Balance, breadth and a distinctive flavour profile gave Sharpham not just England's first Gold, but a Critics' Choice too. ‘Intense nettle and green apple aromatics, interesting blackcurrant leaf complexity with light-bodied, bright, zesty flavours on the palate and a balanced, fruity finish. Crying out for seafood,’ said Mike Best of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

'With notes of confectionary, spice and sweet gooseberries, this is pure and precise,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, suggesting roast belly pork as a match.

£10.47 Sharpham Wines

Deft oak treatment delivers Gold to Chapel Down for this, its flagship Chardonnay. ‘Good oak treatment on the palate with smoky notes and refreshing, buttery fruit style. Well-made wine,’ said Enikő Heidenwolf of Bread Street Kitchen, with Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn adding: 'Savoury and well balanced, with lovely sweet orchard fruit, peas and apple on the palate. Pair with roast chicken and asparagus.'

£11.95 Chapel Down

‘Herbal and leafy on the nose, with lime zest and grapefruit undertones, and honeydew melon notes to the balanced finish. Refreshing and good for food,’ said consultant sommelier Maria Rodriguez, with Enikő Heidenwolf of Bread Street Kitchen also noting: ‘Touches of asparagus and crushed green apples, with refreshing acidity.’ Match with potted shrimps.

£12.47 Liberty Wines

'Juicy and forward, with pear, sweet apples, elderflower and citrus. Full on,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn. ‘Pithy character, with nutty, bruised apple notes and good acidity,’ commented the Wine & Spirit Education Trust's Mike Best.

£14.85 Bibendum

'Bright, appealing colour, with fresh, soft red fruits – raspberry, strawberry and blackberry – plus a twist of spice and a herbaceous grip on the finish,' said Hamish Anderson of The Tate Group, concluding: 'Delicious!' 'Good length and balance,' added team leader Angela Reddin.

£14.85 Bibendum

'Off-dry, with hints of spice and passion fruit,' said Studio Alto's Neil Bruce.

'Full flavoured, with sweet fruit, this is quite rich, with crisp apples and pears and a fresh finish,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

£8.85 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

With James Hocking of The Vineyard Group highlighting ‘some great minerality’, team leader Simon Woods noted: ‘Ripe, punchy/pungent style, good gooseberry pie character with a very likeable edge of tartness.’

£13.97 Liberty Wines

£7.00 The General Wine Company, The Wine Pantry

£7.00 The General Wine Company, The Wine Pantry

£7.00 The General Wine Company, The Wine Pantry

The food-friendliness of this lusciously balanced wine shone from the start, so little wonder it took the inaugural Pulled Pork Food Match crown. ‘Opulent, dry and mineral, showing superb depth and weight of fruit, and a finish that lasts for ever,’ said an impressed James Hocking of The Vineyard Group. ‘Really lovely complexity,’ agreed Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, while The Tate Group's Hamish Anderson said: 'Marmalade spice, citrus pith and honey. Like it!'

£11.63 Grape Passions

Superb balance alongside a tangy complexity marked Turkheim's Old Vines Gewürz out. ‘Great perfume, violets and lavender, with notes of ice cream and fruit salad,’ began Michael Moore of Room 24, with Athila Roos of The Arts Club adding: ‘Lip-smacking acidity, refreshing yet complex and weighty,' and team leader Angela Redding saying: 'Grapefruit pith, greengage and lemon marmalade with a lovely citrus jammy mouthfeel and intensity.'

£9.25 Boutinot

‘All you’d want out of a Gewürz, spicy and expressive,’ began Athila Roos of The Arts Club, continuing: ‘Beautiful nose with ripe Mirabelle, peach and a hint of florals. Elegantly vibrant and bold.’ ‘Great general dessert wine,’ agreed Michael Moore of Room 24.

£12.95 Bibendum

‘Developed, petrolly aromas, followed by a big palate with petrol, white fruit and cheesy, leesy notes dominating,’ said Hakkasan Group's Christine Parkinson, with Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43 adding: ‘Very fresh, lemony palate with decent length.’

£7.70 Boutinot

'Taut lime leaf and dried wild meadow grasses on the nose, with soft cooked apple palate and a lick of citrus peel,' said team leader Angela Reddin.

'Zingy but balanced, this is a great foody wine,' said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, recommending chicken and salad dishes 'as well as the classic Asian matches'.

£12.00 Pol Roger

‘Dense, concentrated and stylish,’ began Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group, continuing: ‘With white apple flesh, black pepper spice and earthy, leesy and citrus notes, this is very long.’ 'Good wine, with oily, balsam of lemon texture,’ added team leader Olivier Marie.

£19.84 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Really aromatic wine with pleasant floral notes of white roses and a touch of sweetness on the finish,’ said Andrea Domenicucci of Whatley Manor. ‘Aromatic, lychee and Turkish delight, spicy and very quaffable,’ added Athila Roos of The Arts Club.

£6.35 Bottle Green

Intense and opulent, this is a lively, zingy Gewürz, with notes of roast lemon, angelica and dried flowers. The Arts Club’s Athila Roos noted: ‘Ripe Mirabelle aromas and a whiff of rose petals, off-dry and delicious.’

£12.26 Grape Passions

‘Light and delicate aromas, juicy medium-bodied style with unctuous tropical fruit and a hint of white pepper spice,’ said Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House. ‘Long and gentle, with blossom, white tea and jasmine notes,’ added team leader Jade Koch.

£7.80 Boutinot

Team leader Olivier Marie found ‘complexity, development, white truffle and paraffin waxy complexity’, while Hakkasan Group’s Christine Parkinson noted: ‘Zesty, textured, dried apple, lactic and spice notes with good length.’

£12.00 Boutinot

‘Honeysuckle aromas, a drier more honeyed fruit style with hints of butterscotch. Spritzy yet elegant and very much alive,' said team leader Jade Koch. ‘Very balanced, nimble and appealing; think salads or chicken dishes,’ added Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

£10.68 Matthew Clark

‘Seductive richness on the palate, clean, ripe and balanced, lengthy with minerality,’ said James Hocking of The Vineyard Group, with team leader Jade Koch adding: ‘Lychee, a drier, more spicy character, with juicy fruit and a hint of cereal.’

£13.00 Pol Roger

£11.66 Matthew Clark

£8.70 Boutinot

£12.45 Boutinot

£8.85 Boutinot

£5.85 Bottle Green

£11.00 Bibendum

£9.86 Matthew Clark

£12.70 Liberty Wines

Lukasz Walkowiak of Oxo Tower Restaurant found this example a ‘big, red berry fruit bomb’, while Claire Love of Loves Restaurant enjoyed its ‘concentrated, dark red and youthful black fruits, with some really interesting raspberry leaf flavours and vanilla creamy notes’.

£10.75 Bulles Blanc Rouge

‘Clean and medium intensity, bright red fruits with a creamy touch and floral components of violets and lilac on the nose,’ began team leader Olivier Marie, continuing: ‘Palate is balanced and bright, with a pleasant saline minerality.’

£9.45 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Good mouthfeel, minty and not too long, well made for the price,’ began consultant Caroline Symington, with team leader Olivier Marie adding: ‘Nice aromatics, red peony and rose with iris and lilac notes, soft easy drinking with a note of granitic minerality.’

£5.55 Boutinot

‘Concentrated and perfumed red, with delicate cranberry and jasmine fruit, and a hint of vanilla spice. Delicate and well made,’ said Claire Love of Loves Restaurant. ‘Pure varietal character, great structure and delicious finish,’ agreed Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone.

£14.98 Bibendum

£8.91 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£8.15 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£12.37 Enotria&Coe

£9.95 Bulles Blanc Rouge

£9.63 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£7.93 Franck Cinquin

Balance with pleasing freshness – at a very fair price – made this the standout.

'Juicy, rich, ripe fruit with an attractive warmth in the mid-palate and a dash of red savoury fruit,' said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, concluding: 'Great value – a versatile food wine.'
Big on tannin, with a youthful, cedary character plus notes of black fruit. Team leader Richard Bampfield MW said: 'Mellow, with a good, ripe, clarety nose. Try with delicate Pauillac lamb.'

£8.19 Bibendum

With bright fruit, good freshness and balanced tannins, the obvious food-friendliness of this Gold shone brightly. ‘A well-crafted, plush wine with pretty spicy oak,’ said consultant Sam Caporn MW, with The Jugged Hare’s Guillaume Mahaut adding: ‘Perfumed nose, fresh and young but concentrated. Velvety, nice mouthfeel.’ 'Really enjoyable. This would be fab with steak or lamb,' said Ram Chhetri of Bread Street Kitchen.

£18.50 Boutinot

With an almost Margaux-like elegance, this wine entranced all.

'Fine-scented with really good depth of flavour, this is really good,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW, suggesting lighter red meats, veal, or even duck. ‘Good cedar and cherry fruit aromas, quite soft on the palate, with peppery notes, nice length and structure,’ said consultant Sam Caporn MW. ‘Deep and dense, with strong oak influence,’ added team leader Angela Reddin.

£20.69 Bibendum

Plums and pencils for this popular wine.

'Good mouthfeel, well structured and well made,' said Ram Chhetri of Bread Street Kitchen, suggesting steak or braised beef as the perfect matches. ‘Some cherry and redcurrant with nice spice notes,’ began consultant Sam Caporn MW, concluding: ‘I like the structure and flavours, very refreshing.’ ‘Fresh and lively, with sweet plum and blueberries, lovely intensity,’ added The Jugged Hare’s Guillaume Mahaut.

£12.54 Thorman Hunt & Co

‘Ripe, tropical fruit sweetness with fresh acidity, quite textured and balanced,’ began team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet noting: ‘Oily mouthfeel, very soft, with lots of peachy notes.’ Perfect with a seafood platter.

£8.99 Enotria&Coe

'Juicy, lovely rounded wine,' began Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, continuing: 'Soft and delicate plummy, violet fruits with spicy notes. Creamy but oaky, rich and textured.'
'Quite rich, with a nice aftertaste of plum,' added Lukasz Walkowiak of Oxo Tower Restaurant.

£19.96 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Beautiful, stylish Bordeaux with lovely oak, soft, delicate and lingering plum crumble-and-cream flavours, spiced and elegant with great texture. Very good,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

£24.40 Jean Juviniere

Team leader Annette Scarfe MW highlighted the ‘delicate use of oak’ in this ‘complex, elegant and sophisticated’ example, while Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel enjoyed its ‘floral, intense and complex palate’.

£10.75 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Supple, linear and long,’ began Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group, continuing: ‘Black fruit, leafy, floral and gravelly, with gently dry tannins and real Bordeaux character.’ ‘Good structure, medium intensity, with bell pepper, liquorice and cassis notes,’ added Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43.

£10.75 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Nice redcurrant fruit with some earthy, loamy notes, good fruit/acid structure and very nice length,’ began team leader Angela Reddin, with consultant Sam Caporn MW adding: ‘Restrained red fruit, crunchy and lifted, with some gentle spice.’

£9.11 Borough Wines

‘Earthy, deep nose with good ripeness of fruit, blackcurrant character and a dusty, rustic style,’ said Guillaume Mahaut of The Jugged Hare. ‘Bramble and berry fruit with some good concentration and elegance,’ added team leader Angela Reddin.

£12.30 Liberty Wines

‘Classic style, with bright, citrus freshness with green capsicum notes,’ said Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone, with consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet adding: ‘Fresh-cut grass and elderflower notes with a mineral tang.’

£7.63 Matthew Clark

‘Tobacco and cedar tea chest on the nose, the palate opens with some gorgeous dark berry fruits complemented by sinewy tannins and a classy mineral long finish,’ said impressed team leader Angela Reddin.

£14.99 Matthew Clark

'A well-structured, serious wine style, showing blackcurrant and plum notes with violet hints,’ said consultant Donald Edwards, with consultant Sam Caporn MW adding: ‘Cherry kirsch notes, big structure and flavour. Unusual, but I like it.’

£18.41 Enotria&Coe

‘Simply delicious,’ declared Guillaume Mahaut of The Jugged Hare, adding: ‘Concentrated plum and violet characters with balance, on a vibrant palate of bright red berries and tight structure.’ ‘Nice supple structure and cherry bomb finish,’ added consultant Sam Caporn MW.

£23.04 Enotria&Coe

‘Quite classic, with tight fruit and spicy notes, and an elegant length and structure,’ said consultant Sam Caporn MW. ‘Earthy, forest floor perfumed notes, with sweet red fruit character and generous tannins,’ added The Jugged Hare’s Guillaume Mahaut.

£19.79 Matthew Clark

£7.94 Bibendum

£14.36 Matthew Clark

£11.79 Forth Wines, R.W Randalls, The Oxford Wine Company

£13.02 Matthew Clark

£12.00 Molson Coors

£6.25 Boutinot

£13.60 Boutinot

£10.00 Bibendum

Marvellous value and an expressive personality took Henri de Villamont to the top. ‘Floral, with fresh red fruit and hints of spice on an elegant nose,’ began Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott, with team leader Jade Koch adding: ‘Dry and refreshing on the palate, with fine tannins, good fruit and balance. A very good quaffer at the price.’ Great by the glass or partner with dishes such as game terrine.

£11.25 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Good medium to full body, nice light fruit with a hint of leather,’ said Mirco Giannoccaro of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa, with team leader Natasha Hughes MW adding: ‘Young, with bright acid, firm tannins and pleasing cherry fruit.’

£16.80 Liberty Wines

‘Nose showing vegetal spinach notes, green pepper and wet wood, with an earthy edge to the palate and red fruit, a touch of mineral and liqueur notes,’ said Angelo Casali of The Duck & Rice.

£22.50 Hatch Mansfield

‘Pale colour with a very good Pinot nose,’ began consultant Richard Bampfield MW, continuing: ‘Really good flavour, balanced oak, a rather classy example that’s gutsy and needs food.’ ‘Redcurrant palate with a refreshing dry finish,’ added Charles Pashby-Taylor of Dabbous.

£17.81 Hatch Mansfield

‘Warm, enveloping, true red Burgundy concentration, seductive and aromatic on the palate, soft but balanced and structured complexity,’ said Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House, while team leader Jade Koch noted: ‘Amazing nose of dancing violets, very much alive on the palate.’

£52.50 Boutinot

Still youthful, our panel liked the silky texture, fresh fruit notes and balance. ‘Medium weight, with sweet fruit, bold, smoky, savoury and meaty notes, with cooked red and black fruit on the palate; good length with youthful, fine-grained tannins,’ said Robert Tozser of The Rib Room.

£29.49 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Has some real character and intensity. Red berries and cherries, crunchy tannins and crisp acid, with leafy undergrowth notes. Nicely made,’ said team leader Natasha Hughes MW of this powerfully fragrant wine, with its welcoming strawberry aromas.

£13.15 Bibendum

‘Very pretty Burgundian nose, light, juicy and well balanced; vibrant fruit on the palate, with delicate body,’ said team leader Jade Koch, with Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott noting: ‘Spicy, cinnamon and star anise aroma notes, very interesting style.’

£20.75 Boutinot

£8.12 Hatch Mansfield

£56.25 Hatch Mansfield

£14.25 Boutinot

£27.20 Louis Latour Agencies

£24.75 Boutinot

£10.02 Enotria&Coe

The perfect Chablis for gastropubs and neighbourhood restaurants, this kicks off with inviting aromas of orchard and blossom. ‘Classic lime and mineral profile, with notes of elderflower, apples and pears on the palate. Good by the glass,’ said Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair, with Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison adding: ‘Clean and crisp, juicy and long.’

£8.29 Kingsland

Classic minerality and rich mid-palate set this apart. ‘Intense, leesy nose with yellow apple notes, a high level of minerality on the palate, and good acidity keeping freshness in a rich palate,’ said Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place. ‘Vibrant nose, very peachy on the palate, with a beautiful texture,’ added Debbie Smith of 21212.

£18.96 Enotria&Coe

‘Bright, zippy fruit, very well held together, with great fruit structure, smoky mineral notes and warmth on the finish,’ said team leader Jade Koch, with Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison adding: ‘Complex, nutty, with chalky mineral character.’

£15.00 Soho Wine Supply

‘Textbook Chablis,’ said team leader Richard Bampfield MW: ‘Fine, lightly mineral, fresh and invigorating character, chalky and compelling with good intensity and length.’ ‘Saline, mineral nose, with bruised yellow apple fruit, limestone chalk notes and medium acidity,’ added Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place.

£13.45 Boutinot

‘Nice depth, a good example, with salty minerals and richness on the finish,’ said Debbie Smith of 21212, with team leader Richard Bampfield MW adding: ‘Understated style, but very appetising and a great food match.'

£17.75 Alliance Wine

‘Oaked, but harmoniously so, with a touch of honey on the nose. Still retains classic Chablis coolness and chalkiness, making a spectacular food match,’ said team leader Richard Bampfield MW, with Xavier Rousset MS of Texture and 28º-50º adding: ‘Complex and balanced, rich but showing plenty of personality.’

£38.35 Liberty Wines

Charles Pashby-Taylor of Dabbous highlighted the ‘fresh, grassy nose, nice floral balance and fresh acidity’ of this example, while Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair found ‘creamy fruit, long length and complexity’.

£18.35 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Top class, clean and vibrant, juicy and precise, with long, defined character,’ enthused Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison, with team leader Jade Koch adding: ‘Soft caramel, very enticing, with good mineral Chablis character and a fruity, breezy finish.’

£21.40 Liberty Wines

‘Typical style, with flowery notes, chalky mineral, integrated acidity and good length,’ said Xavier Rousset MS of Texture and 28º-50º. Team leader Richard Bampfield MW agreed: ‘Cool, a touch vegetal, distinctively Chablis with light chalky mineral.’

£9.65 Boutinot

‘Mineral, very stony character, but elegant and ripe on the palate, with good balance and freshness,’ said Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair. Charles Pashby-Taylor of Dabbous agreed: ‘Nice balance, lees and fresh minerals.’

£10.25 Boutinot

£16.85 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£7.68 Kingsland

£10.25 Boutinot

£12.25 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£22.77 Kingsland

£13.60 Liberty Wines

£11.90 Bibendum

Rich and golden yellow in colour, this smells like old churches, according to team leader Angela Reddin: 'There's polish, dried flowers, a slight hint of frankincense and smoke, plus candle wax. Incredible personality and wonderful length.'
Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone said: ‘Intense, extraordinary flavours with a fine and lush finish’, while consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet picked up on the 'toffee and salted almonds'. Back to Angela for the last word: 'This is a hand-sell to particular consumers, but its interest value is immense.'
Hear hear!

£21.60 Groupe GCF

Fabulous blend plus novel vinification methods produces a wine that is 'very individual and arresting', said team leader Angela Reddin. ‘Smoky and yeasty, with white mushroom notes and salty minerals,’ commented consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet, while Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel noted: ‘Coffee and chocolate, big, complex, explosive palate.’ Perfect with cheeses, nuts and olives.

£15.50 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Intense acidity and structure, with toasty oak, creamy texture and a nice finish,’ said Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone, with Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel noting: ‘Almond and hazelnut with peachy fruit, full and off-dry, grippy style.’

