Sommelier Wine Awards 2013 Winners

Illustrating how good Bacchus can be when both ripe and in the right hands, this has fresh flavours of dragon fruit, pomelo, stone fruit, nettles and green orchard fruit on a medium-bodied palate with a zesty finish.

'Pleasant, delicate and very personable,' said Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet. Food tips came tumbling in, from delicate fish and asparagus with hollandaise sauce, to risotto and goats cheese soufflé.

£7.95

Made only in the best years, this delicate blend of Schönburger, Madeleine Angevine, Auxerrois Blanc and Rulander shows aromas of gooseberry and gentle smoke, a racy palate and clean finish.

'Exotic on the nose, with rose water hints, then a steely reserve,' said team leader Peter McCombie MW.

£8.40 Danebury Vineyards

Aromatic with a complex bouquet of flowers – think rose petal and honeysuckle – honey, aniseed and yellow plum on the nose. A well balanced palate shows tangy stoned fruit and a mineral flourish on the finish, with creamy and nutty notes from judicious oaking.

£13.54

Delicate and grassy, aromas of pineapple and grapes lead to a fresh, off-dry palate, with mineral and lemon flavours, and a good citrusy length. Pair with asparagus.

£7.08 Bibendum

Restraint and elegance characterised this first Gewürz Gold.

'Delicate and sophisticated primary aromas combine with a perceived spiciness and a concrete lychee finish,' said St James's Hotel and Club's Marco Feraldi. With floral notes of lily and rose, the palate has good texture and a decidedly food-friendly finish.

£11.94 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Classic and well balanced, with a rich mid-palate, good acidity and long finish,' said Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward, summarising why this Gewürz brought home Gold.

'An aroma bomb, with lemon zest, elderflower and spices' said Morgan Vanderkamer, Butlers Wharf Chop House, adding 'Excellent lychee, fresh ginger and tangerine peel flavours. Try with Asian dishes and also cheeses, like Munster cheese.'
£19.20/150cl

£19.20 Boutinot

Nicely aromatic and fruity, with peach, melon and floral aromas. Bright flavours of apple, pear and citrus mix with a hint of melon on a fleshy palate alongside a good balance of acid and a touch of residual sugar.

£7.35 Boutinot

Complex, rich nose with floral notes mixing with lemon zest, stoned fruit and mineral hints. Honeysuckle continues onto a crisp, nicely balanced palate with a waxy note on the finish.

'Offer by the glass to encourage people to try good Riesling,' said Ransome's Dock's Martin Lam. Match with pork.

£7.55 Boutinot

While The Rib Room's Louise Gordon noted 'soft red fruits with a touch of spice and medium tannins', team leader Jamie Goode said 'Fine, expressive cherry and plum fruit on this supple, juicy wine. It shows real elegance.'

£8.25 Boutinot

With its well-balanced sweetness, this is very ripe, with a honeyed, spicy approach alongside candied orange peel, lemon zest and apricots. High acids leave this rich wine feeling fresh on the finish.

£13.80 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Aromatic and grapey with a subtle, savoury note on the palate. Rich, smooth and soft, with a delicious intensity and a dry finish. Hints of vanilla and banana, developing into lemon custard.

£11.27

With a nose of Muscat, lemons, white flowers and rose petals, this is light and zesty on the palate, with a dry finish.

£8.25 Boutinot

Complex on the nose with typical kerosene notes mingling with lime and floral hints, leading to a rounded, layered palate.

'Amazing acidity balanced by lovely fruit concentration,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.

'Good food wine,' said team leader Natasha Hughes.

£13.20 Bancroft Wines

Complex bouquet of acacia, smoke, apricot and citrus, with subtle beeswax and preserved lemon, leading to a crisp, concentrated palate, with a long, smoky, salty finish and a touch of seaweed minerality.

'Great solo or with food,' said Lazy Lounge's Tom Bailey.

£13.89 Enotria&Coe

'Citrus and green apple aromas lead to an elegant, soft palate with floral elements and good minerality,' said Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet of Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa, adding that its acidity and long finish makes it food-friendly.

'Try dim sum.'
£16.45/150cl

£16.45 Boutinot

With a complxity that appealed to all, the nose is intense and lively with buttery orange, alongside cut grass, bright flowers, and lovely flavours of melon, citrus fruit and peaches, all finished off with herbal hints and spicy notes.

£11.70 Boutinot

'Concentrated, rich and off-dry with lovely intensity,' said team leader Jamie Goode, adding 'This is nutty and pithy, with flavours of melon, citrus, peach and pear.'

£10.76

The balance of smoke and savoury notes marked this wine out. Rose petals and compote of berry fruits on the nose, with gentle well balanced tannins on the palate.

'Delicious dark fruit flavours, a mineral undertone and nice oak,' said team leader Angela Reddin. Try with roast chicken.

£9.58 Thorman Hunt & Co

While team leader Simon Woods liked the 'big bright, oaky, smoky bacon,' Garry Clark of The Chester Grosvenor noted 'Vibrant aromas on the nose, with wild red berries, redcurrant, a hint of cassis, great length and an elegant finish.'

£9.72 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Fleshy and aromatic, with juicy cherry and strawberry fruit, a good balance, and a crisp finish on a light-to-medium, velvety palate, The Vineyard Group's James Hocking called this 'essence of Beaujolais'.

£10.80 Bulles Blanc Rouge

With an attractive nose of scented cherry, raspberry cordial and strawberry, the palate has a juicy cherry/berry balance, with relatively high acids, a well-supported structure and a long finish.

'Lovely ripeness,' said team leader Angela Reddin, adding 'Needs to develop.'

£9.43 Louis Latour Agencies

Bright purple in colour, this has a delicate nose of black raspberry with a slight cocoa richness, while the palate is bright and juicy, with high acids.

'Good balance of flavour and texture, with good length,' said Garry Clark of The Chester Grosvenor.

£7.74 Louis Latour Agencies

Textbook Beaujolais, this is fresh, juicy and fantastic value, with its soft, squashy red berry and cherry flavours.

'Easy wine. Easy drinking,' said impressed team leader, Angela Reddin.

£6.55 Boutinot

'Red fruit, and cassis flavours, with hints of sherry, fruit and fresh herbs, the palate has silky tannins and a good fresh structure,' said Gustavo Medina of The Tate Group.

£7.00 Boutinot

'Vibrant, with an inviting, richly-scented nose. Quite lush and rich but not heavy on the palate, this works really well,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£8.96 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Truly a Vin de Gard, with beautiful aromas of cassis, tobacco and cedar, this has beautiful acidity, ripe fruits and flavours of violets and rosesIts prominent tannins makes it very ageworthy – 'A great wine to drink in 3 to 5 years,' said The Arts Club's Athila Roos.

'Excellent!' said Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House.

£25.00 Ellis of Richmond

Deep ruby in the glass, this is packed with spicy black fruit flowers, alongside fleshy ripe plums and dark cherries, with a long finish. ‘A fleshy, juicy, approachable wine for everyday drinking, so certainly one to put on by the glass,' said consultant Robert Giogione.

£10.00 Castel

Complex and good value, with a herbaceous, grassy tinge to the gooseberry, elderflower and lemon aromas, alongside notes of orange blossom and candle wax.

'Well balanced, zesty palate with green apple and white peach flavours. Great with food,' noted Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen.

£6.15

'Blackcurrant and blackberry on the nose with ripe, sweet cigar box aromas and bell pepper,' said Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House. The palate shows grippy tannins alongside black fruits and cedar spice on an elegant finish. Pair with leg of lamb.

£22.45 Bibendum

A classic nose with cassis, green pepper, tobacco, violets and pencil shavings, the palate shows good acidity, soft tannins, with quite ripe black fruits, liquorice and some spice.

£11.60 Boutinot

'This opens with toasty aromas, coffee, leather and dried mushrooms, leading to a well developed palate, with cedar notes alongside a core of cooked blackberries and prunes, and a long, lasting finish,' said The Pass at South Lodge's Marco Adreani.

£28.13

Fresh and herbaceous with good length, The Pass at South Lodge's Marco Adreani said 'With hints of cedar, this offers scents of black cherry and prune, evolving into a spicy, supple, plummy wine, with just a touch of tobacco. Pure and dense.'

£12.10 Boutinot

A fresh mineral style with savoury red fruits on the nose alongside toasty hints. The palate is medium bodied, with an herbaceous streak. Well priced, consultant Robert Giorgione said 'This is modern and fruit-driven. Very quaffable.'

£7.41 Matthew Clark

Abundant red fruit charm, with roses and sour cherry on the nose, and a juicy palate with soft, ripe tannins.

'Old school textbook claret, this has a good, long, clean finish,' said consultant Robert Giorgione.

£13.27 Matthew Clark

Bright acids sit alongside a lovely weight of fruit, with grassy, citrus flavours and an oaky, buttery character.

'Dry and well-balanced, with a smoky edge to the minerally, salty and vegetal notes,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen. Foodwise ‘It just made you think – roast chicken… savoury spices,’ said The River Café’s Courtney Stebbings, while Atanasova suggested sushi.

£7.94

Ripe tropical fruit and blossom on a honeyed nose with a herbaceous edge and a hint of oak.

'Complex, concentrated and layered, this is nicely proportioned, long with a bright finish. Class,' said team leader Natasha Hughes.

£15.48 Bibendum

Elegance, texture and balance took this wine to the top. York & Albany's Nigel Lister liked the open, expressive nose, and the concentration on the palate, while Hakkasan's Diana Rollan noted 'An intense nose of minerals, gooseberry and jasmine'.

£12.75

The Grand Cru character stands out from the start. A complex bouquet shows honey and marzipan, dried fruit and minerality, and hints of oak. The palate seems infinite, being rich, full, concentrated and long.

'Exotic, lively, quite profound with great acidity. Very stylish,' said team leader Jamie Goode. Liberty Wines

£59.60 Advini

'Delicate but with tension,' was how Trangallan's Xabier Alvarez summed up this complex Chablis.

'With aromas of ripe stone fruit and unripe pineapple alongside chalky, steely, smoky notes, the palate has a great mouthfeel and a minera, long finish,' said Guillaume Mahaut, The Jugged Hare. Versatile foodwise, try with scallops, oysters, chicken or veal.

£9.70 Louis Latour Agencies

Complexity and vibrancy took this to the top. Beginning with a savoury, biscuity character to the floral, stone fruit bouquet, the palate has an underlying spiciness to the opulent fruit and minerality. Citrus notes run alongside the smoky character and lemony finish.

£12.34 Bibendum

Minerals and smoke rub alongside citrus notes on the nose, while the palate is fresh and dry, with good concentration, a touch of smoky minerality and a lipsmacking citrusy finish.

£10.95 Alliance Wine

'Good weight on the palate with a touch of minerality and a sound finish,' said Cooks & Capers' Richard Graham.

'Flinty with white stone fruits, good minerality and creamy texture, with peaches and nectarine freshness throughout,' said Galvin Restaurants' Andrea Briccarello.

£8.05 Boutinot

A lighter style, this is classic Chablis, with a lovely chalky minerality alongside almost seaweed notes on the nose. A lively, well-balanced palate shows ripe, yellow fruit and subtle, nutty notes.

£8.05 Boutinot

A classic Chablis, with balance and elegance.

'Crisp, mineral nose, this is flinty and juicy with lots of refreshing white fruits,' said Galvin Restaurants' Andrea Briccarello.

£10.45 Boutinot

Pure and elegant, with green apple aromas alongside chalky notes and a leesy, stony, almost soapy minerality.

'Decent concentration and balance,' said team leader Natasha Hughes.

'Quite a classic style,' said Cooks & Capers' Richard Graham.

£9.60 Boutinot

'Focused and faultless,' is how Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club explained how this wine struck Gold.

'Balanced and expressive with great length and a lovely baked apple and honey character,' said James Hocking of The Vineyard Group.

'Beautiful!'

£16.71 Alliance Wine

'Very pure on the nose, with pear and crystalline ginger, this has a velvety texture, and laser-like minerals - a gorgeous Chenin,' said Winetec's Tim Wildman MW.

'With its lightly honeyed nose, strudel aromas and delicate balance between ripeness and an attractive bitter edge, this is serious food wine,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£9.95 Boutinot

Big and full, with smoky oak and sweet juicy fruit, this falls into the ripe, tinned-pear style of Sauvignon Blanc, with some complexity.

'Delicate and fine, with a gently herbaceious nose and limpid pure fruit, this has lovely textural minerality and real poise,' said Winetec's Tim Wildman MW. Match with river fish or salmon.

£12.05 Boutinot

'Juicy and aromatic, this is medium bodied with fresh acidity and generous green fruits and an underlying minerality that lingers,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House. With its herbaceous twist and strong flavours, could match quite bold food flavours, including thai green curries.

£12.75 Laporte

Pale in the glass, with light aromas of pear, lychee and honey, leading to a citrus-infused palate.

'Attractive and honeyed, this is fresh and appetising,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW. £12.30/150cl; 75cl generally available too

£12.30 Boutinot

'I would buy it, I would sell it. I would drink it – and drink it again! Deep yellow colour, developed aromas and good ageing potential. This is what we are looking for from a wine,' said an enthused Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club. I think he likes it.

£18.71 Alliance Wine

'Pretty, violet-perfumed black fruit on the nose, with a cheeky, juicy personality – light and fresh,' said consultant Jade Koch.

'Bright easy palate with lovely, high-toned fruit, an excellent length and a persistent fruitiness which is gorgeous,' said team leader Angela Reddin, suggesting game, mushroom risotto or 'tender rabbit'.

£12.76 Bibendum

'Honeysuckle and ripe peaches on a warm summer's day. Very quaffable,' said The River Café's Courtney Stebbings. Alongside its plump juicy fruit, Nicolas Vierne of The Orange found 'inviting aromas of lemon and grapefruit on the nose and fresh acidity on the palate' .

£6.20 Boutinot

Strawberries, blue berries, cherries and plums mix in this fresh, pretty red.

'Real elegance,' said team leader Jamie Goode.

£10.35 Boutinot

Spring flowers and clean apple flavours, there's a 'lovely freshness and zip to this lively, beautiful Chenin,' said team leader, Angela Reddin.

'Perfect summer fare' added The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer.

£6.50 Enotria&Coe

'Sweet apple aromas and lemon flowers on the palate, this is very pure and clean with layers of minerals,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

'Forceful acids which aren't out of place. Needs time,' said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer.

£9.47

Off-dry in style, with wonderful array of fruit: baked apple, nectarine and pear, along with a touch of spiciness and honey, lovely acidity, and a savoury, mineral finish.

£6.05 Mentzendorff & Co

Flowers and red berries on the nose, leading to a supple palate.

'Quite expressive with its red fruits and good, balanced acids,' said Home House's Jacques Savary de Beauregard.

£6.05 Mentzendorff & Co

'Clean and grippy, with lively citrus and herbs, this is a good, open and fresh style, with a stony mineral finish,' said team leader Simon Woods of this medium-bodied, textured wine.

£12.80 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Rich and expressive, this impressed all.

'Class in a glass, yum in my tum,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

'Serious Burgundy - this is á point now,' said Mark Deamer of The Marylebone Hotel, noting 'Gentle liquorice, cassis and black cherry, with lovely acidity and great length.'

£43.10 Boutinot

True Pinot character and further ageing potential took this to Gold.

'Opulent, with vanilla and sweet spice notes, this has hints of age, with a brick dust rim and softened tannins. Nice length,' said Mark Deamer of The Marylebone Hotel.

'An open and generous style,' added team leader Simon Woods.

£20.60 Boutinot

Black and red cherries lead to a balanced palate with hints of spices and firm tannins. Good ageability.

'Lovely and evocative, both richly perfumed and finely tuned,' said an impressed Angela Reddin, team leader.

£18.10 Boutinot

Very evolved, this is gentle, old, wild wine, with a perfumed bouquet of plum wild strawberry and undergrowth.

'Leathery, black fruit and spices, with good length, earthy with hints of musk. Garry Clark, The Chester Grosvenor.

£44.10 Boutinot

While Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward felt this was 'vibrant and floral, with good tannins, structure and hints of spice,' team leader Simon Woods said 'Big and ripe, with very juicy cherry and raspberry fruit. Good, lush and fragrant, with an earthy finish.'

£18.60 Boutinot

A modern, fruit-forward style, with plenty of red berries and cherries. Balanced and long, with firm tannins.

'Very drinkable,' said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer.

'A serious wine, with ageing potential, but great now,' said Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains.

£23.48 Bibendum

Medium ruby in the glass this is light and elegant on the nose, with jammy fruits on the palate and coffee notes on the finish.

'Spicy minerals run alongside white pepper and red berries, with memorably tannins and acidity, and a long finish.

'A big peppery bold wine with some juicy fruit,' said team leader Natasha Hughes.

£16.33 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Gentle, delicious and great value,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister. A good mix of pear, stoned fruit, lemon sherbert and light floral notes on the nose, while the palate shows pear and apple as well as stone fruit, texture, soft honey and a mineral freshness. Perfect with poached salmon.

£6.94 Hatch Mansfield

Value and food-friendliness set this wine apart from the start. It has an elegant blend of savoury notes, alongside peppery raspberries and spicy Christmas fruits, plus balanced acidity and medium tannins. While it stole the Roast Chicken Food Match gong, there were calls also for pork belly.

£6.64 Hatch Mansfield

'A bewitching Condrieu nose, this is elegant ripe and round,' said a haunted Nigel Lister of York & Albany. Balancing smoke, toast, minerals, stone fruit and floral hints, the bouquet is as complex as the palate is intense and powerful. Cinnamon and nutmeg finish over apricot fruit. Partner with roast turbot.

£34.55 Bibendum

'Glorious', 'stunning' and 'unique' - just three of the words that illustrate why this became the posh French Critics Choice, despite its price. And the fact that is it drinking well now. The bouquet is a mix of mature leather and game, bright red fruit, with hints of tobacco and jammy figs, while the peppery palate has a long length and gripping tannins. Match with game, spiced rack of lamb or Indian dishes.

£47.85 Boutinot

Pale gold, with an elegant nose of citrus, pear, cashew nuts, honeysuckle and a touch of sweet spices. The palate sings of spiced pears, apple pie, well-integrated oak and minerals.

'Excellent balance, with layer upon layer of creamy fruit and delicate toasty notes, and a very long finish,' said Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri.

£20.24 Enotria&Coe

Big and beautiful wins the day.

'Wonderfully scented with soft Syrah fruit coated with freshly cracked black pepper and a hint of savouriness,' said a happy Athila Roos, The Arts Club.

'Dark fruit with quite strong tannins and dark spice,' said Gergely Barsi Szabó of Bread Street Kitchen. Match with rare beef, boar and game.

£15.35 Boutinot

Delicate nose with light floral notes alongside a touch of pear. Dry with a lovely freshness on the palate plus a mineral character alongside the apricots and peaches, and a long oily finish.

£8.13 Louis Latour Agencies

'Great marriage of fruit, tannin and acidity, this has plums, pepper and elegantly integrated dark chocolate allied with a freshness and long lasting finish,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, adding 'Very well made. One for wine lovers.'

£51.00 Bibendum

'Attractive nose with red fruit, florals, black pepper and mineral notes, the palate tastes of the warm South with some dusky tannins,' said Winetec's Tim Wildman MW. Mondial Wine's Simon Cassina felt this had a 'good sense of origin and some minerality'.

£8.82 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'A big wine with nice richness, said Hotel Terravina's Laura Rhys MS.

'Wild flowers and honey wax notes, lead to a fresh palate with nice texture, lovely stone fruits, a long, lingering finish and a touch of sweetness,' said top fan, Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

£21.05 Bibendum

Complex, integrated and vibrant, this impressed all. Honeysuckle and white flowers mix with apricots and vanilla on the nose.

'Peach and apricot flavours run alongside mineral and smoke on the dry, full-bodied palate, with its smooth, long finish,' said Philippe Moranges of Hakkasan Hanway Place.

£35.84 Bibendum

Richly flavoured with great balance, this impressed all.

'Immediate star anise and wood spice on the nose with a base of macerated red fruits which come to the fore in the palate. A long length and silky tannins,' said Louise Gordon of The Rib Room. Likely to be even better in four years' time.

£26.60 Boutinot

'An unbelievable concentration, yet extremely silky on the palate,' said a bewitched Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club. Intense cherry and fig jam with some spice and white chocolate creep through on a seamless palate with well-integrated oak.

'Fragrant, perfumed and very fine. Long. Will get even better over the next decade,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW.

£118.00 Bibendum

Pale gold with cooked apple and pear, plus hints of spice on the nose. More apples and white pepper on the palate with a light minerality.

'Light, elegant and fresh,' said Viajante's Christophe Richelet.

£14.35 Boutinot

'Plums and dark fruit, with a touch of chocolate and mint. The palate is well balanced, with high tannins, lots of pepper and a long lasting dry finish,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen.

'Stunning value for the complexity,' said The Arts Club's Athila Roos. With its grippy tannins, one for the decanter.

£11.80 Boutinot

Very deep purple, with a classic mix of earth and Syrah perfume. While The Rib Room's Louise Gordon found 'juicy red cherries with fresh perfumed raspberries and a hot, mouthwatering finish,' Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel & Club said 'A well balanced oaky support adds more depth and complexity.'

£17.20 Liberty Wines

White flower and apple skin aromas, this is quite rich on the palate, with apple and poached, spiced pear, a dry mineral finish and marked acidity.

£6.64 Hatch Mansfield

Soft, fruity style of Rhône, this easy drinker has a rustic nose of wild berries, light flavours of spicy raspberry on the palate, plus good acidity and a lengthy finish.

£6.13 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Medium ruby in the glass, with light aromas of red berry jelly on the nose, the palate shows soft squashy red and black fruits, and black pepper spice. Matthew Clark

£22.50 Advini

'Dark red fruit, white pepper and eucalyptus notes, alongside high tannins and acidity plus a dry, long finish,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen. Rich and concentrated, this has good ageing potential.

£21.48 Bibendum

Damsons, berries, cherries and plums run alongside spices, earthy notes and orange peel, on a balanced, long palate.

£6.81 Hatch Mansfield

Floral and aromatic, with lightly cooked orchard fruit on the palace and a spicy, lemon finish.

'Poached conference pears with a hint of honey on the nose,' said Vinopolis' Tom Forrest.

£7.95

'Sweet and pungent spice, with ripe red fruit in a really light style,' said Gergely Barsi Szabó of Bread Street Kitchen.

'Delicate fruit which lingers and evolves on the palate,' added the Ubiquitous Chip's Richard Masterson.

£29.95 Alliance Wine

With aromas of ripe red and dark fruit, tapenade, leather and smoky spice, the palate is well balanced with delicate red fruit and violets.

