said consultant Natasha Hughes.

'Bright and easy drinking.'

£6.60 Boutinot

Juicy and easy-drinking, this is fresh and flavoursome, with rich, ripe, fleshy dark fruit on the palate.

'Excellent House Wine,' said consultant Richard Bampfield MW.

£4.83 Eurowines

With peach and white blossom on the nose, this has a balanced palate, with a good, slightly nutty finish,' said Luigi Buonanno, Etrusca Restaurants.

'Decently made, fun and fruity,' said Mark Angell, The Rookery.

'Good entry level,' added consultant Frédéric Billet.

£6.23 Eurowines

Floral aromas with a touch of topical fruit, Hakkasan's James Teng liked the 'complexity, layers of flavour and lingering finish', speaking for all when he said 'Good for its price.'

£5.47 Cavendish Wines

Savoury from start to finish, burnt liquorice, chocolate and plums mix on the nose with eucalypt notes, while the palate has dark fruits, balanced tannins, and relatively high oak.

£6.71 Eurowines

Stone fruit, layered with ripe green apple and pear on the nose lead to a medium palate and fruity finish.

'Good body, nice acidity and a very long finish,' said an approving Frédéric Billet, F&B manager.

'Loved it!'

£11.08 Liberty Wines

Grace and savour gave this wine stand-out qualities. Savoury cedar and lead pencil notes accompany spice, vegetal notes and perfume on the nose. Full-bodied on a multi-layered, well-balanced palate,The Jugged Hare's Guillaume Mahaut noted complex strawberry, prune flavours on the long finish, and recommended boar or Osso Bucco, while Soho Wine Supply's Kyris Sotiri liked the 'tight tanninic line, excellent intensity and length.'

£14.53 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Great typicity and good freshness stole the show here. The nose sports fresh juicy cherry and berry flavours with a delicate savoury touch and hints of chestnut.

'This delicacy continues onto the tannins, which carry the balanced fruit/oak characteristics to the finish,' said Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri.

'Try with veal chop.'

£8.00 Boutinot

Herbal, earthy violet and cherry notes on the nose.

'Great depth of black fruit, with a complex earthy minerality and a refreshing acidity,' said Serdar Balkaya, Hakkasan.

'Very well balanced tannins with well managed oak and a long finish,' said Guillaume Mahaut, The Jugged Hare, suggesting wild boar to match.

'So Italian.'

£7.67 Italyabroad.com

Intense savoury notes mix with oak spice, leather and vegetal hints on the nose, while the palate has 'balanced fruit and acidity, with the tannin/mineral line carrying the flavour on to a long finish,' said Kyri Sotiri, Soho Wine Supply.

'Fresh and elegant,' said Terroirs' Emilie Courtois.

£14.00 Vinum

'A complex nose of black cherry compote, tobacco, cloves and a touch of leather,' said Hakkasan's Roberto Loppi, while consultant Peter McCombie MW appreciated the balance between the oak and intense black cherry fruit, the firm dry tannins and fresh acidity. Needs decanting – or ageing – to show of its best.

£16.70 Boutinot

If you are after a light refreshing red, this is great By the Glass material, with its soft sweet cherry flavour, good balance of light tannins and clean finish. Oh yes, and have you seen the price?

£4.74 Greene King

A delightful mix of red and black tart fruits and raisins, with a refreshingly high acidity and light minerality.

'Pronounced oak spice enhances the delicate red fruit character of this wine,' said Kyri Sotiri, Soho Wine Supply.

£10.95 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Plenty of savoury bite to get stuck into.

'Liquorice and spices with sweet, ripe fruit intensiity, great acidity and length,' said Hotel du Vin's Michael Harrison.

£11.21 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Complexity and sheer food friendliness made this a stand-out Gold candidate. Passionfruit and citrus fruits mix with herbaceous hints and smoky creamy oak on the nose to herald a fresh, nicely balanced, almost fumé-style palate.

'Both juicy and floral, this has good length and depth,' said an impressed Luigi Buonanno, Taberna Etrusca. Versatile on the foof front, from scallops with a light saffron sauce to all things mushroom – consommé, risotto, and truffles.

£14.88 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

A worthy Gold, with its serious value for money proposition, this has plush blueberry, red and black fruit alongside sweet spices and coconut. There's length, texture and a certain amount of grip on this 'generously proportioned, simple fruity style', said an impressed Angela Reddin, consultant. Sunday roast material.

£5.33 Cantine Riondo

Great complexity of flavours, with China Tang's Igor Storic noting 'earth, fruit, spice and mushroom, with green, herbaceous notes, not to mention the intense black fruits.

'LIvely in the mouth, this has wonderful mix of sweet fruit, floral and leather notes, with clean delivery and a good finish,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

'Savoury, earthy and Old School,' said The Tate Group's Hamish Anderson.

£14.34 Enotria&Coe

Sheer class from the heights of Alto Adige. Consultant Angela Reddin liked the 'Wonderfully rich, ripe, scented fruit on the mouth. Autumn berries and bonfires. This is complex with lovely age showing through.'
'Youthful and peppery; fresh and very firm, this needs aeration,' advised consultant Peter McCombie MW. Ideal with venison.

£9.35 Italyabroad.com

Plenty to excite and entertain in this light, fragrant herbaceous Pinot, with its earthy notes, strawberries and spice. While Club Gascon's Antonin Charlier said it was 'Subtle and fresh, with good length,' Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks noted 'slight raisined cherry fruit, subtle use of oak adding complexity and fresh tannins, good fresh acidity, an intrigued Angela Reddin said 'Quite tantalising and interesting'. Versatile on the food front, from mushrooms to game.

£9.93 Eurowines

While some questioned the level of oak, others appreciated the complexity this brought, noting chocolate and hints of coffee.

'There's ample sweet fruit on a suave, almost sweet palate,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.

'Excellent,' said Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister.

£13.49 Eurowines

Herbacious hints on a rose hip cordial nose, the jammy palate has welcome spicing.

'Deep in colour with savoury, juicy dark fruit flavours and a dusting of tannins,' said Hamish Anderson, The Tate Group.

'Easy and accessible.'

£7.21 Berkmann Wine Cellars

The savoury side comes to the fore here, with truffles, spices, pepper and wood alongside plum and bitter cherry flavours.

'Dark and rich in style with grippy tannins, this is a fresh wine with character and interest,' said The Tate Group's Hamish Anderson.

£11.46 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Fresh and intense, with herbal and grass notes alongside green apple, peach tree and fresh almond flavours following through to a firm, fruity, quite dry palate with notes of fresh nouts, sone fruit, greengages and grass.

'Intense with lovely acids,' said Gearoid Devaney MS, Flint.

£13.73 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Primrose yellow in colour, there's an abundance of floral, stone fruit and honey on the nose.

'A great food wine!' said Anderida at Ashdown Park's Nick Chiu, referring to the wine's good balance of fruit and acidity and well-integrated palate. Try spinach and pomegranate salad with quinoa, suggested team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£13.00 Boutinot

Delicately fragrant, Flint's Gearoid Devaney MS said 'pleasant texture, some weight alongside the stone fruit and pear flavours and good minerality. Medium-plus length.'

£8.14 New Generation Wines

Pale cherry colour in the glass, an elegant, well-balanced wine, 'full of perfumed red berries on the nose, while the juicy fruit makes it a light, easy wine,' said Foni Tsouvallas, The Folly. Perfect for a roast, was one of our hungry judge's comments.

£8.14 New Generation Wines

Subtle on both nose and textured palate, with herbal hints alongside orchard fruit with a citrusy twist.

'Delicate but intense minerality. Very soft impact on the mouth, opens beautifully to a lingering finish,' said Marco Feraldi, Galvin La Chapelle.

£12.08 Enotria&Coe

Lively floral, vanilla and spice aromas mix with 'very pure' red and dark fruits on the nose. The palate is fresh and jammy, balanced with a savoury grip of tannins and subtle oaking.

£10.30 New Generation Wines

Sour red fruit mingles with black fruit, mature wood notes and minerals on this bright, fresh wine. While complexity comes from subtle cashew notes, there's a lengthy finish. The judges felt aeration helped it show at its best.

£5.71 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Great example of what Valpolicella can achieve, with the ripasso technique adding a touch of sweet, raisined maturity to a dark morello cherry core on the palate.

'A light style of wine with a pinch of spices and a soft, long finish,' said The Greenhouse's Sara Bachiorri.

£8.38 Liberty Wines

While its 'concentrated elegance', notes of tea, good acidity, tannic grip and a somewhat leafy finish impressed, some felt this was still young. Jade Koch liked the 'vibrant juicy purple cherries and sweet warm blackberries on the nose,' and Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson said 'Powerful, warm and vibrant – the real deal!'

£24.05 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Full-bodied and well balanced, this is one of those exotic, rich wines that make a statement. With orange rind, lychee and rose petals on the nose, the palate is long and weighty with decent acidity and a slight phenolic note on the finish.

£18.76 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Tropical fruit, green almonds and white flowers on the nose lead to a fresh palate with good citrus mouthfeel and a fine bitterness on the finish.

'A second glass and some Pecorino please!' said Jan Konetzki, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.

£7.95 Barwell & Jones

With a flash of toasty oak, fleshy melon, white fruit and pear on the nose, this turns more citrus for the pleasantly textured-palate with its refreshing grapefruit notes on the finish.

£14.05 Enotria&Coe

'Good combo of smoke and violets,' said journalist and team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, 'This has clean cherry red fruit, with fine grip.'

£6.75 Boutinot

'A complex nose of ripe red cherries and sweet oaky notes with an undercurrent of liquorice,' said Terroirs' Emilie Courtois, adding 'The acidity is fresh, and the tannins are plentiful if quite drying. Calls for food, definitely!'

£27.53 Eurowines

'Deep and youthful with damson and juicy black cherries. This is highly flavoured with a lovely freshness of fruit and good length,' said consultant Richard Bampfield MW, while Hakkasan's Philippe Moranges liked the rounded savoury earthy notes and mineral hints.

£11.50 Liberty Wines

Ripe apples with hints of blossom, nettley notes and lemon zest on the nose, lead to a medium weight, balanced palate with fresh, appley fruit.

£6.38 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Spice and vanilla join a complex exotic fruit salad on the nose – from canteloupe melon to kumquat, pineapple to mango, with a touch of zesty lime. The fresh acidity is balanced by a bit of weight,' said Jan Konetzki, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, while Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri reckoned it may need a little time to open up.

£12.50 Boutinot

No shy wallflower here, this has cherry on the nose with some vanilla, and a concentrated, well-balanced palate with soft liquorice and coffee.

'Big, sweet and chocolaty with candied cherry,' said Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson.

'Has typicity.'

£25.39 Barwell & Jones

With its dark plummy sweet nose and fresh jammy character, this has bright acids, and a straightforward, tarry finish.

'Value for money,' concluded journalist Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£4.95 Boutinot

The perfume and sheer expressive nature of its fruit flavours set this wine apart.

'Very good concentration, with ripe cherry and strawberry flavours in perfect balance with sweet spice notes,' said the OXO Tower Restaurant's Diego Muntoni. With suggestions of wild boar ragout to match, Nicola Thomson, Practical Matters, called the wine a 'Big elegant fruit bomb,' while consultant Frédéric Billet called it 'Bold but smart.'

£13.00 Vinum

Elegance, modernity – and affordability helped Dezzani hit the heights with this. With tar, violets and forest floor aromas on the nose, 'This is lighter in style and ready to drink, a good introduction to Nebbiolo,' said Texture's Xavier Rousset, while Angela Reddin added 'Has nice length and breadth. Modern style.'
Ideal with mushroom dishes, polenta and anything with truffle.

£12.96 Eurowines

Fresh, light and zest scored not just Gold but the scallops Food Match award for this 'very drinkable' Gavi.

'Scented candles, hibiscus flowers and grape/pear notes on the nose, this has a happy character and very goody typicity' said consultant Angela Reddin. With its balanced acidity on a light- to medium bodied palate and lengthy finish, The Vineyard Group's James Hocking thought it a 'really appealing style'.

£6.00 Boutinot

Highly aromatic, with honey, blossom, pears, lemons, nectarines and a marked minerality, Terroirs' Emilie Courtois found lively acidity on a balanced, fruit-forward palate, plus a touch of fennel spicyness.

'This calls for salmon en croute,' she declared.

£9.15 Bancroft Wines

Perfume, liquorice and spice to add to the intense red cherry, plum, blackcurrant and strawberry notes on the nose. There are ripe red fruits on the palate with elegant tannins, hints of chocolate and sweet spices, and a good length.

£9.33 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

With floral notes, tart red cherries and cranberries on the nose, this has soft squashy fruity, some light spicing and a refreshing juicy adidity on the palate, with more sour cherry flavours to add to the mix. Tannins are relatively light and balanced, and the finish is fresh.

£7.36 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Rich, black and concentrated on the nose with plenty of dried spice and savoury notes, this shows blackcurrant and cherry flavours on a well-integrated palate, with hints of pepper and spice, plus notes of tobacco, orange peel and brandy.

£15.42 Alliance Wine

'Rich and waxy in texture, this begins with aromas of white peaches, pineapple and nectarines, and leads to a delicate mineral finish and a long aftertaste of honey,' said Emilie Courtois, Terroirs.

'With its greengage fruit and beautiful lees character, this is carefully made in a lighter style,' noted consultant Angela Reddin.

£16.17 Eurowines

With damp wet leather, liquorice, chocolate and morello cherries on the nose, 'this has a very rich and concentrated palate, with good fruit flavours and very fresh acidity,' said Claire Love, Loves Restaurant.

£21.67 Alliance Wine

It does it again: Nebbiolo tops both price stakes and popularity podium, with all the adjectives coming out.

'Sensational. Absolutely perfect. Maturity. This wine is an experience in itself,' said Angela Reddin. Texture's Xavier Rousset agreed: 'Class! Great tannin, beautiful texture and acid. Really, really good.'
Even with over a decade on the clock, Claire Love felt there was more evolution to come.

£57.00 Boutinot

Attractively perfumed nose with 'rose water and honeysuckle alongside white peach and hazelnut notes', according to The Folly's Chris Weaver. Medium bodied on a forward, fresh-tasting palate with its green apple flavours, herbaceous, grassy hints, good acidity and a long finish.

£11.50 Boutinot

Peach, Asian pear and apricot join with blossom perfume on the nose, leading to a rich palate of apricot and lemon, a touch of white pepper, and a dry mineral finish.

'Good solid core of fruit, with a lasting impression in the mouth,' said an impressed James Hocking, The Vineyard Group.

£11.30 Vinum

Fennel, lemon, stone fruit and fresh lychee aromas lead to tart peaches on a balanced, well structured palate, with hints of spice and a good length.

£7.37 Eurowines

'Dried red fruit over sweet loam and truffle, this is perfectly poised with generous fruit and a firm, smooth tannic structure,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

£22.88 Enotria&Coe

'Yummy' was The French Table's Stéphanie Dhont's first note, obviously seduced by the 'aromas of little berries, the jammy palate of crushed blackcurrant, soft spices and medium tannins.'

£20.00 Boutinot

Complex bouquet of fresh apples, floral notes, hints of honeycomb and warm apricot leads to an interesting palate with tropical fruit and an underlying streak of minerality and herbs.

'Nice length and good balance,' said Tom Forrest, consultant.

£11.38 Enotria&Coe

With the mature tertiary characteristics coming through already, this has star quality but the price means it's one for serious Barolo/Barbaresco lovers. Texture's Xavier Rousset said it was 'subtle, full of personality; an elegant pure example'.