£14.84 Bibendum

Illustrating well the heights good Muscadet can reach, the long mineral, salty finish lifted La Griffe to Gold status. ‘Yellow plums and peachy notes on the nose, citrus youthfulness with good balance on the palate,’ said Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross, with Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels, adding: ‘Minerality, steely, slatey nose with peach and apricot notes to follow, good weight and mouthfeel.’ Think fresh oysters and green apple mousse.

£7.98 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

The poise and balance between the exotic fruits and the salty tang of this well-priced wine propelled this to Gold. Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels was impressed with its ‘beautiful tropical notes’, noting: ‘Pineapple, mango and floral aromas, with ripe mango and pineapple on the palate and lemony acidity to balance', while Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel noted 'honeysuckle, orange, leading to a sweet chamomile finish'. Choose desserts like tarte tatin or goats' cheese.

£6.50 Boutinot

A second Gold for Joseph Mellot with this similarly opulent wine. Consultant Sam Caporn MW commented: 'Lovely, different, long and delicious,' while Guillaume Mahaut of The Jugged Hare said: 'Expressive, honeysuckle and yellow plum flavours, complex and very good.'
Vanilla scallops with smoky bacon was Michael Moore of Studio 24's food tip this time.

£14.37 Hatch Mansfield

Richness and texture made this a winner. ‘Aromas of ripe apple, pear and citrus. Big but elegant on the palate, with savoury apple notes, toasty oak and flinty minerals,’ said Matteo Malquori of Hakkasan Hanway Place. ‘Soft mouthfeel with rounded tropical fruits,’ added team leader Tom Forrest.

'Match with malt whisky gravadlax,' said Room 24's Michael Moore, while team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW suggested langoustines, brown crab meat and fruits de mer.

£14.37 Hatch Mansfield

'Unusual ripe tropical fruit, lychee on the nose, long and balanced,' began consultant Sam Caporn MW, with consultant Donald Edwards adding: 'Very appealing, ripe with some herbal notes.'

£9.85 Boutinot

‘Mineral notes with grapefruit, melon and peach on the nose, limey acidity and a steely, lingering finish,’ said Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels. ‘Elegant, honeysuckle fruit and floral, dry style,’ added Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross.

£10.09 Enotria&Coe

‘Lean and lithe, with notes of grapefruit pith on the nose, this is chalky and particularly stony-mineral in character,’ said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto. ‘Green fruit with gooseberries and some nettle and mineral hints,’ added team leader Tom Forrest.

£11.47 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Grassy, almost Kiwi style, crisp and leesy and rounded,’ said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, with team leader Tom Forrest adding: ‘Rounded tropical and pear fruit with chalky mineral finish.’

£11.24 Hatch Mansfield

‘Dry and crisp, with lemon, lemon rind and other citrus notes on the nose, and a mineral, salty palate. Good value,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS, with Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross adding: ‘Simple, floral, very fresh with scratched lemon peel notes.’

£6.00 Boutinot

‘Aromas of wet stones, ripe pear and subtle honey notes, with white stone fruit and some citric minerality on a nice clean palate,’ said Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross.

'Very expressive, needs decanting,' advised team leader Annette Scarfe MW of this hand-harvested, single vineyard Chenin.

£11.85 Bancroft Wines

Noting this wine's 'bargain price', Guillaume Kaczmar of L'Ortolan described it as: 'Very soft and open. Easy drinking, simple but very accessible.'
'Pale, slightly under-ripe fruit, good fresh acidity,' said team leader Laura Rhys MS.

£6.24 Hatch Mansfield

‘Melon and stone fruit such as apricot, followed by slightly yeasty notes,’ began Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels, adding: ‘Refreshing fruit-driven style with added depth from secondary notes of lees.’

£6.88 The Flying Corkscrew

Neil Bruce of Studio Alto enjoyed the ‘clean, elegant, rounded and unfussy’ style of this wine, while team leader Tom Forrest said: ‘Nice intensity, rounded, with gooseberry and grassy notes and a mineral palate.’

£10.00 Boutinot

‘Light oak notes with a mineral edge on the nose, followed by soft, spicy, tropical fruit flavours on the palate, with some freshening acidity and intensity,’ commented team leader Tom Forrest.

£15.00 Ellis of Richmond, Jascots Wine Merchants, Roberson Wine Merchants

‘Stone fruit with nice weight, mineral notes and a hint of white peppery spice. Lovely,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS, with Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross adding: ‘Richer style, with banana skin and yellow tropical fruit.’

£7.50 Bancroft Wines

‘Herbal notes on a greengage nose, with hints of bell pepper and soft acids on the palate,’ began consultant Michael Harrison, with La Petite Maison’s Andrea Fasan adding: ‘Sage, mineral and gooseberries on the nose, and a pure, complex palate.’

£9.99 Hatch Mansfield

'Benchmark wine, with smoky, pencil shaving nose,' enthused Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel, recommending beef carpaccio.

'Bright red and dark cherry, good structure with green notes and good tannin, bright acidity,' added team leader Laura Rhys MS.

£8.22 Justerini & Brooks

‘Herbaceous overtones with yellow apple and lemon peel fruit with a peach stone finish,’ said Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel. ‘Ripe, grassy, plenty of fruit and flesh, but has a flinty edge too,’ added team leader Simon Woods.

£14.50 Ellis of Richmond, Jascots Wine Merchants

£7.08 Berkmann Wine Cellars, Peter Graham Wines

£7.15 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£10.75 Boutinot

£12.25 Boutinot

£11.24 Hatch Mansfield

£9.65 Boutinot

£9.75 Boutinot

£12.84 Bibendum

£8.20 Ellis of Richmond, Jascots Wine Merchants, Auriol Wines

£10.93 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£7.99 Enotria&Coe

With its silky texture and firm, fresh fruit, this was a worthy Gold Lister. ‘Green pepper and soy sauce, cherry liqueur aromas, leading to a warming palate and good length, supported by dry, old wood tannins,’ said Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth, with team leader Angela Reddin agreeing: ‘Lovely clove note from the oak lends spice to the sweet fruit, well structured and very good.’ Pair with pork chop with rosemary or Provençal tomates with black olives, suggested Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair.

£13.85 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

An elegant balance between its herbaceous notes and the spicy dark fruit took Vieux Parc to the top. ‘Floral notes and nice freshness, with tannic grip on the palate, great red and black fruit notes,’ said Gustavo Medina of Rex Whistler Restaurant, with Lorenzo Abussi of Orrery noting: 'Intense note of vanilla, dark chocolate, dried rose and violet. Full and powerful. Match with terrine de foie gras, soups and cows' milk cheeses.'

£10.66 Enotria&Coe

With poise, richness and a herbaceous note adding complexity at this price, it was no wonder Domaine de la Baume scored Gold. ‘Pleasing plummy aromas, this is well balanced and versatile,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, with Nigel Sutcliffe of Truffle Hunting adding: ‘Concentrated purple colour, ripe fruit and full tannin, but fresh in character.’ 'Fantastic wine by the glass – a steakhouse favourite!,' said James Hocking of The Vineyard Group.

£6.85 Matthew Clark, Wine Importers

A serious Malbec from this biodynamic vineyard. ‘Ripe, structured fruit with a touch of spice and vanilla. Clean and well made, with good fruit/acid balance,’ said James Hocking of The Vineyard Group, while Mike Best of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust added: ‘Impressively mouth-filling, balanced fruit and tannin, still youthful but dense and full of blackberry, damson, herbs, spice and tar notes. Needs decanting.'
Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43 noted chocolate and liquorice notes, and suggested pork belly as the best match.

£19.75 Liberty Wines

‘Elegant style, with floral notes of violets and rose petal followed by ripe blue and red fruits; nice length and some liquorice and cedar wood notes on a peppery finish,’ noted team leader Tom Forrest, with Sarah Riddle of Sketch adding: ‘There’s a market for it on a list, it’s versatile and sellable.’

£21.00 The Flying Corkscrew

‘A very inviting nose of red fruit, good freshness on the palate, with a touch of liquorice, fresh acidity and a warm finish,’ said Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott. ‘Complex red with great balance and spicy black fruits,’ added Carlos Ferreira of New Street Wine Shop.

£11.50 The Flying Corkscrew

‘Crunchy red berry fruit, good spice and complexity, with intriguing aromatics,’ began the Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s Mike Best, continuing: ‘Fresh on the palate, balanced tannin and acidity. Delicious, and would be amazing with fatty food like duck or pork shoulder.’

£8.60 Bibendum

‘A main course red for roasted meats, particularly a Sunday roast,’ said Sarah Riddle of Sketch, adding: ‘Toasty, meaty style with notes of chocolate, spices and herbs with forest fruits.’ ‘Juicy red and black fruits with soft, cedary spice and grippy tannins, but freshness too,’ added team leader Tom Forrest.

£13.85 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Good, lush, clean black fruits on the nose, with great balance between spice and tannin on the palate,’ began Carlos Ferreira of New Street Wine Shop, with an impressed Sarah Riddle of Sketch adding: ‘Tobacco box, fruit on the nose, perfumed and integrated tannins, with cherry and red apple aftertones. Wonderful value for money.’

£15.21 The Flying Corkscrew

Team leader Simon Woods commented: ‘Big, ripe, solid, sweet, almost nutty fruit, rounded and beefy, lively with good intensity. Tannins are there but tamed.’ ‘Spicy and fresh, well-made wine at great value,’ added James Hocking of The Vineyard Group.

£8.72 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Good fruit integration balanced by ripe tannins and acidity,’ began consultant sommelier Maria Rodriguez, continuing: ‘Perfect food companion, with red fruit and floral tones, some minerality and a long, fruity aftertaste on a perfect, dry finish.’ ‘Sweet blueberry fruit, hearty and lush, with violets and damson, loads of oak but in balance,’ agreed team leader Simon Woods.

£12.75 Liberty Wines

Team leader Tom Forrest found this example ‘nice and juicy’, highlighting: ‘Perfumed nose of violets and black fruits, very soft black fruits on the palate, with some notes of drying spices.’ ‘Easy fruit style with a quick flash of liquorice on the palate,’ added Sarah Riddle of Sketch.

£5.90 Boutinot

‘A step up in quality here,’ began Sarah Riddle of Sketch, continuing: ‘Deep purple colour, oaking is used, showing spiced chocolate and fruits, and a chewy red apple finish. Young and unapologetic.’

£10.50 Boutinot

‘Mulberries and blackberries on the nose, nice ripe fruit weight on the palate, with good body, luscious fruit and nice soft tannins. Good length,’ said team leader Angela Reddin.

£6.85 Matthew Clark, Wine Importers

‘Blackcurrant, with earthy, toasted aromas; still needs time but will drink now with red meats,’ said Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel, with Alejandro Icart of Fera at Claridge’s adding: ‘Nice cherry fruit, soft tannins and good fresh acidity.’

£7.00 The Flying Corkscrew

‘Very appealing aromas, with juicy, tangy cherry and plum character and lively acidity,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering. ‘Rustic and savoury, with grainy tannin, liquorice and black fruit notes; long and full of southern spice and flavour,’ said team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£11.95 Liberty Wines

‘Medium weight, with fine tannins, pleasant and crowd-pleasing style, comparable to a simple Bordeaux,’ said Nigel Sutcliffe of Truffle Hunting, while La Petite Maison’s Andrea Fasan noted: ‘Garrigue herbs and wild berries on the nose.’

£6.91 The Flying Corkscrew

‘Ready to drink now, with complex notes of cassis, cooking spices and earthiness. Great structure,’ said Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel. Team leader Angela Reddin said: ‘Pretty wine, soft and juicy berries with great acid structure, and appealingly ripe tannins.’

£7.95 Bibendum

£17.00 Boutinot

£10.50 Boutinot

£12.64 The Flying Corkscrew

£8.78 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£9.06 Enotria&Coe

£15.21 The Flying Corkscrew

Good value, fine balance and the interest factor brought Jeanjean the first Gold. ‘Intense, punchy spice on the nose, with red apple on the palate and subtle tropical fruit and more spice,’ said Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House. ‘Floral nose, delicate and soft, with pear drops, spicy, oily and dry,’ agreed team leader Jade Koch.

'Grapefruity, fresh and peachy, with a slight bitterness like marmalade,' said Winnie Eckardt of The French Table.

£5.95 Molson Coors

‘Clean aromas, with a medium intensity, nice floral character, primary fruit with honeysuckle, yellow plum notes and cinnamon spice,’ began team leader Olivier Marie, continuing: ‘Palate has a nice weight, long length and complex marzipan and dried nuts.’

£8.50 Boutinot

‘Wood and grapefruit zest on the nose, leading to a nearly creamy palate that is dry, full of texture and density. Impressive,’ noted Athila Roos of The Arts Club, with Room 24’s Michael Moore recommending scallops as a good match.

£5.85 Boutinot

‘Floral, lime blossom and stone fruit aromas with fresh apple blossom notes, good weight and a hint of richness on a well-balanced palate, said team leader Olivier Marie. ‘Salty, peachy and buttery, with a broad palate and floral finish,’ added Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group.

£5.75 Majestic Commercial

‘Ripe and tropical, mineral and citrusy on the palate, with good acid and a fresh finish,’ began team leader Andrea Briccarello, with Athila Roos of The Arts Club adding: ‘Apple and fresh-cut grass, vibrant and elegant.’

£10.04 Bibendum

‘Floral, with an earthy edge, decent length on a juicy palate, with some intensity and warmth,’ began Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group, with team leader Olivier Marie adding: ‘Notes of lanolin, honey and wax, with nice texture and a phenolic finish.’

£7.13 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Spicy Turkish delight style with tropical notes on the palate, a nice mouthfeel and medium-length finish,’ said Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House, with James Hocking of The Vineyard Group adding: ‘Almondy flavours and crisp acidity.’

£8.35 Liberty Wines

‘Peach, white blossoms and almond on the nose, good balance of acidity, with light smoky minerals and a good, almondy finish,’ said Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43, with Hakkasan Group’s Christine Parkinson adding: ‘Grassy, floral, grapey and toasty.’

£6.85 Matthew Clark, Wine Importers

‘Aromatic, with peachy suggestions on the nose, a dry finish to a zingy and elegant palate,’ said team leader Andrea Briccarello. Athila Roos of The Arts Club added: ‘Apricot and white flowers with a hint of verbena. Great value and complexity at this price.’

£6.44 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Delicious,’ began Athila Roos of The Arts Club, continuing: ‘A very clean and mineral expression, with lemon oil drizzled over hot stones. Nearly chalky mineral, with a dense texture and layered finish.’

£8.78 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Fresh and zingy citrus fruit flavours, very light but good as an aperitif or with salads and summer buffets,’ suggested Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering. ‘Grassy and refreshing, with clean, light aromatic notes,’ agreed team leader Jade Koch.

£6.16 Eurowines

£7.30 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£6.85 Matthew Clark, Wine Importers, Carlsberg UK

£6.00 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£20.02 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£9.02 Bibendum

£5.75 Majestic Commercial

£7.68 Enotria&Coe

£7.23 Bibendum

Elegance and poise won the day for Domaine Ferrand. ‘Complex aromas of butter, lemongrass, peach, with refreshing acidity and toasty oak on the palate, nicely balanced by melon,’ said Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group, concluding: ‘Lemon and ginger fruit, mineral, long, silky and concentrated.’ ‘Class act, with attractive complexity,’ added Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

£20.33 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Accomplished and exotic, this is a charming wine. ‘Young, crisp, but a big, creamy mouthfeel; long but chunky, this is intense but underplayed fruit, with citrus and greengage and a long and tasty finish,’ said pleased team leader Simon Woods. ‘Good oak and mineral, but to my mind would benefit from three years in the cellar,’ said Simon Cassina of Winexponent. You decide.

£19.90 Bibendum

‘Good Burgundy at an affordable price,’ began Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott, continuing: ‘Toasted nose, lots of body, citrus fruit with a touch of mandarin and a long finish. Good if you like the toastier style.’ ‘Elegant and well balanced, with nutty brioche notes,’ agreed Winexponent’s Simon Cassina.

£14.35 Molson Coors

‘Citrus and stone fruit with chalky ornaments on the nose, really well balanced with great detail,’ said Gergely Barsi Szabó of Bread Street Kitchen, concluding: ‘This is why white Burgundy is what it is – a classic, good value for money.’

£13.65 Liberty Wines

‘Peachy fruit and freshly toasted bread aromas, salty minerality on the palate and a long finish with nutty hints of almond,’ said Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth, with Jeremie Guiraud of Lords of the Manor adding: ‘Lovely flamboyant, citrusy style with elderflower notes.’

£11.25 Enotria&Coe

‘Lively, zingy fruit; develops nicely, with some complexity on the palate. Real depth of flavour and development in the mouth; good length for a versatile food wine,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering. ‘Rich, buttery, creamy and citric,’ added Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel.

£15.62 Hatch Mansfield

‘Rich, oaky and opulent style, full bodied, with rich peaches, complex and ripe stone fruits and cream,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth adding: ‘Peach and dried banana notes, lengthy and rounded palate.’

£20.63 Hatch Mansfield

‘Savoury, nutty, hazelnut nose, showing delicate use of oak, followed by a palate fresh with minerals and an elegant, white peach mid-palate,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW. Jeremie Guiraud of Lords of the Manor added: 'Beautifully rich, fine acidity with creamy, lemon zest character. Worth every penny.’

£38.53 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Clean aromas of peach and melon, complemented by wet stone notes,’ began an impressed Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels, continuing: ‘Fresh, fruit-driven style with elements of minerality and limey acidity, offering good value for entry Burgundy. Very well made.’

£8.50 Boutinot

‘Oaky nose and citrus, with richness on a savoury palate with citric acidity, pineapple notes and a good finish. Good value,’ said Matteo Malquori of Hakkasan Hanway Place. Winexponent’s Simon Cassina added: ‘Flinty mineral and green apple notes.’

£7.00 Majestic Commercial

‘Ripe but fresh, an almost pine-like tang to the fruit, lightly creamy and almost Chablis-like style,’ said team leader Simon Woods. Matteo Malquori of Hakkasan Hanway Place added: ‘Unusual, subtle, ripe and tropical notes, with some peach.’

£8.74 Hatch Mansfield

‘Mineral notes, quite luscious style with good concentration of fruit. Plenty to say, with good complexity,’ said team leader Martin Lam, with Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering adding: 'A real zingy mouth-filler at the price point.’

£8.12 Hatch Mansfield

Team leader Annette Scarfe MW found ‘loads of minerality with vibrant acidity, with citrus and lime, toasty notes and balance’, while Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth highlighted this wine's ‘salty minerality, green grass notes and long length’.

£13.13 Justerini & Brooks

£8.00 Soho Wine Supply

£7.60 Boutinot

£22.50 Boutinot

£23.25 Boutinot

£8.31 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£7.75 Boutinot

£12.91 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£11.00 Bibendum

£7.75 Boutinot

£10.75 Bulles Blanc Rouge

'Excellent balance of beautiful secondary characters, with fabulous length,' said team leader Angela Reddin, illustrating why Fritz Keller scored Gold with his savoury-infused Pinot. ‘Attractive aromas of raspberry fruit, light and delicate, but a robust nature on the palate allows it to shine through,’ said Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners.