'A good example for the price point,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

£8.50 Boutinot

Easy come, easy go with this friendly Gold medallist. Light medium ruby in colour, with aromas of red apple, this shows a mix of fresh cherry, strawberry and other squashy red fruits, plus light tannins.

'With its touch of oak, this is good value,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

£5.71 Alliance Wine

A complex elegant wine, with excellent concentration of dark fruits.

'No doubt a luxurious upbringing. Aristocratic. Needs handselling,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.

'Very youthful, but has lots of promise,' said team leader Natasha Hughes.

£71.60 Thorman Hunt & Co

Rich with a complex nose of dark bramble fruit, black berries and cassis plus violets and sweet toasty notes of vanilla and tobacco.

'The palate shows good concentration of wild garrigue, herbs and fresh, lovely fruit,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

£12.95 Boutinot

Fragrant and vibrant, this has lovely, gentle black fruit on a fresh, expressive palate with good concentrationa, plus notes of liquorice and sweet spices.

'Elegant and juicy, with a long finish,' concluded Galvin Restaurants' Andrea Briccarello

£17.10 Boutinot

Deep purple in colour, with an intensely fruity nose, showing plenty of red and black fruits, ripe acidity and a lovely smokiness on the palate, A fine freshness, soft spices and a good balance lead to an easy finish. Available to UK on-trade via Enotria

£8.70 Advini

With an elegant nose of ripe wild forest fruits and a hint of maraschino cherry, the savoury palate is complex and structured yet fresh, with balsamic notes, black olive and sweet spices.

'With its fine tannins and a really good price, this would work as an alternative to pricier French,' said China Tang's Julien Sahut, adding 'I’d buy this very happily, so it would be no trouble selling it.’

£14.90 Matthew Clark

Wonderful perfume of stone fruits and white flowers, with apricots, tangerine and peaches on the palate. Dry, tangy and well balanced.

'One for Asian dishes,' reckoned Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri. Liberty Wines

£8.05 Advini

'Delicious and mouthwatering, this has lovely tangy, citrus notes, a mineral hint and a clean finish,' said consultant Robert Giorgione.

'The spice and fruit do a big dance together,' said the Ubiquitous Chip's Richard Masterson.

£7.62

Fresh and floral, this has honeydew melon, peaches and warm spices on the nose, stone fruit and delicate oak on a well balanced palate, and lime and spice on the finish.

'Juicy and interesting. Great with fish pie and terrine,' said team leader Jade Koch.

£6.68 Berkmann Wine Cellars

With fresh acidity, this is tangy, long, dry and appetising.

'Expressive and elegant, this has floral scents mixing with fresh butter and white flesh fruit,' said The Pass at South Lodge's Marco Adreani.

'Lovely with a perfumed monkfish.'

£7.27 Bibendum

With tobacco and cedar wood alongside eucalyptus and garrigue, this starts off complex and continues in that vein. York & Albany's Nigel Lister commented 'Rich and concentrated with voluptuous fruit,' while Diana Rollan of Hakkasan London noted 'Dry, savoury, elegant cherry flavours with balsamic notes. Good structure.'

£59.83 Thorman Hunt & Co

Jammy, with dark fruits, tar and chocolate cocoa beans on the palate and sweet spices on the finish.

'This has big tannins, but such great balance, such style, that anyone simply looking for a great wine regardless of origin could be persuaded to try this and I have no doubt they’d leave a very happy customer,' said Bread Street Kitchen's Ram Chhetri.

£22.25 Thorman Hunt & Co

'Meaty and gamey on the nose, with a hint of reduction, the palate is very deep and concentrated,' said Galvin Restaurants' Andrea Briccarello.

'There's lots of dark spices and fruits, both fresh and dried, and tobacco notes on the finish.'

£15.31

'Lovely stony, granitic minerality alongside sage, rosemary and thyme notes. Well-balanced despite high level of extracted tannins,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.

'Needs chargrilled red meat,' suggested team leader Natasha Hughes.

£16.60 Boutinot

'Rich Chardonnay style, with a good fleshy palate, lovely minerality and good length' said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer. Aim for fish and chips. Liberty Wines

£9.85 Advini

Rich black currant and cherry flavours with herbaceous spices, soft tannins, good balance and lengthy finish.

'Lovely, easy drinking – a great example of the area,' said Lazy Lounge's Tom Bailey.

£12.95 Alliance Wine

Fresh citrus and ripe pear flavours with lively acidity on the palate and a lightly salty tang.

'Fruity and so much more interesting than Sauvignon!' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW.

£5.70 Boutinot

Deep purple in colour, this is earthy and spicy, with violets and pepper, showing bright blackcurrant and blackberry flavours with a fresh core and a good finish.

£6.88 Thorman Hunt & Co

Generous ripe black fruit and cassis flavours rub alongside violet and smoky notes.

'Well structured with a peppery finish, hints of stony minerals and a good balance,' said Benares' Erica Lalér.

£7.60 Bibendum

A touch of toast, cream and spice integrated with the citrus, nectarine and mandarin flavours.

'Very fresh and flavoursome with good intensity. Characterful,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW.

£9.50 Thorman Hunt & Co

Spicy with dark cherry and farmyard notes.

'Some real weight and richness, with brambles, grippy tannins, and a good length,' said team leader Natasha Hughes.

'Soft and easy drinking style, this is well balanced with nice aromatics,' added Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.

£7.50 Marc Fine Wines

Beaujolais Blanc must be wholly Chardonnay, and this wine food-friendly wine illustrates how well this southern-most part of Burgundy looks after this variety. Creamy oak notes mix with nuts, lemon peel and pear drops on the nose. The complex palate is dry, fresh and smooth, with apricot flavours, a good length and a citrusy finish. Try with poached salmon, pork belly or roast chicken.

£11.20 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Great Chardonnay flavours at a bargain price won this not just the poached salmon Food Match gong, but also a coveted place on the By the Glass list.

'Very attractive and appealing flavours, this is lively, zingy with a nice finish,' said Caroline Caterings's Richard Brooks.

'Peachy and slightly nutty but without any heavy oak influence,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£6.60 Boutinot

Judicious smoky oak has added complexity as well as tension and balance to this still evolving Burgundy.

'The ripe, concentrated stone fruit shows a great length of flavour,' says Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

'Long and very well made,' said The Arts Club's Athila Roos.

'Côte' d'Or, je t'adore.'
Match with roast lemon and thyme chicken.

£21.60 Boutinot

Turning heads from the start, on the nose, there's smoky, toasty oak, with pineapple, Ogden melon and hints of stone fruit.

'Generous creamy, vanilla oak underpinning ripe citrus, pineapple and melon notes,' said consultant Annette Scarfe MW, adding 'Refreshing and juicy, this multi-layered wine is complex and delicious.'

£22.02 Hatch Mansfield

Approachable and versatile, this is a 'young' star in the making. Already it shows some complexity, with its bruised apple and white peach flavours, its well-balanced oak and its minerality.

'Intense yet refreshing with uplifting spices,' said Galvin Restaurants' Andrea Briccarello. Match with chicken, turbot, sole – even cream sauces.

£16.33 Hatch Mansfield

The superlatives swiftly emerged for this wine.

'Bright and deliciously clean stone fruit nose, with lemon curd and hazelnut notes,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

'Gorgeous in the mouth – it oozes freshness, verve and personality. Amazing length.'
Lovely now. Will improve.

£29.85 Boutinot

With a good tension between the minerality and fruit, consultant Annette Scarfe MW said 'With more prominent oak on the attack, supported by generous ripe melon fruit, this is multi-layered and food friendly.'

£13.92 Cockburn & Campbell

Attractive creamy oak runs alongside juicy grapefruit, pineapple and apple flavours, plus some peachy richness. With mineral notes, hints of smoke and a zesty petillance, this is complex and long.

£14.75 Thorman Hunt & Co

With the potential to evolve further, this is big and balanced, smoky and sexy, already showing bacon fat, smoke and pineapple, peach and melon alongside the floral and nutty notes. Medium gold in the glass, creamy oak is sprinkled with spice and leads to a pineapple-infused finish. Match with smoked salmon.

£38.60 Boutinot

'All you expect from good Burgundy,' said Bread Street Kitchen's Ram Chhetri. Team leader Angela Reddin agreed, highlighting the wine's mineral, oyster shell character.

'Very precise, linear structure – a purist's wine, and gorgeous.'

£21.60 Boutinot

A well-balanced, well-structured white, with acacia blossom, nectarine and peach Melba on the nose, good acidity and a mouthwatering finish. Bread Street Kitchen's Ram Chhetri noted 'Lovely peachy, mango and pineapple flavours with creamy vanilla texture.'

£9.50 Enotria&Coe

A nose of pineapples and spicy minerals.

'Delicate use of old oak gives structure and depth. Clean and fresh, with juicy lemons and green apples,' noted consultant Annette Scarfe MW. Try with chicken.

£8.08 Hatch Mansfield

Pithy, oily and citrussy, this has a broader flavour range, taking in ripe tropical fruit and honeysuckle as well. The palate is multi-layered, elegant and creamy with nice concentration.

£10.95 Alliance Wine

Lively, citrusy and a little pithy, consultant Annette Scarfe MW said 'Good value for Burgundy, this is elegant but with concentration and depth.'

£6.10 Boutinot

'Bright citrus and apple on the nose alongside some chalky, stone complexity. The tension and grip in the mouth shows we are talking terroir,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£11.08 Bibendum

From fruits de mer to pork belly, this wines' sheer food matchability illustrate why it rose to the top.

'Ripe stone fruit, with minerality and leafy notes, this is textured with a dry, long finish,' said Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson. Quite opulent, the palate shows citrus peel, laser-like acidity and a pineapple-infused finish.

£15.48 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'OMG – awesome peach fruit and gorgeous acidity – poised to perfection,' said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer – I think he likes it. And The Arts Club's Athila Roos agreed: How Riesling should be. Delicious, stunning palate that is long fine and refreshing.'
'Kerosene, apricot and camomile, it is spritzy, textured and medium sweet, with a long, herb tea finish,' said Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson. Could withstand thai green curry.

£12.73

Kloster Eberbach does the double, scooping Gold with this well structured wine. A fantastically bright palate weaves together a streak of minerality with stone fruits, flint, gooseberry and rhubarb. Honey and hints of petrol add to the elegant complexity, with good acidity adding to its great potential with food. Think fish and shellfish, with or without light sauces.

£22.30 Boutinot

Wonderful to see Kloster Eberbach scoop its first Gold with this classic mix of elegance and flavour.

'Minerals mix with white peach, melon and honey. There's a good balance between the Granny Smith apple acidity and residual sugar,' said Laure Patry of Pollen Street Social. Versatile on the food front, everything from scallops to pork belly.

£10.60 Boutinot

'With its gently soft, peachy aromas, this is fabulously intense throughout. Nothing short of marvellous,' said consultant Angela Reddin, while The Vineyard Group's James Hocking loved the citrus/acid balance, saying 'Expensive… loved every penny!' Still relatively young.

£29.00 Liberty Wines

'With a restrained mineral nose, this is balanced, fresh and waxy, with spice and apple strudel notes and a long finish,' said Winetec's Tim Wildman MW, adding 'Very good, very gastronomic.'
£7.65/37.5cl

£16.10 The Winebarn

Complex and well balanced, there were calls for crab to match this ripe wine with its honeydew melon and peach flavours.

'Good balance and acidity, with a nice sherbert fizz. Just what I want from a quality Riesling,' said STK's Michael Harrison.

£20.27 Liberty Wines

Light in colour, this interesting blend shows a pleasing mix of ripe strawberry jam and stewed fruit flavours, with notes of coffee grounds and spicy smoke. The palate is juicy, with firm tannins.

£7.65

Peaches, green apple, spice and fruit, this shows a hint of spritz, and is well balanced with some residual sugar and fresh acidity. With lightly peppery notes, the citrus flavours have a lingering richness.

£12.06 New Generation Wines

With its savoury aromas, apple strudel and flavours of fresh, crunchy green apples, raw apricots, lemons and lime, this is long and supple, with a delicate Earl Grey finish. Spiced sea bass and salmon.

£11.00 Boutinot

With mineral and floral aromas plus notes of petrol and spice on the nose, the rounded, off-dry palate is quite honeyed with good mineraliity, nice acidity and some residual sugar.

£15.00 O W Loeb & Co

With its pineapple, honeysuckle and floral aromas, The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer noted 'With good fruit sweetness, it's the acids that make the wine. Very elegant.'
'Approachable, but will improve,' said team leader Peter McCombie MW.

£11.00 Boutinot

'Apricot, linden flower and white fruit, this is ultra-long but balanced, powerful but elegant,' said Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson of this complex wine, with its honeyed approach and spicy finish.

£14.35

With ripe, rich yellow fruit alongside green apples, this has good acidity, is balanced and spicy, and finishes fresh, with white pepper and aniseed on the finish.

£14.00 Matthew Clark

Medium deep yellow in colour, floral notes mix with peach and passion fruit. The palate shows a nice balance of pears and peaches, with a little sherbert and good length.

£10.05 Liberty Wines

With an inviting nectarine, peach and pink grapefruit character, this shows a beautiful balance between crisp, high acids and ripe fruit.

£14.60 Liberty Wines

'Melon, gooseberry and white peach on the nose, the palate is fresh and supple, being quite mineral and agile, with a good length,' said Etrusca Restaurants' Luigi Buonanno.

£10.30

Complex bouquet of flowers, ripe summer fruit with a hint of honey, the acidity is well integrated although not high, and the finish is long.

'Delicious,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen.

£13.10 Boutinot

'A complex bouquet of white and yellow flowers, musk and sweet spring orchards, this has a very lovely balance of earthy minerals, dainty floral notes and a good length,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£13.10 Boutinot

Off-dry with ripe grapefruit, apricot and peach flavours alongside a splash of sherbert. Not overly complex, but has balanced acidity and is long, charming and food friendly.

£8.20 Boutinot

Character, balance and integration won this applause and a Perfect Pub spot on the By the Glass list. Deep red/purple in the glass, it has good juicy, berry fruit wrapped with the right amount of spice, finishing with a plum-driven flourish.

'Nice body, crisp acidity, a fine length and a long finish,' said a happy James Hocking of the Vineyard Group.

£4.85 Boutinot

One of the most garlanded wines of 2013, and for good reason.

'Ripe red fruits and hints of mint on the nose lead to a juicy palate with nice supporting tannins,' said Louise Gordon of The Rib Room.

'An attractive colour with young, pinky rim, it is easy drinking but with enough stature for a variety of foods,' said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

£5.10 Boutinot

'Lovely broad dark plum with dollops of cream, this is very savoury with nice, stalky ripe tannins,' said Richard Graham of Cooks & Capers.

'With its juicy, fruity palate, this will be very food friendly,' added Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson.

'Very Parisian bistro. And at this price, bring it on,' said an enthused Tim Wildman MW of Winetec.

£4.55 Boutinot

'With its attractive nose of brambly fruit and florals, the palate is mid-weight with some spice and tannic crunch. A vibrant and juicy wine,' said Winetec's Tim Wildman MW.

'Ample, classy and drinkable – just what I'm expecting in house wine,' said The River Café's Courtney Stebbings

£4.95 Alliance Wine

'Plenty of red fruit and some intensity with fine tannins and fresh, juicy acidity. Long finish,' said Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson.

'Full-bodied with some spicy complexity – chunky, chewy and satisfying,' said Winetec's Tim Wildman MW.

£5.50 Boutinot

'This punches well above its price point,' said consultant Angela Reddin of this balanced wine, noting its soft, squashy red and dark berries.

'Nicely aromatic, a very confident palate works on many levels,' she said.

£5.35 Boutinot

With plenty of strawberries and a touch of spice, there's Rhône fruit in here. Well made, with fresh, juicy acidity, good length and a delicious palate,' said Athila Roos of The Arts Club.

'Hallelujah!'

£5.10 Boutinot

Ripe, bright blue and red fruits on a medium body mix with vanilla notes, herbs and a light pepperiness to create an easy-going wine with balanced freshness. Available to UK on-trade via Molson Coors

£5.50 Advini

Hearty dark berry and raisin flavours alongside bright, juicy fruit.

'Lively and rustic in the best sense of the word,' said team leader Simon Woods.

'For the price, this performs delightfully in taste terms. A marriage with rich food would be ideal,' said Michael Moore of Enigma 88.

£5.50 Boutinot

With a good mix of rich, red and black cherries and berries plus raisins, a few floral notes and a balanced, lingering finish, this appealed widely. 'Soft texture and warm Christmas spices,' said an impressed Angela Reddin, team leader.

'Good by the glass or with steak haché.'

£5.35 Boutinot

This shows a nice balance between black and red fruit, floral hints and herbaceous notes, alongside a splash of spice and a savoury, smoky edge. The medium tannins and good length also make it a good prospect for foods such as pizza.

£4.55 Boutinot

'Less of a quaffer and more food-friendly,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House, noting the ripe dark fruit with a herbal tinge on both nose and palate, the moderate, firm tannins and balanced medium acidity.

'Quite a weighty finish,' added team leader Simon Woods.

£5.29 Majestic Commercial

'Ripe red fruit on a fresh palate with balanced tannins, good acidity and reasonably long length,' said Etrusca Restaurants' Luigi Buonanno. 'Just the right amount of oak and supple tannins,' said team leader Natasha Hughes.

£4.65 Greene King

Almost Beaujolais style, this has good raspberry and cherry fruit with a note of spice.

'Very soft and easy drinking, this is a good value wine with a lively finish,' said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

£4.35 Boutinot

'Cherry and berry flavours abound. This has a nice mouthfeel and a fleshy, medium length finish. Great value.'
said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer.

£4.65 Boutinot

With deep concentrated fruit and good acidity, this is well-made with some bitter chocolate/cherry notes.

'I love the finish – nice work!' said James Hocking of The Vineyard Group.

'Not an aperitif-style though,' added consultant Angela Reddin.

£4.95 Boutinot

Pale ruby in colour, with a complex nose of dark cherry, plums and spice.

'Well-integrated tannins add to structure and depth,' said a happy Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

£4.95 Boutinot

Light cherry and blackcurrant flavours in this medium bodied wine with relatively high tannins. 'Easy drinking and fun,' said Richard Masterson of the Ubiquitous Chip.

£4.62 Majestic Commercial

With soft red fruit flavours and a 'dollop of warm, gentle spice' on a light body, while some found this too sweet, all appreciated its value.

£4.20 Boutinot

'An elegant style with juicy raspberries alongside truffle and chocolate on the nose. The palate is multi-layered, with freshly picked red fruit and ice cream on the finish,' said consultant Annette Scarfe MW.

£5.10 Boutinot

With cranberry, redcurrants and vanilla on the nose, this has a nice bright character .

'Not much base depth, but I do like this vibrant, uplifted slightly herbal style,' said consultant Angela Reddin.

£5.07 Enotria&Coe

'Bright, ripe and intense, with bramble fruit, red cherry and a touch of herbs. Fun and fruity but with a serious side,' said Laura Ward's Vivat Bacchus.

£4.85 Boutinot

'Very easy drinking wine with well balanced acidity and moderate tannins alongside the red cherry and raspberry flavours, and hint of liquorice. Good value,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen.

£5.00 Greene King

While York & Albany's Nigel Lister, noted 'Rich black and red fruit with chocolate notes, plus good concentration,' The Rib Room's Louise Gordon picked up 'bruised apple and violet purfume, with soft, almost faded tannins'.

£5.50 Boutinot

'Dark fruit and floral notes on the nose lead to a medium-bodied palate with a dry, juicy, spicy finish,' said Sara Bachiorri of The Glasshouse Restaurant.

£4.34 Treasury Wine Estates

Pleasant oaky notes join floral aromas on the nose.

'Fresh raspberry and cherry with juicy tannins and a soft fruity finish make this good value,' said Louise Gordon of The Rib Room.

£4.60 Boutinot

'Vibrant in colour, fragrant on this nose, with black cherry, chocolate, blackberries and bacon, this has a round, soft, balanced palate, with dark fruit, ripe tannins and a good finish,' said Tobias Brauweiler of The Ritz.

£4.74 Majestic Commercial

A tasty lick of crispness lifted this to Gold status. Pale, bright salmon in colour, the nose sports cranberries and raspberries, leading to juicy apple and strawberry flavours on a ripe, rounded palate.

'Light and ethereal, but nice substance though,' said Oliver Marie of Coq d'Argent.

£4.45 Boutinot

'Delicate… elegant… lovely… pleasant' – it's not hard to see why this good value rosé picked up a Gold and a By the Glass award too. Pale salmon with onion skin tints, restrained strawberry fruit, floral notes, some minerality and good acids.

'The freshness would make this a great house pour that is also food friendly,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

£4.50 Boutinot

'Delicate and attractive nose of freshly picked strawberries alongside fresh acidity and a good finish,' said Nicolas Vierne of The Orange.

£4.75 Justerini & Brooks

Many wines attempted to be the scallops partner in our Food Match round, but this was the one. Half the price of some of its rivals, but double the quality.

'Mandarin and a hint of minerality on the nose, there's a bit of spice and warmth to the palate, textured and weighty as it it,' said Viajante's Christophe Richelet.

'Pinot Blanc-esque, this has nice floral notes and a properly vinous character. Makes you come back for a second glass!' said Martin Lam of Ransome's Dock. And we did.

£5.29 Majestic Commercial

Incredible value and great performance from Michel Servin, following up its 2012 Gold for its Red with one for its white in 2013.

'White flowers, white peach, musk plus some fresh minerality and a grassy note lead to a well-textured, medium-bodied palate,' said Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House.

'The palate is richer than the nose suggests – exotic with mango and papaya fruit,' added Olivier Marie of Coq d'Argent.

£3.79 Majestic Commercial

Perfume and the texture to partner light dishes won this wine Gold.

'Stone fruit and peach blossom, the palate is light and delicate, making it a harmonious match for scallops and green curry,' said Jenny Mackenzie of The Plough Inn.

'An extremely subtle taste is followed by a pleasant grip of spicyness,' added Marco Feraldi of St James' Hotel & Club.

'Aimed to surprise.'

£4.75 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Balance, concentration and length are what made this our final House White Gold. With peaches, melon and apples on the nose, the texture is good and the finish crisp and food-friendly.

'Structural and mineral, this has great acidity,' said The Ritz's Tobias Brauweiler.

'A well made wine.'
Try with chicken and shellfish.

£5.48 Enotria&Coe

Wonderful variety of flavours and sufficient structure to match food made this a stand-out. The nose alone ranges from stone fruit and star fruit to lemon sorbet, citrus peel and musky lilies.

'Perfumed and peachy, this has bright flavours of exotic fruit, good length and a mineral twang,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister. Match with prawn or pork dishes.