£45.22 Liberty Wines

An elegant interpretation, with its mature nose of stewed fruits, leather notes and hints of asphalt, the palate has a lovely bright core of jammy fruit and fairly firm tannins.

£15.12 Bibendum

Nearly didn't make it on account of the price, but the wine's rich complexity won the judges over.

'An amazing nose – bitter chocolate, cedar, liquorice, soot and ash!' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie, suggesting venison or leg of lamb.

'Serious dark chocolate and savoury spiciness with balance and power,' said consultant Casper Auchterlonie.

'Precise, effortless and wonderful,' added consultant Natasha Hughes.

'Has a great future.'

£52.84 Alivini

An inspirational wine of elegance, with cocoa bean, cherries, leather and mocha alongside herbal notes.

'Cherry-spiced blackcurrant compote with a streak of ginger and tarragon,' said Practical Matters' Nicola Thomson.

'This is gorgeous,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

'Literally dances on the tongue, kisses the palate and leaves with a sigh.'

£26.55 Eurowines

Costly, yes, but 'sensational', so this 100% Cabernet Franc hits the Gold List.

'Perfumed nose of raspberry and bramble, with rich bitter chocolate and cherry fruit on the palate, this is long and seductive with a smoky finish,' said consultant Caspar Auchterlonie.

'This has a wonderfully velevet grip which leads to a fabulousouly long integrated fiish,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

£32.95 Liberty Wines

Age, flavour and 'lovely tannin management' scored Gold for Talenti.

'Complex bouquet of red berries, cherry, violets, leather and tobacco,' said China Tang's Julien Sahut, adding 'There's leather, cherry, tobacco and red meat flavours on a well-integrated palate with plenty of silky tannins.'
Think Bistecca all Fiorentina.

£24.35 Bibendum

Complex and sophisticated, with savoury, earthy, mineral notes on the nose.

'A rich and refreshing palate combines with ripe black fruits, a well-integrated tannic structure and elements of bitter chocolate towards the end,' said Serdar Balkaya, Hakkasan.

£25.00 Fattoria Villa Saletta

Mature aromas and tarry notes lead to a savoury palate with good, dry fruit and a lovely freshness. Some queried whether it was too developed, but all appreciated the nice brown spices and oak treatment.

'Impressive,' said Richard Bampfield MW.

£10.00 Boutinot

'Soft squashy red and black fruits with spicy cherry fruits on a good finish,' said consultant Tom Forrest.

'Medicinal, earthy and vibrant, this has a rounded balance and a fine mineral complexity,' said Practical Matters' Nicola Thomson.

£13.63 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Savoury and meaty aromas mix with 'gorgeous floral notes and hints of spice', leading to more of the same on a suave black-fruited palate.

'The acidity is lively, the tannins are delicate and the finish is fresh,' said an impressed Emilie Courtois, Terroirs.

£8.59 Bibendum

Spicy liquorice notes on the nose lead to a palate with a harmonious mix of oak, ripe black and blue fruit, sweet spice, pepper and eucalyptus, said The Folly's Chris Weaver.

'The sweet, savoury palate carries a very fine balance and a hauntingly long finish,' said Angela Reddin.

£16.88 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Raspberries, red, black and glacé cherries mix with star anise, juniper, spice and wood on a rich perfumed nose, giving away this wine's age.

'And still much more that can come,' said an impressed Emilie Courtois, Terroirs.

'Fantastic bitter sweet palate, with wonderful complexity,' said consultant Angela Reddin, while Courtois added that 'although a little young, it could definitely be poured with a sticky osso buco.'

£12.50 Fattoria Villa Saletta

Soft red and black fruits dominate here.

'Fresh minerality and macerated cherries on the nose lead to a balanced, well integrated palate with excellent length,' said Nicola Thomson, Practical Matters.

'Very characterful,' added consultant Angela Reddin.

£10.22 Enotria&Coe

Red fruit and spicy aromas on the nose lead to black berries and silky tannins on a well-structured palate with a nice fruit finish.

'Excellent flavour – good value ', said an impressed Antoine Fauchaux, Searcys Club.

£15.66 Alivini

'Dark and brooding with damsons and bramble aromas,' noted an approving Casper Auchterlonie.

'Spice and smoke on the palate with full structure and tasty tannins. Still a baby…'

£25.95 Liberty Wines

With its dark fruit notes and leathery hints, Hakkasan's James Teng thought it 'Almost Bordeaux-like on the nose, leading through to fresh, ripe fruit on the palate. Will improve in its appeal with [more] age,' said

£12.71 Cockburn & Campbell

Plenty of cherries and black fruit on this well-structured Sant'Antimo Supertuscan, where equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Cannaiolo meet Sangiovese.

'Good acidity, polished tannins, and hints of cocoa and tobacco,' said Julien Sahut, China Tang at The Dorchester.

£16.00 O W Loeb & Co

Texture and complexity of flavours won this well-priced white not just Gold but a Critics' Choice award. While some found tropical fruit aromas, for consultant Angela Reddin it was a 'salty seashell nose, almost Traminer-like with its spiciness'. The depth on the palate with its mineral freshness alongside white fruits makes it good for fish dishes of all sorts.

£7.32 Enotria&Coe

Who said the world was 'over' Chardonnay? Handled well with good level of sensitive oaking here we have a wine with complexity on the nose – aromas of gooseberry, pink grapefruit, apricot, nectarine and orange alongside flower, angelica and creme brulee.

'Fantastic oily texture, cleansed by good acidity. A style that is made for food,' said Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks.

'Pricy but worth it,' said Galvin La Chapelle's Andrea Bricarello.

£16.43 Matthew Clark

Not just quality and balance, but intrigue garnered this wine a Critics' Choice rosette as well as a Gold. Plenty of aromas – think 'roses and Opium perfume', said Roganic's Sandia Chang – this has an elegant body with liquorice and savoury notes alongside high alcohol and acids.

'More supple and juicy than a Burgundy,' this make the wine very pleasant,' said Galvin La Chapelle's Marco Feraldi. Foodwise, think slow cooked shoulder of lamb, tomato and lamb stew or Chinese sticky pork.

£10.34 Italyabroad.com

Fabulous flavours emanating from the glass sent this wine straight to the Gold pavilion. Almond, peach, apricot, floral, lemon zest and herbs – and that's just one of our judges' opinions! On a well-integrated palate, white fruits and flowers coexist with a good minerality.

'High on alcohol but this is balanced well with the high acidity,' said Madison's Irina Atanasova. Think herb-crusted, breaded veal cutlet.

£9.76 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Subtlety and elegance lead the way with this understated wine, made from low yielding, old Sardinian Vermentino vines overlooking the sea. With its soft nose and floral tones, it has a rich palate, with textured stony fruit alongside lemons, bitter marmalade and a long creaminess to finish. Fish dishes were the food match of choice.

£11.27 Italyabroad.com

A rich, intense wine that needs time, this was much appreciated for its 'deep, spicy brooding nose'.

'Delicate, yet elegant, with an intense blueberry palate, good tannins and intensity,' said Laura Ward, Vivat Bacchus.

£17.90 Eurowines

With its subtle nose of herbs and flowers, journalist and team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW reckoned this was 'complex for the price'.

'Very linear with zippy refreshing acidity,' said Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks.

'A sidewalk in summer while grazing on small plates. Yes please!'

£8.90 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Restrained floral and elderflower flavours open up on the palate to embrace green apples and mineral hints.

'The rich palate is fresh and balanced with a great mineral finish,' said Antoine Dugand, Le Pont de La Tour.'

£7.36 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'There's ripe apricot, stone fruits, quince jam, honey and sweet spices on the nose,' said Madison's Irina Atanasova, while consultant Angela Reddin noted the 'slight spritz in the mouth, lovely fruity weight – maybe some residual sugar, but beautifully balanced.'

£10.32 Eurowines

Rose petals, lychee and apricots join on a charming nose, leading to a palate rich with stone fruit, zesty punchy acidity, and a perfumed, dry finish.

'Good with food with heat,' said The French Table's Sarah Guignard.

£9.57 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'A complex wine of note,' said an approving Greg Shewood MW, noting the 'lifted cherry and kirsch liqueur notes, and the soft plush, opulent palate and classy texture'. Meanwhile, team leader and journalist Jamie Goode liked the 'vivid bright fruits with some savoury, grippy structure. Nice purity and precision.'

£12.83 Alliance Wine

Dark and inky in the glass, with sour cherries, rich roasted red fruit and violets on the nose, and intense sweet spice, blueberries and cherries on the palate. Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward appreciated the 'great structure. Still evolving, but young and fresh.'

£9.88 Berkmann Wine Cellars

With ethereal notes of tea, violets, aniseed and dried flowers on the nose, this shows sweet red plums and berries, hints of spice, and a touch of liquorice on an easy drinking, balanced palate with plush tannins and a fresh finish.

'Dusty and very interesting,' said The French Table's Sarah Guignard.

£7.49 Bibendum

With stewed fruits, violets and savoury notes on the nose, this has sweet fruit, firm tannins and good acidity on a well-made palate.

£10.63 Alliance Wine

'Roasted berry fruits, savoury meats and nuts, plus brûlée character on the nose,' said Handford Wines' Greg Sherwood MW, while Claire Love of Loves Restaurant picked up the 'well-structured developed fruit' on a concentrated palate underpinned by dry tannins.

£15.53 Berkmann Wine Cellars

An abundance of sweet red and purple berries on the nose with an elegant spiciness seasoned with star anise, this shows dried fruits and flowers on a medium-full body.

£13.58 Eurowines

With a nose full of flowers, blueberries and raspberries, this bush vine Primitivo is still youthful, but Galvin La Chapelle's Marco Feraldi for one was convinced of its ageing potential, suggesting a revisit in a couple of years. Already approachable, it has an elegant complexity on the palate, showing berries and cherries and good tannins.

£18.26 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Vibrantly aromatic, with ripe peach, pineapple and other exotic fruit, plus almonds and lemon zest. this flavour intensity 'is supported by an enveloping, creamy textured palate,' said Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks, who suggested smoked haddock and samphire.

£11.33 Enotria&Coe

Youthful, vibrant and modern, with crunchy red fruit, sweet spice, and well-handled tannin management.

'Simple but useful,' said Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister.

£6.71 Berkmann Wine Cellars

A subtle nose of floral perfume and lime peel aromas leads to a soft, textured palate full of ripe oranges, lemon curd, light acidity and a fresh finish.

£6.18 Enotria&Coe

Another Gold for those maestros at Majella, the freshness is what set this well-priced wine apart. Floral notes mix with spice, smoke, blueberries and mint on the nose, while the palate is 'very Cabernet in style – pure and fine,' said consultant Richard Bampfield MW.

'Succulent with ripe fruits on a robust palate. Best to decant, and try with rabbit or lamb chops,' said consultant Maria Rodriguez.

£10.28 Alliance Wine

The ability to let the oak augment rather than suffocate the vibrant cherry and currant fruit helped propel this concentrated,savoury wine to Gold status.

'There's a nice balance from nose to palate,' said Louise Gordon, Rib Room at The Jumeirah Carlton, noting the 'smoky oak and juicy blackcurrant with a hot wood finish'.

'Succulent and vibrant,' said consultant Maria Rodriguez.

'Try with lasagne or other beef dishes.'

£7.95 Liberty Wines

Fresh red and purple fruits mix with savoury game notes, mulberries and spices on the nose in typically open fashion.

'The warming mid-palate and oak spices are held through to the finish with a decent tannic line,' said Kyri Sotiri, Soho Wine Supply.

£8.95 Boutinot

With deep sweet fruit, vanilla, Lapsong Souchong tea and cardamom on the nose, this offers plenty for the flavour lover. Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotir said: 'Dark berries and eucalyptus on the nose, juicy bramble and spice on the palate.'

£7.00 Treasury Wine Estates

'Great structure, balance and length for the price,' said consultant Angela Reddin, of this Gold star. Plums lead the charge on the nose, with dried cranberry in support. Lovely ripe fruit mixes with smoky spice notes on the palate of this well balanced, opulent Cabernet with its ripe tannins and lengthy finish.

£6.87 Hatch Mansfield

Beginning with a complex bouquet of cedar, herbs, chocolate, plums and redcurrants, the palate sports polished, plush fruit with gentle spicing, good balanced acidity, nice typicity and good length.

'There's a nice vibrancy of young vine exuberance, with a touch of greenness,' said consultant Angela Reddin. Available to UK on-trade via Matthew Clark/Wine Studio

£6.21 Matthew Clark

With classy aromas of plum cake, mint and crème de cassis, this has 'lovely, suave ripe tannins, unctuous texture and good length,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie, while consultant Richard Bampfield MW noted 'excellent richness of fruit and cedary oak'.

£9.57 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

A serious price for a serious wine, all were impressed by both the intensity and the balance.

'With classic, cool climate cassis/eucalyptus-like character with green pepper, this has bold rich, unctuous ultra-ripe tannins and high acidity,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.

£39.41 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

With plenty of cedary, oaky smoke alongside undergrowth aromas and fresh fruit flavours on the nose, the palate sports cassis and soft, juicy red fruits.

'Easy drinking,' said an approving Roberto Loppi, Hakkasan.

£6.29 Enotria&Coe

Ambitious, layered and complex, this is built on a bed of firm, grippy yet ripe tannins with hints of herbs.

'A very interesting nose, with its black cherries, chocolate notes, hints of mint, sage and cedar wood,' said the Glasshouse's Sara Bachiorri.

'Very ripe, almost raisined fruit, with a charcoal, woody finish,' added consultant Angela Reddin.

£18.29 John E Fells & Sons

Floral and herbacious on the nose, this is quite fresh and firm on the palate, with ripe tannins, a refreshing acidity, and distinct blackcurrant pastille notes.

£8.52 Bibendum

'Clean and showing some development with cedarwood and pencil shaving aromas, this is richly textured and well made,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.

'With its slightly smoky menthol notes, dry finish, and soft red fruit flavours, I'd partner with Hungarian goulash,' said Felicity Hall, Min Jiang at the Royal Garden Hotel.

£10.80 Pol Roger

Beginning with an oak-influenced bouquet of compost, vanilla and chocolate, the palate has intense deep, grippy tannins with notes of mocha.

'There's lovely, complex fruit on the palate with good oak balance and a cherry finish,' said consultant Richard Bampfield MW.

£19.99 Anthony Byrne Fine Wines

Dark and super-ripe with cocoa and hints of spice alongside 'handfuls of crushed black bramble and hedgerow fruits, a lift of toasty oak in the background, and herbs. Rich, uncomplicated and satisfying,' said Angela Reddin, consultant. Available to UK on-trade via Matthew Clark/Wine Studio

£7.93 Matthew Clark

A mix of juicy red berries and sweet warm compote on the nose, leads to a palate full of bright'slightly overripe' purple fruit, with dry, clovey tannins. Fun and highly drinkable.

£5.08 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'Impressive, with rich oak and very sweet fruit, and the structure to match,' said consultant Richard Bampfield MW of this textured wine with its 'pretty floral nose' and pleasing finish with a touch of pithiness.

£19.33 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Fresh, fragrant, and acked with black-fruited flavour alongside fruit pastille and violet aromas, the tight tannins provide welcome structure and spicy notes on the finish.

£8.48 Barwell & Jones

'Juicy in style, full-bodied with spicy tannins,' said The Glasshouse's Sara Bachiorri, while consultant Richard Bampfield MW felt it perfect for By the Glass lists.