'A big mouthful of flavour, this is a versatile food wine, but steely as well,' said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

£12.12 The Winebarn

Perfect tannin structure, summer pudding and kirsch on the palate, and a long classy finish highlight why this wine turned heads from the off. ‘Minty, herbal, ripe blueberries and mineral, with warm spicy notes; well balanced with an elegant finish,’ began Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel, with an impressed Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners adding: ‘Very mineral-driven style, almost the red wine equivalent of a Chablis. This is a good thing!'

£23.30 The Winebarn

‘Perfumed, delicate and expressive, silky smooth with dried cranberry, raspberry and red cherry fruit notes; complex with an excellent finish,’ said an impressed Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall, while Andrea Domenicucci of Whatley Manor noted ‘liquorice root, mushroom, hazelnuts, crushed white peppercorns and leather’.

£29.87 The Winebarn

‘A warm, welcoming, spicy nose, smokiness and dark chocolate notes on the palate, with good fruit and length,’ said Andrea Domenicucci of Whatley Manor, with Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall adding: ‘Soft and delicate, with juicy acidity and ripe red berries with a voluptuous finish.’

£9.84 Alpine Wines

‘Bigger, bolder style of Pinot with new French oak,’ began team leader Annette Scarfe MW, continuing: ‘Well balanced and serious, showing elegant tannins and lovely structure.’ ‘Pepper, perfume and red apples, blackcurrant and a whiff of smoke,’ added Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall.

£16.00 Boutinot

£6.75 Boutinot

Opulent and delicate, a popular Gold Lister. ‘Intense, vibrant citrus, balanced freshness, pleasant residual sugar paired with cracking acid. Ticking all the boxes, brilliant,’ said an impressed Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone, with team leader Olivier Marie adding: ‘Nice aromatics, with floral aspects, apple and pear fruit character and high acidity but good weight in a lovely wine.’ 'Clearly exceptional quality, and will age,' said James Hocking of The Vineyard Group.

£19.92 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Classic Grüner traits coupled with a refreshing palate with good minerality led Brüendlmayer to the top. ‘Great minerality and spice aromas on the nose, good Grüner body and fruit, with candied citrus on a long finish,’ said Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair. ‘Subtle stones-and-flowers nose, with some fleshy spice and citrus on the palate,’ agreed team leader Martin Lam. Match with prawns tempura.

£13.95 Fields, Morris & Verdin

Elegance, texture and spice led this wine to the top. Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners highlighted the ‘lovely minerality and chalky notes balancing the lime and floral flavours’, while Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel noted: ‘Musky, nutty notes with some orange blossom, balanced acidity and a long mineral finish.’ Match with fish pie or scallops.

£18.00 The Winebarn

‘Classic,’ said Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners: ‘Fresh green apple on the well-balanced palate, good length and depth of flavour.’ 'Intense and aromatic, with a sweet nose of apricot and Kaiser pear, this has a nice texture and fine fragrance,' said Lorenzo Abussi of Orrery, suggesting a match with crab salad, Thai food, or Asian cuisine.

£13.13 Bibendum

Texture and balance alongside freshness made this a Food Match winner – for Roast Salmon, since you ask – as well as a Gold Lister. ‘Bright, fresh, nice balance of sweetness. Great classic Riesling character with green apple, melon and petrol notes,’ said Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone, with Claire Love of Loves Restaurant noting: ‘Rich, perfumed, pear fruit-driven wine with simple elegance and balance. Good finish of pear and melon.’ Thai and Japanese dishes would also match well.

£8.50 Greene King

Not just quaffability but versatility gave Domäne Wachau the Fish & Chips Food Match as well as Gold. ‘Opulent style with floral, fresh aromas and a rich, rounded texture,’ began consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet, while team leader Jade Koch noted mango, watermelon and lychee on the nose, leading to a 'juicy, ripe palate with the slight bitterness of lime zest and oranges'.

£9.17 Majestic Commercial

Exceptional poise and years ahead to evolve, this is ‘luscious, with a creamy mouthfeel, intense aromas and flavours of green mango, lychee, melon and kaffir lime’, enthused Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone, with team leader Olivier Marie agreeing: ‘Spicy jasmine floral characters mixed with candied lemon, bergamot oil and waxy notes. Great wine, with enormous potential, superbly complex.’ 'Parnter with scallops and yuzu with miso broth,' said Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair.

£37.50 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Elegant, fresh and well balanced, with pear and white stone fruit,’ began Claire Love of Loves Restaurant, with an equally impressed team leader Olivier Marie adding: ‘Amazing complexity, length and texture; crisp, lively, refreshing, almost ethereal. A model of elegance and finesse.’

£31.00 Fields, Morris & Verdin

‘Showing some bottle age, with tertiary character and white truffle complexity, hints of mothball and good body,’ began team leader Olivier Marie, with Vinoteca Marylebone’s Mya Brown adding: ‘Pronounced nose of classic petrol notes, stony mineral and tropical fruit, with a creamy mouthfeel, seamless balance and extended finish.’

£16.80 The Winebarn

‘Good character, ginger and sweetness, with tropical fruit notes on the nose, following through to a steely palate that’s clean and mineral,’ said Julian Bicknell of Hawksmoor Air Street, while team leader Jade Koch added: 'The palate is bright, juicy and zippy, while the nose shows aromas of flinty sea stones and minerals.'

£8.99 The Flying Corkscrew

‘Peppery, almost piquant spicy nose, tightly wound with honeysuckle notes,’ began consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet, with team leader Martin Lam adding: ‘Good, tauter style, quite tropical fruit flavours with racy acids' and Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43 saying: 'White blossom and peach blossoms, this is light and supple, with good length.'

£16.82 Bibendum

‘Typical late harvest style, elegant and delicate nose, flinty, smooth, honeyed and candied fruit, palate of orange, mandarin and apricot fruit with nutty notes,’ said Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall.

'Delicious,' added team leader Annette Scarfe MW: 'Floral with a lovely freshness. Complex.'

£13.00 The Winebarn

‘Darker colour, with very ripe stone fruit nose and a more complex, creamy palate,’ said team leader Martin Lam, with Studio Alto’s Neil Bruce adding: ‘Good, and overtly fruitier in style, dry, silky and smooth, with pithy minerals on the palate.’

£15.29 Majestic Commercial

‘Sweet honey and ripe peaches with lime and lemon zest notes, sweetish on the finish,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel adding: ‘Complex candied, mineral nose, full, citric and fresh, but needs time.’

£27.86 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Lukasz Walkowiak of Oxo Tower Restaurant found ‘minerality, citrus fruits, fresh acidity and an oily texture with tropical fruit on the palate’, while Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone noted: ‘Intense, honeyed notes, passion fruit, melon and candied lemons with a vibrantly persistent finish.’

£20.00 O W Loeb & Co

‘Well-integrated sweetness, floral, tropical fruit with good rigid acidity and a juicy, fresh finish,’ said Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall, with team leader Annette Scarfe MW noting: ‘Delicious expression of off-dry Riesling, lime and grapefruit with good balance.’

£9.42 Bibendum

‘Crisp, zesty, floral nose fading into lavender. Very dry with a mineral finish,’ said Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel. Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall added: ‘Blossom and fresh green fruit, delicate lemon flesh, grapey, elderberry notes for a quaffable, robust wine.’

£11.21 The Winebarn

‘Lovely minerals and complexity, delicious creamy mid-palate, taut and structured,’ began team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall noting: ‘Elegant and delicate, floral, well-integrated sweetness and good balance.’

£20.22 Bibendum

‘So elegant on the nose, with floral, rose water notes,’ began Hawksmoor Air Street’s Julian Bicknell, continuing: ‘Exquisite mouthfeel, zingy, summer meadow freshness with spice and creamy hints leading to a persistent, long finish. Ace!’

£15.20 Matthew Clark

‘A harmonious wine that needs time to open up,’ said team leader Olivier Marie, adding: ‘Showing herbal, garrigue-like character with some weight and clay minerality. Ripe fruit spiciness, mushroomy organic notes, pleasant and complex.’

£28.95 The Winebarn

‘Balanced, with a hint of sunny, ripe peaches, and a good palate of spice, white pepper, pears and freshness on the finish,’ said Claire Love of Loves Restaurant, with team leader Olivier Marie noting: ‘Clean, with earthy, organic minerality, like seaweed with wet chalk, and some good weight and texture.’

£11.00 Boutinot

‘Floral, terpenic nose with punchy fruit character of stone fruit and apricot kernel, alongside apple and lime blossom,’ said team leader Olivier Marie. ‘Fresh, citrusy nose with tropical and orchard fruit notes, with an austere, mineral finish,’ added Vinoteca Marylebone’s Mya Brown.

£9.43 Enotria&Coe

£10.14 Bibendum

£12.16 Bibendum

£10.43 Matthew Clark

£15.91 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£8.12 Alpine Wines

Delicate complexity alongside eloquent aromatics gave Papagiannakos the first Greek Gold – and the Green Thai Curry Food Match as well.

'This is a voluptuous yet firm beauty,' enthused team leader Angela Reddin, adding: 'Citrus and herbs, beautiful mouth entry, some tart tannins evident and a huge finish.'
'Stone fruits, great citrus notes and creamy,' added consultant Michael Harrison.

'There's green and white fruit flavours, herbal notes alongside lemony hints and sunny honey,' said George Bergier of The Victorian Chop House Company.

£8.40 Boutinot

'Watery, pale lemon colour, with dried lemon peel, pink gooseberry and oregano,' said team leader Angela Reddin of this stone fruit and spice wine, with its mineral-infused nature.

'Very herbaceous and grassy, good acidity and length,' noted consultant Michael Harrison.

£12.92 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Team leader Richard Bampfield MW felt this would go ‘brilliantly with fatty food’, adding: ‘Very pure, cherry nose with hints of bitters. Juicy, Campari-like flavours, very refreshing with high acidity.’ 'Complex, with small tannins, dark black fruit and a smattering of dark chocolate,' said Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel.

£12.59 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

While team leader Angela Reddin found preserved lemon and 'a white balsamic kick' on the nose, adding: 'Very mineral, stony flavours sliced with lemony richness. An individual,' for Stuart Skea of Champany Inn & Cellars, it was all about 'blood orange and smoke on the nose, with a weighty, persistent palate. Very good.'

£13.88 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel found: 'Delicate flowery notes, crispy palate with good intensity and a slightly oily texture,' putting him in mind of a Mediterranean evening by the sea.

'Delicate, fresh, lovely acidity,' added team leader Laura Rhys MS.

£11.09 Hallgarten & Novum Wines, Maltby & Greek

‘Loads of warmth,’ began Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, adding: ‘Big wine with some bitterness and complexity. Something different and a match for big steaks or game.’ 'Quite a statement wine. May need decanting to allow the structured tannins to resolve,' said team leader Martin Lam.

£11.09 Hallgarten & Novum Wines, Maltby & Greek

'Creamy, toasty, lovely citrus notes. Rich and complex,' said team leader Laura Rhys MS, while George Bergier of The Victorian Chop House Company said: 'Strong minerality on the nose, it's oaky, classy and peachy on a balanced palate.'
'Good value, almost Viognier-like in style, with oily richness,' said Debbie Smith of 21212.

£17.04 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Guillaume Kaczmar of L'Ortolan was impressed by the balance of this wine, saying: 'Citrusy and floral, Muscadet-like. Vegetal, flowery aromatics with a long finish.'
Debbie Smith of 21212 added: 'Stunning, rich with hints of pine needle.'
'Feel the sunshine!' exclaimed Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair, adding: 'Match with blue cheese, or smoked mackerel salad.'

£11.36 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Some earthy notes with ripe apple and pear, and good acidity. Balanced alcohol with some tropical fruit notes,' said team leader Laura Rhys MS, concluding: 'Vibrant.'
'Lychee, tropical stone fruit, floral core,' added Guillaume Kaczmar of L'Ortolan.

£12.92 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Youthful, with underdeveloped aromas, but a bold and juicy red,’ said team leader Richard Bampfield MW, adding: ‘Plenty of spicy oak, and food-friendly. Not for the faint-hearted.’

£11.36 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison enjoyed this wine’s ‘complex, fruity aroma’, saying: ‘Juicy, with a fruity mid-palate, long and persistent.’ ‘Smooth, earthy red with big warmth and development on the palate,’ added Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

£6.28 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Very individual,' said team leader Angela Reddin, adding: 'Soft, floral nose of rose, musk and carnations. Medium-dry in the mouth, with some Turkish delight and citrus peel.'

£10.32 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Consultant Michael Harrison found this to be a 'more mineral, modern retsina', with team leader Angela Reddin adding: 'Piney freshness with some lemon oil. Good within its category,' and Frédéric Jean-Yves Billét of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa commenting: 'With flowers, stone fruit kernel, this has salty, spicy notes.'
£4.65/50cl

£4.65 Boutinot

£16.58 Hallgarten & Novum Wines, Maltby & Greek

£13.58 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£10.32 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£12.92 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

For the price, pretty incredible.

'Rich, complex and well-structured, with lots of dark morello cherries, plums and spices,' said team leader Andrea Briccarello. Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place found ‘slightly smoky, ripe red fruit aromas’ on the nose, along with a palate of 'ripe blueberry and raspberry, soft tannin, nice balance and length’. Aim for the steak and stews with this one.

£5.50 Boutinot

The ‘good, easy-drinking nature’ of this happy Merlot with its medley of floral aromas was what appealed to all, securing the first House Red Gold medal. ‘There’s nice, ripe, central fruit, with a touch of refreshing acidity and soft tannins,’ said Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel, while team leader Tom Forrest found a deepish purple colour with ‘sweet, ripe red and black fruits’ on the nose: ‘Soft, savoury red and black fruit flavours, with some spice and medium length.’

£4.20 CyT UK

The fruity, easy-going pleasure of this wine made our judges smile.

'Leafy blackcurrant and juicy, ripe, red fruits,' said Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel, while Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels was impressed by the 'soft, silky tannins', also noting: 'Primary and secondary notes of vanilla, red berry and oak, good weight, with notes of sour cherry, currant, silky tannins and a mouthfilling, lingering finish.'

£5.49 Eurowines

Good fruit allied with New World warmth set Pablo y Walter's Malbec aside.

'Lots of warm berry fruit, this lasts well on the palate,' said Caroline Catering's Richard Brooks, continuing: 'Versatile and very good value.'
‘A whiff of farmyard and admirable concentration,’ added Gus Gluck of Vinoteca King's Cross.

£5.50 Boutinot

Excellent balance, good texture and a complexity way beyond its price tag took Borsao to the top. Team leader Martin Lam found 'a nice bit of savoury funk on the nose, with dark red fruits and a savoury edge'.

'Medium weight but intense, with black berries and a note of freshness,' added Yves Desmaris MS of Lutyens, while Julien Sahut of Wine Culture noted the nose of strawberries, the soft tannins and good acidity.

£4.55 Molson Coors

'Soft and easy but with a bit more to the fruit, this holds well in the mouth,' said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, adding: 'Pleasant by the glass and enough there to cope with modest red meat dishes.'
Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains highlighted the ‘delicate, soft palate, good structure of fruit, tannin and acidity’, adding: ‘Lovely balanced, rich texture.'

£4.80 Boutinot

‘Floral entry, with notes of canned asparagus and spices,’ began Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison, continuing: ‘Long and beefy on the palate. Juicy, spicy, complex, vibrant and long.’ ‘Good by the glass, but enough weight for a variety of lightish dishes,’ added Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

£4.80 Boutinot

Well balanced, with soft red fruit and tannins. ‘Aromatic and youthful, with hints of black fruit and a minty/eucalyptus aroma. High alcohol finish, but ripe, juicy and jammy delivery,’ said Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains, adding: ‘A lot for the money.’

£4.00 CyT UK

‘Richly textured with ripe tannins, this shows primary fruit character, with morello cherry and damson plum,’ said team leader Olivier Marie. ‘Simple, easy drinking, fruity on both nose and palate,’ added Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel.

£5.35 Bibendum

Guillaume Kaczmar of L'Ortolan felt that 'richness and a little grip' made this a 'very decent wine', while team leader Laura Rhys MS highlighted its 'red fruits, meaty hints of spice and elegant tannin'. Great for pub grub and hearty dishes such as sausage cassoulet or venison burgers with cranberry sauce.

£4.50 Copestick Murray

Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel felt that this was a wine with a purpose: 'Juicy, barbecue-calling wine, with some complexity and red fruit finish.'
'Good delivery, herbaceous quality, with ripe, grippy tannins,' added Debbie Smith of 21212.

£5.35 Boutinot

‘Precise and clean winemaking gives a sweet redcurrant finish and excellent value for money,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Sandro Lyhs of Oxo Tower Bar adding: ‘Easy, simple, fruit-driven and dry, with flavours of red berries.’ Floral notes and freshness complete the package.

£3.90 CyT UK

‘Clean and simple, fresh, with bright red berry aromas. Fruity character with a lactic note to the finish, with ripe fleshy tannins. Well made,’ said team leader Olivier Marie. Ram Chhetri of Bread Street Kitchen agreed.

'Balance, with enjoyable tannins. Definitely crowd pleasing.'

£4.00 CyT UK

'Lovely berried nose leading to an inky, dark, brooding palate,' said team leader Jade Koch. ‘Medium intensity of aromas of fresh red and black fruits,’ noted Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place, adding: ‘Nice, well-rounded and balanced palate with herbal thyme notes and a decent finish.’

£5.30 Boutinot

James Hocking of The Vineyard Group found this 'fresh and appealing', going on to describe: 'Some pleasant fruit character here, and a long finish.'
'Dark berries and a full finish,' agreed consultant Deborah-Lynn Morris, adding: 'Good with food or alone.'

£5.26 Cockburn & Campbell

Consultant Deborah-Lynn Morris enjoyed the 'light, fresh Pinot complexity' of this wine, while team leader Simon Woods highlighted its 'soft, gentle, juicy, spicy style and good grippy finish', and The Harrow at Little Bedwyn's Roger Jones noted the lovely balance and zingy nature.

£5.50 Boutinot

Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels noted the good complexity here: 'Aromas of red and black fruit, with hints of vanilla from the use of oak.'
He found 'secondary notes of cinnamon and spice' on a ripe fruit finish bolstered by 'grippy tannins'.

£5.15 Boutinot

Joao Ribeiro of Buddha-Bar London noted ‘berries and strawberry with no wood, this is easy on the palate with a medium finish and mid-intensity’. ‘Dolcetto-esque, gets the juices going,’ added team leader Jade Koch.

£5.50 Boutinot

'A walk on the wild side' was how team leader Angela Reddin saw it, adding: 'Vibrant red colour, bramble fruits. Really complex with umami notes – perfect.'