£4.70 Boutinot

While Philippe Moranges of Hakkasan Hanway Place noted 'a touch of spiciness, with some minerality,' consultant Robert Giorgione said, 'Intensely aromatic on the nose, with chopped grass, nettle and tarragon next to tomato leaf notes. Try with goats cheese or seafood.'

£4.90 Castel

Quite elegant, this has good texture, a dry crisp finish, and lingering tropical stone fruit flavours. With its 'spice and pithy tang', the OXO Tower's Mark Graham felt it would be good with pear and walnut salad.

£5.35 Boutinot

Stone fruits, almonds and asparagus on the nose, this has melon and orchard fruit flavours, plus brisk acidity. Team leader Natasha Hughes reckoned this was food friendly, despite a touch of bitterness on the finish.

£4.55 Boutinot

Dry, steely and chalky, with a light body and flavours of lemon zest and lime, plus apple and stone fruits.

'Quite Burgundian, this is clean, simple and well-defined,' said Ransome's Dock's Martin Lam

£4.55 Boutinot

Ripe rich apricot, lemon and elderflower on the nose, 'The palate has vibrant citrus flavours, balanced with good acidity and a fine length,' said the OXO Tower's Mark Graham.

'Try with goat's cheese salad,' he advised.

£4.74 CyT UK

'Great candy fruit and pears with a bit of minerality, this has a pleasant rounded body, yet fresh acidity, with ripe, lasting fruit,' said Bread Street Kitchen's Gergely Barsi Szarbó.

£5.20 Boutinot

Complex bouquet of grass, passionfruit, tomato leaf and geranium. Medium in body, with 'more than fresh green apples, this is nicely balanced with good flavours,' said Miguel Franco Helder of Searcys at the National Portrait Gallery.

£5.05 Cockburn & Campbell

'With tropical flavours alongside lime, this has good concentration, medium residual sugar, a creamy texture and a nice, bitter, mineral, long finish.'
said Mondial Wine's Simon Cassina.

'Try with green curry,' said Michael Moore of Enigma 88.

£4.10 Boutinot

Good citrus flavours throughout, with an attractive bite and pithy texture. ‘With delicate waves of acacia and a light kick of lavender, this is interesting. Easy to drink, it leaves a pleasant memory of stone fruits,' said Marco Adreani of The Pass at the South Lodge.

£4.69 CyT UK

'Very tropical nose, full of guava, passionfruit and pineapple,' said Viajante's Christophe Richelet, adding 'Refreshing, fruity palate with a hint of pepper on the finish.'
‘Nicely poised. Elegant with long mouthwatering finish. Good as an aperitif or with seafood and chicken,’ said consultant Robert Giorgione.

£4.55 Boutinot

Mineral notes, tropical fruit and ripe peach flavours on a palate of some depth and texture, with a herbaceous undercurrent.

'Lovely length, with plenty of fruit lingering on the finish,' said Gabor Foth of Hakkasan Hanway Place. Partner with grilled or smoked foods.

£5.10 Boutinot

With its lemon and lime, elderflower and crushed stone nose, this has bright acidity alongside citrus, pineapple and stone fruit flavours in a zesty style. Good with food.

£5.10 Boutinot

A perfumed lemony nose leads to a light, aromatic palate, with peachy flavours and distinctive acidity.

'Match with fish or salami,' suggested Michael Moore of Enigma 88.

£5.20 Boutinot

Fresh, dry and fruity, this is an easygoing wine with a pithy core, a soft elegant mouthfeel,'with bags of citrus notes and mouthwatering acidity', according to consultant Robert Giorgione.

£4.10 Boutinot

'With pear, green apples and lime, this is fruity, refreshing, lightly spicy with good balance and a long finish,' said Mondial Wine's Simon Cassina.

£4.57 CyT UK

Dry, full and round, with attractive 'fresh pineapple and quince on the nose, citrus and grapefruit on the relatively delicate, crisp palate, and a long finish', said consultant Robert Giorgione.

£4.35 Boutinot

With flavours of pears, pear drops and lemons, this has a pithy texture, and a touch of nuttiness and minerality on the finish.

£4.56 Alliance Wine

Medium in weight, this is fresh, grapey and tropical. Almost too much personality for a house wine. Good number 2,' said team leader Peter McCombie MW.

£4.95 Liberty Wines

'Zing and zang on the palate, with tinned mandarins and peaches, and a soft delicate floral finish,' said The Harrow at Little Bedwyn's Roger Jones.

£4.95 Alliance Wine

'Honeycomb, tropical fruits, red apple and cotton candy flavours sit alongside a medium body and a good texture,' said Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House. Its fresh acidity makes it a good by the glass option.

£4.85 Boutinot

Youthful with pear and green apple fruit plus hints of acacia.

'A bit of complexity, with nice, balanced acidity,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.

£4.60 Greene King

Delicate floral nose, with yellow fruit and white blossom alongside herbal notes on the mid-palate.

'Very enjoyable texture with a long finish,' said Christophe Richelet of Viajante.

£3.71 Majestic Commercial

Pale lemon green in the glass, with notes of underripe peapods and greengage, the light- to medium-bodied palate shows tropical fruit, good length and just enough acidity.

£4.29 Majestic Commercial

A white Bordeaux blend on holiday and flourishing in Antinori's 2013 Gold-winner.

'Expressive and fruity with a floral infusion of acacia and chamomile mixing with gold apple, the flowers providing a frame for an elegant woodiness marked by nice minerality. A creamy finish makes this good with lobsters and a creamy bisque,' said an enchanted Marco Adreani, The Pass at South Lodge.

£14.26 Berkmann Wine Cellars

More enchantment from the Marche with Moncaro's white, with itscomplex spice and mineral-infused palate.

'Burnt toast, tropical fruit and baked pineapple flavours sit alongside green herb notes and white pepper on the nose, while touches of fennel and aniseed join peach on the nose,' said Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House.

£9.41 Eurowines

Big can be beautiful, as shown here.

'With its smoky dense nose, this is ripe and rich, with good black fruit concentration and length. Very good,' said Nigel Lister of York & Albany. ‘Just a really classic, classy Italian,' said Dabbous's Charles Pashby-Taylor, adding 'Very moreish, yet a serious wine and one to impress customers with. If you put this on at a cash margin, it would probably sell itself.'

£31.63 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

With lovely dark, supple black fruits, this is 'smooth with some bite, fresh acidity and firm but ripe tannins.

'Rich nose and palate. Very civilised,' said OXO Tower's Mark Graham, while team leader Peter McCombie MW said 'With a dry finish, this is a crowd pleaser, but best with food.'

£11.40

Savoury style and spicy elegance led this to Gold. While team leader Jamie Goode said 'With a spicy, tarry, balsamic nose, this has red fruits, leather and herbs on the nose,' Vinoteca's Charlie Young said 'the palate was deep, complex and spicy with some minerality'. Will evolve with time but partner with lamb and rich, fatty meats.

£9.90 Bulles Blanc Rouge

With its enchanting aromas, seductive texture and sweetly spiced finish, it's no wonder this well-priced Verdicchio stole our judges' hearts. From ripe pineapple and honeydew melon to orange blossom and hints of aniseed, the flavours intrigue. The well-balanced palate is pleasantly herbaceous, with medium acidity. From roast chicken to grilled sardines to going solo, this wine will never be without fans.

£6.60 Boutinot

'Vibrantly fruity, with sour red cherries aplenty and an animal, leathery touch. Fresh and tannic in the the mouth, every drop will ask for another bite of your rare beef, seasoned with rosemary and black pepper,' said Marco Adreani of The Pass at South Lodge.

£7.73 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'With baked apple, pineapple, melon and musky white flowers plus a touch of honey, the complexity and balance continues to the textured palate. Very insistent and foodworthy,' said Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House.

£14.74 Vinum

'Deliciously textured, the palate has it all: nectarine, white peach, yellow plum and lots of pebbly minerality,' said The Arts Club's Athila Roos, adding 'Long-layered and complex, a wine to keep and enjoy for years to come.'

£14.00 Vinum

'Dangerously quaffable,' said The Arts Club's Athila Roos of this textured white with its lemon and blossom notes, adding 'Stunning palate - a touch of lees stirring? – with freshness alongside stone fruit flavours.'

£8.46 Bibendum

With spiced red and blue fruit, Vinoteca's Charles Young noted 'Attractive nose, with cherries, almonds, integrated oak, and a long finish,' while team leader Jamie Goode said 'Lovely depth here – rich but savoury'.

£8.21 Eurowines

A beguiling blend of Grecchetto, Procanico, Pinot Bianco, Viognier and Riesling, floral notes join almond and lemons on the nose while golden apple flavours mix with minerals and lemons on the palate, balanced by a refreshing acidity.

£10.18 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Elegantly aromatic, with floral blossoms alongside notes of almonds and white peach. The medium-bodied palate is almost off-dry, with medium acidity, a waxy texture and a honeyed finish.

£11.03 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'As dark as the night, this is incredibly deep. Its palate of blackcurrant and preserved bramble is spicy and opulent, with a long cigar ending,' said Marco Adreani of The Pass at South Lodge.

£13.36 Berkmann Wine Cellars

With its blend of blackberries, cherries and other red fruit, this shows dark chocolate, a lick of spice, nice acidity and good structure.

£5.99 Eurowines

Dark and deep in colour, with a spicy, balsamic edge to the ripe black fruits nose, Mondial Wine's Simon Cassina said 'this is excellent on the palate, with its mix of meaty, fruity flavours, nice tannins and acidity. I love it.'

£9.01 Italyabroad.com

'Supple, juicy and vibrant, with lovely cherry fruit and a grippy, spicy edge, showing a savoury tinge to the plums and cherries,' said team leader Jamie Goode.

£5.74 Bibendum

With fascinating complexity, this stole our panel's hearts.

'Really interesting nose: perfumed with flower petals, thyme and rosemary alongside sweet plum,' said Viajante's Christophe Richelet, while Zuma's Laura Blanchett picked up shaved dark chocolate too.

'Fresh and elegant on the palate, with smoked berries, tobacco, hintse of nettle, this is well balanced, with warm stony notes. Great potential,' she said. Match with steak or lamb shank.

£27.38 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Medium ruby garnet, with cinnamon and cloves, and a savoury finish. Miguel Franco Helder of Searcys at The National Portrait Gallery said, 'Lovely and complex wine, with its oaky, smoky, savoury nose, fleshy backbone and red berry flavours.'
With grippy, chewy tannins, a definite for food.

£13.81 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Medium ruby cherry in the glass, savoury soy notes blend with red cherry and spice on the nose.

'With typical herbaceousness, savoury cooked tomato and menthol, red fruit mix with chalky yet ripe tannins, said Viajante's Christophe Richelet.

£9.85 Berkmann Wine Cellars

With dark chocolate and cocoa bean aromas on a perfumed nose, this shows toasted, roasted coffee notes and sweet spices alongside lovely depth and structure, with a long and lingering finish.

£14.29 Eurowines

'Lovely violet and jammy fruit on the nose, with a good backbone structure and forest fruit character,' said Miguel Franco Helder of Searcys at The National Portrait Gallery.

'With a touch of plum skin and hints of perigord truffle, it's screaming for food and decanter,' said Zuma's Laura Blanchett.

£12.70 Enotria&Coe

'Farmyard notes mix with smoke on the nose, while flavours of dark plums and black berries mix with a slaty, earthy minerality and hints of cigar box on the mid-palate,' said Zuma's Laura Blanchett.

£14.69 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Showing some development and complexity, this has liquorice and Asian spices alongside hints of pencil shaving and dark fruit flavours.

'Very good value, this evolves in the glass, getting better and better,' said The Harrow at Little Bedwyn's Roger Jones.

£9.88 John E Fells & Sons

Intense and almost rustic in style, this has aromas of dark fruits, cassis, raspberry and spices, while the still evolving palate has a bitter chocolate-like character, great depth of fruit, firm tannins but a balanced, soft finish.

£12.97 Enotria&Coe

One for the decanter, this is both powerful and elegant, with wonderful structure. Approachable now, it has much potential for the future.

'With ripe blackberries and exotic spices on the nose, this is subtle and sleek. The sweet, ripe mulberry and cherry fruit, shows good freshness alongside oak nuances,' said team leader Peter McCombie MW.

'Massive, black and brooding, like a powderkeg,' said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto. Drink with grouse, roast game stew, especially one made with venison.

£29.00 Eurowines

'I call this JAM,' said Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks.

'Juicy. Aromatic. Moreish. Youthful, with ripe pear William and white flowers on the nose, the palate follows suit, being both seductive and engaging.'
Michael Moore of Enigma 88 agreed: 'Grows with every sip. Scallops with ginger for me.'
Try also seafood or asparagus.

£8.07 Enotria&Coe

'Tar… Christmas Cake… hazelnuts and crushed pepper' – it's no wonder this good value wine snuck up to steal the first Gold of the north-east region.

'Layers of brambly black fruit vie with violets and spice on the nose,' said Erica Lalér of Benares of this food-friendly wine, adding 'The palate is peppery and smoky, with fresh-cut herbs, velvety tannins and an elegant finish.'

£6.95 Boutinot

Complex yet approachable, a Gold star for food friendliness alone.

'Elegant and well balanced, the leathery notes perfectly balance the sweet forest fruit notes and cranberry freshness,' said Galvin Restaurant's Andrea Briccarello.

'Savoury with a vibrant finish.'
With a whiff of tobacco, white pepper and mocha alongside fresh acidity, no wonder rich pork dishes were being suggested.

£8.50 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Texture, individuality and food-friendliness – think sushi for starters – won this Alto Adige star Gold.

'Almonds accompany white peach alongside a fresh acidity and minerality on a well-balanced palate, with a touch of white pepper on the finish,' said Laure Patry of Pollen Street Social.

£17.99 Eurowines

'Trying to be white Burgundy – and succeeding! Good nutty notes with a hint of spent match, then the Soave mineral, floral notes – all in all, a very classy, complete style,' said team leader Simon Woods, while Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks requested this instead of Chablis to partner with oysters.

£14.34 Bibendum

With barley sugar aromas, this has grapefruit and candied peel flavours alongside citrus, quince and leafy hints. The finish is textured, mineral and long,' said Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan.

£11.73 New Generation Wines

Despite its six years in the bottle, this was seen as still young, although the flavours certainly inspired. The River Café's Courtney Stebbings said 'Chocolate covered raisins, fig paste... there's good fruit and firm tannins', while team leader Peter McCombie MW added 'Super serious, with concentrate, gamey/sweet fruit. Very good potential.'

£51.44 Eurowines

While Cooks & Capers' Richard Graham noted the 'lovely full weight' and the 'fresh, flinty finish', Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson said 'Ripe melon and apricot with leafy notes on the palate, this is fresh and balanced.'

£8.99 Vinum

'Hints of minerality run alongside peach and pineapple flavours, giving this rich wine delicious styling,' said Vivat Bacchus' Laura Ward of this well-priced, balanced white, with its touch of honey.

£7.94 Eurowines

'Lovely peach and pear aromatics transfer to the palate. The finish has ginger spice and a good length. Excellent value,' said Mark Deamer, The Marylebone Hotel. Good By the Glass option.

£5.20 Boutinot

Much appreciation for this wine, still regarded as young, with its deft integration of smoky oak, plums, berries and spices on a firm palate, and its balanced finish.

'Bright and ripe, with some smoky dried fruit on the nose,' said Studio Alto's Neil Bruce.

£13.49 Eurowines

Dark and concentrated, despite savoury notes of olives, meat and old oak, this is evidently still young. Ripe and dried-fruit flavours are balanced with strong acids and well-integrated oak, leading to a long finish.

£12.50 Boutinot

With its spice, plums, good length and fine balance, this is 'Lovely and dark in colour, with an oaky, smoky nose and very smooth finish,' said an appreciative Michael Harrison of STK.

£12.60 Liberty Wines

Gooseberry, green apples and dandelion notes on the nose, this is juicy, intense and slightly oily, with a pithy, grippy finish.

'Great wine with or without food. Has good depth,' said Michael Moore of Enigma 88.

£8.80 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Gentle, juicy, musky pear aromas leads to a ripe, tangy palate with lots of almond and pear appeal.

'Its acidic line makes buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil salad a great prospect,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

£7.82 Enotria&Coe

'Rich and oaked, with buttery pineapple fruit and a wet stone minerality, this is serious wine,' said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer.

'Really interesting character, this is creamy and herbal and keeps evolving,' added Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan.

£14.50 New Generation Wines

A spellbinding wine.

'Beautiful, elegant, classy and delicious,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister. Smokey, savoury notes lead to a delicate, well-integrated palate, with soft red fruit and red blossom. Walnuts and chestnuts run alongside a cranberry freshness. Long and complex.

'A true Italian character,' said Galvin Restaurants Andrea Briccarello.

£19.88 Eurowines

'Elegant and juicy with ripe, grippy tannins and good acids on the finish,' said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto.

'Sweet, supple, ripe and generous, with a hint of green as well as sweet cherry and plum fruit,' added team leader Jamie Goode, concluding 'it's beguiling'.

£11.30 Maisons Marques et Domaines

'With dried lemon, flowers and candlewax on the nose, this has a bright and vivacious palate, with a great delivery and finish. Serious wine,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£12.50 Boutinot

Delicate and floral with a fresh finish, this sports earthy spices alongside red fruits, sour cherry, bitter chocolate and light tannins.

£9.84 Enotria&Coe

Sweet chocolate and brandied cherries.

'Quite fresh and youthful, with a firm tannic backbone. This is still a little ungainly, but has good richness and potential,' said team leader Peter McCombie MW.

'Intriguing austerity and deep taste,' said an enigmatic Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club.

£25.65 Boutinot

Intense notes of cherries and red fruit mix with violets on a light-bodied palate, with good balance and acidity. Soft, juicy and velvety.

'Fresh and pretty,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

£5.20 Boutinot

With very rich apricot and citrus on a vanilla-oaked nose, the palate is full-bodied and smooth, with lemon curd fruit, lime zest and an elegant citrus finish.

£17.99 Eurowines

'Pale green in the glass, youthful and aromatic, with an apricot and pear nose and an off-dry, rich palate,' said Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks, adding that, with its spicy lychee and light floral notes, this was a 'seductive alternative to Viognier'.

£7.21 United Wineries

Sweet, rounded and supple, with spices and nice berries and cherries, this shows a bit of grip, hints of tar, and a savoury twist.

£9.84 Enotria&Coe

Notes of wild herb, strawberries, cherries and menthol gather on the nose, while the palate is similarly complex, rich and long, with layers of wild fruits and spices.

'Beautifully balanced and great value,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister. Available from Forth Wines.

£5.94 Cantine Riondo

'Tense and juicy, this has a pure, mineral style with some Alpine freshness,' said team leader Simon Woods of this pear-fruit infused wine.

'Salt-crusted turbot with lemon juice,' suggested Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks.

£10.20 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Intense and interesting, this is toasty, nutty, floral and mineral-infused. Rich and developed, showing evidence of oak.

£16.18 Liberty Wines

'With black pepper and black cherry notes, this shows good tannins, a touch of vanilla and good length,' said STK's Michael Harrison. Berry fruits, violets and a hit of minerality.

£7.66 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Smoke and tobacco meets gunflint and farmyards. With a ruby core, this offers a complex bouquet of 'dark spices, pepper and cedar wood', according to Hakkasan's Philippe Moranges.

'Full bodied with plums, damsons, a touch of brett, and a cigar box finish,' added The Harrow at Little Bedwyn's Roger Jones. Ideal partner for dark meats.

£10.55 Boutinot

'Scented, with a lovely mix of fruit, floral and almond notes, this is beautifully balanced – dry and refreshing. Nothing out of place – very classy,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW. With 'its formidable mid-palate', Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri noted its 'decent mineral line and length'.

£9.68 Enotria&Coe

Pale ruby in colour, this takes time to come into its own. Maraschino cherry and hints of violets on the nose lead to more cherries, olives, spices and medicinal notes on the palate, with a good length and medium tannins.

£34.31

'With a herbaceous acidity and lovely grapefruit flavours, touches of vanilla and sweet pear balance out the palate,' said The Rib Room's Louise Gordon, adding 'Great picnic wine.'
Good concentration with minerality on the finish.

£6.85 Boutinot

Perfumed and savoury with a luscious finish.

'Dense, damson in colour, with a pungent cherry nose, this has a punchy palate of soaked cherries and a good, grasping flavour on the finish,' said an approving Sarah Guignard of The French Table.

£8.70 Boutinot

Savoury on the nose, with delicate flavours of soft berries and dried strawberries.

'Nice tannins and a good precise finish with lingering violets and soft spices,' said The Harrow at Little Bedwyn's Roger Jones.

'Lovely wine.'

£11.21 Vinum

Pale cherry with a hint of orange, the earthy aromas of spice and cherry lead to a soft velvety mouthfeel, with dried cherry and cinnamon spice.

'Ripe notes on the finish,' said Vinopolis' Tom Forrest.

'Herb and leather on the nose,' said The Harwood Arms' Alex Sergeant.

£14.17 Eurowines

Poised and persistent, with lime marmalade aromas.

'Zesty lemon with hints of pink grapefruit and fresh chilli, this shows good balance and a lovely fresh acidity,' said Louise Gordon of The Rib Room.

£11.60 Boutinot

Light ruby, fading at the rim, with cherry fruit and a leathery, nutty finish.

'Good balance of soft tannins and acidity, this shows a long, fruit-infused finish,' said Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club.

£42.10 Boutinot

'White pepper and vanilla on the nose, this has some red fruit, good oak and nice length,' said The Harwood Arms' Alex Sergeant. With spicy oak aromas, this shows good development, with fine, ripe, well-integrated tannins. Harmonious throughout, with hints of tobacco and cedar.

£45.32 Liberty Wines

Off-dry, crisp and fruity, with good acidity and soft lemon and grapefruit flavours, all were impressed with the value.

£4.50 Winery Classic

Not afraid to be slightly rustic, Laura Ward of Vivat Bacchus noted 'juicy red berries, good well-integrated tannins', and said it was 'a beautiful expression', team leader Simon Woods called it 'a good honest, satisfying drink'. Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri said that the wine 'offered the approachability, typicity and complexity – at a pretty good price, which customers also expect – that shows the best of what southern Italian reds can do’.

£11.27

Great value and great flavours won the day.

'Dark purple in colour, with rich inky black, blue fruits, a touch of liquorice, spice, pencil, and firmish tannins,' said Garry Clark of The Chester Grosvenor. While team leader Simon Woods judged this a 'nice honest glugger', Hakkasan's Diana Rollan dialled up for pizza, to match its juicy, fruity, lightly savoury character.

£5.39 Vinum

While the palate is ripe and lush, the nose overflows with pretty floral aromas alongside citrus peel, nuts, quince, honey and orangey fruits.