£7.86 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Deep, dark and spicy, this marries dark fruit with chewy tannins, mediated with great depth and layers of fruit.

'Deeper, more brooding quality. Young but very integrated,' said an approving Michael Harrison, Hotel du Vin.

£11.00 Hatch Mansfield

All appreciated the value and balance of flavours in this wine, while Hakkasan's Philippe Moranges said 'Easy drinking medium-bodied Cabernet with dry, grippy tannins, hints of eucalyptus and a medium finish.'

£5.75 Bottle Green

The ability to balance power with eloquence gave Cafaro the first of its medals.

'Lavender and blackcurrant jam' start the journey according to Louise Gordon, with spicy oak in the wings, leading to a palate with 'firm tannins,and a lovely juicy, mouthfilling finish'.

'Serious, concentrated, very young, but elegant,' said Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister.

£23.50 Liberty Wines

Large and perfectly formed, to misquote the old cliché, this has plenty of sophisticated pepper, leather and earthy notes.

'A more developed style with dark fruit, fruitcake and minty flavours,' said Matthew Cocks, Cubitt House.

'Well structured with cleansing acidity and firm but not biting tannins, this is drinking well.'
The food match of choice? Had to be lamb.

£14.96 Bibendum

Brambly aromas mix with smoke, spicy clove, vanilla and cinnamon on the nose, while the rich, textured palate sports spiced raspberries, blueberries and dark cherries.

'Fresh and lively, with liquorice notes and an enticing finish, try with venison and red cabbage,' said Sarah Guignard, The French Table.

£9.56 Justerini & Brooks

With much density of colour and flavour comes this evocative wine.

'With its big, roasted syrupy aromas and hints of cedar and vanilla, this is bold and ripe in the mouth,' said team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW. The taste is similarly robust, with savoury notes aplenty, red fruits, soft tannins, sweet spices and a very long finish. Match with lamb, ratatouille and rosemary jus.

£12.75 Enotria&Coe

Cabernet in style and perfect for drinking now, preferably with food, 'this has red fruit and plums and a slight eucalyptus character with soft spice and pithy finish', according to Louise Gordon, Rib Room at Jumeirah Carlton Tower.

£13.29 McKinley Vintners

Toasty aromas with red cherry and black fruits on the nose, the well-structured palate has plenty of bright fruit, with subtle cigar box notes and sweet spices.

'Firm but not grippy in terms of tannins,' said Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks.

'In short, a lot to like.'

£18.25 Swig Wines

We're in Big Country wine here, with smoky oak and intense aromas of fresh red and black currants leading to a full-bodied, dry wine with firm tannins and a touch of leather and spice.

'A serious wine which is still fresh and ripe,' said a happy Kyri Sotiri, Soho Wine Supply.

£16.39 Enotria&Coe

Showing exactly what great wineries can achieve in this fascinating terroir, cassis and curranty aromas mix with mint, blackcurrant and tomato leaves and green bark on the nose. Squashy jammy fruit and grippy tannins travels alongside mint and eucalyptus notes on a fulsome palate.

£16.11 Alliance Wine

'Concentrated dark red fruit on the nose,' said Claire Love, Loves Restaurant, 'This is rich and vibrant with some residual sugar.'
Packed with sweet fruit, the palate has soft ripe tannins, sweet spice, and is balanced with a juicy flourish.

£6.75 Bibendum

A powerful wine with a red and black fruit-driven nose, this found favour for its intensity, texture and high but silky tannins.

'You'll find blackberry jam, spices, wild berries, balsamic vinegar, gamey notes, chocolate and liquorice, all in balance,' said The French Table's Stéphanie Dhont.

£18.78 Matthew Clark

Plenty of complexity from this aged classy number. There's cassis, currants, coffee and chocolate on the nose, while the palate shows wild strawberries and big tannins.

'Relatively subtle with decent length,' said Kyri Sotiri, Soho Wine Supply. Try with lamb or go native with springbok.

£22.13 Bibendum

While the Rib Room's Louise Gordon noted 'heather and redcurrant jam', Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri picked up on the 'very intense dark berries, cedar and spice with fine tannins and supreme length and balance'.

'Serious and very good, but far too young,' said Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister.

£29.20 Liberty Wines

While Madison's Irina Atanasova noted dark fruit and sour cherry on the nose, leading to bitter chocolate, black pepper, leather and cigar notes on a well balanced palate with high tannins and acidity, Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks liked the 'toasty oak integration'.

£10.96 Barwell & Jones

Sheer complexity with aromas of leather, tobacco and cherry on the nose.

'It's well integrated and balanced with plenty of tannins, good acidity, fine raspberry and cherry fruit, floral hints and good length,' said China Tang's Julien Sahut.

£29.58 Bibendum

'Full and rich nose with plums and a plentiful supply of plum and cherry on a well-oaked palate,' said Gergely Barsi-Szabo, Borough Wines of this savoury ink-, liquorice- and vanilla-infused wine.

£13.93 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Red and black fruit with cedar and white spice on the nose, 'this has excellent poise, with the flavour carrying through to a long finish,' said Kyri Sotiri, Soho Wine Supply.

£18.95 Liberty Wines

Complex, layered and quite dense, consultant Angus Macnab said: 'Plenty of black and red fruit plus cassis with notes of chocolate on the nose, these flavours following onto a ripe, rich palate with good tannins and acidity.'

£12.08 Enotria&Coe

Light and fresh in style, this has bright, jammy fruit, with a mid-palate of blackcurrants, 'with toasty oak donating sweet spice flavours', a good savoury texture and a long finish.

£12.44 John E Fells & Sons

Jammy wild strawberries, dried red fruit spice and mint on the nose lead to a full-flavoured palate with plenty of sweet fruit, dusty tannins and a very long finish.

'Exactly what one would hope for,' said consultant Richard Bampfield MW.

£19.82 Enotria&Coe

'Cool minty menthol aromas mix with black fruits, a nice finish and balance' said Vinopolis' Tom Forrest.

'The palate is big and lush, with silky soft tannins and savoury meaty notes showing well-judged maturity,' added Garry Clark, Chester Grosvenor.

£9.25 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Medium ruby garnet in colour, this is elegant in structure, with menthol tones behind jammy, plummy fruits with liquorice, dried fruits, spice and cassis thrown into the mix.

£15.75 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'A nose of dark fruit and warm earth. Smooth, round and supple, this is a crowd pleasing style,' said Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks of this balanced wine, with its rounded tannins and juicy mouthfeel.

£7.88 Distell Europe

A fresh, clean nose is followed by good flavours of baked jammy fruit, dominating a rich, well-balanced palate. There's an 'undertone of freshness leading to a drying finish', observed journalist and team leader, Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£14.10 Swig Wines

Appreciated for its balance, this is a big wine, with black fruits, dark chocolate, leather and earthy savoury flavours.

'It's still young,' said Irina Atanasova.

'It could develop better in a few years.'
Let's hope it returns.

£12.18 Bibendum

A classic example, with good balance, juicy acidity and a lingering chocolate finish.

''Ripe red fruit, sweet spices, this is clean and fresh with flavours of roasted coffee and pepper,' said Irina Atanasova, Madison Restaurant.

£7.07 Patriarche Wine Agencies

One for the venison lovers, this illustrates exactly what well-handled Carmenère can achieve. Blue and purple fruits mix with spicy aromas of coffee and chocolate and a hint of green bell pepper, while the palate is packed with soft, squashy black fruits.'
With its Minervois-like inkiness, this has good acidity on a lively, fresh, palate, with just a touch of pepper and spice on the long, coffee-tinged finish,' said The Arts Club's Athila Roos.

£9.57 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

With wild berries, hints of cedarwood and floral notes, this wine caught the attention of all.

'Well balanced with a strong structure and high tannins and good acidity, this has black plums, cherry, dark chocolate pepper and spices, and a long finish,' said Madison's Irina Atanasova.

£9.60 New Generation Wines

The smooth operator, this impressed the judges.

'Fresh and spicy with a medley of ripe dark and purple fruit, medium tannins and a subtle nose,' said Stéphanie Dhont, The French Table.

£8.30 PLB

Dense in colour and complex on the nose, with damson, blueberry, bilberry and cassis, this is a fruity style of Carmenère, wtih nicely done oak, a bright, long finish, and an almost medicinal tinge.

£6.87 Hatch Mansfield

Blackberries and red fruit mix with botanical notes and green pepper on the nose, while the well balanced palate has 'good tannins and acidity, fresh, ripe red fruit and chilli and pepper spices,' said Madison's Irina Atanasova, continuing 'Its a good food wine – Asian dishes, smoky roast meats.'

£8.38 McKinley Vintners

Ageing well, with its spicy notes and hints of liquorice, this was popular.

'Smoky nose with aromas of dried meat and rich black fruits, leading to a concentrated but not heavy palate. This works,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£8.92 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

With juicy dark plums and damsons on the nose alongside capiscum and pencil shaving, there's 'lovely fruit and tannins, with a touch of ripe green pepper on the palate,' said Xavier Rousset, Texture.

£6.38 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Rich and ripe, there's just enough freshness, so don't leave too long! Packed with flavour, the high tannins and acids are in balance with ripe black fruits, tobacco, dark chocolate, mocha and damsons,' said Madison's Irina Atanasova.

£10.13 CyT UK

Plenty of food potential with its minerality and juicy fruity palate.

'Elegant and smooth in style, with well-handled oak and blackcurrant and chocolatey flavours,' said Xavier Rousset, Texture.

£7.05 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Big but balanced, this is 'very spicy and complex, intense and rich, but with a great, tobacco-fuelled finish,' said Galvin La Chapelle's Andrea Bricarello. Meanwhile Sarah-Jane Evans MW picked up floral notes, vanilla and red berry jam.

£9.23 Enotria&Coe

Tradition and balance with a touch of leesy individuality on the nose marked the Founders Block out for Gold. With toasty notes alongside apple, stone fruit and hazelnut flavours, the palate is ripe with soft oak and good supporting acidity.

'Nice smokey gunflint nose which carries through to the palate,' said consultant Angela Reddin, adding 'Aussie restraint is not a thing that normally exists, but it does here! Craftsman wine.'

£9.25 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Golden in colour, and Gold List material, this stands out for its rich, creamy texture and oaky but fresh finish. Subtle pineapple chunks on the nose leads to an apricot- and ripe yellow apple-tinged palate 'with spicy apple strudel notes, a good mouthfeel and a nice balance,' said Garry Clark, Chester Grosvenor. Match with white meat, or terrines, such as rabbit terrine with herbs.

£7.48 PLB

Balance and beauty helped the M3 bring home the Gold.

'Elegant and feminine,' said Galvin La Chapelle's Andrea Bricarello, noting white fruits, apple and roasted nuts on the nose.

'There's a perfect balance of oak and fruit with nutty hints, and a fresh, minerality to the long finish,' said Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward.

'Match with scallops or langoustine.'

£16.38 Liberty Wines

Seriously zingy, with plenty of pineapple zest and exotic fruit flavours to match the light oak veneer. Good structure, acidity and balance leads to a fine finish, making this highly food-friendly.

£11.82 PLB

Ripe aromas of vanilla spice, custard apples, grapefruit and peaches mix with smoky oak on the nose, while the palate shows ripe peach and tropical fruits, finishing with more spices on the finish.

'With nothing heavy, this is sensitive winemaking,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

'Match with monkfish in pancetta.

£12.74 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Complex and Burgundian in style, the vanilla and oak are well-handled, leaving the panel musing on how much a Montrachet of similar quality would cost – at least double was the verdict!

£12.18 Bibendum

Complex aromas of ripe tropical fruit embellished with a touch of oak, caramel and spicy vanilla on the nose lead to an apple-fresh palate with good acidity.

'Restrained for California, this is a big wine, with controlled oak. Sweet, but mineral,' said journalist and team leader, Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£12.84 John E Fells & Sons

With ripe aromas of vanilla spices, peaches, toffee and soft smoky oak, this really opens up on the palate with its medium length.

'Ripe peach and tropical fruits with a spicy finish,' said Tom Forrest, Vinopolis.

£11.00 Bibendum

A ripe nose brimful with tropical flavours combines with apples and citrus notes plus hints of soft oak on the palate.

'Not hugely complex, but has easy appeal,' said consultant Peter McCombie MW.

£6.35 Berkmann Wine Cellars

The elegant, refined use of oak and minerality easily won the judges approval.

'Very Burgundian' said an approving Michael Harrison (Hotel du Vin, Henley).

'Very classy nose, with sweet fruit, rich mouthfeel and texture.'
With its generosity of fruit and nervosity, match with white meat in a savoury/citrus sauce.

£12.00 O W Loeb & Co

Rich and yellow in colour, the use of good quality oak is evident throughout, and balanced with fresh apples, pineapples, apricots and peach flavours on the palate. Creamy, textured and complex, this has 'food' written all over it.

£10.47

Very fruity on the nose with lemon and grapefruit notes and plenty of oak, the palate sports 'good acidity alongside apple, apricot and other stone fruit flavours, plus a creamy texture,' said Julien Sahut, China Tang.

'Very fun,' said journalist and team leader, Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£5.75 Bottle Green

Elegant, layered and intense, with well seasoned oak adding to the fresh, youthful palate and lending a subtlety to its discreet richness.

'Lovely poised palate with restrained orchard fruit and good length,' said consultant Peter McCombie MW.

£16.50 Swig Wines

Well-judged oak makes this more than the sum of its parts. Hakkasan's Serdar Balkaya enjoyed the buttered brioche and biscuits on the nose, while consultant Peter McCombie MW commented 'bright and fruity with attractive, savoury barrel ferment notes and a fresh lively acidity. Very appealing.'

£14.49 Alliance Wine

Fresh and fruity, with stone and tropical fruits, good acidity, and the clove, nutmeg and almond notes that suggest a dash of oak ageing. Available to UK on-trade via Matthew Clark/Wine Studio

£7.93 Matthew Clark

All agreed that this was a beautiful wine with great complexity and balance and as such it edged out its more expensive neighbour – similarly excellent, but £3.30 more.

'There's a beautiful, lengthy finish of crème brulée,' said Marco Carboni, Broad Street Kitchen.

'This is what I'm looking for.'

£15.50 Ellis of Richmond

Plenty of apple flavours plus a lick of vanilla on the nose, 'this strikes a good balance on the palate between fruit and acidity, with good texture and a medium-to-long finish,' said Julien Sahut, China Tang.

£7.15 John E Fells & Sons

Restraint and elegance higlighting this wine's cool climate origins. Madison's Irina Atanasova found green apples, grass and quince alongside mineral notes.

'Well balanced with good fruit and a light touch of oak. Subtle and smokey,' said Galvin La Chapelle's Andrea Bricarello.

£13.34 Enotria&Coe

'A well-made, balanced style of Chardonnay, with a genuine sense of place,' said James Hocking, Vineyard at Stockcross, adding 'ripe fresh fruit with good use of oak.'
Marco Carboni (Broad Street Kitchen) found it 'smooth, elegant – and exotic'.

£9.83 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Zingy, with length and texture, this sports banana and vanilla on the buttery nose, and measured hints of oak alongside apricot flavours on the crisp palate.

£7.50 Distell Europe

With the characteristic Limarí freshness and exuberance, The Tate Group's Gustavo Medina found 'intense notes of peach and vanilla on the nose, with a well-balanced palate of stoned fruit and oak, a creamy texture and a long-lasting finish.'

£8.25 CyT UK

Both orchard and tropical fruits on the nose, this appealed to all with its balanced palate of tropical fruits, mineral and spicy hints.