£5.39 Bibendum

Team leader Annette Scarfe MW found ‘fruit and freshness with simple carbonic character’ in this wine, with Sandro Lyhs of Oxo Tower Bar adding: ‘Fruity, with noticeably light tannins.’

£4.59 Greene King

Team leader Richard Bampfield MW found this ‘really characterful’, with ‘deepish, young, clean black fruits on the nose, good fruit and spice and a fresh and long finish’. ’Spicy, vibrant, juicy palate,’ agreed Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison.

£5.50 Boutinot

‘Attractive red berry aromas on the nose, juicy and balanced on the palate, with a touch of earthiness,' said Caroline Catering’s Richard Brooks. Spicy and fresh. Good aperitif material.

£4.65 CyT UK

Team leader Laura Rhys MS liked this wine's 'dark fruit and juicy cherries', with Guillaume Kaczmar of L'Ortolan adding that its black fruits and full body were 'calling for food'.

£5.00 Matthew Clark

'They've done a good job here,' concluded team leader Angela Reddin: 'Summer fruit compote with hints of iodine and minerals.'
'Soft, ripe, very drinkable, with smoky black hints,' added Neil Bruce of Studio Alto.

£5.50 Cockburn & Campbell

‘Sweet red fruits, slightly jammy character, with pleasant hints of spice and some refreshing acidity,’ noted team leader Annette Scarfe MW. ‘Medium-light body with slightly candied red fruit,’ added William Sheard of Donostia Restaurants.

£5.06 Bibendum

‘Inky purple fruit with a little touch of bay on the nose,’ said team leader Jade Koch, going on: ‘Juicy, dry palate and great acid. Dusty but well balanced, this will have good appeal to a lot of people.’

£5.30 Boutinot

'Good acidity, slightly meaty, with nice grip and berry and plum fruit. Chewy, but friendly finish,' noted team leader Simon Woods, with consultant Deborah-Lynn Morris adding: 'Good balance. Easy-to-drink quaffing wine.'

£5.00 Boutinot

‘Bright and medium length, with notes of red fruit and liquorice,’ said William Sheard of Donostia Restaurants. ‘Baked strawberry with a hint of residual sugar and a redcurrant finish,’ added team leader Annette Scarfe MW.

£4.93 Bibendum

Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn appreciated this wine's 'lovely colour' and delicate perfume: 'Fresh, clean Pinot-style, soft red fruits in a juicy, raspberry crumble and sour cream style. Food friendly with a long finish.'

£5.50 Boutinot

'Spicy, lifted aromatics, clean and fresh. Dry, clean, tart and fresh on the palate, with good balance,' said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, with team leader Angela Reddin suggesting it as a good option for wine by the glass.

£5.00 Majestic Commercial

Diego Muntoni of Oxo Tower Restaurant found ‘blackcurrant aromas with charry smoke and tobacco notes’ on the nose, adding that it had: ‘Well-balanced tannins, mid-weight body and intensity, and middling length.’

£4.75 Majestic Commercial

‘Nice cherry and bubblegum notes, fresh, fruity, vibrant and well balanced,’ said Sandro Lyhs of Oxo Tower Bar, with William Sheard of Donostia Restaurants spotting: ‘Deeper, violet and plum fruit on the palate.’

£5.29 Majestic Commercial

Tipping roast lamb as a good match, Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn said: 'Juicy meat wafts on the nose, spiced, balanced and juicy on the palate. Cool oak, with sweet and lingering bright fresh berries.'

£5.29 Majestic Commercial

‘Fruit and spice on a very attractive nose,’ said team leader Richard Bampfield MW, adding: ‘Lovely balance on the palate with a fresh, spicy finish.’ ‘Very drinkable,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

£5.35 Boutinot

‘Clean, bright, with red fruit and a crunchy, blackberry character,’ began team leader Olivier Marie, continuing: ‘Tannins are ripe, sweet, soft and integrated, and the finish is slightly on the bitter, morello cherry side.’

£4.69 Molson Coors

£5.35 Bibendum

£5.49

£4.20 CyT UK

£4.70 Boutinot

£4.42 Majestic Commercial

£5.40 Boutinot

£3.85 Copestick Murray

£4.50 Copestick Murray

£5.40 Boutinot

£5.50 Boutinot

£4.25 Majestic Commercial

£5.50 Matthew Clark

£5.20 Boutinot

£5.47 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£4.90 Fine Wines Direct, Wine Importers, Wine Fantastic

£3.90 Bottle Green

£4.60 Boutinot

£4.45 Bottle Green

£4.90 Fine Wines Direct, Wine Importers, Wine Fantastic

£4.94 Sogrape UK

£4.60 Boutinot

£4.55 Boutinot

£4.00 Copestick Murray

£5.15 Boutinot

Suppleness and subtlety helped Cavit scoop Gold with its Principato – and a coveted By The Glass spot. Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott found ‘interesting, floral notes of rose petals and little hints of spice’ on the nose, while team leader Jade Koch noted ‘apple, orange, clean minerality on an oily, textured, dry palate’, and Paolo Pivato of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa summed it up: ‘Ideal as an aperitif, pleasant and great value for money.’

£5.00 Molson Coors

The ultimate crowd pleaser and a worthy Perfect Pub wine, this has a ‘nice copper colour and very appealing style’, said Michael Moore of Room 24, with Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott noting: ‘Floral and citrusy, with a little red fruit on the nose, dry and light, medium-bodied style.’ Elegant and textured with balance and good length, it's happy to go solo or would go well with beef dishes with a touch of spice.

£4.60 Boutinot

‘Pale as a rosé should be, and a beautiful aromatic nose,’ began consultant Caroline Symington, with Vinoteca Marylebone’s Mya Brown noting: ‘Strawberry and grapefruit aromas, bright, juicy grapefruit on the palate, with nice structure and a clean, dry, citrusy finish.’

£5.00 Boutinot

‘Currants, red apple and apple skin/green aromas on the nose, peppery and leafy on the palate, with a pleasant slight bitterness, but overall crisp, bright flavours and a clean finish,’ said a pleased Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone.

£4.90 HT White & Co, R.W Randalls, NWBG

‘Clean, berry fruit profile, simple but fresh, dry and quaffable, balanced wine,’ said Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone, with Lukasz Walkowiak of Oxo Tower Restaurant adding: ‘Lots of fruit and a touch of spice on the nose, with herbal notes on a sweetish palate.’

£4.25 Majestic Commercial

’Intense aromas, fruit drops and raspberry, with strawberry notes on the palate, in an off-dry style,’ said team leader Olivier Marie, with Vinoteca Marylebone’s Mya Brown adding: ‘Expressive, fruity-floral style; fresh and very drinkable.’

£4.55 Molson Coors

‘Peachy, strawberry, red cherry fruit aromas, a touch of mango on the palate, with zesty grapefruit notes. Nice crunchy red fruit and pleasant acidity on the finish,’ commented Angelo Casali of The Duck & Rice.

£4.91 Laytons

‘Darker fruit, warmer climate feel, with dark strawberry, slightly jammy nose,’ began Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross, continuing: ‘Decent acidity, a good option for customers who prefer a slightly sweeter or riper rosé style.’

£5.00 Matthew Clark

£4.55 Boutinot

£4.90 Boutinot

£4.00 Copestick Murray, Greene King

£4.85 Boutinot

£5.50 Boutinot

£4.43 Bibendum

Wonderful aromatics and bags of flavour won Finca Las Moras a coveted By The Glass spot as well as Gold. ‘Interesting floral, geranium notes on the nose, with grapefruit hints, good minerality and sweetness on a fresh palate, and mint and cumin notes on the finish,’ said Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth. Pair with flat fish with grapes or herbs.

£5.21 Bibendum

‘Vegetal, floral and citrus aromas, light-bodied with notes of asparagus and artichoke on the palate,’ began an intrigued Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott, with team leader Jade Koch adding: ‘Sweet elderflower, aromatic and floral nose, with orange citrus; bright acidity on a clean, fruity, quaffable palate.’

£5.50 Boutinot

Friendly and welcoming, a worthy Gold. ‘Light on the nose, chalky and delicate, with hints of flint mineral on the palate, rounded and firm, complex and long,’ said Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House, with Paolo Pivato of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa also noting: ‘Mellow peach, white and yellow flowers with a long aftertaste.’

£5.08 Bibendum

Sheer great value alongside a refreshing attack and savoury fruit flavours scored Gold for Fray Léon.

'Nice freshness on the nose, with citrus, melon aromas and a slight smoky minerality,' said Julian Bicknell of Hawksmoor Air Street, continuing: 'Good weight and balance on the palate. A bargain.'

£3.90 Bottle Green

Freshness and texture captured Gold for Santa Carolina. ‘Gentle flinty hint with a good aftertaste of orange blossom,’ said Mirco Giannoccaro of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa, while Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross said: ‘Creamy texture with hints of tangerine peel and a refreshing acidity.'
'Pair with monkfish with tomato, olives, anchovy and a touch of chilli,' said Peter Bagatti of Bagattis, getting quite carried away.

£4.70 Ehrmanns Wine

‘Fresh, intense green fruit nose, crisp, mouthwatering and refreshing in the mouth,’ said Robert Tozser of The Rib Room, with Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross adding: ‘Fresh and youthful on the nose, light peach and citrus notes and mandarin, with a lemony citrus finish.’

£4.00 CyT UK

‘Nice bright, tangy nose of apples and citrus,' said team leader Angela Reddin, with Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth adding: ‘Light bodied, with green vegetal and citrus notes, and mineral touches on the finish.’

£3.85 Greene King

‘Ripe, juicy style with nice, lively citrus, peach melba fruit and notes of halva, nice aromatic lift and good acidity,’ commented team leader Simon Woods, with consultant sommelier Maria Rodriguez adding: ‘Light, would make a good aperitif, with intense apple/pear nose and refreshing acidity.’

£5.42 Majestic Commercial

‘Pear and zesty aromas, dry, crisp and clean on the palate, with medium body,’ said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, with team leader Martin Lam noting: ‘Herbal notes on the nose, citrus and mid-weight palate.’

£4.90 Boutinot

‘Nice elegant style with decent balance, long length in the mouth and a pleasing floral-acid balance,’ said James Hocking of The Vineyard Group, with team leader Simon Woods adding: ‘Lively pear/peach fruit aromas, then a hint of walnut on the palate, a good honest style.’

£5.25 Boutinot

‘Lychee and peach with really floral aromas; clean and fresh on the palate but has touches of earthy mineral and a lemon and lime finish,’ said Angelo Casali of The Duck & Rice. ‘Zesty, summer wine,’ added team leader Natasha Hughes MW.

£5.50 Boutinot

‘Sweet, fruity nose with sherbet and mineral notes, followed by a nice fruity palate with a bit of a zing, making it a refreshing glassful,’ said Julian Bicknell of Hawksmoor Air Street, with consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet finding it to have a ‘floral, peachy nose, good body, with a clean finish’.

£5.00 Majestic Commercial

‘Floral, perfumed nose with hints of sweet spice. Stone fruit freshness on the palate, with luscious texture. Different and interesting,’ said Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall. ‘Clean, with fresh, candied fruit, in a popular style,’ added team leader Annette Scarfe MW.

£4.60 Boutinot

‘Nutty notes with sweet tropical fruit undertones, balanced and good,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall highlighting ‘sweet pea shoots on a subtle nose, leading to a delicate finish’.

£5.47 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Offering a good, fresh nose of tropical fruit, this is a pleasant wine of mingled fruity acidity and a lean, pleasant finish,’ said Sarah Riddle of Sketch. ‘Nose of cooked apple with citrus fruit, very fresh balance and good finish,’ added Carlos Ferreira of New Street Wine Shop.

£5.00 Fine Wines Direct, Wine Importers, Wine Fantastic

‘Full of flavour, the nose is grassy and fresh, with evolving stone fruit, lime and nettles on a good finish,’ said a satisfied Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners. ‘Herbaceous, savoury hints and gooseberries with a limey edge,’ added Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall.

£5.25 Bottle Green

'Ripe and opulent on the nose, with peaches and cream. Aromatic, spicy and rich, there's plenty for the money here,' said The Tate Group's Hamish Anderson. Team leader Angela Reddin added: ‘Light straw colour, yellow stone fruits on the nose, with melon overtones. Match with feta or pecorino cheese.'

£4.53 Bibendum

‘Floral nose with lime zest freshness, super-dry on the palate with a long finish,’ began Gustavo Medina of Rex Whistler Restaurant, with La Petite Maison’s Andrea Fasan adding: ‘Citrus, grassy nose, clean with great purity of fruit on the palate, juicy and long.’

£4.90 HT White & Co, R.W Randalls, NWBG

Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott highlighted ‘lime and lemon fruit, dry, crispy citrus flavours and a medium-long finish’, while Michael Moore of Room 24 recommended scallops or cod as a food match.

£4.00 CyT UK

‘Really nice, flowery aromatic style, has a touch of rose petal, gentle pear, good depth and enough acid to balance the tender fruit,’ said team leader Simon Woods. ‘Bright, aromatic nose with good balance,’ said Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s Mike Best.

£4.20 CyT UK

Nigel Sutcliffe of Truffle Hunting found this example ‘rounded, pleasingly ripe and soft’, while Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison noted: ‘Complex, spicy nose, great texture and vibrancy on the palate, with citrus and lime on a floral finish.’

£5.35 Boutinot

‘Delicate, neutral nose with flowers and hints of citrus fruit, integrated acidity and a pleasant finish,’ said Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel, with Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners adding: ‘Attractive and delicate, with a flavoursome finish.’

£3.90 CyT UK

‘Great pear perfume nose, light on the palate but good easy drinking,’ said Michael Moore of Room 24. Team leader Jade Koch added: ‘Citrus, elderflower and lime aromas, viscous, fleshy tropical fruit, with good minerality and a dry finish.’

£4.42 Majestic Commercial

‘Honeyed citrus aromas with a waxy edge; a dry, citrus palate with a clean finish,’ said Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison, with team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW adding: ‘Apples, lees and a creamy, honeyed texture.’

£4.10 Copestick Murray

‘Decent depth of pear/apple/peach fruit with brisk acidity,’ began team leader Natasha Hughes MW, with Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross agreeing: ‘Orchard fruit dominates, very fresh and reminiscent of a bite of apple.’

£5.06 Bibendum

Joris Beijn of Marcus found a ‘fresh nose with good attack on the palate and good balance overall’, while Carlos Ferreira of New Street Wine Shop noted: ‘Green apple, lemon/lime nose and medium-length finish.’

£4.71 Majestic Commercial

‘Medium body with a clean, fresh nose and citrus fruit notes. Would lead you to a second glass,’ said Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott, with Sarah Riddle of Sketch adding: ‘Tropical, fruity and dry, with a nice lean finish.’

£4.50 Boutinot

‘Nice tropical fruit on the palate, well rounded, with medium length and good acidity,’ began Andrea Domenicucci of Whatley Manor, with Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall adding: ‘Subtle green nose, easy drinking with a light citrus finish.’

£4.70 Boutinot

With Alejandro Icart of Fera at Claridge’s noting ‘good aromatic nose, a crisp, fresh palate with lemony citrus notes and good intensity’, team leader Angela Reddin added: ‘Light lemon sherbet nose, herbal touches and a fuller palate than expected.’

£4.69 Molson Coors

£4.80 Boutinot

£3.50 CyT UK

£4.90 Boutinot

£5.00 Matthew Clark

£4.95 Boutinot

£5.33 Cockburn & Campbell

£5.45 Boutinot

£4.42 Majestic Commercial

£4.75 Majestic Commercial

£4.83 Majestic Commercial

£5.29 Majestic Commercial

£4.85 Boutinot

£4.60 Boutinot

£4.60 Boutinot

£4.35 Molson Coors

£3.65 Molson Coors

£4.99 Molson Coors

What a charmer! No wonder this Chardonnay/Pinot Bianco blend scored Gold. Guillaume Kaczmar of L'Ortolan liked its 'chalky, mineral, toasted' character, while Stuart Skea of Champany Inn & Wine Cellars said: 'Aromatic grapefruit pith notes with subtle hints of the exotic. A full palate-filling wine – weighty but with delicious freshness. Honey and almond notes, with a hint of good, aged Comte cheese, and a pleasant bitterness on the finish. Pair with crayfish salad with blood orange and mandarin.'

£11.48 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'This wine has everything,' said Enikö Heidenwolf of Bread Street Kitchen: 'Fruits like pomelo, a touch of honey and a good texture.'
Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth liked this wine's 'salty minerals', which he said were complemented by 'juice of lime and grapefruit, pineapple and a nice finishing touch of almond'. While this waltzed through the Food Match round to pick up the Pizza trophy, other tips include ceviche, creamy soups, lightly spiced curries and chicken. So versatile, too.

£7.19 Eurowines

Supreme versatility from this Orvieto, with its six-strong grape blend, citrus and floral notes, and frankly incredible value, scored this wine Gold.

'A bargain,' agreed Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair, with Guillaume Kaczmar of L'Ortolan saying: 'Light, crisp and confit lemon flavours, very aromatic and floral.'

£6.00

This Chardonnay/Sauv Blanc blend with a touch of Malvasia excited and entranced in equal measure.

'Weird and wonderful. Exotic and perfumed, with a really nice palate, with complex, almost vermouth notes,' said team leader Tom Forrest. L'Ortolan's Guillaume Kaczmar described it as having 'real concentration, honey, citrus peel, peach, apricots. Balanced stone fruit and mineral', concluding: 'A wine of gastronomy with good length.'
Forrest suggested oysters, prawn risotto, or cooked seafood with chilli.

£15.97 Rosarubra

Debbie Smith of 21212 enjoyed this wine's 'rounded and full floral structure, with vibrant acidity and ripe stone fruits'. Team leader Laura Rhys MS found it 'crisp, clean, dry and herbal, with nice texture'.

'Calls for seafood and the seaside,' said Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair.

£13.25 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'An aromatic rich feast,' said a happy Enikö Heidenwolf of Bread Street Kitchen of this wine, with its ripe fruit, mineral palate and long finish, while Alessandro Marchesan of Zuma wrote: 'Perfumed, intense and crisp. Rich, with oak.'

£11.91 The Flying Corkscrew

This was all about the citrus for team leader Tom Forrest: 'Pale lemon colour, lemon skin aromas, slight oiliness, with a lemon and almond finish.'
Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place noted 'honey, fresh white florals, a mineral touch'.

'Sensational!' enthused FJB Hotels' Charles Van Wyk.

£22.50 Vinum

Guillaume Kaczmar of L'Ortolan found: 'A good wine with energy, expression and length. Acidity well integrated with a lovely citrusy, mineral core and a touch of stone fruit.'
'Zesty and rich with a slight spritz,' added Debbie Smith of 21212.

£10.33 Berkmann Wine Cellars

With 'smoky minerality, bright citrus and good acidity', this showed 'some complexity', according to team leader Laura Rhys MS, while Gareth Ferrerira of Launceston Place applauded the 'slight sparkle, intensity on the nose, and the long finish'.