'Chewy and textured on the palate, this is fresh and bright, with hints of creamy salt caramel,' said consultant Jade Koch.

'This tastes of freshly squeezed grapes, a feminine wine,' said The Maze's Stefano d'Andrea.

£7.15 Cockburn & Campbell

Sexy, silky, supple and savoury - this wine enchanted with its complexity.

'Cherry, liquorice and balsamic nose,' said Winetec's Tim Wildman MW,' deaming it 'very drinkable', while The Tate Group's Gustavo Medina noted 'good acidity, silky tannins, red fruits, balance and great integration.

£18.40 Liberty Wines

Expressive aromas of cassis and bitter cherry on a smoky spicy nose, with bark and hedgerow notes. Some felt this was still too young, but team leader Angela Reddin said,'Perfectly judged oak, with fine clean lines and medium finish.'

£15.68 Enotria&Coe

'Bright and luscious, with ripe fruit and hints of black pepper, liquorice and violets,' said Laura Ward of Vivat Bacchus, adding 'Good tannins to balance the ripeness.'

£6.88 Vinum

'Officially amazing' said The Vineyard Group's James Hocking, adding 'This is a deep brooding style. Beautiful, long, complex and expressive.'
'A riot of fruit, with violets and floral notes, fine mineral detail, and an elegant, aged bouquet, ful lof tobacco and black olive,' said Winetec's Tim Wildman MW.

£32.05 Eurowines

Classy and restrained, with hints of banana skin and petrol on the nose. Full, rich and round peach fruit on a concentrated, long palate, with ginger and spice on the finish. Match with roast chicken and all the trimmings.

£12.42 Eurowines

With an intensely aromatic nose of flowers, apricots and smoke, Winetec's Tim Wildman MW noted 'lots of character, with grassy, mineral and herbal notes on a mid-weight palate'. Partner with scallops.

£12.25 Liberty Wines

'Ripe full-bodied peach and apricot fruit flavours lead the way on a serious palate. With its freshness alongside biscuit and honeyed notes, this has good food matching potential,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister. Try pork belly.

£15.68 Enotria&Coe

'Mineral, white blossoms and white stoned fruit on the nose lead to a dry palate, with good texture, well-balanced acidity and good length, with a citrusy tail,' said Luigi Buonanno of Etrusca Restaurants.

£12.97 Enotria&Coe

With its adventurous oaking, this divided our judges, but all were agreed it was good and good with food. Honey, salt caramel and rich butterscotch on the nose, the creamy oak comes to the fore on a spicy, golden palate, with hints of roasted nuts and a long finish.

£16.42 Enotria&Coe

Crushed dark fruit flavours, with tobacco leaf notes and hints of game.

'A balanced, opulent, classic style, with rich fruit, and a touch of cocoa and spice. Well-made' was the verdict of James Hocking of The Vineyard Group.

£9.96 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Ripe stone fruit runs alongside nuts, spices and honey. Well balanced with moderate acidity and a long lasting finish.

'Rich, ripe and full – a superstar,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister. Team leader Angela Reddin agreed, saying 'A glass of class.'

£20.80 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Initially slightly closed on the nose, this has a good fleshy palate, and herbal notes on the finish. Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains felt this was a 'more serious wine, with tannins and darker fruits. Great balance between fruit ripeness, jam and acidity.'

£8.35

With its 'amazing intensity of tannins and bright red fruit alongside savoury notes, this is both elegant and floral, with a unique concentration, power and rustic charm,' said Laura Ward of Vivat Bacchus.

'A nicely evolving, wild farmyard style, with good balance and finesse,' said team leader Simon Woods.

£29.43 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'Subtle and refined, this shows an elegant mix of honeysuckle, herb, almond and pear, with a creamy texture, brisk acidity and decent length,' said team leader, Natasha Hughes.

£10.31 Berkmann Wine Cellars

While Mark Deamer of The Marylebone Hotel noted ‘Aged wild strawberry fruit, this is really minerally with its fresh, refreshing finish,’ James Hocking of The Vineyard Group said ‘Balanced and opulent, Superb Archetypal Italian red at its best.’

£24.79 Berkmann Wine Cellars

While James Hocking of The Vineyard Group said this was 'Balanced, ripe and evolved, with ripe spicy and berry character', The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer said 'Sexy nose of plum and strawberries, with hints of chocolate. Very mouthfilling with chunky tannins. Serious wine.'

£16.42 Enotria&Coe

'Very fragrant, with floral notes alongside white peaches and apricots, nuts, minerals and a refreshing acidity. Great with Asian food,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen.

£10.33 Eurowines

'Very enjoyable with a delicate nose and light body, showing ripe peach and citrus fruits and a good balance within the overall freshness,' said Trangallan's Xabier Alvarez.

£7.98 Eurowines

Well-balanced, fresh and fruity, this has a welcome citrus burst alongside floral and stone fruit flavours with a nutty finish.

'Good value and great for summer,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen.

£6.95 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Juicy, with good fruit, fine balance, plump tannins, and decent finish.

'Dark 'n' broody. Needs food,' said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer.

£10.60 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Soft plummy and strawberry fruit, with hints of liquorice and parma violets, soft tannins and great balance.

'Perfect lunch-time drinking,' said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer.

£7.00

'Wonderfully untamed, with an animal forest character,' said team leader Angela Reddin, while Mark Deamer of The Marylebone Hotel noted 'Parma violets, damsons and chocolate on the palate, with sensuous tannins, vibrant acids and a lengthy finish.

£19.50 Bulles Blanc Rouge

A serious expression of Brunello, this is 'youthful although showing some development, according to team leader Peter McCombie MW, who noted: 'concentrated, rich, yet very firm backbone. Very, very good. Needs aeration.'
'Really interesting wine,' said Bo London's Cedric Beaumond.

'Could be even better with age'.

£27.34 Bibendum

The essence of Sangiovese won this Gold.

'Liquorice and floral notes wrap around a pure core of fruit. With its freshness and acidity, this is elegant, typical, lovely Sangiovese,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

'The quality here is very high for the price, with some good complexity, and really expressive character. A great ‘entry’ wine capturing this DO’s character. Chargrilled steak,' said Bread Street Kitchen's Ram Chhetri.

£21.50 Maisons Marques et Domaines

The allure of well-used oak impressed our judges. Sour plums and herbs mix with lovely red and black fruit, vanilla and candied orange peel on the nose. Structured and characterful tannins from a stylish use of oak are balanced by good fruit and a tingling acidity, with hints of bitter chocolate and vanilla on a lengthy finish.

£14.48 Alivini

A multi-layered wine of stature and power. While some felt this was still youthful with much potential ahead, others enjoyed the here and now.

'Unctuous richness of fruit on a layered palate,' said team leader, Angela Reddin. Tobacco, chocolate, spicy nutmeg, leather, dried herbs, liquorice, smoked meat - they are all there, alongside soft red cherries and violets. Ready for most flavourful dishes, try with lamb shank.

£44.33 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'Serious, focused and long - bring a decanter,' was the verdict of York & Albany's Nigel Lister on this elegant, concentrated wine, with its notes of dark chocolate, liquorice and spice. ‘It was the balance and approachability of this wine, full-bodied and with good tannins, but so balanced. Fantastic for game and rich-flavoured meat dishes,' said Julien Sahut of China Tang.

£31.05 Bibendum

Massive and elegant, the complexity on show won Col d’Orcia not just a second Gold, but a Critics Choice gong.

'Big, bright, fragrant, long and earthy, with very powerful, grippy tannins,' said team leader Simon Woods, adding 'needs time'.

'Rich in body, with black fruits, oak, and hints of age from leathery and tobacco aromas,' added Ram Chhetri, Bread Street Kitchen.

£26.60 Alivini

Impressive and with plenty of time still ahead, a worthy Gold. Inky, very concentrated nose of wood, cherry, liquorice and balsamic leads to a well-structured, balanced palate packed with small mature berries, good acids, a firm tannic structure and savoury notes.

'I would love to buy it and let it age and wait until its best potential comes out,' said a wistful Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club. Meanwhile, match with lamb, steak and hearty meat dishes.

£20.60 Boutinot

With spice and tobacco alongside blackberry, earth, cedar and flowers, this is layered, with silky smooth, tart cherries, mint and chocolate on the finish.

'Elegant, with vivid acids, lovely concentration and length. Precise,' said team leader Natasha Hughes.

£21.89 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Plums, cherries, violet and liquorice flavours mingle with spice, herby hints, medicinal notes and chocolate on a well-balanced palate with a fair measure of oak. Vanilla on the finish, with gently grippy tannins. Match with pork belly.

£7.21 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'Right on the money, with liquorice and black cherry, super plump tannins, mouthwatering acids and yummy spice on the finish,' said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer.

£26.55 Eurowines

Plenty of complexity here, with oak, dried herbs and sour red fruit.

'The palate is concentrated with lasting flavour and lingering tannins,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House, adding: 'would benefit from being served with food – bisteca Fiorentina perhaps.'

£17.00 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Sour Morello cherry on the nose with a touch of smoke, the palate has dried plummy fruit and dried herbs.

'Some tannin but overall a friendly, earlier drinking style,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

£9.70 Bibendum

'With its concentrated, dark blend of fruit and herbal tinges, this is a modern polished style of Vino Nobile,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

'With nicely integrated tannins on a finely grained texture, sweet oak and cinammon instil character,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.

£16.26 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Leathery and savoury, with sour plum and black cherries, and an intense tobacco and chocolate finish.

'This has a beautiful silky texture and well integrated oak,' said team leader Natasha Hughes.

£19.33 Eurowines

Sweet berry and cherry flavours, with great acidity, Marco Feraldi, St James's Hotel and Club, said 'Everything is in the right place. It's very good value for money. As an Italian, I'm very critical, but this would be the next on my wine list.'

£9.80 Bulles Blanc Rouge

'Complex and very plush, with ripe but not jammy fruit,' said an impressed Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

'The oak is seamlessly integrated, the tannins are very fine, and the great length gives a lingering finish that evolves.'

£49.99 Bibendum

'Blackcurrant and eucalyptus with mellow notes of cedar and white pepper on the nose, this has smooth, balanced tannins, concentrated black fruit, cassis and honey, plus a great length,' said Foni Tsouvallas, The Folly.

'This has plenty of fruit to allow it to age,' said team leader Natasha Hughes.

£33.58 Eurowines

With deep, dark fruits, this has a lovely balance. The Vineyard Group's James Hocking called it a 'reference-point red', while The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer said 'Sexy, incredible mouthfeel. New World treatment but the quality of the fruit is fantastic.'

£14.95 Liberty Wines

'With chocolate, dry cherry and cigar box flavours, this has amazing texture on the palate, with a touch of complexity and savoury tannins from its age,' said Hakkasan's Philippe Moranges, adding 'Long length.'

£13.62 Bibendum

With an elegant, evolved old style palate of black berries and cherries, this shows vanilla, leather, dry forest leaves and spice on the nose alongside a lovely rich palate with fleshy, attractive oak and a seamless finish.

£21.15 Boutinot

'Soft, earthy and fleshy, this is a lovely open-hearted style, with some smoky oak and firm tannins. This is long and vibrant,' said consultant Simon Woods.

£15.30 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'With a really pleasant nose of soft red fruity tinged with cedar and leafy notes, this has a medium body, silky texture, good balance, and the potnetial to age,' said Bo London's Cedric Beaumond of this youthful, modernist Vino Nobile.

£10.10 Boutinot

Completing a hat-trick of CAM Golds for Argentina is the Pasionado. Light, delicate, juicy, supple, bright and elegant, this offers a fragrant mix of herbs and spices. ‘With good complexity and layers of flavour, this is drinking well now but has the ability to age, offering a lot of wine, a lot of flavour, and a great choice with grilled meats,' said a happy Gabor Foth of Hakkasan Hanway Place.

£24.44 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Warmth and spice on the nose continue onto a spiced chocolate palate with good length.

'Elegant nose of black and red fruits with minerals and oak,' said Guillaume Mahaut of The Jugged Hare.

'Soft, juicy Cabernet fruits, this has nice freshness, good typicity and not too much oak,' said a happy Laura Rhys MS of Hotel Terravina.

'And it's great value!' Match with slow cooked pork belly.

£7.95 Bancroft Wines

Restraint, elegance and good value took Decero to the top.

'Plums, currants and spice on the nose, leading to a very clean, fresh, spicy structure with finesse. Excellent length. Very well made,' said team leader, Angela Reddin, while Gabor Foth of Hakkasan Hanway Place added, ‘Amazing, a really great expression, with good varietal character, and fresh but intense cassis. It's a great wine for someone who likes Bordeaux or New World Cabernet blends.’ Go for char-grilled steak.

£8.42 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'Sumptuous now,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW of this charming, violet-infused head-turner, appreciating the 'generous fruit balanced by classy oak'.

'Lifted red fruit with minty notes, this is juicy in the mid-palate, balanced by a supreme structure. Multilayered with excellent ageing potential,' said Kyri Sotiri of Soho Wine Supply.

£37.54 Matthew Clark

Wonderful fruit, well-integrated oak and superb food-matching potential gave Salentein Gold.

'Oak, vanilla and black fruit flavours, this has a long lovely finish,' said an impressed Ram Chhetri of Bread Street Kitchen, while team leader Angela Reddin noted 'Animal, bloody nose. Fantastic! Gorgeously fruity with nice grippy tannins. Perfect for steak.'
Michael Moore of Enigma 88 agreed, 'Immediately appealing in the glass, offering a wealth of layered red fruits, a juiciness at its heart, good structure, firm but balanced tannins, but above all fresh and calling out for red meats!’

£10.41 Matthew Clark

Complexity and concentration took this well-integrated wine to the top. Soft oak spicing runs alongside cassis, cardamom, dill, cloves, cinnamon and liquorice on the nose.

'Flavours of plum blackberry and coffee, evolve nicely on the palate. There's great complexity at this price,' said Viajante's Christophe Richelet. Olivier Marie of Coq d'Argent agreed, saying 'I would happily order a second bottle. The price is great.'

£12.00 Matthew Clark

Complexity, supreme poise and balance brought Kleine Zalze a Critics Choice as well as Gold.

'With green tobacco leaf on the nose alongside a light smokiness, the palate has flavours of dark chocolate, savoury notes, good acidity and a balanced finish,' said Cedric Beaumond of Bo London, adding that he felt there was significant ageing ability. Partner with chargrilled meats.

£8.55 Hatch Mansfield

Very intense, both on the nose, with its dark fruits, and on the palate, with its oak character and chewy tannins.

'The palate is warmed with cooked blackcurrants, with fruit and warmth coming back again and again,' said The French Table's Sarah Guignard.

'Shows some development and complexity,' said Olivier Marie of Coq d'Argent, noting the 'almost bretty factor, such as bacon fat', and applauding the 'richer style, with fleshier tannins and opulent, suave finish'.

£20.23 Justerini & Brooks

'Ripe and bloody on the nose, with violet notes, the palate is rich, deep and concentrated, with mulberries, cherries and deep fruit,' said The Harrow at Little Bedwyn's Roger Jones. 'With its lingering, toasty finish, this is classic Margaret River Cabernet. Drinking well now.'

£16.91 Bibendum

Fragrant and perfumed, with baked, green bell pepper alongside chocolate notes earthy nuances, the well-balanced palate shows plenty of red and black fruits, with fresh tannins and enjoyable acidity leading to a long, savoury finish.

£10.81 Bibendum

'Great balance and poise,' said Richard Masterson of Ubiquitous Chip, while Mark Deamer of The Marylebone Hotel. said 'Rich berries and plums plus hints of menthol on the nose, the palate has good tannins. Very South African.'
'Very pleasant – good value and more,' added Cedric Beaumond of Bo London.

£12.75 Bibendum

'Intense blackcurrants and cassis on the nose with hints of chocolate. This is powerful, flavoursome and voluptuous,' said consultant Robert Giorgione.

'It's big, rich, ripe and fruity. Expensive, but good. Classy, aspirational wine.'
Still youthful, we look forward to seeing how this wine develops.

£19.21 Alliance Wine

With vanilla and liquorice notes alongside red and black fruits on the nose, the palate shows soft, ripe brambly fruits, with attractive spice and oak. Mondial Wine's Simon Cassina appreciated the 'sense of origin', saying it would be good for by the glass lists.

£6.49 Hatch Mansfield

Medium ruby in the glass, this shows coconut and vanilla notes on a nose of sweet ripe black fruits.

'Fine, fragrant, minty Cabernet, this is relatively restrained, with good flavours and a lovely fresh finish,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW.

£27.30 Matthew Clark

'Developed nose with aromas of blackcurrant alongside vegetal tones of liquorice,' said Marco Adreani of The Pass at South Lodge, adding 'There's a noble woodiness and a toasty aroma of chocolate following through. Rich on the palate, it is well supported by silky tannins.'

£27.30 Matthew Clark

Complex but in a restrained manner, this food-friendly wine impressed with its expressive nose of blackcurrants, vanilla with a tarry, spicy edge.

'The sweet tannins are grippy but ripe and characterful, while the earthiness has a metalllic finish, giving a sense of terroir,' said Olivier Marie of Coq d'Argent.

£15.85 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Full bodied and rounded, this has black fruit, dark cherry and juicy plums alongside notes of leather. The palate is fresh and supple, with good tannins, plenty of dried red fruit flavours, and a good finish with dark cherry character.

£7.29 Bibendum

While the nose shows soft black and plum fruits, with notes of clove and cedar wood, the palate has a toasty character with roasted coffee beans and dark spices.

'Ripe and lively, with grippy tannins and savoury notes,' said team leader Jamie Goode. 'This will mature nicely,' added The Harwood Arms' Alex Sergeant.

£36.51 Bibendum

'Ripe and round, but not over the top, this mixes red and black fruit with sweet spices,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House, while team leader Natasha Hughes added 'Youthful with firm tannins, a touch of herbaceousness, and a long, layered finish.'

£10.95 Boutinot

'A very oaky, smoky style, this has a fine sense of origin,' said Mondial Wine's Simon Cassina adding that he felt it 'would be good for cellaring'. 'Deep, dark and fruity, this is elegant with great complexity,' said Richard Masterson of the Ubiquitous Chip.

£21.13 Bibendum

Really dense fruit, the tannins are dry but well structured,' said team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, while Richard Masterson of Ubiquitous Chip said 'Wood and marzipan add to the complexity. It needs a bit of time or food to bring the fruit out a little.'

£17.20 Bibendum

With juicy red berries and cherries alongside tomato and blackcurrant aromas, mineral notes and hints of rosemary on the nose, the elegant tannins partner fresh acidity on a lightly oaked palate.

£24.11 Bibendum

'With its lovely nose and velvety texture, this is classic Connawarra, with bloody, deep red meat dripping flavours,' said The Harrow at Little Bedwyn's Roger Jones.

'Classy oak ageing - a great wine.'

£11.99 Treasury Wine Estates

Bright and vibrant in the glass, the nose is savoury and spiced, full and developed, with dark fruit aplenty, the palate has good structure and quite dry oak. 'Quite tannic on the finish, but evolving,' noted The Harrow at Little Bedwyn's Roger Jones.

£11.85 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'Lots of fine, dark fruit, some smoky oak and a hit of vanilla, this has an abundance of ripe tannins,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House, adding 'Very round with good length and flavour. Good with braised meats.'

£9.49 John E Fells & Sons

'Big stewy aromas of black fruits, plus vanilla, spice and pepper on the palate,' said Tom Forrest of Vinopolis.

'A lovely dark cherry and blackcurrant core, surrounded by a touch of balsamic, and a long dried fruit finish,' said Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club.

£25.10 Liberty Wines

'Olive, capsicum and dark fruit on the nose. The wine has great savouriness that really enhances the pleasure. Lighter body than expected, with a long finish,' said Viajante's Christophe Richelet.

£20.00 Matthew Clark

Sophistication and generosity marked out Carmen's Gran Reserva.

'Ripe black fruit, black cherry, mint and eucalyptus run alongside lovely touches of coffee beans and chocolate and an elegant finish,' said Agustin Trapero of Launceston Place.

'The fruit, acids and freshness are all in balance,' added Jacques Savary de Beauregard of Home House. Match with braised lamb.

£9.75 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

This impressed all with its value. Coffee and chocolate join intense aromas of green pepper, menthol and minty black and red fruit on the nose, with a touch of oak and floral notes.

'There's lovely fruit concentration on the palate. With its soft tannins, it's a lighter style,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister, adding 'Ideal with barbecued salmon.'

£5.94 Hatch Mansfield

Excellent value alongside wonderful fruit and concentration won Caliterra its second Gold of the category – no mean feat.

'Perfumed floral character to the nose with cassis, prunes, ripe dark cherry and chocolate,' said Sara Bachiorri of The Glasshouse Restaurant.

'Lovely fleshy palate with plum and cherry to the fore plus a touch of spice. Good balance and a lingering finish,' said Tom Bailey of Lazy Lounge. Pair with chargrilled steak.

£7.69 Hatch Mansfield

Blueberry, plum, black cherry, cassis and raspberry rule the roost, with floral notes appearing alongside savoury hints, a touch of menthol, good spice, ripe fruit and balanced acidity on the palate.

£9.26 Bibendum

Very well made, with a rich cassis nose, plenty of expensive oak, textured tannins, a good balance and a long rich finish. While some felt it was still young, Sara Bachiorri of The Glasshouse Restaurant liked the 'round, velvety mouthfeel and very ripe dark fruit flavours'.

£8.68 CyT UK

With its lifted blackcurrant, blueberry and cassis nose, leading to a palate with bright fruit plus a hint of eucalytpus and savoury notes, York & Albany's Nigel Lister said 'Good concentration with a decent, oaky finish. Very good value.'

£5.57 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Rich and dark in colour, Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains felt this showed a beautiful balance between acidity, mint, eucalyptus and cassis.

'With tightly wound black cherry and currant flavours, the tannins are well managed alongside the nice fruit,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

£14.91 CyT UK

Ripe, high toned fruit with notes of tobacco leaf and some pleasant capsicum notes. Balanced and fresh, with medium tannins and length.

£8.35 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

While some felt this needed time, Laura Ward of Vivat Bacchus said 'Bright and fresh, with floral and cedar notes, a refreshing acidity plus candy, red cherry and plum fruit. Quite elegant.'

£10.60 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Plum and cherry-fuelled red in an appealing, juicy style.

'Gentle cherry nose, with a slight hint of spice, followed by gentle tannins and a soft finish,' said Charles Pashby-Taylor of Dabbous.

£6.65 Boutinot

'A clean, rich, opulent style, this is fleshy with quite fat, suave tannins and copious amounts of sweet American oak,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.