'Great finish, this is well made and good value,' said an approving Garry Clark, Chester Grosvenor.

£8.92 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Elegant and buttery in style, this has ripe, exotic fruit flavours with balancing acidity,' said James Hocking, Vineyard at Stockcross.

'Well-made and very stylish.'

£10.35 Bibendum

Pineapple, apple and mango mix with mineral notes on the nose, leading to a dry palate of pineapples and greenish apples, a fresh finish with hints of vanilla.

£12.50 Bibendum

A delightful exposition of what Chenin Blanc can achieve in South Africa. Golden in colour, while the restrained nose might suggest France, the palate, with its richness, deft wood and vibrant mix of apples, marzipan and honey suggests New World. The nose conjures up crumble topping, toast and savoury sweet spices, while the palate is powerful and textured with a note of spice.

'Very long finish,' said an impressed Emilie Courtois, Terroirs. Match with seafood casserole, spicy chicken or brioche with fresh foir gras and spicy salt.

£14.71 Bibendum

Looking at the flavour and texture for value ratio, it's not hard to see why Kleine Zalze's Chenin is the most garlanded of all the 2012 wines. With notes of honeycomb and lemon alongside hints of candied peel and jasmineon the nose, the well-balanced, creamy exotic palate sports light oak and some minerality, finishing with a citrus-infused flourish. Head to the Food Match pages to see it triumph against a challenging Thai prawn curry.

£5.69 Matthew Clark

Ripe pear and green apples on the nose lead through to a complex palate with similar flavours alongside peach, melon, nectarine, citrus fruits and white flowers.

'Cheap and cheerful,' said a positive Frédéric Billet, Hakkasan.

£4.64 Barwell & Jones

'Pale yellow in colour, this has lovely fresh apple aromas, with lively pineapple fruit, crisp acidity and a long, refreshing finish,' said consultant Casper Auchterlonie, while Sarah Jane Evans MW noted herbal and floral hints on the nose, an 'intense burst of tight acids' and a 'nicely dry finish, with savoury, toasty notes'.

£7.32 Bibendum

'Surprising, elegant and different,' said an enthused Frédéric Billet, consultant, of this honeycomb-infused wine with its off-dry finish.

'Good fresh stone and green apple fruit on the palate with peppery, salty hints and a dash of umami. Serve with salty oysters.'

£7.82 Bibendum

With ripe apple and herbaceous hints wrapped up in vanilla-infused oak, this is good solo or with food.

'Sublime. With its full, off-dry palate, this is stunning,' said The Rookery's Mark Angell.

£16.87 Enotria&Coe

More on the minerally side, this has crunchy fruits and citrus notes aplenty alongside a complex palate with lively grapefruit and pineapple acidity, great balance and a fresh finish.

£8.50

All the classic hallmarks of Gewurz here, including a memorable finish. Rose petals and violets join ripe apricot, pear and lychee on the nose, while the spicy palate features ginger, perfumed lychee and apricot notes as well as being perfumed and slightly oily. The perfect match? According to Galvin La Chapelle's Marco Feraldi, 'smoked tuna fish and green olives'.

£7.90 Enotria&Coe

Primarily floral fragrances on the nose, a decidedly youthful off-dry palate sports good mineral notes alongside lychee and more flowers.

£10.05 Bibendum

'Big but well sculpted,' was perhaps the best explanation of this wine's appeal and charm.

''Ripe fruit and firm tannic structure with a deft hint of oak adding additional complexity,' said Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks, while consultant Angela Reddin liked the 'youthful juicy' nature of the 'rich, concentrated nose', and picked up orange rind and spice, plus Syrah-like pepperiness' on the palate. Top match? Lamb chops.

£12.06 Louis Latour Agencies

The unassailable quality and well judged oak propelled this wine to the Gold List, despite inital qualms on the price. 'Exceptionally pure brambly fruit and firm structure,' said Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks,' before admitting: 'I shouldn't have drunk it. Now I want a barbecue!' 'Balanced and refreshing, this character would be great with braised venison or beef dishes,' said consultant Maria Rodriguez.

£11.09 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Deepest reddy purple in the glass and with plenty of sweet fruit, our judges appreciated this serious, heady experience, full of red fruits and plums, plus hints of vanilla from judicious oaking in French casks. Possible food matches include lamb, pork and cassoulet

£18.50 Boutinot

A fresh style with plenty of plump fruit flavours, alongside black pepper, greengage, leather and cigar box notes.

'Good acidity to balance the fruit,' said Madison's Irina Atanasova.

'Good value.'

£5.75 Bottle Green

Perfume and panache help Church Block strike Gold, with its violets and dark and baked fruit aromas on the nose. Cherry Bakewell to the fore on the palate, this has bags of cassis alongside sweet ripe fruit, grippy tannins, and a multi-layered, savoury finish.

'Good as a House Wine, and also with venison, game – or chocolate,' said journalist and team leader, Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£7.00 González Byass

With the colour just about to fade, this has a 'warm, spicy, savoury style, with some tannic grip, and a ripe, sweet plum finish,' said journalist Jamie Goode.

'Rich and lifted, with a touch of volatile perfume, this has plenty of blackberry and sweet-fruited, juicy acids,' said Handford Wines' Greg Sherwood MW.

£16.00 Boutinot

Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot and Carmenère in support, this is 'big and masculine', said Mariyana Radulova, Royal Thames Yacht Club, while OXO Tower Restaurant's Diego Muntoni noted oak and leather notes alongside dark fruit on the nose, and dark chocolate and coffee flavours on the rich, juicy palate. Match with lamb with garlic and herbs.

£24.00 New Generation Wines

Only the second vintage of this Shiraz, Mourvedre, Touriga Nacional and Trincadeira blend from a new region, this appealed for its dark intensity and complexity.

'Very concentrated cigar box spice, fruit and oak,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

'Richly extracted everything. A very clever wine.'

£15.54 Bibendum

With good intensity of pure, ripe sweet raspberry and cherry flavours alongside savoury notes of leather and a fine texture, Galvin La Chapelle's Marco Feraldi reckoned this was the perfect entry level red for any occasion'.

£7.36 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'Dark red fruit with garden leaves on the nose, the palate has some sunny notes, with great depth of flavour on the palate,' said Claire Love of Loves Restaurant, while journalist Jamie Goode appreciated the creamy richness, and the stylish, textural feel.'

£11.36 Enotria&Coe

Medium ruby in colour, this Shiraz with Mourvèdre and Viognier blend has notes of smoke alongside herbaceous hints on the nose, while the palate sports very ripe black fruit, savoury flavours of tobacco and mocha, and smooth tannins.

£8.22 PLB

'Lovely sousbois and garrigue scents, with a juicy, concentrated palate packed with lively fruits,' said consultant Angela Reddin, adding 'Big tannins but a soft velvety finish.'
Wine available to UK on-trade via ABS Wine Agencies.

£12.50 Matthew Clark

An enticing mixture of red and black berries and cherries on the nose, leads to a spicy, savoury palate, with a touch of Brett, fresh hay and an earthy finish.

£13.98 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Deeply concentrated, this has cherry red fruit aromas mingled with chocolate and truffles, leading to a rich, full palate with its mix of dried and brambly fruit, chewy tobacco and juicy acidity.

£12.58 Berkmann Wine Cellars

With eucalyptus and menthol notes to add to the red and black berries and currants on the nose, this has herbal hints alongside well-integrated tannins and some oak spice on the dark-fruited palate.

£15.95 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Rich and sweet in style, with dark fruit flavours and tobacco leaf notes on a dry palate with soft tannins. Wine available to the UK on-trade via Matthew Clark.

£11.94 Pernod Ricard UK

Very deep in colour, this packs a well-flavoured punch for the money, with dark plummy black and red fruit, 'high tannins, good acids and a honeyed end note', according to The Folly's Foni Tsouvallas.

£6.49 CyT UK

Sweet red fruit flavours sit on a richly textured palate with notes of spice, liquorice and a refreshing acidity.

'Appetising and pleasant,' said Galvin la Chapelle's Marco Feraldi.

£9.58 Enotria&Coe

A mouth-tingling wine, with lively fruitiness and an enjoyable texture, this is an almost equal blend of Sangiovese and Shiraz, untroubled by oak, having spent its ageing period in neutral French oak barrels.

£11.45 Boutinot

'Very expressive liquorice nose,' said Hotel du Vin's Michael Harrison, 'with its integrated oak, sweet ripe fruit, grippy tannins, and multilayered complexity.'

£15.00 Bibendum

Bonarda's appeal shows through with this 'sweet plum fruit plus cab-merlot-style opulence, cedar notes and creamy oak', said Handford Wines' Greg Sherwood MW.

'Focused and powerful,' added journalist and team leader Jamie Goode.

£5.85 Boutinot

Deep purple in colour, this shows 'light cool climate flavours of stewed rhubarb,' alongside the blueberries and jammy dark fruit.

£10.73 Berkmann Wine Cellars

A great blend, great price, great name – and also versatile on the food front – what's not to like? This juxtaposes nettles and marjoram alongside yellow stone fruit and an almost Gewurz-like florality, while the palate has more stone fruit 'with a lick of spice' and lychee and cucumber notes. Matches everything from pork belly (see the Food Match pages) to Asian spiced prawns, chillie and mango salsa.

£6.65 Boutinot

Wonderful to see the new venture from David Trafford pick up a Gold in this, its first entry into the Sommelier Wine Awards. A Chenin/Viognier blend, this has plenty of mineral complexity allied with a round, ripe palate. The stone fruit on the nose is joined by plenty of smoke and savoury, yeast/leesy notes.

'The palate has incredible texture, being luscious, creamy and toasty. Fantastic food wine,' said consultant Angus Macnab. Try pork belly.

£13.88 Bibendum

Rich on the palate, as good Gruner is, this is slightly off-dry, with a pleasant mineral intensity, and flavours of white flowers, pineapple, lemon grass, citrus fruit, plus crisp acidity.

'Good aftertaste,' said Madison's Irina Atanasova.

£8.95 Enotria&Coe

A tropical fruit salad in a flower shop, with 'pineapple, lime and lemongrass alongside acacia, violets and honey,' said Madison's Irina Atanasova. The palate is full of soft citrus fruits, with an oak-infused layered texture and a ginger spice finish.

£7.95 Boutinot

With grassy and floral aromatics to kick off, this has a vibrant fruit-filled palate with a lick of lemon curd, a hint of oak and a strikingly refreshing finish.

'Good value,' said Antoine Dugand, Le Pont de la Tour.

£5.85 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Floral aromas mix with little gem sweeties, wine gums and ripe melon on the nose,' says The French Table's Sarah Guignard.

'This has a round palate full of flavour with a nice fresh finish,' said Antoine Dugand, Le Pont de la Tour.

£9.03 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Starting quiet, this builds to a flavourful Gold-medalwinning status. Opening up in the glass to reveal light floral aromas, the well-balanced, rich round palate has a 'delicate tropical fruit, and lychee complexity and superb mouthfeel,' according to The Jugged Hare's Guillaume Mahaut, adding 'The finish is fruity with lots of finesse,' he said, suggesting lobster as the match of choice.

£8.08 Enotria&Coe

A panel splitter with some finding this a bit too subtle, while others liked 'the delicacy of the floral aromas on the nose, the tutti frutti flavours, the salty minerals and lovely acidity,' Stéphanie Dhont, The French Table.

£8.50 Liberty Wines

Lighter than some, with exotic fruits, cut pear and red apple on the nose, this opens out on the palate. The French Table' Stéphanie Dhont, appreciated the 'lovely texture, light spices, zesty notes and creamy notes'.

£8.84 Bibendum

A fuller-bodied, rich style.

'Round very fruity nose, with plenty of oomph in the mouth,' said consultant Angela Reddin, noting that the palate was 'delightfully spicy with minerals on the finish'.

'Textbook', said an impressed Xavier Rousset, Texture, while Terroirs' Emilie Courtois remarked that 'the acidity, sugar and alcohol are really well balanced'.

£8.70 Ehrmanns Wine

'Nicely fat with some lovely fruit, including Asian Pear, and spice, alongside mineral notes and a creamy finish,' said consultant Angela Reddin of this lightly honeyed, balanced Pinot Gris.

£7.03 Hatch Mansfield

Attractive and sophisticated, this marries leafy, toned red fruits with sous bois and spices on the nose, leading to a soft juicy, red fruited-palate.

'Good structure with high but velvety tannins and a long finish,' said an approving Roberto Loppi, Hakkasan.

'I am really enjoying this new style of New World Pinot Noir,' said Terroirs' Emilie Courtois.

'Very clean and fresh, this will be great with lamb chops with gremolata.'

£15.87 Matthew Clark

Great value as well as an elegant style struck Gold for Indomita. Plump red wild berries and black cherries with a juicy bite follow a red-fruit-tinged nose. Intense and long, this shows a great finish of soft tannins and won over even the non-Pinot believers. For food, think duck – perhaps salt-cured - or spiced roast quail.

£7.95 Alliance Wine

Red currants and cherries on the nose mingle with hints of mint, while the palate is fresh, with high, sliky tannins, a mix of sweet Pinot fruit and dried red fruit, bright acids and a lightly oaky finish.

£17.08 De Bortoli Wines UK

Alongside discussions of whether this was 'typical' or not, our judges found toasty, meaty, mushroomy aromas alongside light, ripe sweet fruit and a hint of spicyness. Consultant Natasha Hughes called this 'solid value', while journalist and team leader Sarah-Jane Evans MW felt it would be a 'good pub wine'.

£6.98 Barwell & Jones

'Great nose of raspberry jam with herbaceous hints,' said Drake & Morgan's Taskin Muzaffer. With a streak of eucalypt on nose and palate, red cherries join soft raspberries on an easy-drinking palate backed up by gentle tannins and medium acidity.

£9.13 Liberty Wines

With raspberries and violets on the nose, this strikes a good balance between its fresh, sweet-fruited texture and the lightly spicy, tobacco-infused finish.

£5.49 Barwell & Jones

Cherry and roses on the nose lead to a palate with crushed berries, minerals, spicy hints and coconut vanilla on the finish.

'Good value,' said Sara Bachiorri, The Glasshouse.

£8.92 Sogrape UK

'Smoky bonfires in November,' said an inspired Angela Reddin.

'Dark cherry fruit on a very rich palate, this is intense and silky. Quite voluptuous.'

£14.53 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Savoury nose with dried meat and fruit leads to a palate with fine texture and good balance.

'Blackcurrant jabs of acid run through the bright, yet chewy, tarry palate,' said team leader, Sarah-Jane Evans MW.

£6.55 Boutinot

After a complex bouquet, ranging from dried flowers to cherry marmalade, this well structured, rich wine sports spicy raspberries and black cherries on its palate, with 'tarry oak', a fresh bite, gentle tannins and a memorable finish. With such a structure, likely to evolve beautifully.

£22.00 CyT UK

Intense herbal-scented aromas of red cherries on the nose, lead through to a fresh palate with a long finish, packed with cherries, vanilla and firm but not hard tannins.

£18.75 Swig Wines

Elegance allied to concentration marked the Hatters Hill Pinot out for Gold status, with its attractive notes of violets and savoury hints.

'Delicious nose, with a perfectly ripe, structured palate,' said consultant Joe Wadsack.

'Cooked cherries and plums with smoky notes,' added Robert Tozsor, Galvin La Chapelle. The perfect food match? Try seared tuna.