£7.00 Boutinot

Highlighting its 'pale gold' colour, team leader Tom Forrest enjoyed this wine's aromas of 'almond blossom with some lemon and lavender', adding: 'Very soft palate with some lemon notes and a fresh, honeyed almond finish.'

£12.10 Eurowines

£8.72 Enotria&Coe

£6.53 Eurowines

£6.85 Liberty Wines

£9.55 Liberty Wines

£13.70 Liberty Wines

£7.40 Cantina Orsogna

£15.29 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Kicking off the Golds was a wine low on price but big on the nose. ‘Juicy red and black fruits with juicy acidity and delicate oak,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel adding: ‘Vibrant, juicy fruit, some mushroom on a dry, spicy palate.'
Maxwell Allwood of Alimentum noted: 'Blackcurrant jam and liquorice, smooth texture, and very ripe, black cherry fruit'.

£6.75 Liberty Wines

Balance and ripeness, tang and taste – but above all, wonderful value, took Farnese to the first of its Golds with this expressive wine. ‘Bags of crushed dark fruit and clove spice, there’s pepperiness and freshness with enough weight and texture,’ said a pleased Athila Roos of The Arts Club. ‘Good fruit, nice spiciness and leathery hints, good for by the glass,’ agreed Andrea Domenicucci of Whatley Manor.

£6.50 Liberty Wines

‘Ripe nose, with liquorice, raspberry and spice,’ began Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone, with consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet adding: ‘Fresh, minty, with rose petal notes and lots of liquorice. Good, reliable.'
Alimentum's Maxwell Allwood noted the 'fine, rich tannins with coffee bean notes on the palate'.

£14.30 Eurowines

‘Definitely one for the cellar,’ began Whatley Manor’s Andrea Domenicucci, continuing: ‘Dark chocolate, rosemary herbs, leather, a little wild animal with a tiny bit of smokiness. Beautiful acidity and perfectly constructed.’ ‘Complex and intense, to reward those who can wait,’ agreed The Arts Club’s Athila Roos.

£51.88 Rosarubra

‘Bright, pungent and perfumed, oaky with some candied, peppery notes,’ said Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone. ‘Attractive and unusual, with pepper and spice but a juicy finish,’ added team leader Annette Scarfe MW.

'Pair with lean, juicy cuts of venison,' advised Maxwell Allwood of Alimentum.

£13.00

‘Elegant and sophisticated, with good fruit and tannin structure, well-balanced oak and some complexity,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW. ‘Dense, concentrated and lots of oak,’ added Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone.

£35.00 Vinum

‘Massively floral nose, with mandarin, grapefruit and candied aromas, and the palate revealing pepper and confectionery notes,’ said consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet, with Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel adding: ‘Pepper, jammy tomato and liquorice with natural ripe tannins.’

£8.81 Alivini

‘Bright and crunchy with fine-grained tannin and a smooth finish,’ said Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone, with team leader Annette Scarfe MW adding: ‘Attractive and complex, higher acidity style, with bitter cherry notes and red fruit.’

£17.05 Eurowines

‘Seductive nose, showing a dark side, with crushed mulberries and chocolate with a whiff of espresso,’ began Athila Roos of The Arts Club, continuing. ‘Inviting, perfumed, the palate follows suit, with fine depth, complexity and grip.’

£12.32 Rosarubra

While Michael Moore of Room 24 highlighted the ‘liquorice nose and dark chocolate dryness’, Athila Roos of The Arts Club noted: ‘Very attractive, perfumed nose with dark fruit, dried petals and incense. There’s a meaty, animal note to it on the palate, intensely perfumed.’

£9.15 Cantina Orsogna

‘Complex nose with a juicy, structured palate with a long, cherry finish,’ said Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel. ‘Sweet, tomato leaf and dark fruit palate with notes of chocolate and coffee grounds,’ added consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet.

£9.15 Cantina Orsogna

‘Big barrel effect of coffee bean, chocolate powder and toffee,’ began Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel, continuing: ‘Plenty of black frui,t with nutty hints and big grape tannins. Needs time.’

£26.55 Laytons

‘Serious nose, with leather and spices. Soft and juicy on the palate, with lots of concentration and spice,’ said team leader Andrea Briccarello. ‘Blue fruit and violets, with plenty of extract, this is crying out for an al fresco BBQ extravaganza,’ added The Arts Club’s Athila Roos.

£13.59 Winetraders

£16.30 Eurowines

£13.82 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£15.97 Rosarubra

£7.70 Winetraders

Fabulously food friendly, this won friends from the start, earning itself a Critics' Choice gong along the way. ‘Long, meaty and muscular, with concentration and elegance,’ began Matteo Malquori of Hakkasan Hanway Place. ‘Crushed black olives with bright red plums and cherries, good for now,’ added Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, while Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa noted: 'Violets, liquorice, confit, cherries, with perfect acidity and balance and good oak ageing.'
Food tips ranged from tomato-based pasta dishes through to roast duck or rabbit.

£29.03 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Noting its 'spicy, lively nose, medium body, great texture, plus juicy, generous tannins, and sage and herbal notes', Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair felt pigeon tagine was the match of choice for this wine. ‘Clean and bright, with red cherries and subtle oak,’ said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, adding: ‘Dry, with fine tannins and lovely balance.'
Matteo Malquori of Hakkasan Hanway Place concluded: ‘Elegant, with black tea leaf notes and dusty tannins.'

£15.03 Alivini, Matthew Clark

'Balanced, juicy and chewy, with good texture and spicy notes,' said George Bergier of The Victorian Chop House Company, illustrating how the Il Grigio won not only Gold, but also the Steak Food Match award. ‘Rich and ripe, dry and crunchy, with ripe tannins, some black berry fruit notes and a fresh finish,’ added Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, while Matteo Malquori of Hakkasan Hanway Place said: ‘Forward style with red fruit and floral notes.’

£11.00 Boutinot

Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels found a ‘stewed, jammy concentration of fruit’ on the nose, with ‘notes of dark berry and blackcurrant on the palate, secondary and tertiary notes of game, leather and silky tannins to follow’.

£14.75 Liberty Wines

’Morello cherries and wild strawberries on the nose, bright and delicate with nice acidity on the palate, elegant oak,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS, while George Bergier of The Victorian Chop House Company said: 'Rich and full, almost gamey, with good, balanced texture. Elegant, with good aftertastes, but too young. Nicely develops in the glass.'

£29.45 Enotria&Coe

‘Soft cherry fruit with a hint of maraschino and notes of spice,’ said team leader Tom Forrest, with Studio Alto’s Neil Bruce adding: ‘Quite lean, lightly oaked style, bright, with sour notes and red cherries.’

£10.44 Alivini

‘Some creamy oak with vanilla and ripe red cherry and sour cherry notes, followed by a juicy, refreshing finish,’ said team leader Tom Forrest. ‘Savoury, spicy, with red and black cherries, built for 3 to 5 years’ time,’ added Neil Bruce of Studio Alto.

£21.56 Alivini, Matthew Clark

‘A muscular example, with chalky tannins and good concentration,’ said an impressed Matteo Malquori of Hakkasan Hanway Place, with Neil Bruce of Studio Alto adding: ‘Ripe and brooding with notes of black olives and smoky bacon, with grippy tannins.’

£17.00 Boutinot

Matteo Malquori of Hakkasan Hanway Place found this wine, with its savoury aromas of spicy cherries and good concentration of fruit, to be ‘complex and elegant’, highlighting: ‘Sour red fruits, grippy tannins and suggestions of tea leaf and violets.’

£10.61 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Interesting, with sweet acacia, cedar and sawdust characters, and bright, red fruit,’ said Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross, with Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels adding: ‘Sour cherry, redcurrant and strawberry, savoury and fruit-driven palate, with refreshing acidity.’

£12.50 Laytons

‘Clean and polished, with crunchy red cherry and spiced fruit biscuits,’ began Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross, continuing: ‘Well balanced, not hot or over-acidic, a very enjoyable glass of wine.’ ‘Lovely structure, and definitely a fab food wine,’ added team leader Laura Rhys MS.

£19.56 Eurowines

‘Bolder, juicy fruit style. Black fruits and pleasant acidity and tannic structure, elegant and refined,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS. ‘Beautiful gamey, leather aromas, complemented by red berry and darker fruits,’ added Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels.

£14.29 Eurowines

£10.50 The Flying Corkscrew

£13.83 Enotria&Coe

£8.96 Majestic Commercial

£28.12 Laytons

With its ripe, forward style, persistence and length, this was popular from the start, with judges feeling it would work well both with food and by the glass. ‘Love it,’ declared Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, adding: ‘With an appealing nose of cherries and plums, a very attractive palate and big warmth at the heart.’ ‘Blueberry, juicy fruitiness with some dry spices, good tannins and acidity,’ agreed Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel.

£6.09 Copestick Murray, Greene King

‘Rich cherry tart aromas with some chocolate and tobacco notes, dark cherry fruit on the palate with a nice concentration of medicinal herbs,’ said team leader Tom Forrest. ‘Complex nose, fruity, spicy, fragrant and ripe,’ added Enikő Heidenwolf of Bread Street Kitchen. A big wine for big flavours. Match with game.

£29.34 Eurowines

With its depth and complexity of flavour and its vivacious, bright palate adding up to a wine with strong food-matching potential, Montresor scored a place on the Gold List. Team leader Laura Rhys MS noted: ‘Ripe red cherries, strawberry, juicy berry and bramble fruit with some meaty notes and spicy complexity,’ while Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott enjoyed its ‘spicy, cheery sensation’ and Studio Alto’s Neil Bruce found a ‘Carmenère-like, leafy, herbal’ character.

£10.50 Boutinot

‘Ripe, almost jammy red berry and blackcurrant fruit, this is herbaceous with nice acidity on the palate, savoury spices and bold, grippy tannins,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS, with Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott also noting: ‘Complex, coffee-mocha and brown sugar notes.’

£29.50 Jascots Wine Merchants

‘Sweet red cherry notes and hints of chocolate confectionery, soft red cherry flavours on the palate with drying tannins on the finish,’ said team leader Tom Forrest, with consultant sommelier Eike Bosche noting its ‘good fruit and length’.

£9.40 Liberty Wines

‘Scented wood, dates and wild ripe berries on the nose, a juicy palate, well balanced, with chocolate and liquorice notes and a good finish,’ said a satisfied Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel. Team leader Martin Lam noted: ‘Meaty, perfumed nose with herbs, black olive, spices and a hint of bitterness on the finish.’

£25.30 Eurowines

‘Quite sweet and full bodied, needing time, though a modern style with lovely fruits. Elegant and delicious,’ said Yves Desmaris MS of Lutyens, with team leader Tom Forrest adding: ‘Dusty, dried cherry, cedar spice with soft tobacco and a dash of chocolate.’

£50.05 Eurowines

Rebecca Coates of Hakkasan London found ‘raspberry chocolate with clove spice on the nose, fresh, delicate body and great structure’, with Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott appreciating its ‘incense smoke and tobacco', and Maxwell Allwood of Alimentum liking the 'lovely freshness' and 'pleasant notes of strawberry and cranberry'.

£14.00 Liberty Wines

‘Inviting, ripe fruit nose; palate is balanced, sweet and savoury, with good acidity on the finish,’ began team leader Martin Lam, with Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel adding: ‘Strawberry, vanilla and warm woody notes and some hints of chocolate.’

£15.63 Enotria&Coe

‘Rich red fruits and spicy on the nose, cherries and good tannin on a long palate,’ said Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott of this generous wine, with its pleasant earthiness. Team leader Laura Rhys MS noted: ‘Dark berries, earthy mushroom and herbaceous notes.’

£13.18 Bibendum

‘Tobacco, spice and cedar wood with cherry on the nose. Ripe cherry, concentrated palate with chocolate notes and moderate acidity,’ said team leader Tom Forrest, with Enikő Heidenwolf of Bread Street Kitchen adding: ‘Baked fruits with smooth tannins.’ Match with sashimi and dishes with sweeter sauces.

£35.65 Bibendum

‘Beautiful fruit-driven, soft vanilla oak style, jammy with soft tannin,’ said consultant sommelier Eike Bosche of this expressive wine, with its elegant fruit flavours. Team leader Tom Forrest added: ‘Nice herbaceous and spiced cherry style, rich cherry and tobacco, with cedar spice complexity.’

£13.76 Eurowines

Neil Bruce of Studio Alto enjoyed this wine’s ‘bramble fruit and black cherries on the nose, dry, grippy tannins and lovely spicy black hints and racy finish’, with Rebecca Coates of Hakkasan London finding it ‘good drinking, touch of sweetness with ripe red cherry fruits’.

£9.40 Liberty Wines

‘Deep, inky ruby colour with silky, chocolatey richness and cherry fruit,’ began Rebecca Coates of Hakkasan London, with Studio Alto’s Neil Bruce adding: ‘Fleshy, meaty with some development on the nose, with deep, dark, fleshy fruit on the palate too.’

£49.21 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Dark fruit, black cherry, fruit-driven aromas with lovely acidity and good structure on the palate,’ began team leader Laura Rhys MS, with Neil Bruce of Studio Alto adding: ‘Cherry and red plum, sweet/sour style, grippy with a fresh finish.’

£8.68 Enotria&Coe

With consultant sommelier Eike Bosche noting its ‘dark fruit and good tannins’, team leader Tom Forrest said: ‘Ripe cherry aromas with some richness, soft tannins, ripe red cherry and hints of chocolate. Dry on the finish.’

£9.59 The Flying Corkscrew

£8.13 Eurowines

£9.79 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£24.88 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£18.35 Liberty Wines

£22.08 The Flying Corkscrew

£9.00 Boutinot

£7.98 Alivini

£9.45 Matthew Clark

Despite its apparent youth, this brooding blend of Cabernet and Merlot was recognised as the star that it is. ‘Dense, rich, deep red, simmering with dark berry fruit and hints of mocha and layered complexity,’ began impressed team leader Angela Reddin, concluding: ‘Huge concentration, but body is flexible with a great length finish.’ ‘Lush fruit with high tannin and a bacon note,' added Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains. Over to you whether you cellar or dive in – sample and see.

£21.10 Eurowines

This complex blend of cherry flavours, spicy notes, herb and violets proved unbeatable value. ‘Good freshness, with a little herbaceousness, capsicum and pepper notes with cranberry fruit,’ began Ram Chhetri of Bread Street Kitchen. ‘Raspberry fruit, with a little volatility, notes of salted cured meat, vanilla and balanced ripe fruit,’ added Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains. A worthy Roast Chicken Food Match winner, other suggestions included veal and spicy foods.

£6.52 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Resembling a Pinot Nero in the glass, with light, bright red berries, cranberry and strawberry, a hint of pepper and meatier notes,’ said Ram Chhetri of Bread Street Kitchen, with team leader Laura Rhys MS adding: 'Delicate and elegant, with good, fresh red fruit notes.'

£7.45 Boutinot

‘Vibrant raspberry, cranberry, strawberry fruit with incredible freshness on the nose, great balance and length,’ said a very impressed Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains, with Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners adding: ‘Depth, poise and structure are perfectly aligned, with good spice and length.’

£35.10 Eurowines

‘Excellent, easy and approachable for the price-point, with bright, juicy red fruit nose and a vibrant, lively fresh palate,’ said team leader Angela Reddin, with Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners suggesting it as ‘a house red for pizza’.

£5.75 Boutinot

Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains ‘really liked’ this wine, saying: ‘Lovely purity, with well-balanced acidity and tannin, cassis, fresh blackberry, cranberry and clove, with notes of freshly turned earth.’

£10.07 Eurowines

‘Jammy, dark and red fruits with balanced oak and acidity. Simply a complex, good wine,’ said a satisfied Ram Chhetri of Bread Street Kitchen, with team leader Angela Reddin adding: ‘Briar fruit, sloes and undergrowth; interesting, lovely play of flavours and textures.’

£17.48 Enotria&Coe

‘Bright, pale ruby colour with cranberry, raspberry and capsicum flavours and oak notes, light but well balanced and enjoyable,’ said Ram Chhetri of Bread Street Kitchen.

'This could be Burgundy,' added Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners: ‘Love the freshness, verve and poise.’

£20.55 Eurowines

‘Crunchy, fresh red berry fruit basket, with cherries, loganberry and redcurrant,’ began team leader Angela Reddin, continuing : ‘Palate is as nose, with a lasting flavour and balance.’ ‘Great structure, ready for some serious main courses,’ added Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains.

£7.45 Boutinot

£8.11 Berkmann Wine Cellars

A complex array of flavours scored Gold for Attems.

'Ripe green fruits, nice florality and a shot of minerality,' said Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel. ‘Intriguing flavours of herbs and peppermint,’ said team leader Richard Bampfield MW, adding: ‘Really distinctive, like a dry vermouth.’ ‘Lively wine with great balance of fruit and acidity, and pleasing mouthfeel,’ added Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering. Perfect with Asian food.

£13.30 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

A tantalising blend of Chardonnay, Friulano and Sauvignon Blanc that team leader Richard Bampfield MW described as: 'Intense, deeply coloured. Toasty, like a mature Hunter Valley Semillon, with honeyed notes. Complex and really exciting.'
'Apricot jam, orange and hints of lime on the nose. Match with seared scallops or sushi,' said Louise Gordon of LIme Wood Hotel.

£22.93 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Plenty of character at the price,’ said team leader Richard Bampfield MW, summarising why Ponte del Diavolo kicks off the Golds in this fascinating category. ‘Attractive fruit, lightly honeyed on the nose,' he continued, saying: 'Good fruit flavours with notes of stewed apple and spice.’ 'Asparagus, lemon, grapefruit and flint on a well-balanced, medium body,' added Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel. Match with oysters.

£7.30 Liberty Wines

‘Honey and lemon zest on a very fresh nose,’ began team leader Richard Bampfield MW, continuing: ‘Good intensity of flavour and lovely texture, making it food-friendly. Dry, compelling finish.’ Try with Thai.

£16.95 Bibendum

‘Clean and open, with fresh fruit character,’ began team leader Olivier Marie, continuing: ‘Apple and pear notes with white flowers, honeysuckle. Candied fruits with dried nuts and candied lemon. Great minerality, if high alcohol.’ 'Complex and young, but harmonic, to drink or to keep,' added Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel. Match with sea bream with samphire.

£30.43 Enotria&Coe

Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel was impressed with this example: ‘Complex nose with yeast hints, followed by rich, rounded flavours with traces of oak and butter to support the fruit structure.’ Match with goats' cheese with honey.

£18.44 Eurowines

'Aromatic, with a pleasant nose of lime blossom, citrusy character and light saline nautical minerality on the palate, with great texture, oiliness and waxy length,' said team leader Olivier Marie.

'Subtle nose, but full of fresh, intense fruit and minerality on the palate,' agreed Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel. Arguably too youthful, we'd love to see it again in a few years.

£18.44 Eurowines

‘Fresh and fruity but with a lovely complexity,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, adding: ‘Has a touch of bitterness and a slightly liquorice mouthfeel. Lovely.’ Team leader Richard Bampfield MW said: ‘Oaked, but gloriously so. Full of flavour with lovely balance.’