£7.99 Matthew Clark

'Bright and fresh, with lively cherry aromatics, the high acidity is refreshingly in balance,' said Laura Ward of Vivat Bacchus of this ripe wine with its notes of smoky vanilla and menthol.

£8.49 Anthony Byrne Fine Wines

Sweet, ripe, liqueur-like maraschino, raspberry and blackberry fruit run alongside aromatic herbs on the nose, while the fresh palate shows elegant raisin and dried fruit with a spicy finish. Vivid with good acidity.

£15.95 Bibendum

The only wine to win both Critics Choice and By The Glass awards, this seriously overdelivered on the flavour-front.

'Stunning value for money and a great option for a house red,' said Athila Roos of The Arts Club, while Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House noted 'dark red fruit, eucalypt, green bell pepper and black cherry on the nose'. Soft squashy fruits on the palate with medium acidity and smooth tannins complete the picture. Pork belly, lamb, steak… you name it, the Aliwen Reserva has the character to match with style.

£5.83 González Byass

'With black plum, blackberry, cassis and menthol alongside sweet herbs on the nose, the palate has juicy tannins, smooth acidity and a stony minerality,' said Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House.

£6.95 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Deep ruby in the glass, with squashy red fruits alongside dusty medicinal notes on the nose,' the palate shows eucalypt, smoke, spice, and red and black berries,' said Tom Forrest of Vinopolis, adding 'Nice finish.'

£7.65 Bancroft Wines

'Classic', 'lively', joyful – just some of the adjectives that greeted this robust yet fragrant Gold-medal winner.

'Underneath smoke and garlic sausage you'll find hidden black fruit on a palate that's not overripe,' said The River Café's Courtney Stebbings.

'Rather, it's juicy with bitter dark chocolate and green herbs. Yummy for the price.'
And versatile on the food front too: everything from mushroom risotto through to steak, via lamb and pork belly were felt to be potential matches.

£5.18 CyT UK

A riper style of Carmenère, this is fruity and dark, with some oak and herbaceous hints on a structured, rich palate.

'Pleasant savoury notes plus well-defined yet energetic tannins,' said Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club.

'The perfect example to share with someone who enjoys Old World wines. Great quality.'

£9.99 Liberty Wines

'Rich and characterful, with herbaceous hints, good tannins and a long, fresh, finish,' said Vinoteca's Charles Graham, while team leader Peter McCombie MW added 'A bigger, riper, fresher style, with plenty of pepper and black fruit, plus fresh acidity and a firm grip. Will improve.'

£11.21 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Spicy and balanced, this blend with 85 per cent Carmenère has minty, eucalyptus notes alongside blueberries, wild forest fruits and beetroot on a medium-bodied palate with its juicy, ripe and rich fruit.

£6.65 Boutinot

Beetroot and pomegranate on the nose leads to a juicy, elegant yet structured palate. Spicy and earthy, Vinoteca's Charles Young noted 'With a fresh, red fruit nose, the palate is dry and nicely textured, with a fresh, attractive feel to it.'

£9.48 González Byass

'An aromatic nose of sweet cedar with sugar plum fairy spicing. The palate is well-balanced, juicy and concentrated,' said Courtney Stebbings of The River Café, while Vinoteca's Charles Young said the wine was 'rich, dry and dark. Fresh and good.'

£8.78 Cockburn & Campbell

Concentrated, open and generous with its big, black fruit and sweet oak influences. Chocolate and mocha notes rub along hints of roasted coconut.

£15.48 Lanchester Wine Cellars

'Black cherries and brambly fruit. Red roses and violets. Rhubarb and beetroot. Dark fruit, with spicy notes, velvet tannins and a good finish,' said Benares' Erica Lalér.

£5.45 Boutinot

An accomplished wine, with kernel and buttered popcorn alongside apple, lemon, subtle oak notes, minerality and nuttiness, plus crystalised ginger and orange.

'Subtle oak, with ripe fruit and fresh acidity, this is ripe with almost sweet notes,' said Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson. While Winetec's Tim Wildman MW complimented the 'beautifully handled oak: this is classic, cool climate wine, Olivier Marie of Coq d'Argent found it 'quite Meursault-esque'. Ideal with scallops.

£15.50 Ellis of Richmond

Great value and judicious oaking set this wine apart. Toast and buttery, spicy aromas on the nose mix with baked apple and stone fruits, while the classy palate has a creamy mouthfeel.

'The palate is bright with lovely minerality and a honeyed character. It tastes more expensive than it is.'
said team leader Jade Koch. Partner with roast chicken or pasta with creamy sauces.

£7.49 Hatch Mansfield

Balance and complexity helped Fraser Gallop scoop the second Chardonnay Gold.

'Bright, big and racy,' said team leader Natasha Hughes of this toasty wine, with its crisp green apple and citrus flavours, good concentration and hints of honey and vanilla. With its fleshy plum and rhubarb notes, look out for appealing vanilla-infused oak and a streak of fresh lime acidity.

£11.85 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Serious and rich, although highly enjoyable now, this is young and will evolve beautifully.

'Smoky and flinty on this nose with hints of bacon, the rich mid-palate bursts with juicy, tropical fruits, leading to a long and complex finish with nutty and toasted notes,' said Andrea Briccarello of Galvin Restaurants. Food partners range from scallops and salmon to pork belly.

£20.00 Matthew Clark

'Warm yellow fruit with shades of nuts and spice alongside flavours of confit lemon,' said Louise Gordon of The Rib Room, while Laurent Chaniac of The Cinnamon Club noted the 'citrus, ripe pineapple and light almond notes' on this vibrant wine.

£9.59 Enotria&Coe

'Burgundian on the nose, with creamy notes alongside appley aromas, this is ripe and concentrated, with tropical fruit flavours and an elegant finish,' said Andrea Briccarello of Galvin Restaurants, while Richard Graham of Cooks & Capers noted 'very racy acidity and a long finish'.

£12.90 Bibendum

Bright, attractive and fruit-driven, with fresh citrus and apple flavours and oaky overtones, this is 'rich, ripe and appealing, with great length,' said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

£11.85 Liberty Wines

Opulent and floral in character on the nose, this shows lovely citrus fruit, fresh acidity and a rounded palate with attractive hints of toast and hazelnuts.

£10.20 Liberty Wines

Golden apple and sweet yellow plums sit alongside orange marmalade and spices on a rich, refreshing palate with a splash of minerality.

'Sunshine in a glass,' said consultant Robert Giorgione.

£10.25 Boutinot

Smoke and gunpowder aromas join grapefruit, flint and minerals on a complex nose, while the supple, classy palate shows good weight, balance and acidity with a lemony finish. Serve with roast chicken.

£9.34 Hatch Mansfield

'A very quaffable, fresh, juicy Chardonnay with pretty lees character and good balance,' said team leader Jade Koch of this spicy, baked apple-infused white with its ripe stone fruit flavours.

£8.95 Bibendum

'Cashews, spice, cream, citrus and toast, the mid-palate is balanced with a nutty/savoury character following through with the core minerality,' said Kyri Sotiri of Soho Wine Supply, while Marco Adreani of The Pass at South Lodge noted honeysuckle and chamomile and a 'fat, full-bodied palate with a rich finish. Delightful.'

£29.50 Liberty Wines

'A light-bodied, complex wine with bright fruit and oak, and a medium finish, this is good at the price point,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House, adding 'A good alternative to Burgundy at the price.'

£8.75 González Byass

A richer style of Aussie Chardonnay, this has tang and finesse, with a palate of freshly picked apricots and creamy vanilla, good minerality and a nutty, toasty finish.

£12.53 Bibendum

'Melon, peach and citrus, with a lightly nutty, toasty character and a pronounced acidity on the mid-palate,' said Kyri Sotiri of Soho Wine Supply of this nicely-balanced wine with its good richness of fruit and fine length.

£9.26 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Prominent but well-integrated oak on the palate with rich, ripe melon fruit and fresh acidity,' said consultant Annette Scarfe MW of this precise wine with its good minerality and elegant style.

£9.50 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Stunning' acidity, fine oak integration and balance took Saam's Chenin to the top, with its stone fruit character and hint of chamomile.

'A beautiful nose, soft and delicate, this is a delicate, lush wine with fine flowers and white berries,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn. The lively, full texture on the palate makes it a match for fish and chips among other things.

£8.72 Bibendum

Boldness and richness marked out this luscious wine with its notes of tiny wild flowers, soft beeswax, lemon and custard slices.

'Concentrated with waxy, honeyed notes, and a lovely balance between the fruit and alcohol, this has great substance and length,' said Olivier Marie of Coq d'Argent. Think firm-fleshed fish or creamy risotto.

£13.63 Bibendum

Gentle notes of soft apple, lanolin and creamy spice mix with honeysuckle aromas.

'There's attractive flavours of barley, anise and cardamom spice alongside savoury notes and apricot, with a mineral finish,' said Richard Graham of Cooks & Capers.

£9.09 Bibendum

While the palate is voluptuous, the aromas mix white stone fruit with savoury notes and honeyed hints.

'There's a good acidity balance and a nice texture,' said Miguel Franco Helder of Searcys at The National Portrait Gallery, adding 'Fresher and intense, with a bit of honey, this is a good style of Chenin Blanc.'

£7.97 Enotria&Coe

Candied lemon flavours ally themselves with a good fruit concentration and a nice acidity.

'A stunning wine, this has honeyed aromas of meadows and buttercups alongside a lovely richness. There's a lovely intensity of herbs with a long and lingering finish,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, concluding 'Brilliant.'

£6.94 Hatch Mansfield

Medium gold in the glass, a complex nose of spicy lanolin and oak mixes with smoke, white flowers, ripe tropical fruit and pepper. Well-judged oak leads to a smoky, creamy, textured palate, with pineapple, apple, wax and lemon, plus spice and peel on the finish. A food wine with the structure and balance to age.

£17.24 Bibendum

Apples both cooked and fresh mix with melon, flowers, a touch of honey and a little lanolin on the nose, with these flavours following through to a medum-bodied palate, with extra pineapple flavours and a fresh, ripe fruit finish.

£4.35 Boutinot

'A great balance between sweet, ripe aromatics and acidity,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House, adding 'This has typical Gewürz rose and spice aromatics without being overpowering.'
'This has a a beautiful Turkish Delight/rosewater nose and a nice texture,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

£11.11 Bibendum

'Tinned apricot and orange blossom on the nose with similar flavours emerging on an oily palate, this strikes a fine balance between pungency on the nose and weight on the palate,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House. A good example of Argentina's national white grape.'

£7.29 Bibendum

'Delicate perfume of elderflower on the nose with a lemony and stone fruit palate, good minerality and a nice finish,' said Nicolas Vierne of The Orange.

£7.01 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

A friendly style of off-dry Gewürz with lemon and tangerine citrus flavours, 'This is juicy and spicy, with lots of flesh and fruit, a decent body and balance, and a relaxed peach and citrus finish,' said team leader Simon Woods.

£5.45 Boutinot

Balance and flair gave Trapiche the sole Malbec Gold. Spicy, black fruits and violets sit alongside savoury notes of Worcestershire Sauce and Marmite on the nose. The palate is juicy, with clove spices and balanced oak.

'Liquorice and blackcurrant leaves frame the flavours, with ripe fruits and a good amount of tannins,' said Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club.

'A good meat wine.'

£14.39 John E Fells & Sons

'Beautiful perfumed nose, with dense spice and cooked plum on the palate,' said The French Table's Sarah Guignard.

'Silky and deep, long and lingering, with a lovely texture,' said a bowled-over Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

'World class wine – goes on and on. Stunning.'

£39.46 Alliance Wine

A silky velvety wine, where rich, dark fruit aromas lead to a voluptuous palate with plenty of oaky, spice character.

'With its lingering, long clean vanilla, toasty finish, this is exciting wine and will continue to evolve,' said The Harrow at Little Bedwyn's Roger Jones.

£11.95 Alliance Wine

Red and dark fruits mingle before raspberries take over on a restrained palate. Good freshness.

'Good finish coming back with biting elegance,' said The French Table's Sarah Guignard.

£14.32 Ellis of Richmond

A complex nose with ripe, red fruits plus stewy compote notes. Creamy blackberry and red fruit plus brisk tannins lead to a ripe, liquorice-tinged finish.

£10.95 Alliance Wine

Floral notes mix with blackcurrant and strawberry jam aromas, tar and hints of black pepper, leading to liquorice and black fruits on the palate with a soft finish.

£7.29 Bibendum

This big, dense blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with its intense plum and herbal finish struck Gold for Sophenia.

'Bold fruit, with blackcurrant on the nose. There's an American oak emphasis, but it's very pleasant,' said Mark Thornhill of The Cricketers, Witney.

'Rather glossy,' concluded approving team leader, Simon Woods. Massive and dense, but with some finesse. Parker-style, but very well done,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£21.90 Ellis of Richmond

Rustic panache and intense fruits took this to the top.

'It's rich, ripe and voluptuous, with big, juicy, black fruits and hints of baking spices,' said team leader, Angela Reddin, adding 'A really animal, gutsy red wine. In six months this will be ready to drink.'
'With intense red cherries and a touch of leather, the tannins are high but it's well balanced with great freshness,' said Stefano D'Andrea of Maze. Match with chargrilled foods.

£10.49 Hatch Mansfield

A blend of six varieties with Shiraz the dominant partner, this offers a good balance of fruit, acids and well-integrated oak.

'With its intense nose of tobacco, sweet spices, cherry, liquorice and eucalyptus flavours, this has great texture and concentration,' said Diana Rollan of Hakkasan London.

£7.91 Liberty Wines

With its lovely mix of florals, cassis and forest fruits this intense and complex wine would be a popular choice for your by the glass list.

'Soft ripe fruits run alongside earthy notes and barbecue smoke,' said team leader Angela Reddin,

£7.00 González Byass

'Garrigue in a glass. This shows a mix of herbs, flowers, and red and black fruits.

'Really delicious. Flavoursome yet elegant, this has real poise and definition. Needs food too,' said consultant Robert Giorgione.

£16.07 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'With a nose of fresh, fruity, red berries, this has ripe tannins, good concentration and an enjoyable smoky character,' said Diana Rollan of Hakkasan London. Nick Chiu of South Lodge Hotel added 'Great value. With its soft tannins and acidity, this is an easy drinker. Good as an entry wine or for a pub list.'

£5.83 González Byass

'Well-integrated and interesting, this shows jammy, purple fruits with oak spice and an earthy feel,' said Louise Gordon of The Rib Room. A rich and entertaining prospect already, several judges felt it needed time to be of its best.

£25.91 Alliance Wine

'With red and black berries alongside liquorice notes, the palate is lightly grassy, with good acidity and supple red fruits on the finish,' said Luigi Buonanno of Etrusca Restaurants.

'Soft, grippy, lively and floral,' added team leader Simon Woods.

£7.04 Bibendum

'Very appealing and easy to drink, this is long and juicy, with spicy plum and cherry notes on the nose, and plenty of blueberries on the palate,' said Andrea Briccarello of Galvin Restaurants.

£6.08 Cockburn & Campbell

'Intense, ripe and concentrated, there's a rustic thread running through, with good gripping tannins alongside flavours of morello cherries and a spicy tobacco finish,' said Andrea Briccarello of Galvin Restaurants.

£6.95 Alliance Wine

A bright, exuberant blend of Shiraz, Cabernet and Malbec, with juicy fruits and soft tannins.

'Very approachable and good value. Concentrated and well made,' said consultant Annette Scarfe MW.

£6.25 Accolade Wines

A blend of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, this shows tomato leaf, blackcurrant and cranberry on a highly perfumed nose, with an ironstone mineral undertone alongside hints of mint. The gravelly, earthy palate has a good structure and a long finish.

£13.00 Bibendum

'Well balanced, the savoury nose is followed by gamey, earthy characters. Perfect for veal,' said Nick Chiu of South Lodge Hotel of this fresh wine with its minty edge and supporting tannins.

£9.26 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Dark and fruity, with menthol and mocha notes to add to herbaceous hints and berry fruits on the nose.

'Concentrated with vivid berry and plum fruit flavours and a nice depth,' said team leader Jamie Goode.

£12.35 Boutinot

Yin and yang - savoury and sweet notes on the nose, with floral aromas, this is elegant and well made.

'Lively cherry fruit with some ginger spice and mint, this is distinctive,' said team leader Jamie Goode.

£18.58 Bibendum

'Ripe stone fruit with hints of vanilla, elderflower and other floral notes, this has a well-integrated acidity and a long finish,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen of this food-friendly Grüner Veltliner while Galvin Restaurants' Andrea Briccarello added: 'Crisp and elegant. Refreshing and zingy.'

£11.25 Liberty Wines

Dry and oaky, with spicy cloves alongside eucalyptus notes, the palate of this always interesting blend shows zesty flavours of lemon, pineapple and other tropical fruits.

£10.05 Boutinot

'Honeycomb and yellow flowers on the nose, the palate shows bright fruit and a crispy minerality, leading to a racy finish,' said Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club.

£6.89 Bibendum

'Refreshing and well balanced, with pineapple, white peach and honey flavours, this has great acidity and a long finish,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, adding 'Good value.'

£6.71

'Vanilla and lemon curd on the nose mix with lovely passion fruit flavours, this is crisp and cool, bright, fresh and long,' said team leader Angela Reddin, while Mark Dearmer of The Marylebone Hotel noted 'honeyed pears with hints of citrus. Ginger spices warm the lengthy finish. Food friendly.'

£8.92 Enotria&Coe

Apricot, honeysuckle and lime on the nose, with sweet apples, soft pineapple, stone fruit and spice on the palate. The wine's strong acidity and touch of residual sugar makes it a good food-matching prospect.

£6.75 Boutinot

White flowers and angelica mix with stone fruit on the nose, while the ripe palate of this Viognier/ Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer blend is multi-textured with some residual sugar, plus honeyed peach flavours, an elegant freshness, and a long fine, mineral finish

£10.82 Coe Vintners

Complexity and depth gave New Zealand its second Pinot Gris Gold. Pear, pineapple, green apples and apricots – the nose evokes a stylish fruit salad tinged with spice. The palate shows ripe candied fruits, honey and nutty flavours, with good structure, minerality, fresh acidity, and just the right amount of residual sugar for a rounded finish.

£16.10 Liberty Wines

Versatility compounded by an attractive minerality running through the wine wins Ara its Gold.

'Honeyed pears and spice on the nose, lead to a palate with richer, still honeyed flavours, alongside a good balance between fruit and acidity,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister. Think asparagus, mushroom risotto or even pork belly on the food-matching front.

£8.75 Negociants

A bright, fresh, vivacious wine, with flavours of pineapple, grapefruit, pear and peach alongside floral notes and spices, the palate is concentrated with attractive fresh lemon acidity and hints of pineapple.

'Fun!' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

£8.25 Grupo Codorníu

With roses and hyacinths on the nose, this is very floral, with a good concentration of fruit – think candied pears and mango – on a well-balanced palate with fine length and character.

£19.20 Bibendum

Spicy and waxy, this is refreshing and zesty, with mineral tones, fresh fruit flavours and pineapple chunks, plus a good length.

£15.00 Matthew Clark

Ripe and honeyed, with pear and light tropical fruit plus spice on the nose, the palate sports soft fleshy fruit, good structure and a fair length.

£8.92 Enotria&Coe

Already excellent, this is likely to get even better with age.

'Savoury on the nose with a menthol-tinged herbaceousness, the palate balances tarry oak with fresh, crunchy red fruit, leading to a firm, dry finish,' said team leader Peter McCombie MW.

'Ambitious in style, with a savoury, evolved complexity,' said Jenny Mackenzie of The Plough Inn.

£13.46 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Not one, but two Food Match gongs for this exceptionally priced wine – Margherita pizza and mushroom risotto, since you ask – illustrates how versatile Chilean Pinot Noir can be in the right hands.

'Fresh with typical Chilean purity, yet restrained with fresh bright, red fruit, vibrancy and crunch. Delicious,' said a happy team leader, Peter McCombie MW. ‘A pretty wine and a very enjoyable by-the-glass introduction to the good value Pinot that cooler climate Chile can offer. Try this with a lamb shank or ossobuco,’ said Michael Moore of Enigma 88.

£5.38 CyT UK

Richness, some development, and a lingering finish, took the Riorret Emu to the top.

'It's brick red, with herbs, violets and creamy delicate fruit on the nose,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

'Very pretty, characterful palate, with red berry fruits and a lick of oak,' said Martin Lam of Ransome's Dock. Match with chicken, lamb or warm mackerel salad.

£16.33 De Bortoli Wines UK

A delicate, feral complexity held in perfect balance took Paul Hobbs to the top.

'Lovely open PInot nose,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister of the floral, redcurrant and cherry bouquet. The palate has good structure in a very New World style, with good morello cherry fruit, good balance and length.

'A ripe concentrated style which retains food freshness,' said Sara Bachiorri of The Glasshouse Restaurant.

£23.00 Alliance Wine

Light on the nose, with berry and sour cherries, plus good spicing and a little leafiness, the palate has good cherry drop flavours, plenty of acids, some herbaceousness and a touch of oak.

'Nice concentration, good balance and length,' commented Simon Cassina of Mondial Wine.

£10.25 Boutinot

Even with several years under its belt our judges felt this would improve with time. Notes of jasmine mix with red fruits on the nose, the palate shows concentrated, very ripe fruit with hints of dried leaves and forest floor, plus a mineral finish.

'Full-bodied, rich, young, yes, but very good,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

£26.56 Bibendum

Mark Angell of The Rookery said 'Bursting with strawberry and red cherry fruit, this is elegant on the nose and palate.'
Team leader Simon Woods felt this had big tomato and dark fruit flavours.

'Slighty firm tannins, with good flavours of cherry, spice and eucalypt on the palate,' said Gabor Forth of Hakkasan Hanway Place. Pork or lamb would be perfect.

£9.40 Barwell & Jones

Light fruit with a bright cherry nose, this is an elegant, easy drinking style with cherry flavours alongside smoke and violets, good structure and good length.

£13.18 Liberty Wines

'Slightly exotic aromas mix with balsamic spice, leading to a quite full palate, with dark fruit, good freshness and a little grip,' said team leader Peter McCombie MW.

£7.12 Bibendum

'Redcurrant fruit on the nose is scented with delicate violets, while the palate shows a mouthwash of fruitiness, clearing away to reveal a pleasant balsamic note,' said Marco Adreani of The Pass at South Lodge.

£6.65 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Ripe, rich and round style, with gentle spicy berry flavours and a nicely textured palate,' said consultant Simon Woods, adding 'Never too forceful. Good.'