£14.10 Liberty Wines

Elegance to the fore, with smoky, spicy cherry fruit on the nose, and a long finish to the balanced fragrant palate, full, as it is, with red fruits and silky tannins.

£12.90 Coe Vintners

Great impact, with a rich, spicy texture and flavour, such a wine benefits from decanting to dispel any last vestiges of sulphur. Cooked berries, savoury farmyard notes, good typicity and balance, made this 'more Pommard-like', said Tom Harrow, WineChap.

£13.75 Boutinot

Regarded as good value by all, fragrant dark cherries and raspberries mix with violets and almondy marzipan on a vibrant nose. The palate is full of sweet, ripe summer berry and cherry-infused palate, with a nice level of spicing.

£7.25 Boutinot

With savoury notes alongside wild strawberries and cooked fruit aromas, this 'light but good expression of the type (Nigel Lister, Kofler & Kompanie) offers great By the Glass potential.

'Expressive fruit and impressive balance. Well-made wine,' said James Hocking, Vineyard at Stockcross.

£6.37 Greene King

Still a baby, this carries rich oak and vanilla tones throughout.

' Beautiful colour, with plums and violets on the nose,' said consultant Joe Wadsack, adding 'The palate is very classy, concentrated and firm. One to watch.'

£15.49 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Rich with red fruits, a little spice and leather notes, this screams Côte du Nuits,' said Terroirs Emilie Courtois.

'For that price, it's a no brainer - it will fool even the most French of your customers! Light oaking, very well-integrated, plus a little bitterness make it perfect with food too.'

£11.60 Enotria&Coe

Just the right balance between spice, fruit and oak. Cherries and plums on the nose lead to squashy purple fruits alongside pepper and spices on a full-bodied palate.

£12.19 Enotria&Coe

With its recognisable Pinot nose, Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister appreciated its 'juicy, succulent red fruits', while Hotel du Vin's Mike Harrison noted 'much more forest floor, with strawberry undertones and some palate weight'.

£11.96 Enotria&Coe

Despite its price, this made it through due to its sheer force of personality. Needs decanting - or time – to open up.

'Expensive, serious and rich; mouthcoating and Beaune/Pommard-like. If anything, too young,' said consultant Joe Wadsack.

£23.00 Boutinot

While discussions raged about whether this was 'classic' Kiwi Pinot or not, all agreed that it was opulent and beautiful.

'Dark and herby with a medium body; mouthfilling and savoury, this would knock Burgundy into a cockhat,' said Joris Bejn, Andaz.

'And anyway, what is New Zealand Pinot?'

£17.00 Boutinot

Pale in colour in the glass, this good value Pinot begins with a musky notes alongside jammy fruit on the nose. The palate is silky, fresh and juicy, with concentrated fresh red fruit flavours.

£6.80 Mentzendorff & Co

Earthy cherry notes alongside raspberries with the spicy overtones carrying through to a lighly oaked palate.

'The palate is fragrant, with violets, raspberries and cherries, silky tannins and good length,' said Zuma's Kelvin McCabe.

£11.45 Boutinot

Deep and dark, Vinopolis' Tom Forrest found 'spicy cherry and raspberry on the nose, with soft squashy red forest fruits on the palate alongside lots of smoke and oak spice'.

£15.58 O W Loeb & Co

Farmyard aromas mix with oak, jam, vanilla and spices, leading to 'a pleasant smoky meat palate" with more smoke - burnt this time - on the finish. This is typically PInotage, thought our judges.

'Boldly oaked and jammy,' said consultant Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£8.50 Accolade Wines

Renowned for its 'Go slow' philosophy - wines ferment for months and mature further in oak and then bottle before release - this caught the panel's eye for its elegance and sophistication. Black currants and cherries on the nose lead to a dense palate with intense tannins 'Balanced and pleasant' said an approving Mark Thornhill, The Bell, Fetcham.

£16.50 Boutinot

With a smoky bacon nose, the palate is packed with dense currants mixed with spice, tar and liquorice hints. A good By the Glass proposition.

£7.41 Cavendish Wines

The sheer purity of the green apple fruit, zesty lime and grapefruit, honey and floral perfume set this elegant Riesling apart. With dry mineral notes, zippy green cooking apples and citrus fruits on an almost off-dry palate, the acidity is higher than average but balanced, and the finish is long.

£11.75 Liberty Wines

Juicy and zesty with a whiff of petrol, this impressed with its 'petrolly palate'.

'It's dry, very intense and very mineral,' said Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson, while consultant Jade Koch reckoned it was 'good quaffing wine'.

£6.90 Boutinot

'Aromatic nose of honeysuckle mingled with citrus and stonefruit,' said Northcote's Adam Palowski.

'A pretty, oily, petrol nose, with quite a bit of residual sugar,' added consultant Jade Koch, saying that, with its juicy ripe fruit and minerality, 'this off-dry style will be highly versatile on the food matching front.'

£8.90 Les Caves de Pyrène

With those characteristic whiffs of petrol, this is a drier style, still with marmalade and citrus flavours alongside floral notes. Light and exporessive, with a long finish, there was just a bit of disappointment in the price.

£11.61 Moreno Wines

Bright and fresh and decidedly New World in style, this has zest and tang, and some residual sugar.

'Good fruit and minerality on the mid-palate,' said consultant Jade Koch.

£8.29 Cockburn & Campbell

With its intense mix of exotic tropical fruit, green apples and honeyed hints, 'there is an excellent balance of mineral fruits on this Alsace style of Riesling,' said Frédéric Billet, consultant.

'Will deliver with Thai food.'

£11.45 Boutinot

'Great drinkability,' said Terroirs' Emilie Courtois of this well balanced wine, with its good acidity, 'elegant, complex nose, with elements of exotic fruits and typically smokey Riesling notes'.

£14.00 Berkmann Wine Cellars

A touch of petrol on the nose emerges alongside citrus fruits, apples and honey, while the mineral freshness and persistent flavours of apple blossom, lemons and limes makes this a zippy little number.

£7.00 Treasury Wine Estates

'With its delicate nose of pear and minerals, this is juicy, with concentrated flavours of lemon and green apple on the palate,' said Diego Muntoni, OXO Tower Restaurant.

'Ripe apple, blossom and honey lead to more of the same on the palate,' added Vinopolis' Tom Forrest.

£15.21 Enotria&Coe

All the judges appreciated the expressive nature of this wine.

'Is this a direction for Leyda?' asked consultant Angela Reddin, noting the high minerality and 'nice layering of flavours,' 'Stone fruit and some minerality on the nose, this is zippy and precise with youthful fruit, good balance and concentration of grapefruit, gooseberries and lime,' said Loves Restaurant's Claire Love.

£8.53 Enotria&Coe

Elegance wins Gold for Cederberg with this precise Sauvignon. A complex bouquet encompasses peach, green apple, floral aromas, sage and fennel. The fresh medium-bodied palate has chalky minerality and flinty hints alongside apricot and peach flavours. With its fine balance, length and depth, try with red mullet, dover sole or any grilled fish.

£12.25 Bancroft Wines

'A friendly Kiwi, this has plenty of character, but doesn't have to shout for attention,' said a happy Matthew Cocks, Cubitt House. With rich gooseberry fruit alongside herbaceous hints and tomato stalk notes, this has 'good weight and length, and a steely tang,' said Peter McCombie MW.

'Very Awatere.'
Try with salmon and dill with a light mustard buerre blanc.

£6.24 Hatch Mansfield

Weight, elegance and complexity are what gave this wine Gold. Tropical notes rub alongside tomato stalk and citrus notes on the nose, while the fresh layered palate shows finesse, mineral-accented fruit and a long finish. Match with goats' cheese or asparagus. Or both.

£15.81 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

With its complex mix of aromatics – not just goosebery but passionfruit and other exotic tropical fruits – this wine from one of the Cape's leading Sauvignon Blanc exponents takes the varietal to another level. While Terroirs' Emile Courtois noted the 'spicy fennel-like touch on the crisp palate. Perfect with fresh summer dishes,' Etrusca Restaurant's Luigi Buonanno picked up on the green notes of bell pepper alongside passionfruit,' concluding: 'Good balance and good finish'. Oysters and green pea salad were suggested matches.

£10.35 Swig Wines

With a beautifully fragrant nose of gooseberry, peach and white blossom, the lengthy palate, full of exotic tropic fruit, is 'delicious and balanced', with Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie noting the 'lovely structure, medium intensity and nice citrus character'.

£9.50 Bancroft Wines

A veritable fruit salad on the nose, with gooseberry, stone fruits, green apple and citrus fruits, alongside fresh nettles. With its underlying lime acidity, the light body has a mouthwatering zinginess from pineapple and grapefruit flavours and a medium finish with similar green tinges.

£6.44 Barwell & Jones

A melange of tropical fruit, gooseberry and green apples on a zesty palate held together by 'driving acidity', the nose is steely, with grass and spicy green capsicum alongside aromas of stone fruit.

£13.32 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'With a rich stone-fruit nose, this has a concentrated palate with pineapple, melon and grapefruit,' said Claire Love, Loves Restaurant.

'Clean, simple, and easy to drink,' said Daniel Kapp, Clos Maggiore.

£6.84 Veramonte

Highly aromatic with clean, pure grapefruit alongside lychee, grass and pineapple on the nose, leading to a lime-scented, fresh, fruity bone-dry palate with a good finish.

£6.24 Hatch Mansfield

Well made with some residual sweetness, this shows gooseberry and asparagus alongside light tropical fruit aromas on the nose, with a crisp, palate with herbaceous hints and a tight mineral structure.

£10.48 Distell Europe

Green fruits and citrus aromas lead to a zingy fruit salad of lime, grapefruit, gooseberry and passionfruit, with a streak of minerality that sets it apart from its competitors.

£11.20 Liberty Wines

The use of oak divided the panel somewhat, with some feeling it weighed down the character of the fruit, while others enjoyed the vanilla notes and felt the barrel fermentation had made a 'superb, structured wine, with balance and elegance'.

£9.95 Bibendum

'Expensively dressed but wears it well,' said an approving Angela Reddin.

'Ripe pink gooseberry and stone fruits marry well with the oak, while the broad mid-palate leads to a long and expensive finish.'

£10.45 Alliance Wine

Fresh aromatics with minerally hints lead to a light palate with flavours of pear, apple, passionfruit and citrus fruits, plus that returning minerality.

'Good value,' said Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson.

£5.75 Bottle Green

Grassy green hints balance tart tropical fruit and floral notes on the nose, leading to a fresh-fruited palate. A good By the Glass option, reckoned our judges.

£6.83

Plenty of tart exotic tropical fruit alongside floral aromas, this has green herbal hints on a well-balanced palate.

'The typical Sauvignon Blanc nose is supplemented by a hint of eucalyptus, supported by lime,' said Andaz' Joris Beijn.

'If you can't choose between Old World and New World, then this is your answer.'

£8.42

Lively and vigorous, with a refreshing, balanced structure.

'Good rounded character of youthful green limes and gooseberry fruit on the nose, with more green, zesty flavours on the palate,' said a happy Claire Love, Loves Restaurant.

'Exactly what this should be.'

£8.53 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

With a touch of residual sugar, this has a lovely zingy, zesty complexity.

'Gooseberry, pear and apple aromas lead to a palate full of stone fruit, apples and citrus flavours,' said Julien Sahut, China Tang at The Dorchester.

£6.69 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

While some were overwhelmed by this wine's exuberance, others loved the depth and tang.

'Crisp and mineral, this is dry with some decent complexity present,' said James Hocking, Vineyard at Stockcross.

'Good length and well-made.'

£9.15 Bibendum

Lively tropical fruit on the nose mixes with hints of peashoots and leads to a green-tinged, medium-bodied palate with flavours of melon and ripe grapefruit.

£5.08 Berkmann Wine Cellars

While Hotel du Vin's Michael Harrison appreciated 'the varietal character, mellow acidity and good length' of this Sauvignon, with its gooseberry and green apple flavours, Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister called it 'fresh, bright and light.'

£8.35 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Good rich colour, with classic, slightly baked Semillon aromas, plenty of fruit, high acidity and lovely toasty undertones. Classic,' said Richard Bampfield MW.

'Good food wine - think smoked salmon or cod/haddock in creamy sauces,' suggested Sara Bachiorri, The Greenhouse.

£11.02 Bibendum

Green herbal notes on the nose paired with passionfruit, lead to a dry palate showing good fruit, balanced acidity and a mineral, flinty finish of medium length. While consultant Richard Bampfield MW called it 'versatile dry white,' Terroirs' Emilie Courtois felt it was 'a great By the Glass choice at that price'.

£5.33 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Something classy from that king of Hunter Semillon, Tyrrell's.

'Honeyed, rich and well-made with a nice texture and a beeswax finish. Fleshy and very well-made,' said Olivier Marie, Coq 'd'Argent. Can't say fairer than that!

£9.85 John E Fells & Sons

Typical Australian Semillon, and all the better for it, with its minerality and dry, lemony, flavours.

'Fresh and pure, this needs time,' advised consultant Richard Bampfield MW.

£9.24 Matthew Clark

Elegant ripeness wins Gold for Oakridge. One for the decanter to fully enjoy the complex savoury bouquet of dark stewed fruits, leather and spices. Soft black fruits and pepper spice on the palate lead to a sweetly-oaked finish.

'Ripe and concentrated, this has a lovely structure with good, wise use of oak,' said Oliver Marie, Coq d'Argent.

£18.78 Matthew Clark

Fabulous complexity in this cool climate Shiraz. Aromas of fresh red and dark stewed fruits mix with smoke and spicy vanilla pannacotta on the nose, while the palate shows ripe fruits of the forest, smoky savoury spice notes and a fresh finish.

£16.38 Liberty Wines

A big wine that split the panel. Realised as classy, it might well have gone further but for the price. Intensely savoury and smoky on the nose, with notes of liquorice, spice and stewed dark fruits, alongside ginger, paprika and black olive. Lively acidity, high but balanced alcohol, and tannins that will benefit from a spot of ageing.

£52.50 Boutinot

Give this a swirl to release 'the aromas of black fruits, ginger spices and woody hints,' suggests Terroirs' Emilie Courtois. Creamy coconut and vanilla flavours rub alongside soft, ripe black berry and cherry fruits, with a hint of chocolate on the finish.

£15.75 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Inspiring notes of eucalyptus prevail on both nose and palate in this light-coloured Grenache.

'The nose is quite peppery, with sweet red berries,' said Etrusca Restaurants' Luigi Buonanno.

'There's great tannins on the juicy palate and good length.'

£19.50 Boutinot

Plenty of character here, with The Folly's Chris Weaver finding liquorice, leather and black cherries running alongside eucalyptus, plums and violets. The berry-driven palate shows plentiful ripe fruits, herby and spicy notes and a medicinal tinge.

£12.75 Liberty Wines

Morello cherries lead to soft red fruits on the palate alongside good spices and a touch of eucalypt. For some, the character was too subtle and the wine didn't quite deliver, while others felt its perfume and balance left you 'ready for the second splash'.

£14.95 Liberty Wines

Morello cherry, violets and cinnamon flavours on the nose carry through to a rich palate with backbone, gentle grip and a mint streak.

£9.99 Hatch Mansfield

Spicy sweet black and red fruit mix with oak on the nose, leading to a dense, darkly-fruited medium palate.

'Rich, ample and generous, with suave, sweet tannins,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.

'Easy-drinking,' added consultant Peter McCombie MW.

£12.19 Enotria&Coe

Much appreciated for its value, Hakkasan's Serdar Balkaya for one liked the 'ripe but refreshing black fruits. A smooth tannin structure integrates well with a rich full body and a sweet spicy finish.'