£18.44 Eurowines

‘Interesting nose, with floral notes that carry on to the palate, followed by an intense mineral finish,’ said Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel, with Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel adding: ‘Very mineral, Pouilly-Fumé-like style, with body and a long finish.’

£12.90 Alivini

‘Lots of zingy fruit, fills the mouth and develops well, with an appealing intensity of flavour,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, adding: ‘A food wine of broad appeal.’

£11.32 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Nice and clean, with crisp, lively fruit aromas. Lemony acidity, candied lemon fruit, pear and apple on the palate, alongside herbal notes with a hint of tarragon,’ noted team leader Olivier Marie.

£6.52 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£5.75 Boutinot

£13.62 Eurowines

£10.56 Enotria&Coe

'Delcious,' said Hakkasan Group's Christine Parkinson, with a smile on her face.

'Very lively, zingy fruit, in a somewhat restrained style,' said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, with team leader Jade Koch adding: ‘Honeyed and viscous aromas, mineral and refreshing for something so sweet, with a hint of grassiness.’ Match with white meat dishes.

£12.36 Enotria&Coe

'Perfect for the pub,' said Hakkasan Group's Christine Parkinson of this lively, appetising great-value Soave from Cantine Riondo. ‘Pale and bright appearance, pineapple and citrus fruit with freshening acidity and mineral notes,’ said Joao Ribeiro of Buddha Bar London, adding: ‘Medium intensity with tropical notes, a decent complexity and persistence.’ Great with grilled scallops or plain, grilled cod.

£6.40 Moreno Wines

‘Floral and Muscat-like and off-dry, yet generous,’ noted Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel, with The Ritz Hotel’s Jonathan Kleeman adding: ‘Delicate flavours of honeysuckle, ripe yellow apple and a long finish.’

£13.00 Enotria&Coe

‘Quite heady, honey blossom, banana aromas,’ began team leader Jade Koch, continuing: ‘Very rich and oily, would be fabulous with food and has lovely ageability. Riesling-esque almost, with a petrolly character and minerality. Great with sweetbreads.’

£17.35 Liberty Wines

‘An unexpected style for a Soave,’ noted Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains, before adding: ‘Vanilla and a slightly oxidative note, almost a pickled apple. More of a food wine.’ ‘A little light, but has the brightness, pear and nutty character,’ said team leader Jade Koch.

£7.00 Jascots Wine Merchants

Team leader Jade Koch was impressed, noting: ‘Very good fruit character, excellent brightness and texture with nutty notes. A perfect example of a good Soave.’ ‘All is here,’ agreed Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains: ‘Vanilla hint, great balance, mineral and fruit.’

£7.67 Berkmann Wine Cellars

According to Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains, this is ‘very well made, with vegetal bean notes, crushed pebble mineral, good fruit and acidity and clean citrus zest’. Good with 'creamy chicken dishes or oriental cuisine', said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

£9.38 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Medium bodied with rich white flowers and honeysuckle on the nose,’ said team leader Olivier Marie, taken with this wine’s fruity appeal, adding: ‘Nectarine, orange peel and orange blossom notes on the palate, with peach and nectarine.’

£8.34 Eurowines

‘Medium body, mineral with green notes on the nose; peaches with other stone fruit and yellow apple on the palate,’ said Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel, with Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel alighting on minestrone soup as a good food match.

£11.12 Eurowines

£19.05 Eurowines

Versatility and an 'outstanding price' took this wine to the top, while its freshness and balanced tannic structure gave it the trendy Beef Burgers Food Match trophy. ‘Great nose, red fruits with leather tones but nice freshness too,’ said Gustavo Medina of Rex Whistler Restaurant, with team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW adding: ‘Typically rich with mocha and red fruits, long, brisk freshness and a tarry finish.’ 'Deep youthful and light, you could drink on its own or with food,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW.

£7.99 Vinum

‘Red fruit and dark cherry nose, smooth and spicy palate, an inviting style,’ said Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott, with Winexponent’s Simon Cassina noting: ‘Rose, violet and blackcurrant on the nose, tarry, savoury black cherry palate with mineral notes and well-defined tannins.’ 'Gamey notes with soft spice and silky tannins. Would love pigeon!' said Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel.

£16.10 Eurowines

‘Gentle, lithe fruit but still good, firm structure; there’s a floral, herbal lift to the gentle cherry and rosehip fruit flavours,’ said team leader Simon Woods, concluding: ‘Good now, but still bags of life in it.’ ‘Cherry, strawberry, leather notes, wet forest floor, concentrated with a chalky mineral backbone,’ agreed an equally impressed Matteo Malquori of Hakkasan Hanway Place.

'A beautiful wine,' said Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel, suggesting veal shank or strong game as the food match of choice.

£45.00 Boutinot

'Love it – this is very deep, youthful yet restrained,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW, continuing: 'Rich, flavoursome, juicy. Partner with pepper steak.'
While Gustavo Medina of Rex Whistler Restaurant admired the ‘concentrated, great texture’ of this wine, noting: ‘Good backbone of tannins with red and black fruits and forest herbs,' team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW said: ‘Dense, concentrated, extracted, plenty of oak but it is refreshing.'

£21.95 Liberty Wines

'Showing some maturity, this is expressive, with spicy and tarry notes. Intensely flavoured, with high acidity and dried fruits,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW, while Ram Chhetri of Bread Street Kitchen noted 'cranberry jam, leather and smooth texture'.

£9.10 Azienda Vinicola Ruinello

‘Spicy and leather notes, dry with good minerality and a relatively light structure,’ began Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth, with team leader Annette Scarfe MW adding: ‘Juicy red fruit with structured but fine tannins, attractive leather and spice.’

£12.28 Vinum

'Silky-soft tannins, beautiful complexity with plenty of dark fruit, this is marvellous,' said Jeremie Guiraud of Lords of the Manor, with team leader Annette Scarfe MW adding: 'Lots of French oak and more traditional winemaking.’

£24.00 Liberty Wines

‘Typical light ruby appearance, sour cherry and raspberry aromas with a mineral freshness on the palate and soft tannins; broad flavours right to the back of the mouth,’ said Simon Cassina of Winexponent, with team leader Simon Woods adding: ‘Huge style, grippy and intense, long and tangy with plenty of fruit, but needs years.’

£42.89 Enotria&Coe

‘Good regional expression, with rose and violet floral notes and sour cherry on the nose, concentration and potential for ageing on the palate, with elegance and finesse,’ said an impressed Matteo Malquori of Hakkasan Hanway Place. ‘Big, meaty, slightly bretty and intense style,’ added team leader Simon Woods.

£21.06 Matthew Clark

‘Slightly jammier fruit style, intertwined with savoury notes. Big tannins but well integrated, with balance,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth adding: ‘Cocoa and cassis, tannin with personality, and very long, with a finish ranging from dried fruit flavours to marmalade.’

£44.50 Liberty Wines

'Notes of dark fruit, chocolate and cassis lead to a dense, powerful but still enjoyable palate,' said Ram Chhetri of Bread Street Kitchen, with team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW adding: ‘Floral, with redcurrants, dense and rich with jammy fruits and punchy, lifted acidity.’

£9.00 Boutinot

‘Floral and perfumed notes on the nose, a more elegant style that’s not too complex, but is fabulous value,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth highlighting its ‘plum and leather, and high tannins’.

£10.60 Boutinot

‘Chocolate and plum aromas, nice body with sweet tannin and toasted cocoa and vanilla on the finish,’ said Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth, with team leader Annette Scarfe MW adding: ‘Lovely integrated wine, bags of acidity and tannins, with leather and floral notes.’

£16.00 Eurowines

‘Floral, cherry and rose petal nose, concentrated with red fruits and power on the finish, well structured and good value,’ said Matteo Malquori of Hakkasan Hanway Place. Team leader Simon Woods added: 'Elegant and delicate, with richness and texture to balance the tannin.’

£12.65 Eurowines

Team leader Annette Scarfe MW found this wine ‘complex and long’, saying: ‘Lifted aromas, attractively juicy with a bold tannin structure.’ Still young, Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel noted: 'MInty bramble jam and a gamey base, with soft spice and velvety tannins. Match with steak.'

£31.00 Boutinot

£7.50 Boutinot

£14.67 Bibendum

£15.07 Vinum

£24.27 Vinum

£15.54 Alivini

£14.96 The Flying Corkscrew

£15.61 Berkmann Wine Cellars

The complexity that emerges from a balanced integration of minerals, fresh vibrant fruit and good acidity took La Scolca to the top.

'Classical Cortese fruit, with white stone fruits and fresh acidity,' said happy consultant Michael Harrison.

'Very mineral nose, taut lemony palate, squeaky clean and very linear,' added team leader Angela Reddin.

'Lemon pith and almond, this is clean and precise,' said fellow team leader Annette Scarfe MW, adding 'Great with seafood,'

£12.05 Eurowines

Careful late-harvesting of Trebbiano has produced a charmingly zesty wine.

'Herbal, fresh and clean, elegant and balanced,' enthused Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, with consultant Michael Harrison adding: 'Savoury, grassy nose, almost herbal, with textured palate and measured acidity,' and consultant sommelier Courtney Stebbings noting: 'Gooseberry, passion fruit sorbet and grapefruit flavours.'
Match with risotto with creamy, herby notes.

£11.89 Enotria&Coe

Fantastic value, lovely texture and great breadth of fruit flavours gave Marco Porello's Roero Arneis the edge.

'Pears and lemon sherbet, with a little spritz lifting and brightening the whole,' said team leader Angela Reddin, adding: 'A touch of pithy bitterness is lovely.'
Consultant sommelier Courtney Stebbings said: 'Caribbean island vibes, with pineapple and sea breeze aromas, peach cobbler and Cedro lemon,' 'Fruity, hint of spice, crisp and crunchy tang. Good,' concluded Neil Bruce of Studio Alto. Match with spicy Thai food.

£6.88 Majestic Commercial

One for the big lists, Studio Alto's Neil Bruce said: 'Subtle oak, lovely balance and poise,' while team leader Angela Reddin said 'Herbal, woody notes with floral nuances. Very tight in the mouth, flavours gambol across the tongue. There is also strength and tenacity. Exceptional as a wine.'
Hear hear.

£52.40 Eurowines

'Delicate, with floral hints and a seamless backbone,' said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto.

'Oak influence adds a richness and depth, but not for purists,' commented team leader Angela Reddin, adding: 'Good length.'

£12.76 Bibendum

This was a 'classical Cortese' for consultant Michael Harrison. Team leader Angela Reddin noted: 'Blossom, lemon and frangipane, limpid clear flavours. Nice flow in the mouth, with a mere lick of spice. Excellent.'

£6.50 Boutinot

£19.83 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£7.50 Boutinot

£7.50 Boutinot

£10.42 Enotria&Coe

£10.74 Enotria&Coe

Complexity, with a gently perfumed nose and a firm, tannic style, this Nerello Mascalese from 750m up Etna's slopes entranced our judges. ‘Good, earthy terroir notes, intense and weighty, with a long finish,’ began Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison, with Charles Pashby-Taylor of Dabbous adding: ‘Subtle fruit with nice use of oak and soft tannins on the finish.’

£20.00 Liberty Wines

Local grape meets international visitor in this rich, dark, ripe Sicilian Gold winner, with its poised balance. ‘Thick and brooding on the nose, with a meaty, big, warm blackcurrant fruit style on the palate. Will age very well,’ said team leader Jade Koch, with Charles Pashby-Taylor of Dabbous noting: ‘Bright, ripe red fruit with decent length on the palate.’

£17.45 Matthew Clark

'Luxurious, rich and lingering,' said an entranced Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, citing the 'velvety, gorgeous palate, with its long, luscious finish'. ‘Good acidity and complexity, with lots of red and black fruit, raisin notes, cassis and silky tannins,’ said Gustavo Medina of Rex Whistler Restaurant, with consultant Michael Harrison adding: ‘Dense, dark and inky, very deep, dark red fruits and very well-managed tannins.’ 'Serve with roast fillet of hare with Perigord truffles,' said Jones.

£20.09 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

With a winning mix of perfume, soft and round fruit, and a refreshing finish, this garnered the Mushroom Risotto Food Match Trophy. ‘Bright red fruit aromas, silky tannins on the palate and very fresh, making for a stunning example,’ said Debbie Smith of 21212, with Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place adding: ‘Ripe fruit, juicy tannin, soft and elegant.’ Great with grilled lamb with rosemary too.

£9.90 Eurowines

‘Generous, pure fruit on the nose, with a linear, crisp, pure character on the palate and a precise finish,’ said La Petite Maison’s Andrea Fasan, with Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair adding: ‘Like the nose, spicy, peppery, smoky liquorice and tar notes.’

£7.07 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘A little restrained on the nose but better intensity on the palate, with a touch of warmth; needs air time,’ said consultant Michael Harrison, with Sandro Lyhs of Oxo Tower Bar adding: ‘A little young, but elegant, with cherry fruit and good balance. Fine on its own.’

£9.00 Liberty Wines

‘Complex, with a beautiful herbaceous quality, balanced with warm, vibrant fruit and prominent oak,’ said 21212’s Debbie Smith, with Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place adding: ‘Nice touch of earthiness, ripe blueberry fruit on the palate and good balance.’

£19.60 Liberty Wines

‘Fresh fruit, red berries, berry compote and violet florals on the nose, with plenty of herbaceous character and firm tannins. An appetising style,’ said Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place, with Debbie Smith of 21212 adding: ‘Stunning warm nose with beautiful spicy notes and rounded hedgerow fruits on the palate.’

£13.50 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Shy but still delivering,’ began La Petite Maison’s Andrea Fasan, continuing: ‘Class and complexity with length and definition.’ ‘Big, spicy nose with smoke and cigar notes, a big chewy, huge wine with good spice and fruit character; decent balance,’ added team leader Jade Koch.

£33.12 Eurowines

‘Herbaceous nose with rosemary, thyme and lavender notes; florals and wet clay minerality on the palate with sweet black fruit. Full-bodied and nicely balanced,’ said Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place. ‘Warm, comforting aromas, glossy tannins and ripe acidity. A crowd pleaser,’ added Debbie Smith of 21212.

£17.04 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Savoury aromas of bay leaf and garrigue herbs, with a horsey animal edge to the palate of plummy fruits, with a clean and juicy finish,’ said team leader Jade Koch, with Charles Pashby-Taylor of Dabbous agreeing: ‘Very natural, earthy red fruit and farmyardy hints on the nose.’

£7.35 Eurowines

‘Notes of liquorice and eucalyptus on the nose, with interesting spice character on a big, yet refreshing fruit palate with good herbal support,’ noted team leader Jade Koch, with La Petite Maison’s Andrea Fasan adding: ‘Spicy, fruity nose, clean and complex youthful palate.’

£29.93 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Sandro Lyhs of Oxo Tower Bar found ‘blackberry and dark cherry fruit, with high tannins’, while team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW noted: ‘Syrupy redcurrants, cooked fruit flavours with vanilla notes and clean acidity coming through.’

£7.44 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Attractive style, with dried fruits and tar notes on the nose, a rich mid-palate, finishing dry, long and persistent,’ said team leader Richard Bampfield MW, concluding: ‘Very good wine, but needs careful matching.’ ‘Very expressive, balanced fruit with a hint of aniseed,’ added 21212’s Debbie Smith.

£23.94 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Ripe fruit on the palate, with spice and tarry notes, and good length,’ began consultant Michael Harrison, with Gustavo Medina of Rex Whistler Restaurant adding: ‘Elegant nose, packed with red and black fruits, cassis, with good texture.’ Good food matches include braised and grilled meats, stews and casseroles.

£16.20 Enotria&Coe

‘Very fresh, good cherry fruit on the nose, with a sweetly fruited palate, but flavoursome and attractive at the price,’ commented team leader Richard Bampfield MW, with Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place agreeing: ‘Cassis, fresh fruit, good drinkability and balance.’

£5.93 Vinum

‘Warm, rich palate, ripe with redcurrants and a hint of spice,’ began Debbie Smith of 21212, concluding: ‘Would be great with seared tuna.’ ‘Strawberry nose, classy palate with everything in place,’ added team leader Richard Bampfield MW.

£10.95 Liberty Wines

‘A fresh, tannic fruit bomb with grippy tannins,’ as Sandro Lyhs of Oxo Tower Bar put it succinctly, with team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW expanding: ‘Meaty, chewy, rustic, with good, punchy acid. Needs hearty food, but full value.’

£5.50 Boutinot

‘Toasted oak, with oxidative oloroso notes,’ began impressed team leader Richard Bampfield MW, continuing: ‘Bright cherry fruit nose, beautifully integrated oak, with an intensely fruity, compelling palate. Very, very good, fragrant and scented.’

£30.54 Enotria&Coe

‘Bright and grassy with fresh red berries,’ began Charles Pashby-Taylor of Dabbous, with an impressed Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison adding: ‘Good modern style, with pure and spicy character on a clean, long, precise palate.’

£10.22 Eurowines

£8.54 Majestic Commercial

£9.08 The Flying Corkscrew

£9.32 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£7.10 Liberty Wines

£15.10 Liberty Wines

£10.88 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£9.48 Enotria&Coe

With its perfumed, Muscatty nose, full of acacia and jasmine, coupled with medium acidity, juicy apple spice and perky finish, it's perhaps no wonder Estella was the one to conquer the Thai Green Curry Food Match challenge. Sandro Lyhs of Oxo Tower Bar found it ‘vibrant and very approachable’, with team leader Annette Scarfe MW expanding: ‘Sweet, floral honeysuckle notes, with a creamy textured mid-palate.’ Seafood, too, would be a top match.

£7.45 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Singing,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn of this Sicilian Gold winner, adding: 'Delicate, clean oak, toasty full wine. Lovely ripe stone fruit lingers on the palate, giving a luxury taste and good value. Some butterscotch notes too.'
'There's a great texture, with creamy bright fruit and lively minerality,' added team leader, Jade Koch.

'Great with spicy food, such as tandoori lobster,' added Jones.

£17.30 Matthew Clark

'Good style, honeyed, with some nice freshness and elegance,' said Yves Desmaris MS of Lutyens about Mesa's well-balanced version of Sardinia's white calling card, Vermentino. Team leader Martin Lam added: 'Nice ripe fruit, serious, evolved palate.'

£14.50 Liberty Wines

Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn found a range of fruit characteristics in this wine: 'Delicate pear aromas, then ripe pear in the mouth, with quince, apple and crab apple. Clean, refreshing and long, with good acidity and nice mouthfeel. Lingering.'

£6.20 Liberty Wines

Diego Muntoni of Oxo Tower Restaurant enjoyed this wine's 'orange blossom, fresh almond, stone fruit and juicy acidity', with team leader Natasha Hughes MW adding: 'Very aromatic, brisk and intense.'

£7.45 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

'Bright and fresh, nutty yet elegant and clean,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, adding: 'Precise, evolves on the palate, with juicy white peaches.'
'Honeyed nose with melon fruit and good concentration,' added team leader Martin Lam.