£10.49

'Aromas of confectionery and raspberry crumble, this is luscious, long and lingering. It is both delicate and packed with flavour, with a clean cut finish,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

£19.50 Liberty Wines

With a savoury, gamey character behind the fruit, Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn liked the 'lovely texture to the wine', saying 'There are lingering ripe berries with lovely forest nuances coming through, and toasty vanilla on the fresh finish,'

£11.64 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'With soft red berry flavours, this is smooth and silky, with lovely balance and hints of complexity on this soft, juicy wine,' said Laura Rhys MS of Hotel Terravina.

'Lots happening – great wine,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

£18.02 Bibendum

'Coupling good varietal character with complexity, this has nice oak integration, with liquorice and Asian spices, underpinned by a gamey, almost animalesque character,' said Olivier Marie of Coq d'Argent, adding 'Rich, opulent fruit and suave tannins result in a fleshy palate.'
Match with chicken.

£20.00 Matthew Clark

An enticingly moreish allure won Rockburn Gold for this complex, balanced wine.

'Deep cherry red in colour, this sports a rich, deep, concentrated nose, with liquorice, spices, black pepper, vanilla and coffee alongside floral aromas and dried red fruit notes,' said Tobias Brauweiler of The Ritz, adding that the palate is 'rich and dense, with ripe firm tannins and a fresh finish'.

'A great wine for introducing people to Otago Pinot and saying “this is what it’s all about”,' said Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet of Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa. Serve with game.

£18.86 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Young and bold but tasty,' said team leader Simon Woods, summing up how Invivo picked up a red Gold to match its well-deserved Sauvignon Blanc one. Intense yet poised, this well-priced wine with a silky texture showed raspberries and nutmeg on the nose alongside incense, toasty notes, cherries, tomato and cranberry.

'A delicate, appealing nose leads to an elegant, balanced palate with soft tannins and mouthwatering acidity,' said Tobias Brauweiler of The Ritz.

'This would really win customers over to New Zealand Pinot Noir,' said consultant Robert Giorgione, suggesting duck and venison stew to match.

£11.75 Grupo Codorníu

Intense of flavour, elegant in structure, and moreish in appeal, Spy Valley captured the judges' hearts.

'Black fruit compote mixes with smoky, glowing embers on the nose, while the palate is nicely layered with bright fruit and a nicely extended finish,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

'Quite firm oak, lots of dark cherry, grip and juicy fruit. A polished wine,' said team leader Simon Woods.

£13.69 Bibendum

Rose petals and cranberries run alongside tomato leaf and vanilla notes on the nose, leading to a dense, creamy palate, with spice, liquorice, dried cherry and red plum flavours. Fine tannins and balanced acidity lead to a vibrant finish.'
Multilayered yet elegant, this shows good varietal and regional characteristics,' said consultant Robert Giorgione.

£25.11 Bibendum

Plenty of good varietal character in this good value, easy drinking wine with a medium-length finish.

'Pale garnet in colour, this shows cherry and raspberry jam aromas with a spicy red-fruited palate,' said Foni Tsouvallas of The Folly.

£7.35 Boutinot

Redcurrants and cranberries mix with stewed fruit on the nose, while the palate begins with full-on red cherries opening up to reveal some autumnal notes, quite grippy tannins, a silky texture and spicy dark chocolate notes on the finish.

£9.93 Ehrmanns Wine

Violets, cherries and plums on a fragrant nose with a hint of earthy minerality alongside smoky bacon. The palate is juicy with a savoury texture alongside ripe tannins.

'Very elegant and fruit-driven,' said consultant Robert Giorgione.

£8.74 Hatch Mansfield

'Ripe and well focused, the palate is soft and juicy, with a broad range of wild black berries on the palate,' said Marco Feraldi of St James' Hotel and Club.'
Quite a powerful attack, with nicely done oak,' said team leader Angela Reddin, adding 'Yum!'

£14.09 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Smoky notes partner generous cherry and red berry flavours, graphite and kirsch on the nose, leading to 'a spicy, juicy palate with great concentration and a long length', said Philippe Moranges of Hakkasan Hanway Place.

'Lovely boysenberry ice cream and texture on the palate,' said consultant Robert Giorgione.

£9.92 Enotria&Coe

'Struck match and bonfire embers mix with kirsch on the nose, leading to a palate with lush fruit and a precise mineral edge,' said team leader Angela Reddin, while James Hocking of The Vineyard Group said 'Rich, expressive wine with solid tannins and firm acidity, great length. Proper Pinot Noir!'

£16.89 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Savoury notes on the nose lead to a palate brimming with ripe cherries and bramble bushes, opening to leave notes of sweet cinnamon and bitter cocoa on the finish,' said STK's Michael Harrison. Good with food or on its own.

£15.00 Laytons

Delicate and intricate, Woollaston scored not only Gold but a Critics Choice award. The nose sports a complex bouquet of jasmine, elderflower and honeysuckle mixed with peardrops, green apple and lemon zest. The palate is well-balanced, 'with flavours of sweet crushed apple splashed with lemon juice – a very pretty wine,' according to team leader Angela Reddin, who suggested scallops and Thai green curry as possible food matches.

£10.98 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Minerality and complexity led this to Gold.

'Good Kabinett style of Riesling, with good integration of sugar and fruit. Floral elderflower and apple fruit, alongside lively acids,' said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer. Quite broad tropical and citrus fruit along with a grassy finish offers sufficient depth to match taste-filled foods such as salmon and belly pork.

£15.93 Bibendum

Sheer depth of zesty flavours won this the Thai Prawn Curry Food Match gong as well as Gold. Exotic floral notes of jasmine and elderflower mix with ripe stone fruits, Bramley apple, grated lime and petrolly, rubberband aromas on the nose. The medium-bodied palate shows a slightly waxiness, with honeyed flesh and limey notes.

'Very poised and confident, this has lovely length and balance,' said team leader Angela Reddin, while Stefano D'Andrea of Maze felt this had 'good ageing potential'.

£8.07 Babich Wines UK

Value for money and a zesty zing led Esk Valley to the top. Honey blossom, lemon and ginger mix with lime peel and kaffir leaves on the nose, while the palate is well balanced and round, combining white peach and fresh green fruit flavours with just the right amount of acidity.

'Juicy, fresh and lively, with a bright youthful finish and good minerality, this would be excellent by the glass,' said consultant Jade Koch.

£7.00 Hatch Mansfield

Piercing fruit and fresh acidity make this a stand-out, whether for by the glass or with food. The nose is quite exotic, with passion fruit alongside peach and sweet lemon.

'With its touch of oil and lime acidity, this is nice and refreshing and a touch salty on the finish,' said Louise Gordon of The Rib Room, adding 'It would go so well with a scallop dish I’ve got in the restaurant at the moment.'

£13.04 Bibendum

'Intense citrus flavours run alongside a stony minerality, with a tight, clenched palate and a gorgeous finish,' said team leader Angela Reddin. Well made and balanced, The Rib Room's Louise Gordon noted 'apricot with a touch of toast and peardrop centre'.

£14.43 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

While Garry Clark of The Chester Grosvenor found 'stones, smoke and petrol', and a full flavour profile,' consultant Simon Woods noted 'big toasty maturity, long fleshy lime flavours, plus good honest grip and fruit'.

£11.99 Treasury Wine Estates

Florals, with dried hay and sweet grasses on the nose, 'this kicks in with gorgeous lemon, mandarin and grapefruit flavours, and a lovely, slightly pithy, bitter finish' said team leader Angela Reddin. Juicy and tangy, this is long and balanced in a gentle, but tense style.

£10.87 Accolade Wines

Much appreciated by all, with its tropical fruit nose and high acids, this is 'pure and tense, with lovely, grippy citrus tannins' according to team leader Simon Woods, while Laura Ward of Vivat Bacchus felt it was 'very subtle and elegant, with stony minerality and elderflower notes'.

£13.81 Bibendum

'Wet stones after a spring rain with blossoms on the trees,' said The River Café's Courtney Stebbings, adding 'There's a gorgeous palate of citrus, apples and tangerine, plus a bright acidity.'
While vivacious and approachable now, several felt it was still young and would improve with time.

£13.40 Berkmann Wine Cellars

With its telltale aged Riesling notes of petrol alongside peach and apricots on the nose, team leader Peter McCombie MW felt this was 'Very typical Riesling with good minerality, adding 'This is dry, fine, firm, tight and youthful. It has a lovely balance but needs time to fill out.'

£18.04

'Intense lime marmalade with a classic Riesling nose, this is off-dry and delicious, with an amazing, zesty concentration for the price,' said Laura Ward of Vivat Bacchus. Flavours seen include honey, ripe stone fruits, pineapple, quince and baked apple.

£11.55 Boutinot

'Orange peel and lemon zest on a clear, clean expression,' said Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club of this well-balanced, textbook Riesling.

'The steely acidity is beautifully underpinned by a pleasant sweetness.'

£8.52 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Saint Clair scores Gold again with this vibrant wine. A lovely nose of gentle fruits – think grapefruit and lychee – alongside capsicum, grass and flowers leads to a well balanced palate with a long fruit finish.

'Mouthwatering acidity and a hint of spice make this wine beautifully textured and ultra-quaffable,' said Athila Roos of The Arts Club. Match with everything from asparagus and cod to crab cakes or barbecued prawns with lime and chilli.

£13.92 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Really well-framed, this is a serious wine, with long length and complexity,' said Athila Roos of The Arts Club, noting that this 'fuller' wine was 'mineral-led with some chalky texture alongside the spice'. Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House noted 'Canteloupe melon, citrus, Asian pear, mango and hay, leading to a textured finish.'
Partner with scallops, sashimi or grilled sea bass.

£7.23 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Versatility and sheer character gave Errázuriz Gold for its Casablanca Sauvignon. Opening with notes of blackcurrant leaf the palate shows 'many layers of flavours, from vegetal to herbaceous, reaching a perfumed, fresh, fruity finish,' according to Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club. The lively fruit is balanced with good acids, notes of grapefruit and a grassy tinge. Wonderful value.

£5.61 Hatch Mansfield

Great varietal typicity and Summer drinking potential gave Undurraga not just Gold but made it one of the 2013 By the Glass picks for the pub.

'Fresh apple and white melon mix with grassy notes and hints of white flowers,' said Sara Bachiorri of The Glasshouse Restaurant, adding 'The dry fruity, palate has good minerality and a long finish.'

£5.83 González Byass

'Well-balanced, vibrant and refreshing.'
said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen of one of 2013's most garlanded wines. The complex nose shows floral notes alongside quince, apple, citrus peel, gooseberry, capsicum and grass, flavours which follow through to a beautifully textured palate. Whether served by the glass, or with food – think shellfish, crab, lightly spiced Asian dishes – this is 'delicious and classy', said Athila Roos of The Arts Club.

£8.41 New Generation Wines

'Intense and impressive, this shows green flavours of asparagus, peas and gooseberry and some real textured elegance,' said team leader Natasha Hughes, while Luigi Buonanno of Etrusca Restaurants noted 'tomato leaf, pineapple and passion fruit aromas, leading to a fresh, juicy palate with good body and acidity and a citrusy tail.'

£9.09 González Byass

Delicate and restrained on the nose, yet still distinctive, with notes of gooseberry, citrus, mint and tart tropical fruit alongside herbaceous hints. The palate shows more exotic fruit with medium acidity, good texture and a crisp, lingering finish.

'Great aperitif or palate cleanser,' said Athila Roos of The Arts Club.

£5.57 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Ripe passionfruit aromas mix with green, grassy notes of lime with undertones of nuts, leading to a broad, creamy, textured palate, with a long, dry finish. Well-balanced and with a good conecentration,' Simon Cassina of Mondial Wine liked the wine's sense of origin and its food friendliness, everything from poached salmon to chicken curry.

£9.64 Enotria&Coe

'Very green and herbaceous, with notes of asparagus and freshly cut grass, this has good minerality alongside flavours of white melon and a dry, savoury finish,' said Sara Bachiorri of The Glasshouse Restaurant. Great balanced and a long, fresh finish complete the picture.

£6.90 González Byass

Subtle yet complex on the nose, this well-priced wine is balanced, long and zesty.

'Grassy notes run alongside elderflower, white peach and hints of stony minerality,' said Laura Ward of Vivat Bacchus, adding 'The mouthwatering palate with its good acidity is both enjoyable and varietally correct.'
Versatile on the food front, pair with disches ranging from scallops to pizza margherita, or serve by the glass.

£6.40 Hatch Mansfield

Opens up to an almost Sancerre-like style of Sauvignon with those tell-tale signs of peas and grass.

'With honeyed citrus notes of grapefruit and lime, this has a lovely weight on the mid-palate and good acids on the finish,' said Mark Deamer of The Marylebone Hotel, concluding 'Really elegant.'

£14.48 Hatch Mansfield

Peach, elderflowers and herbs meet on the nose and palate, with a dried lemon finish.

'With good fruit and crisp acidity, this is a balanced, stylish wine, with an opulent character tinged with herbaceousness,' said The Vineyard Group's James Hocking, adding 'Benchmark style, this would be useful on a list.'

£11.30 Liberty Wines

Attractive peach flavours with grassy notes of lime citrus opening up to a pleasant, well-rounded palate with grapefruit flavours, gentle spice on the finish and a spritzy acidity. With a good concentration and a long aftertaste, this is food friendly – think fish and chips or roast chicken.

£9.40 Bancroft Wines

'Intense and highly aromatic at the tropical end of the spectrum, this is rich fare with some oiliness on the palate,' said Winetec's Tim Wildman MW. Complex and long, minerality mixes with creamy fruit and herbs on a juicy palate. Match with firm-white fish, such as halibut or turbot.

£15.37

'Passionfruit and physalis dominate the scene, this is soft and savoury on the palate with a pleasant, astringent finish,' said Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club, while Louise Gordon of The Rib Room added, 'Sweet apple on the nose follows on the palate with good lemon zest acidity.'

£6.80 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Well-priced, this has good tropical fruit Sauvignon Blanc character alongside tomato leaf and capsicum on the nose. The palate shows pithy grapefruit and passion fruit flavours, good acidity and a medium finish.

£6.87 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Recognised as great value by all. Floral notes mix with green apples, minerals, grass, gooseberry and tropical notes on a vivid nose, leading to a palate with a good balance between green fruit and acidity. Match with scallops or Asian cuisine.

£5.58 Majestic Commercial

Delicate herbaceous notes mix with fresh citrus, yellow stone fruit, apples and wild flowers on a charming nose, while the palate shows, typicity, complexity and a dry, mineral finish.

£7.69 Hatch Mansfield

Gooseberry, mango and guava join peach, grapefruit and floral notes on the nose, while the palate is fresh and zippy, with more tropical fruits and lots of cleansing citrus on the finish.

£8.66 Hatch Mansfield

'A good wine, showing layers of complexity,' said consultant Annette Scarfe MW. Seaside minerality and smoky, spicy notes lead to a precise, refreshing palate with a good, long, complex finish.

£11.99 Matthew Clark

With green apple flavours alongside sea-shell minerality and a lemon-curd freshness, consultant Annette Scarfe MW felt this was 'a food friendly wine, showing some savoury and fruity notes'.

£7.99 Matthew Clark

'Good value and balanced, this has attractive aromas of tangerine and flowers with light zingy notes and lemongrass. While some preferred the aperitif option, Winetec's Tim Wildman MW felt that, with the spice adding complexity, this 'would suit spicy Asian cuisine'.

£6.24 Hatch Mansfield

Green apples and quince mix with floral notes on the nose, while the palate shows a vegetal, herbaceous character, hints of minerality, good acids, length and concentration. Good value, this works on its own or with food, such as shellfish or green curry.

£6.24 Hatch Mansfield

Slightly richer and riper in style, this shows flavours of canned peas, asparagus, tropical and stone fruit plus white pepper, with a honeyed texture.

'The beautiful palate remains true to the nose. Fresh, exotic and delicious,' said Athila Roos of The Arts Club.

£6.76 Mentzendorff & Co

Personality and minerality won Fraser Gallop its second Gold of 2013 for this wine. Slightly smoky on the nose, with herbaceous notes of green asparagus and grass, the chalkiness on the palate complements subtle flavours of gooseberry, custard apple and green pepper, and the balanced citrus taste. Partner with roasted or pan-fried cod.

£11.85 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Lime jelly pithiness with a mildly aromatic, peach-infused, almost Bordeaux Blanc-style nose and a complex, balanced palate.

'Dry with concentrated peach and citrus flavours, this is good but very youthful,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House. We hope it returns in the future. Meanwhile partner with salmon terrine.

£9.10 Boutinot

Water-white in the glass, the relatively light nose is pithy with lemon, lime and guava flavours.

'Dry and light bodied, with crisp acidity and notes of cut grass, this would be ideal as an alternative to Pinot Grigio,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House, suggesting dressed crab as the food match of choice.

£6.66 González Byass

A tangy wine with greengage and citrus flavours.

'Light and crisp with a mineral element on the palate and green apples on the finish, this would be a great food wine,' said Mark Thornhill of The Cricketers, Witney.

£8.71 Bibendum

'Rich and taut, there's a lovely tension between toasty maturity and citrus flavours,' said team leader Simon Woods, while Enigma 88's Michael Moore applauded its 'great identity. That's what I look for in a a good wine'. Perfect with grilled lemon sole.

£12.51 Bibendum

The marriage of rich McLaren Vale fruit with lightly spiced Clare Valley fruit wins Gold for Jaraman. Deep, intense and fragrant, this marries mint and spice with big fruit and subtle oak spice on the nose.

'The powerful oaky hint adds complexity on to a clean fruity impact,' said Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club. Versatile on the food-front, from Asian spare ribs and chargrilled steak to aubergine parmigiana.

£11.48 Louis Latour Agencies

Beauty in depth gave the Lionheart Gold in this impressively plush wine.

'Smoky bacon, brambles and chocolate spice on the nose, lead to a voluptuous palate with a really meaty streak,' said Natasha Hughes, team leader.

'Big and powerful, with enough tannins and acids to balance, plus a long peppery finish,' she said. Good for by the glass lists, this would match taste-fuelled dishes, from macaroni cheese to sirloin steaks.

£9.20 Liberty Wines

Focused and concentrated, this Gold winner is still relatively young. With red cherries and plums alongside earthy and herbal notes, violets and menthol on the nose, both acidity and tannins are high yet well balanced.

'Rich and smooth, with firm backbone, this has ageing potential but is approachable now,' said team leader Peter McCombie MW, suggesting lamb as the perfect match.

£17.07 Bibendum

An elegant nose with cool minty aromas leads through to an 'Excellent middle palate, with ripe fruit backed up by quality oak,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW. Louise Gordon of the Rib Room continued: 'Hints of mint and white chocolate open out after a few minutes,' while Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club noted 'dark cocoa beans and coffee creme with velvety yet firm tannins. Incredible length. Good value for money.'

£16.83 Enotria&Coe

A wine with as bright a future as its present, this is deep in colour, flavour and structure.

'Good oak and juicy fruit with hints of spice and herbs.'
said Louise Gordon of The Rib Room.

'Rich on the palate with big tarry notes to support the fruit. Lasts well,' was the verdict of team leader Richard Bampfield MW.

'Plenty of power fruit but good balance. One with the "Wow" factor,' said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto.

£32.07 Bibendum

'Well balanced and long lasting, this sports a mix of maraschino cherry, deep plums and chocolate notes alongside herbal and earthy notes,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, adding 'Acids and tannins are high while the finish is dry.'
'Dark, brooding and powerful,' was the verdict of York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

£20.00 Matthew Clark

'Super plum fruit with lovely notes of blueberry, chocolate and cherry, alongside slight hints of smoky bacon,' said Mark Deamer of The Marylebone Hotel. Noted for its exotic spice and seriously ripe fruit, Hakkasan Group's Christine Parkinson said 'With its sweet oaky notes and nice texture, this is distinctive.'

£10.82 Cockburn & Campbell

With brambles, vanilla, flowers and spice, this is aromatic and oaky, with a silky texture, some freshness and supple tannins alongside savoury notes of dried herbs and liquorice.

'Solid, rich and round,' said a happy Peter McCombie MW, team leader.

£17.00 Matthew Clark

Restrained on the nose, Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering said 'Very appealing. Mouthfilling with a range of attractive flavours. Lovely wine.'
Vanilla oak and fresh acidity act to soften the ripe fruit and to cut through the big tannins.

£18.49 Bibendum

With strong notes of eucalyptyus on the nose, this is juicy, tinged with vanilla, and with the acids that welcome food.

'Dark plum and intense liquorice on the nose, this is very creamy on the palate with zingy, candied strawberry,' said Richard Graham of Cooks & Capers, concluding 'Delicious.'

£9.59 González Byass

'Fresh and pleasant, with elegant oaking, this has a balanced palate with a subtle spice element,' said Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet of Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa.

£16.48 Liberty Wines

'Classy with much complexity in the form of berry, plum, bay leaf and spice flavours. With its medium tannins, this is fresh, elegant and robust. Delicious,' said Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group.

£14.60 Boutinot

Aromatic on the nose, with maraschino cherry and dark fruits, eucalyptus and a hint of sweet spices. The tannins are very ripe, balance is good and the acidity is refreshing.

£12.50 Accolade Wines

'With ripe, dark plums, blackberry and chocolate with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon, this is a typical Aussie SGM blend,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, adding 'Its tannins and acidity are well-balanced, and the finish is long and refreshing.'

£9.00 Matthew Clark

'Delicate yet complex on the nose, with eucalyptus, old leather and hints of chocolate,' said Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet of Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa.

'The palate shows good raspberry and cherry fruit, with an excellent finish. Will age nicely too,' he said.

£13.35 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘With its fruit, balance and elegance – it's a good example for the Gold List in terms of showing what South Africa is doing well while offering a very drinkable, moreish wine,' said Gabor Foth of Hakkasan Hanway Place. Team leader Simon Woods commented 'Big, solid, juicy and earthy, with a lovely herbal, open style.'

£12.75 Bibendum

With real intensity, dark blackberries mix with wild strawberries and plums throughout.

'This is ripe and opulent with fleshy fruit, and sweet spices, such as sweet Asian cinnamon and liquorice,' said Olivier Marie of Coq d'Argent, adding 'the palate is well-balanced, supported by finely grained tannins.'
Match with roast chicken, was Vinopolis' Tom Forrest's view.

£9.37 Hatch Mansfield

The Terroir Hunter was one of two polished Syrahs to bag the coveted steak Food Match, and with its smoky, tarry persona, that was perhaps not that surprising. A complex bouquet of violets, roses, red berries and hints of mint, lead through to a spicy palate with good minerality, medium tannins and juicy red fruit.

'Very Limarí,' said Martin Lam of Ransome's Dock.

£9.48 González Byass

A complex showstopper that spells drama.

'Terrific style, this has violet and violence aromas!' said team leader Angela Reddin of the bloody, meaty savoury notes running alongside the spices.