£7.13 Enotria&Coe

Big and spicy, this packs sweet cinnamon alongside ripe red fruits.

'Very dry and slightly peppery flavours held in balance with sweet Morello cherries,' said Claire Love, Loves Restaurant.

'A pure expression of the style,' said Galvin La Chapelle's Marco Feraldi.

'Welcome to Australia! Supple and sweetish.'

£11.98 Bibendum

Fragrance meets power in this, Elephant Hill's second Gold, with its spicy ripe fruited now with methold and tobacco notes.

'Brooding and broad, with good tannin management,' said Kofler and Kompanie's Nigel Lister.

'Very scrumptious, with a rich mid-palate of peppery luscious fruit,' said Laura Ward, Vivat Bacchus. No wonder it also scored a Critics Choice rosette.

£23.26 Coe Vintners

Complexity and intrigue won the day with this interesting wine. Deep dark fruit laced with pepper, a touch of violet and pencil lead on the nose lead to an intensely blackcurrant palate with notes of charcoal and an almost medicinal twist to the long-lasting finish. Think a fine peppered steak.

£12.90 Coe Vintners

Polished and stylish, with layers of spice, pepper leather, sandalwood and red fruit, and that's just on the nose! 'The palate has a fine attack of lovely red fruit and good length,' said Club Gascon's Antonin Charlier.

'Muscular, honed and very intense,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

'Exceptional finish.'

£24.50 Boutinot

Blackcurrant and menthol aplenty, this was a hit from the start.

'Vivid mint on the nose and palate, there's black fruit, leafy notes and a zesty feel to the palate,' said Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson.

'Great Syrah.'
'I love it because it's big but fresh and very drinkable,' said Terroirs Emilie Courtois.

£12.59 New Generation Wines

'Very Rhône-line, with a peppery, rubbery nose,' said Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister, of this 'pepper-dominated, ripe black-fruited' Syrah with its notes of spice, smoke, leather and savoury, meaty aromas. Try with baked salon and aniseed.

£13.45 Boutinot

With cut fresh flowers and sandalwood alongside black cherries and violets on the nose, this is a wine of complexity. The dry palate has good acids, notable but balanced tannins, further wood notes, and a long fresh finish.

'Quite Old School. Good,' said River Café's Emily O'Hare.

£12.00 Boutinot

'With graphite and eucalypt on the herby nose, this has good ripe raspberry and cherry fruit, a nice element of oak, good layering and no heaviness,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

'Good fresh fruits run through the spicy, smoky palate,' added Borough Wines' Gergely Barsi Szabó.

'Great value, try with cured meat.'

£7.80 Accolade Wines

With herby fynbos notes on the nose, the sweet fruits runs happily alongside a velvetty texture and a savoury peppery character.

'Expressive and dynamic with "big boy" dimensions' said China Tang's Igor Sotric.

'Classy,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

£12.18 Bibendum

Much complexity on the nose, with mint running alongside violets, blackberries, graphite and spice. Classically dark fruited on the palate, with sweet spices, liquorice, good structure and a long finish, River Café's Emily O'Hare found this poised and elegant.

£15.75 Boutinot

Much appreciated for its intense savoury and spicy notes, alongside 'real evolution on the palate, with good freshness to accompany the structure throughout,' according to Club Gascon's Antonin Charlier.

'There's smoky, bloody meat – a Braai nose!' said consultant, Angela Reddin, 'Superb finish.'
Try with Provençal beef stew or richly sauced game.

£9.67

Blackberry, loganberry and savoury aromas of smoky bacon and spicyoak are balanced by a 'real abundance of juicy fruit layered on a bed of spicy oak,' said consultant Angela Reddin, 'Thoughtfully made.'

£13.57 Copestick Murray

'Lovely nose of ripe black currants and berries lifted by fresh notes of basil and mint,' said Terroirs' Emilie Courtois.The palate is vibrant with fresh acidity, medium body and some well-judged tannins and spicing from the wood.

£11.00 Mondial Wine

Plenty of dark fruits – cherries, damsons and plums – on a lifted nose.

'Delightfully juicy palate with creamy oak in the background,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

'A fruit-forward style, this has great length.'

£13.12 Bibendum

Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward found log fires, black cherrry and liquorice, while Hotel du Vin's Michael Harrison felt it was 'a more Bretty, Rhône-style, smoky bacon Syrah', with subtle fruit 'but ripe tannins'.

£13.13 Enotria&Coe

With its pretty black and red fruits, and violet aromas, this has enticing toffee and chocolate notes, grippy tannins, and white pepper on the finish.

£7.75 Boutinot

With its pronounced mint and plum on the nose and its intense, well-structured, sweet-fruited palate, this was a spicy number which raised a few eyebrows on the price-front.

£19.10 Boutinot

A little young, this was nevertheless appreciated for its elegance.

'Floral, oak and black fruit on the nose with a touch of pepper,' said Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward, while Hotel du Vin's Michael Harrison said it was a 'darker, more satanic wine, with soft but abundant tannin and good length.'

£15.16 Louis Latour Agencies

With 'lashings of white pepper' and bright black fruits, there's a leafy note to the nose, which carries through to the palate.

'With its ripe, dark fruit and peppery undertones, this is expressive for the price,' said Laura Ward, Vivat Bacchus.

£8.74 Hatch Mansfield

'Rhône style on the nose, with notes of chocolate-covered black cherries,' said Roganic's Sandia Change while Galvin La Chapelle's Marco Feraldi felt that this wine was 'already showing good integration, with some developing notes. Still shy, it will improve quietly with time.'

£12.22 Bibendum

Pleasant spicy, peppery notes on the nose alongside dark fruit lead to a firm, full palate with savoury tinges alongside wild cherry, cooked black fruits and cigar box flavours.

£6.46 Cavendish Wines

Another youngster that needs a bit of time, this has plenty of bacon-fuelled Brett, following onto a savoury palate.

'Elegant and sophisticated,' said Kofler and Kompanie's Nigel Lister.

£17.83 New Generation Wines

With plums, cherries, and sweet liquorice on the nose, this has spice on a ripe, sweet-fruited palate.

'Nicely balanced New World style, said Roganic's Sandia Chang 'Very sellable.'

£6.34 John E Fells & Sons

Juicy, with a balanced structure and grippy tannins, this wine opens up in the glass to reveal coffee and eucalyptus notes mingling with 'lots of lively black fruits', according to Terroirs' Emilie Courtois.

£8.25 CyT UK

Salta strikes again, providing balancing acidity and elegant aromatics rather than over-dramatic blousiness to take this wine to the top. Gentle citrus aromas mix with apricot confit on the nose, while a fruity, grapey palate is well balanced with ginger spice.

'Refreshing, zesty, light and fragrant,' said an impressed Andrea Bricarello, Galvin La Chapelle.

£6.52 Enotria&Coe

Torrontés character coming to the fore, with rose petal aromas alongside apricots, peaches and notes of toast on the nose.

'The palate is packed with fresh, tart apricot and pineapple with crisp acidity,' said Louise Gordon, Rib Room at the Jumeirah Carlton Hotel.

£7.25 Alliance Wine

While elderflower, fresh pears and tropical fruit dominate the palate, it's honeysuckle, ripe William pear and grapefuit on the nose.

'Fair textured mid-palate and decent acidic line hold this wine through to the citrus finish,' said Kyri Sotiri, Soho Wine Supply. Available to UK on-trade via Matthew Clark

£6.77 Pernod Ricard UK

Typically scented with roses, bougainvillea, lychee and lemon thyme, the lychee continues onto an off-dry palate. Ideal with Asian dishes or By the Glass.

£7.77 Enotria&Coe

'Classic Torrontés,' said Louise Gordon, Rib Room, citing the 'soft florality and white fruits on the nose, with crisp acidity and clean finish.'
Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri also noted 'bracing acidity', commenting how it followed gracefully through to a grapefruity finish.

£7.90 John E Fells & Sons

With an 'almost Condrieu nose', our judges liked the fresh zingy nature of the delicate flowers and white peach on the nose, the zesty, intense palate, texture (Laura Ward, Vivat Bacchus), but felt that this wine was still young, and needed time to be of its best.

£11.10 Coe Vintners

'Classic Viognier,' said Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward, 'with its peach and apricot nose, leading to a precise, well balanced palate, with creamy apricot, fresh peach, minerally hints and a clean finish.'

£6.35 Berkmann Wine Cellars

With roasted apricot, chestnut, caramel and butterscotch on the nose, the ripe stone fruit flavours on the palate lead to a 'crisp, slightly baked finish' with 'great fruit length'.

£10.36 John E Fells & Sons

Pale green gold in the glass, while Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward felt the nose was expressive, with its floral notes and classic peach and apricot notes,' Kofley & Kompanie's Nigel Lister appreciated the 'gentle rounded fresh peach and apricot fruit on the palate. Fresh and decent length.'

£7.00 PLB

'Lightest in terms of body, this fruit-driven Zinfandel is expressive and easy drinking,' said Hakkasan's James Teng, spotting Gold List and By the Glass potential at the outset. With its liquorice notes alongside 'lovely wild berries and crushed dry leaves, this is excellent value for money,' said Galvin La Chapelle's Marco Feraldi.

'Young but sellable.'
Match with sweet and sour pork belly, truffled mushrooms, venison or pigeon.

£5.25 Hayward Bros

California's Zinfandel specialist Seghesio storms ahead with this intense wine from the challenging 2010 vintage. With its plentiful supply of wild red berries, meaty flavours and uplifting acidity, there's a good balance, medium-firm tannins and a savoury finish. And the perfect food match? Game, says consultant Peter McCombie MW.

£14.50 Liberty Wines

A touch rustic on the nose, with herbal and chocolatey notes alongside the dark fruit.

'Blackberry tones combine with a touch of herbal character, a refreshing acidity and a rich intense plummy finish,' said Serdar Balkaya, Hakkasan.

£9.00 PLB

Rich plums and damsons on the nose with some ageing character coming through.

'Hugely intense yet elegant plummy palate finishes with refreshing acidity and sweet spice tones,' said Serdar Balkaya, Hakkasan.

£7.78 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Elegant flavours and stand-out value for a Pinot Noir wins Bulgaria its first Gold – and a coveted Critics Choice award too. Pale ruby with tawny hints in the glass, this is Pinot-esque with gamey aromas of redcurrants, cherries and berries. Rich and fruity in the palate, with bright raspberries alongside clean blackcurrant fruit, soft tannins and a slight cranberry bite on the finish.

£6.90 Swig Wines

A fantastic exposition of how Viognier can be done well outside its original heartland of the Rhône. Fleshy on the nose with lemon meringue, apricot, pear and vanilla-oak, the palate has 'concentrated delicious apricot fruit, great balance, texture and length,' said Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister, suggesting 'grilled Dover sole with extra butter'. Borough Wines' Gergely Barsi Szabo felt it was almost 'Condrieu-esque in its character - but with higher acidity.'

£19.77 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Bright fruit flavours on a keenly priced palate gave the Sommelier Wine Awards its first English Gold. And it's Ortega, the Germanic varietal, in the hands of Ortega specialists, Biddenden. Llight to medium in intensity on both nose and palate, this shows a 'keen minerality on the nose', with 'subtle almondy notes', said Marco Feraldi, Galvin la Chapelle. Add in zesty limes, gooseberries, green apple and a touch of residual sugar and you have a perky white of note.

£5.09 Bibendum

A light, fresh blend, this starts with floral notes on the nose alongside grassy aromas, citrus notes and a hint of minerality. Alongside its balanced acidity, texture and medium finish, 'the apple and pear flavours transport you straight into an English orchard,' said team leader, Susanna Forbes.

£6.33 Sharpham Wines

'Cranberry, red fruit and menthol throughout,' said Loves Restaurant's Claire Love. The red fruits mix with violets, oak and herby hints on the nose, leading to a fleshy, mid-weight palate with both grip and spice.

'Tannic but elegant,' said Terroirs' Emilie Courtois.

£13.90 Istanbul Turizm ve Otelcilik A.S

Simčič redefines Pinot Grigio in its Slovenian guise with this wine. Musky, floral notes mix on the nose with gunpowder, leading to a bold, rich yet dry palate, with hints of almonds, good acidity and length and the merest hint of dried rose petals.

'Proper, well balanced wine, this is interesting and elegant,' said Nigel Lister, Kofler & Kompanie.

£9.60 Bancroft Wines

Perfumed with good minerality and a lightly textured palate, this sports limes, pineapple and a lemon-scented complexity, plus soft acidity and a long finish.

£8.80 Danebury Vineyards

The nose take a while to open up, but when it does, offers a veritable fruit salad of pears, smoky apricot, lime and citrus. The palate is not overly complex, but packs in the fruit alongside crisp acidity, a touch of flint, and a long finish.

£8.72 Berkmann Wine Cellars

With bananas, tropical fruit and a citrus hit, this has good fruit and crisp acidity.

'Straightforward but effective, with a good finish. Great as House Wine,' said Luigi Buonanno, Taberna Etrusca.

£4.50 Istanbul Turizm ve Otelcilik A.S

Floral notes match a lightly zesty array of flavours, giving what Galvin La Chapelle's Marco Feraldi called a 'rustic elegance on the nose', while Roganic's Sandia Chang appreciated the 'white pepper, spicy notes, good acid balance and rounded finish'.

£8.40 Danebury Vineyards

'Light in colour and body, this has fresh summer berries, light earthy notes and delicate tannins,' said Kyri Sotiri, Soho Wine Group.

'Almost a rosé style,' added Roganic's Sandia Chang, 'Very well made; a nice summer red.'

£8.90 Gusbourne Estate

A fabulous wine to head the Colheita assault on this year's awards – and at less than a £ a year, incredible value too.

'Barley sugar and toasted coconut, dark marmalade and treacle tart, bitter and lifted, intriguingly layered and finely tuned with effortless complexity and lovely balance,' said consultant Angela Reddin. Err – I think she like it, as did all else who tried it.

£19.63 Cavendish Wines

Light in the decanter, but then this is one of very few colheitas to be made solely from white grapes, so it's a double delight to welcome it to the Gold winners pavilion in this year's Sommelier Wine Awards. From a legendary year anyway, with its ripe fruit, deep concentration and 'wonderful finish of nuts, oakiness and toast', Angela Reddin felt we were 'moving into XO Cognac complexity, but no harshness. Needs a big chair and a ciger.'
I tend to agree, and I don't even smoke! Price quoted is for 50cl bottle.

£55.44 Cavendish Wines

This aged tawny with its figgy nose and dried fruit-driven palate may have arrived at the close of a judging day, but its star quality shone through, elevating it with ease to the Gold podium.

'Old wines with plenty of aged wood characters, this is nutty – think Brazil nuts – dark and spicy with chocolate notes,' said a beaming Angela Reddin, consultant.

£28.40 Size: 75cl Maisons Marques et Domaines

'Intense flavours of burnt almonds, dried fruits and caramel, this has a luscious texture and well balanced alcohol,' said Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks.

'A lot to like.'
Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward agreed; 'With its nutty pecan nose, delicious sweetness, nutty finish and long length, this is scrumptious – leaves you wanting more.'

£24.08 Size: 75cl Berkmann Wine Cellars

Savoury in approach, this has 'pure blackberry notes' and floral notes, plus a deliciously viscous palate. A perfect balance between the fruit and the sweet, fresh finish,' said Antoine Dugand, Pont de la Tour.

'More complex in flavour, this has a subtle finish,' said Mark Thornhill, The Bell at Fetcham.