£13.50 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Fresh fruit to the fore, with Sandro Lyhs of Oxo Tower Bar noting: ‘Aromatic, soft, ripe flavours of peach, ripe apple with good acidity and lychee.’ ‘Stone fruit, peach, apricot, floral and pear drop notes,’ confirmed William Sheard of Donostia Restaurants.

£7.01 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

With its enticing texture and well-focused acidity, team leader Martin Lam commented that this wine from Etna's slopes had a palate reminiscent of the Maconnais, while Yves Desmaris MS of Lutyens added: 'Good style, honeyed with some freshness and elegance.'

£13.00 Liberty Wines

'Winter pear, quince jam, chalk-like mineral with lime-zest acidity,' began Diego Muntoni of Oxo Tower Restaurant, with Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place adding: 'Complex palate with banana, pineapple and melon notes, with a tartness on the finish.'

£10.30 Liberty Wines

‘Apricot and peach fruit with notes of mandarin and white flowers. Good intensity, with acidity adding structure,’ commented William Sheard of Donostia Restaurants, with team leader Annette Scarfe MW noting the wine’s ‘attractive, zesty lime and lemon’ character.

£12.96 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£7.45 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£23.74 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£11.67 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£17.53 Enotria&Coe

£12.65 Enotria&Coe

£7.25 Eurowines

An entrancing wine, still young, but showing fine texture and calling out for Côte de Boeuf, it was all about the cherries for Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43: ‘Good palate of cherry and sour cherry, great acidity and balanced tannins, with good length on the sour cherry notes.’ Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group found ‘very spicy oak, cumin, blackberry, gravelly and laurel leaf characters', while Andrea Fasan of La Petitie Maison noted graphite and blackcurrants.

£30.38 Liberty Wines

'Classic', 'ripe', 'long' and 'rich' – just some of the reasons why Capezzana took Gold. ‘Inky, pencil shaving nose, complex and stylish, very dry on the palate with lovely fruit and character, and soft, elegant tannins,’ said team leader Jade Koch, with Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering adding: ‘Really appealing ripeness and complexity.’ Match with roast lamb or rich pasta sauces.

£16.30 Liberty Wines

Without doubt youthful, this is one to snap up and cellar if you can. ‘Lovely open style with a gentle floral edge to its developed cherry and plum fruits,’ began team leader Simon Woods, continuing: ‘Balanced, good, refined and long.’ 'Red and black fruits, minerality and cedar wood, firm tannins, balanced alcohol and a long finish,' said Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place.

£30.61 Bibendum

‘Classic bitter cherry accents and a lovely mouthfeel, with well-balanced mineral elegance,’ began James Hocking of The Vineyard Group. ‘Loads of tangy complexity on the palate,’ added Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

£23.00 Liberty Wines

‘Zingy Italian style, lightish with lively berryish fruit,’ began Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, concluding: ‘Could go by the glass, but also an alternative, inexpensive match for most typical Italian fare.’ Food match suggestions for this complex, plummy and spicy wine included wild boar ragu and tagliata.

£6.90 The Flying Corkscrew

‘Complex, exotic wood, sandalwood spice aromas,’ began impressed team leader Olivier Marie, continuing: ‘Majestic, noble breed aristocratic use of oak, showing cigar, tobacco leaves and gingerbread spice, and great length.’ Partner with rich dishes, such as leg of lamb or roast suckling pig.

£34.99 Bibendum

Much appreciated by all, our judges felt this has yet to reach its window of accessibility.

'Too young to list,' said Laura Rhys MS, noting with approval: 'Rich, ripe and meaty. With mocha, toasty and smoky notes.'
‘Serious wine that’s very complex, with very good structure and a strong but elegant body,’ began Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel, adding: ‘Both the red fruit and berries work together with a vanilla aftertaste on the finish.’

£65.21 Bibendum

‘Concentrated nose of cherry and violet, with notes of vanilla and chocolate, good weight on the palate, with balanced tannins and great length,’ said Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43. ‘Pretty, floral, inky black fruit aromas. Classy,’ added Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group.

£21.92 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Opulent and rounded on the nose, showing purity and spices on a clean palate, with a persistent, balanced finish,’ said La Petite Maison’s Andrea Fasan. ‘Complex fruit with light oaking and soft spice,’ added Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel.

£14.17 Alivini, Matthew Clark

‘Full, big, rich wine, still needs some age but the tannins are smooth and in balance with intense fruit and acidity,’ said Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel, with consultant Michael Harrison adding: ‘Classical oxidative nose and good extraction.’

£23.00 Boutinot

Still a baby in Montalcino terms, the juicy red fruits are there alongside high tannins, good spices and a long finish.

'Lovely style, with fresh tomato and notes of savoury plum fruit and an appealingly rustic character. Easy to drink, and a good style,' said team leader Simon Woods.

'Wood and tannin need time to integrate,' advised Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place.

£21.00 Alivini

‘Mild, warm, dark fruit; tannins are grippy but forgiving, balanced, moreish and good length,’ said Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House, with Caroline Catering’s Richard Brooks adding: ‘Smooth and soft, tangy style.’

£9.42 Laytons

Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group was taken with this wine’s ‘vivid black fruit, damsons, balanced crispness and length, with lovely integrated oak’. ‘Generous, deep, complex and structured,’ agreed Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair.

£25.21 Laytons

'Hearty, leathery nose with a wild edge to it, followed by a clean, juicy, concentrated palate with juicy tannin support. Long and persistent on the finish,' said Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison. Team leader Laura Rhys MS said of this still obviously young wine: 'Lovely structure, but needs food.'

£24.21 Enotria&Coe

‘Tough, iron-rich style with plenty of fruit in evidence, but this is firm and tannic, long and grippy, intense and complex,’ said team leader Simon Woods, concluding: ‘Tasty, but so young.’ We hope it will return, so we can see how it ages.

£27.50 Liberty Wines

‘Lots of intense, leathery, cherryish flavours, great foodie wine,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, with Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House adding: ‘Juicy, moreish, balanced red fruit and cranberry, with hints of fig.’

£26.03 Alivini, Matthew Clark

‘Deep, brooding red, with big red fruit flavours, firm tannins and warm, raisined fruits on the palate,’ began team leader Jade Koch, continuing: ‘Ballsy, high tannin, very structured and tight. Will age very well.’

£33.82 Eurowines

‘Fruit-driven, hearty style with graphite notes. Classy wine with great length,’ said an enthusiastic Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison, with team leader Simon Woods adding: ‘Ripe and generous, lovely grippy, spicy style.’

£52.00 Alivini

£23.40 Bibendum

£7.80 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£12.34 Justerini & Brooks

£26.41 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£10.58 Vinum

£11.66 The Flying Corkscrew

£18.92 Enotria&Coe

What a popular wine – and with good reason. Picking up the Pizza Food Match Trophy is no mean feat, but that wasn't the only tip. Think game, confit duck or duck and cherry, lamb! As with the other judges, what impressed Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa was this wine's complexity: 'Deep red colour, blackberry jammy character and concentrated.'
'Violet and heather notes, with a spicy, hot palate and nice lengthy finish,' added Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel.

£9.87 Matthew Clark

What a star! 'It's gutsy and leathery, with bark and beetroot. Both complex and balanced, with red notes of violets and roses,' said enthused team leader Andrea Briccarello. Equally, consultant Michael Harrison was taken by this wine's 'mid-intensity and good varietal nose', saying: 'Lovely, integrated oak and a leafy textural palate.'
'Super-ripe, fine tannins and lovely balance,' added Neil Bruce of Studio Alto. Although still young, 'There's a lovely grassy, pomegranate freshness to the full and rich body, with its good acidity. This is ready to go,' said Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel, suggestiong beef tagliate with rocket and parmigiano. Other tips included lamb, game, steak and cheese.

£24.00 Pol Roger

Wonderful complexity on the nose, with roses, violets and savoury notes intertwined, made The Mentors a stand-out.

'Clear and expressive with notes of spice, the acidity adds definition,' said Laszlo Vagasi of Kensington Wine Rooms, while team leader Angela Reddin found this a 'very classic Cabernet Franc' thanks to being picked ripe: 'Sweet, ripe, soft red fruits with a sprinkle of herbs and tobacco leaf.'
Match with grilled fish with soy sauce.

£11.66 Bottle Green

'Deep, rich, dried fruit nose, with crunchy bramble and spice palate and a leafy lift,' said Studio Alto's Neil Bruce.

'Sour cherry, red capsicum nose, comes together nicely with a clove oak finish,' added team leader Angela Reddin.

£10.10 Boutinot

'Sweet red and black fruit with nice herbal touches,' said team leader Angela Reddin, adding: 'Silky mouth entry with a lively, ripe tannic bite, and a sensational finish.'
Match with steaks, grilled lamb, lemon chicken, venison, or duck.

£8.50 The Flying Corkscrew

'Velvet ripe, and big,' said an enthusiastic Neil Bruce of Studio Alto. Equally impressed, team leader Angela Reddin said: 'Dense, dark colour, lifted nose of rosehips, redcurrants and hints of orange peel. Smooth as silk in the mouth, with perfect poise and length.'
With votes for wild boar and terrines, Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel felt this was 'crying out for venison'.

£40.45 Darioush

'Deep, clean, leafy, plummy/bramble fruits. Dry, tart with ripe tannins,' said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto.

'Lovely raspberry leafy nose, medium length and weight,' added team leader Angela Reddin. Very good value, match with liver and kidney.

£5.96 Kingsland, Ravensbourne Wines

Still regarded as young, this wine has a bright future, but already it's 'very Cabernet on the nose, ripe and well structured, with lots of cranberries and bluberries. A well-balanced, textbook palate,' said impressed team leader, Andrea Briccarello. We'd love a return visit.

£14.25 Berkmann Wine Cellars

'Well extracted with good typicity, leafy and crunchy,' said consultant Michael Harrison.

'Smoke, leather and tar, dense flavours and very earthy. Still young,' agreed team leader Angela Reddin.

'Lovely blackcurrant and bramble jam with hints of spice. Veal shank,' said Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel.

£13.37 Morgenhof Wine Estate

Impressed with the 'lovely winemaking' evident on the palate, team leader Angela Reddin noted: 'Brooding, deep nose, dark forest berries, smoke and earth. Elegant flavours.'
'Rich, big, spicy and intense,' agreed Studio Alto's Neil Bruce.

£11.28 Bibendum

'With confit of redcurrants and a shot of earthy bramble fruit, the oak is showing nicely and it's balanced,' said Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel, adding: 'Venison and cherry would be fab!' 'Soft and fruity, with a structured finesse and good minerality,' said consultant sommelier Deborah-Lynn Morris, adding: 'Great value for money.'

£10.20 Ellis of Richmond

'Good cherry style, solid and tannic but tasty too, with a nice savoury edge,' commented team leader Simon Woods, adding: 'Intense and grippy.'
'Minty, spicy, black pepper and green pepper,' noted Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa.

£13.03 Enotria&Coe

£13.90 EWGA

£14.60 Bibendum

£8.50 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Age and complexity took Katnook to the top with its Merlot. ‘Vibrant fruitiness, French-style complexity with an Aussie accent,’ began Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel, continuing: ‘Full, well balanced with ripe tannins, good acidity and a fresh strawberry finish.’ ‘Approachable style, with elegant earthy, flinty developed fruit,’ agreed Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall, while consultant Michael Harrison added: 'A ripe, spicy, herbal palate, with lovely tannins.'
'Conger eel stew in red wine sauce,' recommended Matthieu Longuere MS of Le Cordon Bleu.

£15.63 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Restraint, elegance and sophistication characterise Voyage Estate's Gold winner. ‘Some developed, leathery character and lovely balance. Very drinkable,’ said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, with team leader Martin Lam adding: ‘Inviting, sweet fruit nose. Big cassis bomb with savoury insides.’ Match with smoked duck with berry sauce.

£24.17 Justerini & Brooks

'Uber-drinkable', according to consultant sommelier Courtney Stebbings, illustrating why Stella Bella followed last year's Gold for the 2010 cuvée of this wine. ‘Coffee, cocoa, currant and leafy notes, a top wine meant to age,’ said consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet, with team leader Martin Lam agreeing: ‘Leaner, elegant nose, silky, rich and refined, a long-term wine.’ 'Chocolate fondant and raspberry coulis,' added Stebbins, 'violets, berries, forest floor…' Match with hard or goats' cheese.

£30.05 Alliance Wine

'A pure taste of one of Australia's greatest wine regions,' said Hakkasan Group's Christine Parkinson, of this easy-drinking, well-priced red from Brand's Laira. ‘Flowery complexity with dark fruit and green bell pepper, nice sweetness and a rustic, tannic finish,’ said Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel, with Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison adding: 'Balanced nose, which is complex, long, herby and fruit-driven. Long and juicy on the palate. Rib-eye!'

£8.22 Sogrape UK

Dellcious flavours, much complexity and a true elegance lifted Fraser Gallop's wine above the crowd. Consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet found it a ‘more meaty and leathery style’ that was drinking well but would also age. Consultant sommelier Courtney Stebbings noted: 'Mushroom, balsamic vinegar, cured meat and soy sauce, this has a mouth-gripping tang.'
‘Wow! Lovely balance and poise with deep, dark fruit and an enticing nose,' said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto. Match with oxtail and beef cheek with mushrooms.

£20.58 Bibendum

A show-stopper, this wine warranted a ‘Wow’ from Charles van Wyk of FJB Hotels, who said: ‘Intense concentration of black cherry and blueberry along with complex notes of cedar and spice. Palate rich and complex, with notes of oak.’ Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, with Malbec and Petit Verdot in support, team leader Jade Koch said: 'Well made with violets on the finish, great acid/tannin balance, this is refreshing and exciting, and a good alternative to Bordeaux. Will age, but great now with beef and venison.'

£35.92 Negociants

‘Hearty nose with a medicinal note, but complex oak and fruit on a well-integrated palate,’ said Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners, with Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall adding: ‘Vibrant, ripe red and black fruits with a smoky, earthy feel.'
Match with beef stew or roast duck and ceps with rosemary and thyme.

£18.50 Liberty Wines

‘Quite savoury and spicy with super-fine tannins. Good now but a way to go,’ said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto of this wine, with its herbs, tobacco and dark chocolate. Consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet noted: ‘Earthy and dusty aromas with a silky texture, very polished palate.’

£13.89 Bibendum

‘Chocolate, fruit and spices combine with mocha notes on the nose,’ began team leader Martin Lam, continuing: ‘Very generous, but controlled release of fruit and savoury elements. Very fine.’ ‘Lovely leafier notes and super-fine tannins, spicy and balanced,’ added Neil Bruce of Studio Alto.

£29.48 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Fruit-forward, rich style with stewed plums and blackcurrants, lifted by notes of redcurrant. Overall a complex and balanced wine,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall noting: ‘Smoky, herbal hints with sweet spice and capsicum.’

£15.22 Bibendum

‘Clean and bright, with red fruit aromas, dry and creamy on the palate with elegant, bright, fresh character,’ said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, with consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet adding: ‘Fresh tobacco leaf, touch of eucalypt and pretty big fruit.'
Consultant sommelier Courtney Stebbings noted: 'Gunflint, tar and black pepper.'

£12.29 Justerini & Brooks

‘Mint and menthol, quite elegant and very typical style,’ began team leader Martin Lam, with Neil Bruce of Studio Alto adding: ‘Lifted, bright, deeply fruity nose, fine-grained tannins for a lovely, elegant wine.’ 'Sweet spice, herbs and hickory alongside ripe blueberries,' said consultant sommelier Courtney Stebbings.'
Pair with barbecue steak.

£12.95 Bancroft Wines

‘Green, fresh eucalyptus aromas, good concentration with a sharp, full-bodied palate and mineral finish,’ said Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel. ‘Perfumed, round and rich, with cherries and cocoa on a dry, smooth palate,’ agreed Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall.

£17.50 Matthew Clark

‘Deep and dark, rich and spicy/eucalypt aromas, fine tannins and good balance and weight on the palate,’ said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, with consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet adding: ‘Red berry nose with spice and earthy notes, deep and savoury.’

£14.28 Alliance Wine

‘Plenty of extraction, with youthful black fruit, cassis and spices on the palate,’ began team leader Martin Lam, with Studio Alto’s Neil Bruce noting: ‘Lovely fruit and oak integration, firm/flaky tannins and juicy fruit on the palate.’

£17.55 Genesis Wines

‘Showing eucalypt and sweet red berry fruit, delicious and attractive style with juicy tannins,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall noting: ‘Full, perfumed, rich, silky, with robust tannins, black fruits and a hint of spice.’

£9.50 Liberty Wines

‘Cranberry and red plums with ripe soft tannins, spice and cedar notes,’ began team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel highlighting: ‘Eucalyptus and dark fruits, nice and smooth with ripe plums and a juicy finish.’

£10.87 Matthew Clark

£6.45 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£11.77 Bibendum

£14.03 Laytons

£16.25 Direct Wines Production

£25.25 Liberty Wines

Much complexity alongside elegance took Atamisque up the Golden path. ‘Ripe, fleshy and unctuous with elegant tannins,’ began team leader Olivier Marie, continuing: ‘Sweet fruit style with roasted coffee aromas, spice and some meaty animal notes.’ ‘Dark, rich morello cherry fruit with cranberry acidity. Good balance and concentration, with violet notes on a crisp finish,’ added Claire Love of Loves Restaurant.

£10.41 Matthew Clark

‘Lovely, soft, aromatic nose that has a slight smoky graphite/slatey note, with plenty of cherry, cassis and cranberry fruit. Great style of wine,’ said Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains. ‘Blue florals over crushed black fruits, plenty of everything here but needs to settle,’ added team leader Angela Reddin.

£15.80 Enotria&Coe

‘Full-fat nose, with black berries and currants, unctuous on the palate with plenty more black fruit and good tannin,’ said Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House, with Paolo Pivato of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa adding: ‘Really good example, spicy and leathery with tobacco leaves and smoky hints.’

£13.48 Pascual Toso

‘Blueberry with spicy eucalyptus and dark olive notes, elegant tannins, great potential,’ began Paolo Pivato of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa, with Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott noting: ‘Red fruit and flowers, dry spice and chocolate-vanilla notes with mint.’

£10.50 The Flying Corkscrew

Stuart Skea of Champany Inn & Wine Cellars noted: 'Violets and roasted black fruit, this is modern and uprforn, supple and ripe, with good persistence.'
Team leader Jade Koch said: ‘Deep, inky nose with subdued fruit and a little bay leaf. Wild character with good fruit freshness and acid balance. Needs food.'

£9.36 Enotria&Coe

‘Amazing, uplifting nose with plums and red berries, clean, aromatic style, with lovely sour cherries, strawberries and plums on the palate,’ said an impressed Simon Cassina of Winexponent, adding: ‘Lingering nicely on the finish, this is a classy, harmonic, natural wine, to drink now or in 10 years. Good value.’

£23.52 Bibendum

Plump and ripe, with a fine-boned plushness. Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group, noted: ‘Black fruit aromas with mineral notes, showing evolved black cherry and high-toned fruit on the palate,’ concluding: ‘Wet stone mineral, juicy character, dense and long on the finish.’