'Polished and balanced, the peppered spice notes are in perfect balance.'
said James Hocking of The Vineyard Group. Perfect with lamb shank.

£13.55 Boutinot

Elegant, rich and well balanced, this shows 'herb and floral notes to the nose, while the palate is gamey with a long finish and spices,' said Laure Patry of Pollen Street Social, while Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie noted 'cassis-like nose with some vanillin and coconut, with finely grained tannins.'

£19.89 Coe Vintners

'Savoury notes open the bouquet, leading through to tobacco and toasty notes, followed by crushed black berries dancing with juniper berries,' said Marco Adreani of The Pass at South Lodge, suggesting 'game with a powerful jus' as the perfect match.

£13.99 Hatch Mansfield

'Opening with stewed dark fruits with violet aromas, the palate shows cranberry fruit alongside earthy notes, dusty, grippy tannins, peppery spice and good acidity,' said Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House.

'With its dark core of crème de mure, blueberries, inky character and long finish, this is beautiful,' said Athila Roos of The Arts Club.

£9.85 Boutinot

'A beautiful nose with a touch of blue fruits drizzled with black pepper and a whiff of floral scent. Really well-made, this is juicy, concentrated and long with a nice complexity and a touch of coffee beans at the end. Delicious,' said Athila Roos of The Arts Club.

£6.90 González Byass

Black brambles, pepper and rich oak mix on the nose. Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House said 'The palate is dark-fruited with an earthy tinge and fine-grained tannins, showing a long evolution of oak and spice on the finish.'
Try with venison with a chocolate sauce.

£12.15 Bancroft Wines

Medium ruby in the glass, the nose is intense, spicy and shows some pleasing development.

'The palate sports dry red fruit wrapped around a complex core of oak,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House, adding 'Would work well with grilled meats wrapped in bacon.'

£18.06 Enotria&Coe

Plenty of personality in this elegant Syrah, with its white pepper and raspberry flavours alongside vanilla, oak notes and plums.

'Fantastic value, lovely length, great acidity – I love the finish,' said James Hocking of The Vineyard Group.

£8.07 Babich Wines UK

Red and black fruits on the nose with white pepper, cloves, a touch of tar, and a forest-like earthiness. With oak to the fore, plums and chocolate mix with vanilla and a hint of spice on the palate.

'Nice rich fruitcake character,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£8.51 Mentzendorff & Co

A wine that opens up in the glass to reveal sour cherry, red and black berries, hints of chocolate and a mineral finish.

'Good complexity but needs time,' said Sara Bachiorri of The Glasshouse Restaurant.

£11.21 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Violets and roses join plums and layers of dark chocolate, while the palate has firm ripe tannins, good freshness and a long lasting finish,' said Sara Bachiorri of The Glasshouse Restaurant. Attractive acidity makes this a good food bedfellow.

£8.60 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Rich, elegant and intense, with bright red fruit alongside savoury notes and sweet spices.

'The palate is fresh and dry with round ripe tannins and vibrant red berries – a good South African example,' said Hakkasan London's Diana Rollan.

£18.37 Enotria&Coe

'Jammed with blackberries and dark chocolate with grippy tannins, this is a massive crowd-pleaser,' said Gergely Barsi Szabó of Bread Street Kitchen, adding that barbecues and grills were the ideal partners for this biodynamic wine with its long finish.

£11.16 CyT UK

'Deep purple with red tea, cherry, violet and white pepper aromas, this is an elegant cherry and red-plum-fruited wine, with notes of coffee and espresso, and a long finish,' said Tobias Brauweiler of The Ritz

£10.82

'Lots of juicy, ripe, honest, gentle berry, plum and herb flavours. A lovely mix of warm-heartedness and subtlety,' said team leader Simon Woods.

£11.67 Accolade Wines

'Bursting with ripe plums, chocolate, sweet spices and tobacco. The is powerful, with high tannins, well-integrated acidity and a silky, smooth finish,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, adding 'Great for grills and braised meats.'

£16.99 Chalié Richards

'With liquorice and pepper spicing alongside sweet fruit, smoky hints and notes of chocolate, the palate has vibrant dark berries and a fleshy, earthy complexity,' said team leader Simon Woods, adding 'Long and supple, this is big but never too extreme.'

£15.85 Boutinot

'Delicious, crying out for some food, this has a powerful nose with gamey notes surrounding the core of blackberry and chocolate. Complex, layered, long and well made,' said Athila Roos of The Arts Club.

£12.69 New Generation Wines

'Lovely autumn bramble nose dripping with kirsch and plums. Holds a firm but gentle tension and a fab finish,' said team leader Angela Reddin of this medium-bodied wine with its spice, cassis and pepper notes.

£12.95 Liberty Wines

'Slightly funky with aromatic lift, this is honeysuckle-infused and quite fresh with some texture and grip,' said team leader Peter McCombie MW ‘'This offers a leaner, floral, very drinkable wine, with good acidity, yet still plenty of aromatic varietal character,' said Jenny Mackenzie of The Plough Inn, adding 'The leaner style will pair much better with food.'
Try with all dishes, from Thai green curry through to white meat such as pork.

£7.74 Bibendum

Serious, complex, aromatic and food friendly, this won hearts and minds with its greengage and peach fruit flavours alongside subtle floral notes, hints of spice and good peachy finish. A touch of residual sugar sits alongside this textured palate.

'Too good to spit,' said an impressed Michael Moore of Enigma 88, adding that the wine 'opens your tastebuds for all good things to come'.

£9.22 Bibendum

Once it's opened with a little aeration, this is fresh and round, with citrus, stone fruit and mineral flavours.

'Harmonious and well balanced, this has firm body and zing, with a pretty finish,' said The Plough Inn's Jenny Mackenzie. Try with pizza.

£8.53 Babich Wines UK

Vibrant green apple with elderflower and gooseberry give this Viognier some lift alongside its fresh stronefruit and subtle herbal and floral undertones.

£8.50 Liberty Wines

'Burnt rubber, smoke and dark fruit on the nose, the soft red fruit palate has prominent tannins with spicy notes on the finish,' said Kyri Sotiri of Soho Wine Supply.

£16.60 Boutinot

Blueberry pie on the nose, this is plush and balanced, with plenty of raspberries and cherries.

'The palate is yum!' said The River Café's Courtney Stebbings.

'Soft with juicy berries on a warm summer afternoon.'

£14.58 Thorman Hunt & Co

'Rich, intense and toasty, with black fruit on the nose. The palate is dry and full-bodied with high tannins, fresh fruity and good acidity,' said Diana Rollan of Hakkasan London, while Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri noted Christmas cake and cinnamon spice aromas and smoky bacon re-appearing on the finish.

£18.74 Hatch Mansfield

'Incredibly complex and wonderfully satisfying' – team leader Angela Reddin's summary of the judges' view.

'A marvellous spiciness, a well balanced interpretation of fruit and barrel. Enthusiastic and bright, this is explosive and easy to go for another glass,' said an impressed Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club.

'A toasted nut feel to the palate with a long and succulent finish,' said Louise Gordon of The Rib Room. £23.42/37.5cl

£23.42 Size: 37.5cl Cockburn & Campbell

While Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House noted the fresh, hazelnut, toasted almond, vanilla, caramel, popcorn and macadamia nut flavours, team leader Richard Bampfield MW said: 'With its lovely medium-dry to dry palate, this is crisp pure and elegant. Very good.'

£9.63 Size: 75cl Liberty Wines

'Caramel and creamy chocolate with a very sweet, dessert wine-style palate,' said Louise Gordon of The Rib Room.'
The acidity and texture is wonderful,' said an enthused Morgan Vanderkarmer of Butlers Wharf Chop House.

'Crème brûlée, flambéed pineapple, ripe golden raisins and dates. Excellent!' £12.25/50cl

£12.25 Size: 50cl Liberty Wines

Glowing copper in the glass, this sports sweet toffeed barley sugar, with intense flavours of raisins, coffee and carame, and a good long finish.

'Runny toffee Melba. Gorgeously decadent,' said a happy Angela Reddin, team leader. £11.57/37.5cl

£11.57 Size: 37.5cl Liberty Wines

'Golden yellow in the glass, with soft sweet aromas of candied pears and honeysuckle. A touch of acidity keeps it fresh,' said Louise Gordon of The Rib Room. Available to UK on-trade via Liberty Wines £13.18/37.5cl

£13.18 Size: 37.5cl Advini

An inspirational port at a frankly ludicrous price, a worthy winner of the inaugural Auchterlonie Award. Pale tawny in colour, with chocolate, hazelnut and walnuts on the nose alongside dried fruits, it opens up to offer tobacco leaves, spices, pepper, walnuts, choclate, coffee, hazelnuts, fig, prune... – I could go on! 'It’s going to clean your palate. Again it’s the freshness and acidity that is astonishing. Candy, raisin and Christmas cake – and it's very easy to drink,' said a happy Simon Cassina of Mondial Wines.

£31.15 Boutinot

Opulence allied with complexity lifted this LBV. Subtle spice and liquorice notes add interest to the rich, vibrant aromas of dried fruits, sour cherry and raisins.

'There's an amazing balance; it's a fresh elegant modern style with a long-lasting finish,' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen.

£14.64 Size: 75cl Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Much more dried flowers than its younger tawny sibling, nevertheless this is similarly fresh on the finish, with a well balanced bitter sweetness. There's more caramel and toffee cake flavours, with hazelnuts, candied orange and fig thrown in.

'The heavy fig sweetness lends itself to a light citrus tartness,' said STK's Michael Harrison.'
This time Mondial Wine's Simon Cassina is heading for mature cheese and Christmas cake. Available in 75cl or 50cl bottles.

£39.90 Size: 75cl Maisons Marques et Domaines

Inspiration at a frankly incredible price.

'Just delicious,' said Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie, as he stared into his glass, adding 'Balanced and harmonious, it shows nice aromatics and complexity.'
'Distant, come hither figs and honey, this is nutty, ripe and round, with good length and an elegant follow through,' said Nigel Lister of York & Albany.

£16.00 Size: 75cl Mentzendorff & Co

A nutty, mellow tawny that had our judges reaching for the adjectives – 'Lapsong tea, nutty raisins and lovely balance' from The Vineyard Group's James Hocking; 'oranges, fig jam, macerated cherries' from Pollen Street Social's Laure Patry, and 'lemony citrus, raisins, sweetness balanced by good tartness', from STK's Michael Harrison – no wonder Mondial Wine's Simon Cassina was already reaching for his cigar... Available in 75cl and 50cl

£16.95 Size: 75cl Maisons Marques et Domaines

Refreshing acidity alongside light, fresh walnuts and dried, overripe white fruit.

'Rich and concentrated with dried raisins, sultanas and honey. Good value and food friendly,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

'Bring on the cheese!'

£8.75 Size: 75cl Maisons Marques et Domaines

From a good year, an exciting colheita much appreciated for its price as well as its complexity.

'Gorgeously fruity, with wonderful wood integration, the sweet, spicy palate has a long, perfect, decadent finish,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£20.78 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Richly textured with prunes and black fruits on the nose and plenty of cherries, plums and berries on the palate, with a hint of mint.

'Great concentration and complexity with a meandering journey through dried-fruit land,' said Richard Masterson of the Ubiquitous Chip.

£12.88 Size: 75cl González Byass

Rich and intense, with great purity of fruit – cherries and blueberries – Trangallan's Xabier Alvarez found this 'delicious', and Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie agreed.

'It is well balanced, with nice complexity: Christmas pudding, pistachios and a rancio-like character.'

£9.50 Size: 75cl Mentzendorff & Co

'Hugely representative of the charming wines coming out of Portugal, this will either engage people with the country or serve as a great example of the value that those in the know expect from the region,’ said Martin Lam of Ransome’s Dock. Supple and approachable, the intense palate has ripe cherry and berry fruit and soft tannins.

'Nice fruit purity here – sweet and fresh,' said team leader Jamie Goode. Match with lamb or venison.

£10.15 Sociedade Agrícola D. Diniz, S.A.

Fantastic complexity and warmth for the money brought Rocha Rosa Gold. Earthy spices underpin floral notes, dark cherry and forest fruit flavours. The balanced palate is youthful and dense, while the acidity is fresh and long. ‘This is a wine to suit all, with real pleasure offered in its supple fruit, a happy tasting wine that really over-delivers – an all round, easy-going, enjoyable option on the list, and maybe by the glass,' said Enigma 88's Michael Moore, suggesting steak, pork belly or pizza to match the big tannins. For Sales Call 020 8874 8160 / 07785 310169

£6.40

Generosity and complexity of fruit flavours scored Herdade de Esperão its first Gold of 2013. A gentle spritz is followed by guava and passion fruit, with a sprinkling of white pepper and a long finish.

'Fruity and open, with lovely sweet apples and pear,' said team leader Jamie Goode. ‘An easy drinking style, with citrus and a hint of peach, this would be very popular by the glass,' said The Plough Inn's Jenny Mackenzie.

£8.40 Barwell & Jones

Plenty of interest here, with rhubarb, beetroot and a vanilla tone alongside red fruit flavours.

'This is a friendly, medium weight wine which displays lovely fruit and a fine balance,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£9.96 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Fragrant forest fruit mixes with oak and balsamic notes on the nose, while blue and black fruit dominates on the palate alongside spices and black pepper.

'Well-structured and flavoursome with a big long finish. Best with food,' advised consultant Robert Giorgione. Ransome's Dock's Martin Lam added, 'speaks volumes about regionality. Very good value.'

£7.87 Sociedade Agrícola D. Diniz, S.A.

Spicy and earthy with a hint of eucalypt, the palate shows well-integrated notes of cedar. The palate is fresh and appealing with grippy tannins, making this a good match for red meats.

£9.75 Boutinot

'Tropical, ripe kiwi fruit, peaches and grapes, this is fresh and very food friendly with its complexity and lively mid-palate,' said consultant Annette Scarfe MW of this mineral-infused, textured white.

£9.69 Bibendum

'Complex on the nose, with rich, deep aromas, the superb tannins are firm and act to showcase gorgeous, layered, spicy fruit. Beautiful oak – an Icon wine,' said consultant Angela Reddin. The palate finishes long.

£13.33

Fresh figs, flowers, citrus, apples, peaches, pineapples - even sherbert dib dabs - to say this wine is aromatic seems an understatement. The palate is fruity with balanced acidity and a long finish.

'An international style of winemaking but a very delicious delivery,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£8.20 Barwell & Jones

Relaxed and fragrant, this has lovely, juicy plum fruit, with the deft use of oak and a herby nuance.

'Rich but fine boned,' said team leader Simon Woods.

'Dark cherry and violets on the nose, this is very dry and slightly spicy with a pinch of liquorice on the palate,' said The Glasshouse Restaurant's Sara Bacchiorri.

£16.55 Maisons Marques et Domaines

'With morello cherry and chocolate notes, there are bags of fruit on this fresh, intense wine, with its supple tannins, rich structure and long finish,' said consultant Robert Giorgione. Will be even better over the next five years.

£12.90 Barwell & Jones

Elegant with leafy aromas, this is supple and spicy, with ripe, juicy black and red fruit.

'Delicate use of quality of French oak makes this complex, long and food friendly,' said consultant Annette Scarfe MW.

£13.15 Sociedade Agrícola D. Diniz, S.A.

With a light spritz, this has a lively, zippy nose of pear, peach and melons. Still young, this is balanced and fresh on the palate. Match with scallops and lemongrass.

£5.50 Lusowest Trading & Consulting Ltd.

Big and fleshy in style, this is a powerful, juicy wine, with flavours of blueberries, leather, tobacco leaf and cigar box.

'Medium tannins make the wine chewy. Coupled with its refreshing acidity, it's very food friendly. Think Osso Buco,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

£10.00 Boutinot

'With dense black fruit, sweet spice and earth, this is medium bodied, with tannins as ripe as the fruit and a lasting flavour,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House, suggesting beef brisket as a food match.

£9.20 Liberty Wines

'With its fresh black fruit, good acidity and long length alongside ripe, quite velvety tannins, this is a good expression of the Douro,' said Luigi Buonanno of Etrusca Restaurants.

£10.85 Enotria&Coe

'Complex on the nose and palate, this has ripe black fruit, sweet and fine tannins, and wood notes and sweet spice from the good use of oak. Good length too - try with lamb tagine,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

£17.73 Liberty Wines

Seriously smoky and earthy on the nose, this is a brooding wine, with grippy tannins, ripe tannins and black bramble fruit.

'No compromise – intense and bad-ass,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£10.10 Barwell & Jones

'Fresh and juicy, with redcurrants and black plums alongside structured tannins. The well-integrated use of oak leads to complex layers of liquorice, truffle and leather,' said consultant Annette Scarfe MW.

£8.70

'Fruity and fragrant, with red berries and violets on the nose, the palate is fresh and supple with ripe, lively tannins and good length,' said Luigi Buonanno of Etrusca Restaurants.

£5.50 Oakley Wine Agencies

Vanilla hints add to a complex nose for this good by the glass option, while the soft chocolate palate is well structured, with oaky notes throughout.

'Good value for money,' said consultant Robert Giorgione. For Sales Call 020 8874 8160 / 07785 310169

£6.90

Value and versatility characterised this red, with its crunchy red fruit and sweet, almost toffee-like elements on the finish.

'A very elegant, poised red, with juicy notes and dusty spice, this is round and polished with soft tannins and a spicy, complex finish,' said Galvin Restaurants' Andrea Briccarello. Great as a house wine, pork belly would be an ideal food match.

£5.68

For the second year in a row, despite the price, El Nido's flagship red takes Gold.

'A blockbuster, this is rich and opulent, with lots of juicy, jammy fruits. Still young with plenty of dark spices, sweet vanilla and plum character,' said Andrea Briccarello of Galvin Restaurants.

'It would go well with wood pigeon with blackcurrant sauce,' said The Glasshouse Restaurant's Sara Bacchiorri, explaining 'The wine is very velvety – it won’t get lost or overwhelmed. Venison as well would be good.'

£75.10 Boutinot

'There's a smoky bacon character to this ripe, generous, juicy-fruited red, with its plum, plush berries,' said team leader, Simon Woods.

'Hints of mint open up onto floral notes,' said The Glasshouse Restaurant's Sara Bachiorri, adding 'Good acidity, soft tannins and medium length.'

£6.61 González Byass

A complex wine.

'Lovely. Exceptional fruit that is ripe and very plush, alongside well-integrated cedary, spicy oak, silky tannins and great length. Opt for chargrilled meat,' said Matthew Cocks, Cubitt House.

£24.15 Boutinot

'Sweet black fruits mix with tobacco and game on the nose, while the rich palate is packed with fruit alongside flavours of spice and wood. Excellent length, this is very international but also Spanish in style,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

'My wine of the flight,' said Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains.

£16.10 Boutinot

'Roses and savoury notes, this is ripe and concentrated, with an uplifting freshness and nice ripe tannins,' said Galvin Restaurants' Andrea Briccarello.

£14.18 Liberty Wines

'Lovely fruity nose, with bags of strawberries and cherries. With a delicious, elegant, fruit-driven palate, this is approachable, well-balanced and versatile, and would be good by the glass,' said consultant Robert Giorgione.

£6.91 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'Red fruit and very lightly spiced tannins predominate, flavours which are copied through to a long, delicate spiced, herbal finish,' said Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri. Richly flavoured and hugely likeable,' added team leader Richard Bampfield MW. Try with pork, risotto or anything truffled.

£7.00 Boutinot

Gentle and juicy, this shows savoury dried fruits and leather alongside dusty, plummy fruit and tomato flavours, with a lively acidity making it very food friendly. Try with a mixed grill.

£7.10 Boutinot

'A complex bouquet of forest fruits, woody spices and floral notes and herbal hints, this is savoury on the palate, with a long finish, Needs food,' said consultant Robert Giorgione.

£9.95 Boutinot

'Ripe fruit flavours come flying out the glass,' said Caroline Catering's Richard Brooks of the striking nose of this intense, savoury wine. Best with food and, still young, will improve with time.

£11.80 Boutinot

'Well-made fruity wine that is a cut above House level,' said Matthew Cocks, Cubitt House, noting Monastrell's typical burnt notes alongside baked dark fruits and ripe tannins.

£5.80 Liberty Wines

'Apricots on the nose lead to a big, fruity apricot and fennel palate. With its notes of Jasmine tea and herbs, this is long and satisfying and would handle big food flavours well,' said Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson.

£12.60 Bibendum

Complexity and value brings Goriška Brda its first Gold. Very pale lemon in the glass, a fragrant, floral nose mixes spicy lemon peel with tropical notes of pineapple and passionfruit. While Viajante's Christophe Richelet noted 'pear compote and fresh green grapes and a bit of grass on the palate', Zuma's Laura Blanchett said the palate was 'well balanced with a pleasantly interesting spiciness, finishing on a note of tamarillo'.

£6.17 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Vibrant and expressive, Turkey's first Gold had our judges fascinated, beginning with its complex bouquet of rich red berries, currants, loganberries and blackcurrants, alongside dried fruits, violets, vanilla and cigar box spices. The palate has 'excellent tannins, smooth but with good structure and acidity, and a finish that is pronouned and elegant,' said Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House.

£8.88

The exotic complexity intrigued our panel, scoring Kavaklıdere its second Gold Granitic notes underly a ripe tropical nose of papaya, candied lemon and beeswax. Well structured with pineapple, mandarin and vanilla, creamy oak, spice and smoke on the palate, leading to a zesty lemon finish. ‘This has the savoury complexity, acidity, texture – everything in fact – to make for a great food wine,’ said Martin Lam of Ransome’s Dock, adding, ‘I’d love to sit down with simple roast chicken now and tuck in.’

£11.18 Tees

‘A really exciting wine – such verve and such intriguing flavours,' said team leader Angela Reddin, noting that the wine was 'complex, with beautiful acidity, and an element of minerality through to the finish'. Wonderful perfume, with freesia and acacia alongside blackcurrant buds and a slight whiff of stem ginger. Pear and apple mix with lemon and lime on a dry palate with a lemony zesty finish.

'Fresh, vivacious and floral, there's lots happening,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, pairing it with fish and chips.

£6.17 Berkmann Wine Cellars

A delicate individuality scooped Simčič Gold.

'Lovely and heady, this is open and juicy,' said team leader Simon Woods, continuing: 'Excellent, balanced, ripe and herby.'
'Dried rosehips, Bakewell tart, framboise and graphite on the nose. This is very feminine, with a delicate, lacy but powerful palate,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

'Well suited to food with acidity,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

£18.95 Bancroft Wines

With good richness, this has an intense freshness, opulent stone fruit and floral hints on the nose and palate.