£10.95 Size: 75cl Liberty Wines

Dark red rosewood colour with caramel fudge notes, 'there's plenty of red fruit characteristics, nutty flavours, good balancing acidity and length,' said Julien Sahut, China Tang at The Dorchester.

'It's a lovely wine,' said Angela Reddin. The spirit balance is very good; very bright in the mouth. Well aged.'

£15.05 Size: 75cl Raymond Reynolds

Very youthful despite more than a decade on the clock, this has good depth, concentration and colour.

'The fruitiness and tannins are in harmony, leading to a warm finish,' said Antoine Dugand, Le Pont de la Tour.

'With bright freshness, and prune/fig/tobacco complexity,' this is great value for money,' added an impressed James Hocking, The Vineyard Group.

£17.26 Size: 75cl John E Fells & Sons

Just missing out on a coveted Gold spot, this shows its age gracefully with an orange rim, before diving into ginger cake, more spices and nuts on the nose and palate. While all appreciated the leathery, aged notes, consultant Angela Reddin singled out the 'beautiful gentle delicious spice'.

£13.00 Boutinot

A high Silver, this impressed with its 'characterful spicy palate, lashings of dark fruit and richness, (Angela Reddin). Great fruit punch on the nose with plentiful dark fruits.

'All round good depth and mouthfilling finish,' said Sarah Guignard, The French Table, while Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward deemed this LBV 'elegant and feminine'.

£9.30 Size: 75cl Boutinot

Mahogany red with bronze glints, this has flavours of toffee, caramel and burnt sugar alongside nuts, dates and figs.

'Slightly sweet but high in acidity, this is crying out for treacle tart,' said Matthew Cocks, Cubitt House. Price quoted is for 50cl bottle.

£7.90 Size: 50cl John E Fells & Sons

Chocolate, spice and coffee in this well-integrated tawny.

'Nice wood notes with deliciously spicy fruit, finishing on toffee. Very smooth and fine,' said Angela Reddin, consultant.

£16.85 Size: 75cl Maisons Marques et Domaines

'Lipsmacking!' said a happy Sarah Jane Evans MW. With its mocha milk chocolate finish, burnt caramel and honey flavours, this proved popular with the judges. Available to UK on-trade via Liberty Wines.

£9.50 Size: 37.5cl Advini

Sweet rich, red berry nose with vanilla and spice leads to a youthful, sweet palate bursting with red fruit.

'A ripe and opulent style,' said James Hocking, The Vineyard Group.

£8.80 Size: 75cl Mentzendorff & Co

A blend of old white Ports, with its time spent ageing in wood, it certainly is a distinctive wine.

'Original' confirmed Sarah Jane Evans MW.

'Fresh, yeasty and clean,' said The French Table's Sarah Guignard.

'Almost Madeira in style.'
Serve as an aperitif, or with cheese and nuts. Or do as the Portuguese do, and mix with tonic and ice.

£7.90 Size: 75cl Boutinot

With an inviting nose of burnt caramel, this is a very intense colheita from a challenging vintage with small quantities produced.

'With its nutty aromas, there's an intense depth on the palate and a long, long finish,' said Sarah Guignard, The French Table.

£37.00 Boutinot

A balance between earthy elements and silky smooth red fruits struck Gold for Quinta da Romaneira. While Hotel du Vin's Michael Harrison said this 'rounded softer wine has savoury notes and firm tannins,' consultant Joe Wadsack added 'Creamy, delicious and svelte. Well-dressed!' Head for the intensity of game for your food match.

£18.60 Liberty Wines

Character and clarity lead Monte Velho to the Gold List The nose mixes nuts, sweet ripe melon and guava with white peach and notes of vanilla, while the palate has good minerality and pleasant zesty fruits. With 'broad flavours, the rich balanced palate has a lovely character with an excellent lingering finish,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

£6.35 Charles Hawkins & Partners

Texture and judicious oak usage propels Esporão back to the Gold podium.

'Spicy with sweet vanilla from well-integrated oak,' said Tom Forrest of this blend of local varietals and Semillon. Consultant Angela Reddin noted 'nutty creme brulee' on the nose, while the well rounded palate shows 'ripe, sweet stone fruit, with custard apples and cream on the finish'.

£9.96 Charles Hawkins & Partners

Smoke, spice and plush fruits win the day on this powerful wine. Deft handling of local varietals offer up ripe confit of plum, spices and pomegranate flavours on the nose, leading to a similarly sumptuous palate, with its savoury flavours of red fruits, sour cherries and chocolate.

'Good fruit on a well-structured palate. Well built with a good intensity,' observed Gergely Barsi Szabó, Borough Wines. Grilled meats – or roast peppers.

£8.07 Sogrape UK

'Rich, silky and juicy, with upright tannins and black fruit. A Portuguese Pauillac,' said consultant Joe Wadsack of this spicy, oaky wine with its crushed plums and firm tannins.

'Delish!' added Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister.

£8.07 Sogrape UK

Lime flowers, light nougat notes and soft white peaches form part of this wine's bouquet with its smoky minerality, while a 'long and interesting' palate sports green apples and lime, minerals, nutty notes and a fresh, floral finish.

£8.70 Bibendum

Zesty citrus notes and minerals meld with ripe tropical fruits on the nose, with pink grapefruit following onto a fresh yet spicy, dry tropical-scented palate.

'A little prickle in the mouth gives the wine a very fresh bright hit. Very enjoyable,' said consultant Angela Reddin. Available to UK on-trade via Ellis of Richmond.

£7.10 Oakley Wine Agencies

A voluptuous wine with wild cherries, a rich, chocolatey palate and plenty of sweet spices.

'Very grand, huge sweetness and extract,' said Joe Wadsack.

'Made for ageing.'

£16.48 Maisons Marques et Domaines

Light aromas of violets, raspberries and cranberries follow on to the palate to be joined by vibrant plums, red forest fruits, blueberries and spices. With a refreshing acidity, the tannins are dry and ripe. Available to UK on-trade via Jascots.

£6.80 Oakley Wine Agencies

Deep ruby in colour, Vinopolis' Tom Forrest found sweet ripe fruit aromas with vanilla spice, while Borough Wines' Gergely Barsi Szabó picked up 'strong oak over smoky fruit, good structure and a warmth from the alcohol.'

£11.96 Charles Hawkins & Partners

Well made, with bright, fresh, sweet cherry fruit, green herbal notes on the nose, and tannins that still need time.

£6.85 Maisons Marques et Domaines

With several judges noting the almost Italian-style volatile nose, all agreed on the complexity of this savoury, rustic wine. While Nigel Lister liked the 'old school fruit', Joe Wadsack called it 'A cut above', and others felt it needed more time to show of its best.

£9.90 Boutinot

'Garnet with hints of orange on the rim, this has earthy notes alongside red and black fruits,' said Vinopolis' Tom Forrest.

'There's soft cooked dark berries, simple tannins and vanillin spice on the palate.'
'Calls for food,' said a peckish Paolo Tonellotto, The Hide Bar.

£6.25 Boutinot

It may have been Provençal pink in colour, conjuring up images of holidaying in the South of France, but its herbal glints, 'silky creaminess', and interesting mocha notes on the finish, showed this could be a winner anywhere.

'Great berry fruit nose which continues onto the balanced palate,' said The French Table's Sarah Guignard, who appreciated the wine's classic restraint. Lobster, whether grilled or in a salad was the dish of choice. Available to UK on-trade via Enotria

£8.50 Advini

Highly versatile, this comes from the heights of Somontano, from a producer who's been growing grapes for centuries. Vivid pink in colour, it has vibrant red berry aromas with a streak of blackcurrant which follow through to a similarly intense palate, to be joined by red cherry. Well balanced and cheerily structured, it's no wonder its food friendly credentials won it a By the Glass recommendation. Our starting suggestions? Confit duck terrine, charcuterie or grilled peppers.

£7.83 Enotria&Coe

With elegant floral aromas of violet and rose alongside delicate red fruits on the nose, the gentle, zesty fruit appears on a mineral-dominated palate with good acidity.

'Classic Provence pink,' said Mike Harrison, Hotel du Vin, Henley.

'Very stylistic.'

£6.04 Greene King

Friendly and approachable, this light, well-balanced wine has a beautiful nose of wild raspberries and strawberries and a long finish.'
With its fresh, good acidity, this is "pretty-in-pink" flirty,' said an entertained Sandria Chang, Roganic, while consultant Frédéric Billet went further, saying it was a 'crowd pleaser, for the ladies in town'.

£6.85 Hatch Mansfield

Neon pink in the glass, the aromas make you think you're having a cup of red berry tea in a candy store! There's plenty of tart plum, crushed red berries and cherry fruit on the textured palate accompanied by light spicing.

'Powerful flavour, but fruity and floral,' said consultant Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£9.00 Mondial Wine

Onion skin in colour, this is subtle on the nose with just a whiff of red fruits, leading to a decidedly refreshing palate, with orange peel, lime zest and crisp apple flavours to the fore.

£10.50 Boutinot

With strawberry-like flavours throughout, a touch of residual sugar and light tannins, this was 'exactly what I'm looking for when asking for a light delicate rosé,' said Marco Feraldi, Galvin La Chapelle.

£6.25 Boutinot

'Pinky'n'Perky,' said an amused Nigel Lister, Kofler & Kompanie.

'Textbook Provence,' said Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward, appreciating the apple and red fruit, good texture and refreshing acidity.

£10.93 Bibendum

With more colour, we're into crunchy red berry and cherry territory. A panel-divider, some loved the dense flavour-layered palate, while its appeal was lost on others. Peter Fazekas, Galvin La Chapelle, however, was a fan.

'This is an elegant, easy-drinking rosé with a touch of sweetness,' he said.

£7.10 Mentzendorff & Co

With a delightful complexity, mixing up flavours of freshly picked strawberries, redcurrants and watermelon with smoky, liquorice hints, and vegetal notes of spinach and swiss chard, our panel realised that the savoury nature of this wine might not be to everyone's taste, but all agreed that it was 'really interesting'.

£12.18 Hatch Mansfield

Pinot Noirish in its complexity, with vegetal and forest floor notes alongside honied yellow fruit, soft red berries and prunes. With spice and savoury notes, 'this has a natural wine feel,' said Greg Sherwood MW, Handford Wines.

£13.88 Bibendum

Very pale pink in the glass, this has a vivid crispness, where the soft ripe raspberries mixes with flowers on the nose, leading the way on the palate, before merging with citrus fruits for the finish.

£8.62 Eurowines

Simultaneously waxy and smoky, and redolent of bonfires and toffee apples at the same time, this well balanced wine is the embodiment of the word 'complex. Perfectly poised between flavours of salty nuts and honey and malt, as only a great amontillado can do, while Madison's Irina Atanasova was uncovering the caramel and dried fruits, consultant Peter McCombie MW was finding biscuits and orange peel on the relatively dry palate. Price quoted is for 50cl bottle.

£17.00 Size: 50cl Boutinot

Another amazing flavour-to-value winner from the denizens of Bodegas Hidalgo. No wonder this refreshingly sophisticated salty seadog of a Manzanilla came home laden with both a Food Match and a Critics' Choice gong. While Angus Macnab found 'salt and iodine plus good weight and texture on the palate', Andrea Bricarello felt this was 'complex yet rich, with fresh dough notes on the nose and a good balance'. For food, start with garlic prawns, move onto mushroom risotto – see our Food Match chapter for why – and finish with cheese and nuts.

£8.15 Size: 75cl Mentzendorff & Co

A true head-turner, the panel could have stayed all week with this one. Fig jam, nuts, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, toffee, dates, figs, coffee… the descriptors go on and on.

'Great balance between the sweet fruit and the accompanying acidity. Great for sticky toffee pudding,' said Irina Atanasova, Madison.

'Richly raisined, with sweet, intense unctuous texture and a delicious lipsmacking freshness,' said a happy Peter McCombie MW. Price quoted is for a 50cl bottle.

£16.00 Size: 50cl Boutinot

No stranger to the SWA podium, Fernando de Castilla have presented us with an incredible three Golds this year, including this distinctive fino. Practically a meal in itself, it's golden bright in colour, with a 'strong aromatic profile' and a rich, savoury, almost creamy mouthfeel.

'Beautiful nose - salty with apricots, orange peel and soft nutty notes,' said Angus Macnab, continuing: 'lovely saltiness on the palate, with gentle toasted nuts and spice'. Price quoted is for 50cl bottle.

£11.75 Size: 50cl Boutinot

A richer style of fino, with more nuts and savoury notes alongside the texture, toasted bread crust and fresh dough aromas.

'Very elegant with its touch of salt,' said Ram Chhetri, Galvin Bistrot de Luxe.

£7.25 Size: 75cl Boutinot

'Powerful but not overwhelming' brings home the Gold. Intense and elegant on the nose, with herbaceous notes alongside tobacco and ripe red fruit.

'The palate is vibrantly fruity, with wieght, richness and poise,' said Peter McCombie MW.

'Dry on the finish, this is excellent and will improve with aeration.'
Try with veal and white beans, bolognese or roast piglet,' said consultant Maria Rodriguez.

'Or squid with green chilli.'

£15.51 Enotria&Coe

Elegance scores Gold for Alvarez y Diaz. Peachy aromatics mingle alongside zippy apples and pears with hints of citrus and grassy notes on the nose. The off-dry palate is packed with pure fruit and citrus flavours, a dash of spice and 'some mineral energy'.

'Delicious fruit and freshness. Good balance,' said Chris Delalonde, The Boundary. Consider smoked fish or eel.

£8.05 Alliance Wine

Beautiful balance of grace and elegance, savoury and sweetness from Faustino's flagship in Ribera del Duero. With hints of orange rind alongside sweet smoky spice and rich fruit on the nose, the palate shows character, structure and old school earthiness.

'Juicy and succulent, this has wonderful rounded fruit and the right tannins,' said consultant Maria Rodriguez.

'Try with duck and cranberry sauce, venison curry with coriander, or veal chops. And it's ready to drink!

£9.00 Cellar Trends

'A perfumed nose of flowers and crushed fruits follows through to a palate with plenty of primary fruit upheld with sweet American oak,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

'Old style but lovely.'

£8.50 EWGA

Very fragrant, with white fruits, floral aromas, orange peel and waxy hints leading to bright grapefruit, tropical and citrus fruit flavours on the palate.

'The medium-bodied palate is very fresh, quite elegant, mineral and attractive,' said consultant Angus Macnab.

£7.26 Matthew Clark

Ripe red fruits mixes with floral aromas and a sweet oaky character on the nose, while 'the palate bursts with fleshy, rich fruit, creamy oak and hints of spice,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

'This shows class.'

£18.67 Bibendum

A restrained yet complex nose sports ripe fruit flavours with citrus elements and oily aromatic notes of peach, apricot plus a hint of fennel continues onto a medium-weight palate with tropical fruit flavours and a long finish. 'Subtle and restrained palate, with mouthwatering acidity,' said The Arts Club Athila Roos.

'Elegant and refreshing.'

£7.01 Bibendum

Plenty of sweet, soft, black and red cherries, berries and currants in this well-structured wine with a good finish. The talented Rosa Maria Zarza is at the helm of this youthful, 19-member co-op, sourcing grapes from vines at least 20 years old in the lesser known area of Zamorana de Toro.

£7.13 Bibendum

A complex nose of savoury fruits, tobacco, spices, oak and herbaceous notes hint at this wine's happy evolution. Its fresh palate with its firm grip and good concentration of fruit indicates that its best has yet to come.