'An ethereal nose, with some seaweed and oyster shell minerality,' said Olivier Marie of Coq d'Argent. ‘Wonderful drinking, this is delicate, but very enjoyable and certainly a wine you could offer with most fish, or simply serve on its own as an aperitif,' said consultant Robert Giorgione.

£6.13 Tees

Almost Amarone in style, this ambitious wine shows savoury aromas of liquorice and dried figs alongside sweet, slightly dried grape flavours on the nose. Earthy notes run alongside jammy cherry and red berry flavours on a long, delicate, palate. Team leader Angela Reddin noted 'Big full-on wine – gobs of fruit and great drive.'

£16.60 Bulles Blanc Rouge

Lebanon's first Gold for four years goes to Karam's 1300m-high vineyards. While Nicolas Vierne of The Orange said 'Lovely notes of vanilla, cassis, redcurrant and oak on the nose, with a great, long finish,' others noted aromas of tulips, roses, cloves, tar and dry red berries, while Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie loved 'the use of oak. Tannins are well managed, though grippy.'

£14.59 Kingswood wines

'With a lifted aromatic nose, this has fresh acidity, a medium body and good length,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House, adding that the acidity makes the wine food friendly.

'Good for pasta with a tomato-based ragu.'

£7.76 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Bacon, spice and smoke run alongside plum fruit on the nose leading to a solid, medium bodied palate with juicy strawberry and pomegranate flavours and moderate grip.

£6.13 Tees

Creamy berries and cassis alongside a great mix of spice leads to a firm, crisp palate with good depth and length.

'Good berries, nutty vanilla flavour, this has a nice tannic finish. Best with food – try duck – this is a good, interesting wine for an upsell,' said STK's Michael Harrison.

£17.00

An interesting style, with spicy, slightly tarry nose, with a hint of oak and a medicinal tinge. Rich, concentrated and fresh, with a soot-like liquorice finish and woody, leafy notes, Grace Matterson of Rockcliffe Hall felt it would age further and be good with food.

£12.00

'Soft, sweet, smoky aromas, with good almond, cherry and berry flesh and an earthy note,' said team leader Simon Woods.

'This is long and structured.'
'Rich, ripe and round,' added Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

£11.04 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Good depth of stone fruit with nice mineral hints.

'Sweet style but fragrant and savoury, elegant and clean, fresh and full – good with game terrine,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at LIttle Bedwyn.

£8.50 Alliance Wine

A relatively quiet, mineral nose of pale lemon and cashew nut leads to a 'far more expressive' palate, according to Zuma's Laura Blanchett, who continued 'with hints of salted raw cashew nuts and white pepper, the palate is vibrant with excellent length and pleasant salinity'.

£8.25

Almost rosé in colour, this elegant, bright wine has aromas of herbal, red fruit tea.

'Opulent yet soft, this is intriguing.

'Easy going and creamy in texture, it is amazing value for money,' said Marco Feraldi of St James's Hotel and Club.

£6.25 Halewood International

Medium lemon in the glass, with toasty oak and nutty, biscuity aromas, the palate wraps lemon, tropical fruit and grass flavours with a soft, oak spice toast.

'Bright acidity with a hint of creamy vanilla,' said Cooks & Capers' Richard Graham.

£9.37 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Fresh cut grass joins citrus and lime on the nose, with a nice minerality, stone fruit flavours and some residual sugar on the palate.

'Luscious and lingering, this is very pleasant "summer wine" – easy drinking with some nice mezze,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

£5.89 Tees

Sweet, appealing berry fruit on the nose of this blend of Boğazkere, Cabernet Sauvignon and Kalecik Karası, the palate is fresh, supple, ripe and juicy with grippy tannins. The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer said 'A perfect "from the fridge" lunch-time wine.'

£5.00 Taste Turkey

Rich and bretty, this is very terroir-driven, with mineral notes alongside ripe fruit.

'Exciting spice with dark cherries and great structure,' said Bread Street Kitchen's Gergely Barsi Szabó.

'Tannic but good!' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

£13.43

With notes of sweet cherry kernel and soft fruit, the bold structure and fleshy, open style with an 'iron-like finish' made this a match for sizzling garlic lamb, said team leader Simon Woods.

£12.95

'Savoury and spicy, elegant and long, this is a luscious, lovely wine. with stone fruit on a floral, dry palate leading to a creamy custard finish,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

£11.04 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Lovely,' said The Vineyard Group's James Hocking, noting 'Firm acidity, bright fresh fruit and great length. Real personality!'

£7.23

Pale garnet in colour, this has a complex perfume of flowers, red tomatoes, bell pepper, spice and black tea. Judicious oak contributes to well rounded tannins on this fresh, bright, dry wine.

£13.67

'Rich and velvety, dark and brooding, this is expensive, but it's serious,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister, of this big wine with its intense umami flavours alongside plenty of minerality, fresh acids, spice and tar.

'A beast!,' said Gergely Barsi Szabó, Bread Street Kitchen.

£35.25 Bancroft Wines

With sweet strawberries, violets and rose water on the nose, this good value red shows more summer fruit on the palate and a fresh finish.

£4.50 Halewood International

This has rosehips on the nose, lovely spices, a nice bitter note, good body and some sweetness.

'Wonderful. Purely individual and justifiably expensive,' said team leader Angela Reddin. Available from winery, Urla Şarapçılık

£16.00 Armit

'Rich earthy notes of walnut and truffle lead to a palate with ripe yellow fruit and savoury notes,' said Viajante's Christophe Richelet.

£14.75 Bancroft Wines

'With a ripe black fruit nose, this shows cherry and blackcurrant fruit, tar and pepper, with good concentration, balance and length,' said York & Albany's Nigel Lister. Match with pizza or Mediterranean food.

£11.18 Tees

With violets on the nose alongside plums, berries and notes of oak, this is supple, juicy and balanced, with liquorice and spice alongside firm tannins, dried plum and hints of milk chocolate. Good with food.

£6.85 Boutinot

With mineral notes alongside nettles, grass and gooseberry aromas, the palate is light and juicy, with sharp lemon flavours, grass and minerals.

'Good Sauvignon expression – good balance in a good wine,' said Migel Franco of Searcys at The National Portrait Gallery

£8.88

Restrained aromas of white flowers on a nose which is both savoury and sweet lead to a textured, rich palate with a touch of fizz.

£9.50

Medium in intensity with some lime leaf character and an infusion of herbal notes alongside fresh camomile flower, the palate shows baked apple, cinnamon, pear, apple and peach plus some good minerality.

£11.35

With a mix of floral, mineral and tropical fruit notes, Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn said this was 'Dry but lush, with a rich opulent nose in a luscious dry Hungarian style. Lots happening, this is exciting.'

£17.90 Bibendum

'Lovely plum and dark chocolate, with a really lush mouthfeel,' said an impressed Mark Deamer of The Marylebone Hotel, calling the oak-infused wine a 'good reflection of terroir'.

£12.45 Tees

With a smoky, floral, intriguing nose of baked plums, this is medium in body, tannins and acidity, with brambly fruit and a juicy finish. Mainly Kalecik Karası grapes with a hint of Syrah and Boğazkere.

£5.00 Taste Turkey

Lemon mixes with wax and flowers on the nose plus a hint of oak, leading to a zingy, baked lemon palate, with a mineral, waxy texture, some honey and spice, and pleasing oak notes.

£5.00 Taste Turkey

With its juicy cordial and pastille aromas, this blend of Boğazkere, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon has a warm generous palate, with good strawberry and plum fruit, plus fleshy tannins. Good with food or on its own. Available to UK on-trade via Armit

£8.99 Armit

'Lovely dark-fruited nose with enchanting garrigue notes,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

'Concentrated and supple body with balanced acidity.'
Very food friendly, particularly braised meats.

£11.77 Tees

Made with the Boğazkere grape, this has fresh bramble fruit aromas, with layers of humus and Oriental spice notes, firm tannins and good complexity plus a nicely mineral finish. Available from Winery, Urla Şarapçılık

£14.00 Armit

Attractive, balanced and elegant, this led the pack.

'It's well made, with delicate colour, a good length and a nice lift on the finish,' said Vinoteca's Charles Young, adding 'An all-rounder.'
'A garden's worth of summer strawberries in a glass,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House of this juicy, mineral-infused wine.

£7.95 Charles Hawkins & Partners

Lovely and pale in the glass, this appealed for its elegance, texture and sheer drinkability. Relatively quiet on the nose, floral notes sit alongside hints of spice and soft fleshy fruit.

'Soft, supple and fruity on the palate, with some smoky, mineral notes and hints of sweet cherries,' said team leader Jamie Goode.

£7.75

Stylish and expressive, complex and textured, this has a lovely smoky, flinty minerality.

'Pale pink with mineral notes on the nose. With its strawberry and peach flavours, this is very fresh and well made,' said Sara Bachiorri of The Glasshouse Restaurant. ‘This has enough substance and character to enjoy throughout the year, and to carry you through to a first course,' said Charles Young of Vinoteca.

£10.67 Bibendum

Pale onion skin with youthful aromatics and well-defined red berry fruit. Light in body, this is dry and delicate, with nice acidity, and rich, fresh summer fruits to the fore.

£7.12 Charles Hawkins & Partners

Very pale in colour, the sweet oak influence came to the fore with its toasty nuances.

'Rich and round, almost like a juicy white Burgundy, but pink, wry and grippy, supple and juicy,' said team leader Simon Woods.

£76.91 Bibendum

Pale onion skin colour and a slightly herbal nose with red fruit leads to a fairly intense palate with subtle herb and cherry notes.

'Good balance of delicate fruit and acidity, with a slight candied pear finish,' said Mark Thornhill, The Cricketers, Witney. Food tip? Try grilled sardines.

£11.95 Castel

'Pale salmon in colour with quince, minerals and some complexity. With its bone dry finish, this is a food-friendly style,' said consultant Annette Scarfe MW. With a fruity redcurrant nose, team leader Jamie Goode found this 'really subtle and fine; long, with precision'.

£8.25

Pale pink, with complex aromas of red fruits with a hint of tomato leaf.

'Good acids gives this the ability to be refreshing on its own or a match for a tomato salad on the terrace,' said a wistful Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House. Available to UK on-trade via Liberty Wines.

£8.25 Advini

'Pale pink in colour, with a restrained nose of roses and red tulip, the palate is elegant, balanced, fresh and crisp, with a lingering finish,' said Tobias Brauweiler of The Ritz.

£8.35 Matthew Clark

Youthful and light in body, with ripe, soft red berries, high acid and a medium length.

'Pleasant entry-level Provence,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

£7.25 Boutinot

Concentration and richness won the day. Medium yellow in colour with an intense nose of chamomile, almonds and vanilla, its 'tremendously long finish' makes this fino excellent for strong-flavoured foods,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

'Smooth, tangy and very stylish, a great match for scallops,' added Jenny Mackenzie of The Plough Inn. £11.85/50cl

£11.85 Size: 50cl Boutinot

'An excellent example and a good match for seafood,' said Jenny Mackenzie of The Plough Inn, noting the sherry's 'elegant style, with its hints of polish, nutty complexity and tangy edge'.

'Taut, grippy and balanced, this is lovely, fragrant and supple,' said team leader Simon Woods. £19.10/50cl

£19.10 Size: 50cl Boutinot

Pale amber in colour with inviting aromas of caramel and burnt sugar, this is very mellow, balanced and supple, with flavours of caramel, old wood, walnut and molasses.

'Great with pineapple tarte tatin or treacle tart,' suggested Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House. £12.88/37.5cl

£12.88 Size: 37.5cl Gonzalez Byass UK

Medium tawny in colour and very viscous, this has an intense nose of dried fruit, prunes and raisin. Silky and supple, super sweet and luscious.

'Perfect topping for quality vanilla ice cream,' advised Matthew Cocks, Cubitt House. £5.75/37.5cl

£5.75 Size: 37.5cl Berkmann Wine Cellars

While Cubitt House's Matthew Cocks noted a 'pronounced nose of apple, almond and cheese-cloth', and felt this would be great with a plate of anchovies, team leader Simon Woods commented 'Really cool and interesting, with its length, grip and balance.'

£9.06 Size: 75cl González Byass

Glass-staining tawny, this is rich, intense and juicy, with plenty of dried fruit, treacle, iodine and mahogany with a peppery edge.

'Special,' was team leader Simon Woods' succinct summary. £16.10/50cl

£16.10 Size: 50cl Boutinot

Good length and very pure almond character.

'Pure, rich and tense, this is juicy with that lovely purity, freshness and honey,' said team leader, Simon Woods.

£8.00 Size: 75cl Mentzendorff & Co

Water white with almonds and camomile on the nose, this is light-bodied, with a salty, almond-infused palate and plenty of tang.

'Oysters or razor clams,' suggested Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

£7.60 Size: 75cl Boutinot

Pale yellow with an almond nose, low acids and a citrus tang.

'Would be great with jamon and quince paste. A great salty versus sweet combination,' said Matthew Cocks of Cubitt House.

£7.77 Size: 75cl Berkmann Wine Cellars

Character and texture took this to the top. While team leader Jade Koch noted flavours of deep sweet plum, blackcurrant, raspberry, vanilla, cloves, tobacco and blueberries, Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson said 'Bay laurel, damson, blueberry and clove on the nose, this has a fresh, supple texture and packs real depth and length.'

£15.41 González Byass

'Great depth, balance and spice,' was how the Ubiquitous Chip's Richard Masterson summarised how Finca Museum brought home Gold.

'With a vanilla, plum and raspberry profile, this is a rich, spicy number,' said team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW.

'Red to black fruits run alongside black pepper, thyme and pepper,' said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer, adding that, with its 'good structure and mature tannins, this is still young but could get even better.'

£12.16 Cockburn & Campbell

Savoury and dark in the glass, this shows minerals and cinnamon as well as textured, black brambly fruit, a dry tannic lick and an overlay of spicy oak.

'Ripe, warm, focused nose of berry fruit, the vibrant palate is similarly ripe but fresh. Match with steak, lamb or game,' was team leader Jamie Goode's advice.

£7.00 EWGA

'A perfect all-rounder, but one that leaves a memorable impression,' said Morgan Vanderkamer of Butlers Wharf Chop House of this elegant, charming wine. Aromas of almonds, peaches, melon and pineapples mix with spice and flowers, leading to a refreshing, mineral-infused palate with plenty of ripe peaches and apricots, good concentration, balance and citrus peel length. Highly food friendly, matches range from scallops and roast chicken to Thai curry and belly pork.

£6.85 Boutinot

'Ballsy and grippy, but with the fruit to back it up,' said the Ubiquitous Chip's Richard Masterson.

'Cedar and strawberry mixes with a hint of menthol on the nose. Plummy on the palate with gorgeous minerality and the most seductive acidity. So much bang for your buck,' said an entranced Mark Deamer of The Marylebone Hotel.

£14.48 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Bretty notes alongside dark fruit, the palate is bright and vibrant,' says consultant Jade Koch, adding 'This has good acidity, alcohol and tannin balance, plus pretty, juicy fruit.'

£12.49 United Wineries

'Exceptional value for money,' said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer. Damson and blackberries mix together on a floral, herbal, smoky nose.

'Chalky minerality, lovely acids and great complexity,' said Deamer.

£6.60 Boutinot

'With juicy flavours of damson, mineral and citrus peel, this is full of flavour, delicately spiced and very long with elegant tannins. Aproachable now but still young,' said Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan.

£20.91 Bibendum

'Super sexy, with juicy plum fruit, hints of bitter chocolate, and awesome structure and balance. The white pepper finish is persistent,' said The Marylebone Hotel's Mark Deamer.

£10.39 Cellar Trends

With an earthy, smoky nose, this has juicy redcurrant and cherry fruit, with notes of pepper and spice, good acidity and silky tannins.

'Chewy and characterful,' said team leader Sara Jane Evans MW.

£7.19 Cellar Trends

Good value, this has plenty of black fruit and concentrated cherry flavours, alongside vanilla and spice, good tannins, balanced acidity and a medium finish.

£6.10 Boutinot

'Intense, rich melon and nectarine notes lead to a mineral-driven, crisp palate with flinty acidity and a crisp, zesty finish,' said Galvin Restaurants' Andrea Briccarello.

'A good wine with a distinct personality,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

£8.52 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Rich and round, with dried apricots and vanilla aromas leading to a palate with very ripe, concentrated tropical fruits, a touch of nuts and plenty of toasty barrel character.

£13.95 Boutinot

Character and value from Acústic won it Gold. Ruby red with crimson hues and purplish glints, aromas of red and black fruits mix with liquorice, meaty notes, light vanilla aromas and a delicate, yet persistent spicing.

'Balsamic, pepper and juicy vanilla flavours make this profound and complex,' said Galvin Restaurants' Andrea Briccarello, suggesting lamb stew, cassoulet, goulash or chorizo as perfect partners.

£12.67 Bibendum

Wonderful flavour and much food matching potential gave Chivite not just its second Gold, but a Critics Choice award too. The structured, yet elegant palate has velvety-ripe tannins and a good balance.

'Redcurrant and wild strawberries over dark cocoa on the nose leads to a palate with the same savouriness and a hint of game, that's crying out for lashings of jamon iberico,' said The Arts Club's Athila Roos. Pair with everything from salmon to veal or Chinese spice chicken.

£8.23 Matthew Clark

Intensity, elegance and a long finish wins the day for Franck Massard. Deep purple in the glass, oak adds a dash of spice throughout this medium-bodied wine with a dry finish.

'Earthy with black fruit, smoke and sweet spice, the fresh palate has nice, ripe, velvet tannins and good concentration,' said Hakkasan's Diana Rollan.

£12.44 Enotria&Coe

Rich and highly complex, 'this has toasty, bready, buttery notes alongside minerals, quince and honey on the nose,' according to Hakkasan's Diana Rollan.

'The fruit shines through. A great waxy texture - very well done,' said Nigel Lister of York & Albany. From poulet de Bresse with morels and garlic to Bouillabaise and rouille, this is the ideal dining partner.

£25.00 Matthew Clark

Elegance and honey took this to the top.

'Fresh and round on the nose with citrus, mandarin, tangerine and minerals,' said Hakkasan's Diana Rollan. The honeyed character continues onto a zesty, balanced palate.

'A textured, rounded style, fresh at its core, with good fruit, showing the complexity for food pairing, but also an accomplished wine to enjoy on its own,' said the OXO Tower's Mark Graham.

£8.50 Grupo Codorníu

Value and food-friendliness marked this out from the start.

'Juicy, full-bodied and full of flavour, gutsy yet not crude – cracking value,' said team leader, Richard Bampfield MW.

'Tangy red berry aromas, the palate is well balanced and appealling, with spicy fruity and a zingy finish,' said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering. Gutsy wine needs gutsy food: think lamb, pizza or steak.

£5.85 Boutinot

This has minerality, caramelised pineapple and citrus fruit on the nose, plus soft autumnal fruit flavours on a zippy palate. While South Lodge Hotel's Nick Chiu felt that its 'good finish' made it a good alternative to Chablis,' others suggested seafood as the ideal match.

£8.60 Liberty Wines

A Silver partner to its Gold white sibling, this is rich and intense, with black fruit, tobacco, spice and chocolate, plus cocoa and vanilla, alongside flavours of soft brambly fruit and a fresh cedar and coconut finish. With its high tannins, this is still evolving and benefits from decanting.

£16.80 Matthew Clark

Black fruits and meaty, savoury notes predominate on this exceptionally priced, ripe, round, fresh red. With its flavours of black olives, violets and strawberry, more than one judge compared this Garnacha to Crozes Hermitage.

£5.85 Boutinot

Minerally and citrusy, this is fresh and elegant with floral notes alongside citrus and peardrop fruit. With its good balance, texture and lipsmacking finish, South Lodge Hotel's Nick Chiu reckoned it was great aperitif material.

£6.95 Boutinot

While Athila Roos noted 'Fine and elegant aromas, revealing some classic oak spicy characters and bruised spice,' on the nose, Soho Wine Supply's Kyri Sotiri said 'Flavours of layered, concentrated red fruit, spices and cedar carry through to a long, persistent finish. Yum!'

£14.59 Bibendum

'A dense, juicy mix of strawberrry, plum and red berries with hints of violets on the nose, leading to a dry, fresh, juicy palate, with a good balance and nice texture. Food friendly,' said Hakkasan's Diana Rollan.

£7.23 Bibendum

Intense, balanced and perfumed, with a long mineral finish, York & Albany's Nigel Lister said 'With a touch of mandarin on the grapefruit nose, this has lovely ripe fruit. Delicious.'
Good with food – think fish and chips.

£10.29 Bibendum

'Rich with a brooding nose, this elegant wine has a good balance of dense forest floor fruit and spices, finishing long,' said Nigel Lister of York & Albany.

£12.80 Matthew Clark

'With a smoky, petroleum character on the nose, followed by a nutty, minerally palate with good body, this good value wine has great character and will be good with food,' said South Lodge Hotel's Nick Chiu.

£7.91 González Byass

Fresh, citrus and zippy, with an expressive spicy nose and a fruity, zesty palate. Great value.

'Great for By the Glass, with its perfume of peaches and blossom,' said Barbecoa's Marco Carboni.

£5.82 González Byass

Pure fresh and fruity, with smoke and meaty notes alongside cherry and strawberry flavours, and a touch of oak on the finish.

£7.00 10 International

'Peach and apricot flavours with nutty notes, this has a pleasant, citrusy finish,' said South Lodge Hotel's Nick Chiu, suggesting white fish as the perfect match.

£6.85 Boutinot

'Smoke and earth notes mix with spice and bacon on the savoury nose. Balanced, rich and intense, with great concentration and a smoky, spice character,' said Hakkasan's Diana Rollan.

'Funky but good. Very modern,' added York & Albany's Nigel Lister.

£8.40 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'Classic Albariño, this has mineral, savoury aromas, and a bold apricot, yoghurt and wet stone palate. Sinuous, full of flavour, long and muscular,' said Hakkasan's Christine Parkinson.

£11.04 González Byass

With floral notes alongside orchard and stone fruit flavours, the Ubiquitous Chip's Richard Masterson said 'Clean and fresh with a hint of almond marzipan – tasty goodness!' Match with salmon risotto.

£7.49 Enotria&Coe

'While butterscotch, pear and caramel mix with lime and lemon on the nose, tropical fruits and elderflower dominate the palate, with its high acidity and good length,' said The Tate Group's Gustavo Medina. Pair with belly pork.

£11.18 Bibendum

Dark spices and texture bag Gold for Ondarre in this still young reserva.

'A savoury nose with a good depth of oaked bramble fruit leads to a silky, earthy palate with ripe, firm tannins, sound complexity and depth,' said team leader Natasha Hughes.

'Well-integrated oak fits into a well-structured palate with balanced tannins and acidity. Perfect with food, this will continue to evolve.