£10.35 Bibendum

A fragrant nose of flowers, fruit, spice and pepper leads to a firm, structured, fruity and accessible palate. Hakkasan's Roberto Loppi liked the 'well-integrated oak, savoury notes and good length'.

£8.19 John E Fells & Sons

Good variety of stone fruit and citrus zest on the nose leads to a palate of ripe fruit that is both rich and complex and finishes off-dry.

£7.60 Boutinot

Claire Love noted some candied, bright cranberry fruit and floral character on the nose. Dry tannins run alongside good fruit on a mid-weight palate and, although the wine is already showing some signs of development, several felt there was more ageing potential.

£10.95 Liberty Wines

With aromas of green, citrus and white fruits plus some grassy notes, the fresh palate is nicely textured with zippy citrus fruit, crisp green apple skin flavours, hints of minerality and a medium finish.

£6.83 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Already five years old, this seems hardly out of nappies and definitely needs decanting.

'Some definitive Spanish style. Very deep and impressive, with a good use of oak,' said James Hocking, Vineyard at Stockcross. Terroirs' Emilie Courtois was blown away: 'You can feel that there's something big lurking behind… Smoky minerality gives way to spicy liquorice. I love it because it is so elegant. The acidity is fresh and juicy and the tannins are tight but fine. An all-nighter wine!' Haunch of venison, oxtail – or chocolate berries.

£21.55 John E Fells & Sons

Versatility and style won Torres gold here. Partial fermentation in oak lends this Sauvignon wonderful depth and food potential – bacalhau and chorizo were just two suggestions. The nose offers, honey, minerality and smoky hints along with tropical, stone and citrus fruits, flavours which follow through onto a well-structured, medium-bodied palate with great length.

£11.80 John E Fells & Sons

Big and punchy, with a good balance between the sizeable fruit flavours, acids and tannins. The flavours and aromas show the benefits of ageing, with sous-bois alongside spicy, vegetal notes. Available to UK on-trade via Wine Studio, Matthew Clark.

£12.66 Grupo Codorníu

Lifted aromas of red fruits and rose petals lead to a similarly fragrant palate. With raspberries, cranberries, beetroot and plums, this has good acidity, soft spices and a long textured finish,' said Zuma's Kelvin McCabe.

£6.78 Bibendum

Clean, fresh and engaging, with floral notes alongside passionfruit on the nose.

'Very Spanish, this is ripe and balanced, with peach notes on an expressive full palate. Fantastic value for money,' said James Hocking, Vineyard at Stockcross. Good By the Glass material. One word: sardines!

£6.75 Boutinot

Dried fruits, baked dark berries, hints of spice and roasted chocolate notes sit alongside liquefied cherries and a touch of vanilla illustrating how gracefully this powerful wine has aged. As well as the 'soft, approachable tannins', Practical Matters' Nicola Thomson noted 'great structure and good length'.

£13.80 Boutinot

Dry, earthy cassis notes coupled with good structure make this a great food wine.

'With many characteristcs of a well-aged, approachable Bordeaux but at a better price, this would be an easy sell,' said Hawksmoor's Liam Davy.

£13.41 Barwell & Jones

Aromatic with plums, cherries, blueberries, smoke and menthol hints on the nose leading to soft squashy fruit on a lightly oaked palate with notes of cigar box spice, vanilla and grainy tannins.

£6.11 Alliance Wine

Elegant yet rich, this has depth and complex notes of smoke and pepper alongside lovely fresh cranberry and sour cherry flavours.

'Different,' said Hawksmoor's Liam Davy,' lovely acidity with bright, Pinot-esque fruit.'

£12.40 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Dark and delicious, with savoury prunes and dried fruit on the palate.

'Quite thirst-quenching with some grip,' said Hawksmoor's Liam Davy, while Terroirs' Emilie Courtois was hoping for a bit of age: 'Bargain, but at the moment it's still closed and rather tannic.'

£6.60 Boutinot

Good oak integration in this aromatic, medium- to full-bodied white with its notes of candied peel.

'The spicy tropical nose and buttery yet fresh mouthfeel suggest that this wine deserves to be treated like a white Burgundy,' said Joris Bejn, Andaz.

£13.80 Boutinot

White flowers, peach and pear aromas lead to a light, sweet-fruited palate with hints of candied fruit and orange peel, and a 'mineral juicy finish'.

'Very summery,' said Hawksmoor's Liam Davy, 'holiday wine in a good way.'

£6.85 Boutinot

Garnet in colour, this is Old School Spain, with leathery aromas of dried fruits and spices alongside vanilla, plum and cassis.

'With tobacco hints and savoury notes, this has good length and great texture,' said Zuma's Kelvin McCabe.

£9.60 Boutinot

Tangy and refreshing, the zest and vigour of this wine appealed to all. Beginning with a ripe nose of mango, stoned fruit, lime leaf and white blossom, the mouthwatering palate with its good acid structure has 'a flinty minerality, with lemons, peaches, gooseberry and lemon sherbert,' said Drake & Morgan's Taskin Muzaffer. Sashimi and smoked salmon spring to mind.

£7.15 Boutinot

A different, more subtle interpretation of Godello wins A Coroa Gold here. Elegantly aromatic with pear drops, white blossom, lychees, herbal hints and a touch of smoke, the tangy, medium-bodied palate of citrus, orchard and stone fruit leads to a long, mineral finish. Partner with scallop and crab tortellini in a light sauce.

£10.43 Bibendum

With an intense, complex bouquet of lemon zest, stem ginger in syrup, fresh apple, nectarine and floral aromas, this shows a good balance of lemon and white grapes on a light, dry, fresh palate with light minerality and a long, spicy finish.

£8.86 Enotria&Coe

Rich texture, good depth of fruit and an almost savoury aftertaste.

'Good peachy typicity, contrasted with zippy zest and a clean finish,' said journalist and team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW.

'Youthful with good varietal character,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.

'Nice texture, oilyness and weight.'

£11.51 Moreno Wines

Moderately aromatic on the nose with angelica, yellow flowers and hard bread dough, ' the palate bursts with ripe, exotic flavours,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie. Available to UK on-trade through Jascots.

£9.40 Oakley Wine Agencies

Jasmine mixes with lemon aromas on the nose, while the palate shows good acidity, yellow pear and grapefruit, good minerality and a waxy, rounded texture.

£11.11 Alliance Wine

'Floral, herbacious nose with lemon zest character, this is balanced, clean and fresh, with yellow fruit on the palate, a dry mineral finish, and good length,' said Sara Bachiorri, The Glasshouse.

£8.00 Boutinot

'Fruit-driven with a refreshing acidity, this is both opulent and succulent,' said consultant Maria Rodriquez, while Claire Love found aromas of nettle leaves, candied ginger, podded peas, and fresh green apples on the finish.

£13.63 Liberty Wines

Quite aromatic and fruity on the nose with hints of apricot.

'Fruit follows through with a savoury finish. Clean, light with soft acidity,' said Sara Bachiorri, The Glasshouse

£6.20 Clink Wines

Personality and price put Veranza ahead with its Chardonnay. So much so that we decided to make it one half of our Perfect Pub Pair in the By the Glass awards. With fresh aromas of nectarine and white flowers, the lemon-fresh textured palate sports ripe melon, grape and tropical fruits.

'Easy and cheerful,' said Robert Tozser, Galvin la Chappelle, this is great solo, but also good with shellfish, fish, either raw or lightly spiced. Available in the UK via The Vintner.

£4.32 Grupo Codorníu

Serious indulgence and texture at a good price gave Cien y Pico not just Gold but a Food Match award. Dark fruit mixes with liquorice and sweet spices on the nose, while the palate shows dried fruit alongside powerful plum and blackcurrant flavours.

'A delicious, seriously indulgent palate,' said Laura Ward, Vivat Bacchus. Fresh and balanced, with good minerality, food matches suggested include black sausage, Spanish cassoulet and, of course, cheese.

£8.88 Liberty Wines

Massive and still a little young, this impressed all.

'Its unusual wild aromas of lavender, thyme and dark berries lead to a good punch of fruit with a slightly savoury edge covering a core of crème de mure,' said The Arts Club Athila Roos.

'With liquorice and spice and herbal hints on the nose, this has huge tannins balanced by massive fruit underneath. Needs time. Beautiful,' said Mike Harrison, Hotel du Vin. Think duck.

£10.91 Moreno Wines

Much excitement with this multilayered wine from the multinational partnership between Bodegas Juan Gil and Aussie Old Vine Shiraz expert, Chris Rockland. Dense chocolate and cinnamon notes run alongside cassis and black plums on the nose, while refreshing acids balance the richly fruited palate.

'There's massive concentration on a superb body,' said The Vineyard Group's James Hocking, adding that this was 'an elegant expression of Spain'. 'Like drinking cashmere,' said consultant Angela Redding.

'So sensual.'

£24.00 Boutinot

The flagship wine from the Jumilla's ambitious El Nido collaboration, despite its price, this was the wine passed around to all as a superlative example of Spanish wine.

'Coal, Christmas pudding, chocolate, almost a treacle note…' consultant Angela Reddin was getting carried away. Packed with opulent ripe fruit and sweet spices on the palate, this is international in style, with fine, new well-integrated oak, leading to a long finish. Back to Reddin: 'The palate is wonderful. It takes no prisoners - I cannot fault this.'
Where's my glass?

£75.00 Boutinot

'Here's loads of character,' said consultant Joe Wadsack.

'With smoky, green olive and peppercorns on the nose, the palate is developed but incredibly fresh, long and persistent,' said consultant Angus Macnab.

'Concasse of tomato, this is very spicy, with sweet fruit; very complex,' said Hotel du Vin's Mike Harrison, adding 'Great to see such funky winemaking,' We suggest roast lamb or stew.

£13.50 Boutinot

The youthful, somewhat shy nose shows graceful grassy notes, while the flavours open out on the palate, with plenty of orchard fruits, mineral notes, a well balanced acidity and a 'sherbert finish'. Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister called it 'well balanced, great polished winemaking. Juicy, fresh and delicious.'

£8.58 Matthew Clark

Smoke, white pepper and leather mix with violets and red fruit on the nose, while the palate is 'bursting with red fruits and violets'.

'Very pretty nose, this is absolutely delicious,' said an animated Joe Wadsack, while The Arts Club's Athila Roos liked the 'little peppery finish'. Delicious and elegant. Beautiful.'

£7.15 Boutinot

Violets plus a 'warm compote of red and black autumn fruits waft along with sweet smoky spice on the nose,' said consultant said Angela Reddin. The medium-bodied palate is supple and full of black-fruits with an earthy finish.

'Very together indeed. Lovely smooth flow in the mouth. American oak - yum!' added Reddin.

£9.80 Boutinot

With berries, plums, spices and smoke on the nose, the palate shows red and blue berries plus ripe tannins, with a medium finish. 'Rustic and grainy,' said Sarah-Jane Evans MW

£5.75 Boutinot

Dense and complex, the nose mixes floral notes with spices and red fruit, leading to an intense palate packed with sweet fruit and leading to a long finish. Still young, Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward called this a 'great balance between serious and fun'.

£8.75 Boutinot

Dense and incredibly concentrated, this unusual wine has plenty of savoury character, with chocolate and coffee bean notes alongside fruits of the forest on the nose and dried spices on the palate. While Vinopolis' Tom Forres said 'big oaky monster, covering creamy black fruits,' consultant Joe Wadsack, view was 'very fine, with fabulous acidity,' but needs time or decanting to open up.

£16.00 Boutinot

Vibrant, with a strawberry-scented nose, this is packed with delicious sweet red fruits, dried plum and stewed apple alongside well managed tannins.

'Fantastic "saveur" wine – not for the faint-hearted!' said consultant Angus Macnab

£7.00 Boutinot

An unusual wine, this intrigued our judges with its baked apple and buttery nose. While Hotel du Vin's Mike Harrison appreciated the 'concentrated yet muted nose and textural palate,' some found it a little over-the-top.

£11.41 Bibendum

Mineral, complex and evolved, consultant Joe Wadsack thought this 'Absolutely delicious, with its pithy notes and dry finish.'

£9.50 Boutinot

Showing its age beautifully, WineChap's Tom Harrow called the Monte Real a 'Burgundian Rioja', with its spicy fruit, mushroom notes and touch of Brett. This needs time to open up in the glass, but its rich nose already shows plenty of sous bois and forest floor character.

'Fine but firm tannins with fresh acidity, good concentration and length,' said consultant Peter McCombie MW.

'Approachable but will improve.'
Consider braised veal cheek.

£14.00 EWGA

One of only two wines to score both a Food Match rosette and a By the Glass award, concentrated yet elegant Viña Alarde is Old School at its best. Savoury flavours, spicy dried fruits and coconut notes sit alongside 'excellent tannin management'.

'Much more liquorice, this is smooth and rounded, with good integrated oak, and a long tannin structure,' said Michael Harrison, Hotel du Vin, Henley. Food matches? Need you ask, roast lamb of course!

£7.99 United Wineries

Typicity and complexity led CVNE's Reserva to the Gold Podium, with its smoky, earthy nose of red fruits. Oozing character, according to Galvin La Chapelle's Andrea Bricarello, this has 'very savoury, meaty notes and an intense dark spiced cherry core and savoury finish.'
'Really woody and a little volatile, but I think this is what people want when ordering Rioja,' observed Terroirs' Emilie Courtois. Another classic match for lamb or venison.

£8.75 Hatch Mansfield

With its mixture of freshness and vinosity, this is a very solid, well balanced and structured wine,' said the Northcote's Adam Pawlowski. Typically Riojan in style, with ripe, dried plums and raisins alongside eathy characters, spice, chocolate and a good use of oak, the palate is 'long and delicious,' said Kofler & Kompanie's Nigel Lister.

'Excellent value,' added team leader Susanna Forbes.

£10.21 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Fragrance, honeyed fruits, lovely spicyness and texture score Gold for Marqués de Cacéres.

'With a nose of almonds and flowers, the creamy palate shows some nuttyness, a dry mineral finish and good length,' said Sara Bachiorri, The Glasshouse.

'Appetising, classy, well-balanced oak,' added consultant Richard Bampfield MW. Perfect with salmon or exotic salads.

£5.82 Moreno Wines

Tradition and evolution mark out the food-loving Dan Jacobo with its 'rustic finish' for Gold List status. Andrea Bricarello picks up dry roses and spices on the nose, while Angus Macnab notes clove, orange peel and star anise.

'On the palate there is a serious stucture of tannins,' he adds.

£15.52 Matthew Clark

Despite its obvious youth, this elegant, inky wine soared to Gold.

'An interesting modern style with black cherry, smoked bacon, nutmeg and cinnamon. said Angus Macnab, adding: 'An intense palate peppered with black cherry and smoky notes.'
'Deep and dark with extreme concentration,' said Galvin La Chapelle's Marco Feraldi.

'Try with venison and a red wine and berries reduction.'
Best decanted.

£28.95 Bancroft Wines

No doubt about this wine's credentials, a big hit all round, not least because of its reasonable price and regional typicity.

'A great example of Rioja,' said Marco Carboni, Broad Street Kitchen.

'Rich juicyness and great aromatics. With its white pepper and spicy character, this does the job of the £24 Rioja at about £9 less.'

£14.25 Bibendum

Complex and elegant, this has 'ripe plums, damsons, sweet spices, leather and earthy tobacco notes,' according to Madison Restaurant's Irina Atanasova.

'Good balance, with medium-to-high acidity and tannins and a long finish,' she adds.