£17.04 Amathus

‘Herbaceous, vegetal nose with coffee/bitter chocolate notes, lovely firm tannins and good length. A good food match,’ said Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross, with Angelo Casali of Duck & Rice noting: ‘Earthy black fruit with delicate acidity and good tannin.’

£14.87 Barwell & Jones

Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group found ‘pretty aromas of cassis and watermelon’ along with ‘leafy, leathery cocoa and cassis on the palate with lots of minerality, dense texture and a lengthy finish'. Charlotte Lamouroux of Le Pont de la Tour agreed, noting: 'Soft spices and character on the palate, and a long finish. Nice.'

£13.82 MMD

‘Lovely structure with fruit and spice, classic red and black fruit style with notes of cassis and tobacco leaf,’ said Mya Brown of Vinoteca Marylebone, with Lukasz Walkowiak of Oxo Tower Restaurant adding: ‘Dark fruit on the nose with prominent tannins but nice acidic lift.’

£8.88 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Hints of ripe, dried plums, not too spicy but full bodied and fat, with juicy tannins,’ said Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross, with Angelo Casali of Duck & Rice adding: ‘Dense blackcurrant and cherry with coffee and liquorice notes.’

£14.54 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Deep, approachable aromas, with leafy blackcurrant fruit and finesse, followed by a meaty and muscular palate, complex and concentrated with a persistent finish,’ said Matteo Malquori of Hakkasan Hanway Place.

£12.35 Matthew Clark

‘A milky aspect to the nose, gentle but present,’ began Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott, continuing: ‘Rich fruit on the palate, with great tannins and a long, smoky finish.’ ‘Great drinking red, a nice, rich fireplace warmer,’ added Michael Moore of Room 24.

£10.55 Liberty Wines

‘Dark, rich, chocolatey flavours, smooth and clean with a lingering finish, and good by the glass,’ began Michael Moore of Room 24, with Paolo Pivato of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa adding: ‘Good ripe fruit, black olive and raspberry with noticeable tannins.’

£7.17 Blends Wine Estates

‘Dark fruit with green, herby character on the nose, fresh fruit palate with a balanced finish, a good representative of its origins,’ said Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott. ‘Fresh and vibrant, with blackcurrant and raspberries. Good by the glass,’ added Simon Cassina of Winexponent.

£8.85 Bibendum

‘Leafy blackberry aromas and a minty palate, needs lamb,’ began Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group, continuing: ‘Core of black fruit, juicy but tannic and warm.’ ‘Pleasant, easy style with some earthiness and elegance,’ added Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

£12.08 Enotria&Coe

‘Clean, with lovely blueberry fruit on an elegant palate and subtle character,’ said team leader Olivier Marie, with Vinoteca Marylebone’s Mya Brown adding: ‘Rich, sweet spice and fruit, with violet floral notes and great concentration.’

£10.50 Matthew Clark

‘Lots of mixed red fruit flavours in an attractive style, and good value,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, with Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group adding: ‘Leafy, smoky aromas, dense black fruits with cassis and jelly-baby character. Long, leafy and gravelly.’

£7.50 Majestic Commercial

£8.72 Enotria&Coe

£8.30 Boutinot

£12.66 Bibendum

£13.17 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£8.70 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£8.10 Matthew Clark

£25.42 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£5.57 Bottle Green

£15.59 Enotria&Coe

£25.36 Enotria&Coe

£11.99 Matthew Clark

£9.56 Amathus

Huge complexity lifted Darioush ahead of its competitors. Team leader Laura Rhys MS noted: ‘Black cherry, blackcurrant and bold tannins, sweet spice and plush, voluptuous character.'
The Gilbert Scott’s Riccardo Guzzardo added: ‘Complex and spicy, with red fruit elegance.’ For food, 'look for bold flavours and rich sauces, or someting simple, such as ribeye steak', recommended Rhys.

£60.00 Darioush

The perfect balance of fruit with savoury notes and a decidedly long finish brought home the Gold for Stonestreet. With Rebecca Coates of Hakkasan London finding ‘minty blackcurrant leaf and bramble’ fruit character. Neil Bruce of Studio Alto highlighted: ‘Toasty oak and restrained red fruits, fine and elegant with lovely balance.’ While some plumped for steak, chips and mustard, Gareth Ferreira of Launceston Place went further, suggesting strong game with a rich sauce.

£23.90 Boutinot

A mesmerising wine, offering much class. Rebecca Coates of Hakkasan London said: ‘Cedar, vanilla, mellow, super-elegant with tobacco leaf hints.’ 'Wonderful acidity, grippy but juicy texture with massive, sexy tannins, greatly integrated oak with notes of every dark berry fruit known to man,' said Alessandro Marchesan of Zuma. Steak and chips or a beautiful piece of beef on the barbecue.

£65.00

‘Fleshy and fruity, balanced and elegant,’ began Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, while team leader Laura Rhys MS noted: ‘Dark fruit, blackcurrant, blackberry, with tannins a little drying, but plush with fruit.’

£12.95 Liberty Wines

‘Blackcurrant fruit with a creamy texture, though fruit a little subdued, with meatier, earthy notes on the palate and big oak,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS, with Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott adding: ‘Red fruit richness, spicy and elegant though tannic style.’

£38.50 Grgich Hills Estate

While Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott appreciated the 'nice rich, dark fruit with notes of herbaceousness and spice', team leader Laura Rhys MWS said: 'Juicy, rich and fruit-driven, this is pretty and elegant.'

£10.85 Enotria&Coe

‘Great example of a powerful red,’ said consultant sommelier Eike Bosche, continuing: ‘Cassis and cherry intensity, elegant, silky texture.’ ‘Deep, deep purple, a bit closed but warm and spicy, with red and black fruit and a soft vanilla creaminess,’ added team leader Tom Forrest.

£60.00 Darioush

‘Earthy aromas with savoury, meaty hints, blackcurrant fruit with big tannins on the palate and a fresh finish of red and blackcurrants, soft integrated tannins,’ said team leader Tom Forrest. ‘Green and grassy, fresh, elegant style,’ added Enikő Heidenwolf of Bread Street Kitchen.

£18.17 Bibendum

‘Juicy, ripe, jammy fruit, dark and bold, very classic in style with good balance,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS, with Studio Alto’s Neil Bruce agreeing: ‘Pretty classy, with cedar box and cassis nose, lovely poise.’

£16.95 Dudley Craig Wines

While some noted the rich, dark fruits, the balance and the complexity, for team leader Tom Forrest it was: ‘Fresh aromas of warm spices and coconut oak with some minty leafiness. Hints of blackcurrant cough medicine, coconut and clove spice on the palate, warm and great length.’

£37.90 Matthew Clark

‘Perfect pseudo-Bordeaux,’ began Enikő Heidenwolf of Bread Street Kitchen, continuing: ‘Lots of violet with a touch of earthiness. Ripe berries, not baked, elegant body with nice texture and smooth tannins. Outstanding.’

£42.42 Alta Winery

£22.95 Dudley Craig Wines

£20.26 Laytons

£17.25 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£17.44 Bibendum

£15.44 Bibendum

£10.85 Enotria&Coe

£10.63 Alliance Wine

The earthy and smoky notes add a welcome third dimension to this wine's intensity.

'Very powerful with high levels of tannin and concentration,' said Maxwell Allwood of Alimentum. ‘Lively, zingy fruit in an appetising style, good structure and balance of warmth with savoury, earthy, vanilla character,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering. ‘Serious and structured, with fine-grained tannins and the potential to last,’ added team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£21.49 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Evocative aromas, a textured palate and a great price, gave this a By The Glass trophy as well as Gold. ‘A more restrained style, with good structure and balance, still a big wine but tangy fruit is appealing, with decent length,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.

'Blackurrant and violets on the nose, this has nice fine tannins, and a bitter coffee finish,' said Maxwelll Allwood of Alimentum, suggesting venison haunch as a food match.

£7.33 Berkmann Wine Cellars

A wine that inspired with its distinctively rich flavour profile. ‘Deep, liquorice, chocolate and liqueur-like aromas, followed by a big, generous, complex blackcurrant fruit palate,’ began Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House, with team leader Jade Koch noting: ‘Fresh English mint, savoury tomato and drying, refreshing tannins with bright hints of orange zest,' and Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel adding 'Good structure with dark developed fruit and wood spice.'

£8.75 Barton, Brownsdon & Sadler

A breath of fresh air to kick off the Chilean Golds in this popular section.

'Pleasant, soft, appealing nose, with plums and dark cherries. An easy-drinking wine,' said Sarah Guignard of The French Table, while team leader Jade Koch added: ‘Green eucalypt aromas, juicy and fresh on the palate with pure fruit and balanced body.’ ‘Dark cherry, smooth tasting; a clean and rich style,’ concluded Michael Moore of Room 24.

£5.33 Viña Concha y Toro

‘Minty but not heady on the nose, very sweet and juicy with great blackcurrant fruit and drying tannin, in a refreshing style,’ said team leader Jade Koch, with Paolo Pivato of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa adding: ‘Smoky hints, dark chocolate and a nice fruity aftertaste.’

£5.53 Viña Concha y Toro

‘Long, warm nose with smoky notes, coffee and spice, followed by a full, red and black fruit compote palate,’ said Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House, with Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott noting: ‘Rich, complex and spicy notes of coffee, dry and rich palate with good tannins.’

£7.45 Hatch Mansfield

‘Good wine, with dark fruit, slight hints of forest floor and herbaceous notes, with lots of power for the price and an enjoyable finish,’ said Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott, with Sarah Riddle of Sketch adding: ‘Spiced and tarry, resin fruit flavours with bitter coffee notes and a fresh, heady finish.’

£7.10 Alliance Wine

‘The nose shows big alcohol with smoky tobacco and mushroom notes, but good acidity and balance,’ said Carlos Ferreira of New Street Wine Shop, with Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott noting: ‘Blackberry and menthol notes with some intensity and finesse.’

£19.20 Myliko Wines

‘Black fruit and cigar smoke with herbal, mineral notes on the nose, very complex and full bodied, with a spicy, alcoholic, ripe palate,’ said Mike Best of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, with James Hocking of The Vineyard Group noting: ‘Super-ripe fruit, good balance and nice weight.’

£16.88 Bibendum

‘Nice modern style, über-clean, with crunchy red cherry and cranberry on the nose,’ said team leader Angela Reddin, with Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel adding: ‘Structure and fruit with strong but smooth tannins and a French oak elegance.’

£10.00 Liberty Wines

‘Sweet, summer fruit nose with notes of rose petal and honey on the aftertaste,’ began Michael Moore of Room 24, while Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House noted: ‘Mellow fruit with coffee notes, nice juicy fruit and quite high tannin, but makes for good drinkability.’

£5.93 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Soy, blueberry and red plum aromas with smoky capsicum, juicy, round and approachable on the palate, with good typicity,’ said team leader Natasha Hughes MW, with Angelo Casali of Duck & Rice adding: ‘Blackberry, cherry aromas, bright, plummy fruit freshness.’

£5.53 Viña Concha y Toro

‘Savoury character on the nose, but hints of ripe fruit are showing through, with ripe raspberries, balanced tannins and spice on the palate,’ said Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross, with team leader Natasha Hughes MW noting: ‘Savoury, smoky red fruit, rounded and generous style.’

£7.45 Hatch Mansfield

‘Plum, blackberry/blackcurrant with a nice touch of ripeness, smoky notes and freshness at the back of the palate,’ began Angelo Casali of Duck & Rice, concluding: ‘Well balanced between acidity and juicy tannins.’

£6.03 Viña Concha y Toro

‘Rich and spicy nose with notes of chocolate and coffee, a rich palate with fine tannins and spicy cinnamon and coffee notes on a long finish,’ said Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott. ‘Herbaceous, mellow and rounded, with rich red fruit and balanced tannin, a little austere,’ added Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House.

£6.03 Viña Concha y Toro

‘Ripe fruit with a touch of spice and notes of vanilla, good length for a decent by-the-glass wine,’ began James Hocking of The Vineyard Group, with Enikő Heidenwolf of Bread Street Kitchen adding: ‘Fruity, spicy nose with a little mint, more spice on the palate. Very good.’

£7.70 Matthew Clark

‘Inky deep, lovely nose of dark berry fruit compote with smoky notes and spicy kicks, luscious blueberry and mulberry fruit on the palate with spice and gorgeous length,’ said team leader Angela Reddin, with Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth also noting the 'toasted notes of chocolate on the finish’.

£8.30 10 International, Matthew Clark

‘Deeply chocolatey, coffee backbone holding unctuous fruits and mulberry with tobacco leaf in this display of a friendly, easy and attractive Chilean red,’ said Sarah Riddle of Sketch. ‘Soft, squashy red and black fruits with some sweet spice and tobacco leaf,’ added team leader Tom Forrest.

£20.00 González Byass

‘Perfumed, scented aromas with dense redcurrants on a chalky-textured palate, nicely balanced,’ began team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, with Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison noting: ‘Compact, deep nose with juicy, deep wild berry fruit and good persistence.’

£16.88 Bibendum

£8.50 Matthew Clark

£9.98 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

£6.25 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£15.96 Anthony Byrne Fine Wines

£8.30 10 International, Matthew Clark

£6.25 Lanchester Wine Cellars

£6.39 Molson Coors

£20.00 Viña Undurraga

£3.90 Bottle Green

£6.44 Cockburn & Campbell

£30.55 Liberty Wines

£5.93 Hatch Mansfield

£6.62 Viña dos Andes

£13.70 Alliance Wine

£6.39 Molson Coors

'Suave and elegant, with much cassis. This is top-drawer Carmenère with all the bits,' said happy team leader Martin Lam. ‘Intense, punchy, spicy cocktail with gingerbread and evident oaking,’ said fellow team leader Andrea Briccarello, with Michael Moore of Room 24 adding: ‘Nice dark chocolate richness. Given a little more time to age, it will fly.’

£21.00 Bottle Green

Striking Carmenère character led Valle Secreto to the Gold-medal podium, with this ripe wine, with its pleasing balance. Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43 highlighted its ‘great nose, quite refined’, adding: ‘The palate is slightly sweet but balanced and with good length.’ ‘Clean and richly textured, with blackcurrant and spiced blackberries, cinnamon and nutmeg,’ said team leader Olivier Marie.

£9.90 EWGA

‘Light, with forest fruit and bell pepper flavours, a minty edge and light tannins, medium in body and length,’ said Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43 of this fresh wine with its generous fruit and liquorice notes on the finish. Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair added: ‘Peppery, juicy fruits, terrific for the price.’

£8.50 North South Wines

‘Charming and captivating, fruity character on the nose with chocolatey notes, plenty of stone fruits on the palate, which has good, vibrant acidity and touches of smoked bacon and plum fruit cocktail,’ said team leader Andrea Briccarello.

£12.50 CyT UK

‘Pleasant fruit on the nose with dandelion floral green notes on the palate and notes of bitter dark chocolate to finish,’ said Michael Moore of Room 24, with team leader Andrea Briccarello adding: ‘Good, spicy character, smoky and savoury, classic style.’

£6.50 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Notes of wet soil, earthy and stony minerals on the nose, tight and intense on the palate, which is smoky, dry and savoury,’ said team leader Andrea Briccarello, with Andrea Domenicucci of Whatley Manor adding: ‘Good fruity style and good value.’

£8.75 Fine Wines Direct

‘Rich and jammy on the nose with cooked red fruits, simple and straightforward on the palate with plenty of typicity and soft sweet fruit flavour,’ said team leader Andrea Briccarello.

£5.93 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Richly textured, with plenty of spices and lots of sweet oak, fleshy tannins,’ said team leader Olivier Marie, with Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair adding: ‘Complex and well-balanced body, lovely dark fruits.’

£12.23 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Ripe and nicely concentrated, with characterful tannins and structured, firm, fruity tones,’ said team leader Olivier Marie, with Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43 adding: ‘Good overall, palate is quite balanced, great length and power.’

£8.95 Ehrmanns Wine

Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43 found ‘ripe, sweet and green’ elements on the nose and palate, but ‘good balance and plenty of oak’. ‘Big, rich, bold and powerful,’ added team leader Olivier Marie.

£10.40 Boutinot

£7.45 Hatch Mansfield

£8.80 Liberty Wines

£10.00 González Byass

£11.28 Bibendum

£7.95 Jackson Nugent Vintners

£8.91 Cockburn & Campbell

£7.18 Hatch Mansfield

£6.39 Molson Coors

£15.00 González Byass

Richness and balance led Hardy's matriarchal wine to the top, gathering many a fan along the way.

'Citrus and cream, this is a very classy wine, both long and refined,' said team leader Richard Bampfield MW, tipping turbot with citrus sauce as the match of choice. ‘Great character, an all-day wine,’ agreed Michael Moore of Room 24.

£23.00 Matthew Clark

A rich spectrum of fruit flavours, from melon to mango, pineapple to grapefruit, perfectly balanced with good acidity took Hay Shed Hill to the top. ‘Coconut, banana and tropical fruits on the nose, with good weight, supple acidity and a good length, lemony finish,’ said Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43. ‘Cooked golden apples on the nose with floral notes and touches of white pepper,’ added Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair. Match with sushi, Chinese food and salads.

£7.95 Bancroft Wines

‘Great example of Aussie Chardonnay,’ began team leader Jade Koch of this great-value Gold Lister, continuing: ‘Lovely, honeyed nose with butterscotch richness, the bright palate is a delight.’ ‘Easy and fresh, clean style, but with some intensity of flavours on the palate. Will suit a range of creamy dishes,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, with Bread Street Kitchen's Ram Chhetri suggesting pork belly and lemon roasted chicken.

£7.76 Bibendum

With a white Gold to match its Cabernet Gold, the judges felt this was a lovely expression of Chardonnay. ‘Compact and concentrated,’ began Hakkasan Group’s Christine Parkinson, continuing: ‘Lots of texture, layers of tropical fruit, spicy oak, quince, wet rocks and biscuit. Long, balanced and Burgundian. The new face of Margaret River.’ Match with salmon, cod, langoustine, fennel salad, smoked cod's roe... plenty to choose from!

£16.86 Bibendum

‘Excellent, with flinty, stony minerals and salty oyster notes on the finish,’ said team leader Andrea Briccarello, with Room 24’s Michael Moore adding: ‘Great drinking wine, but also with food such as risotto, fish ragout, or creamy sauces.’

£14.58 Bibendum

'Spicy and herbaceous, vanilla with apricot confit, this is big, with with well-integrated oak and a nice, long finish,' said Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel.

'Very Meursault in style,' added team leader Andrea Briccarello, suggesting sole and sea bream as a match.

£23.44 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Great wine! Dense and layered, intense nose and palate, showing depth and mineral complexity. Lemon oil, apple and a whiff of oak spice along with some buttery notes. A wine built to last and improve,' said Athila Roos of The Arts Club. Team leader Richard Bampfield MW agreed: 'Nicely balanced, very Burgundian. A long wine, which seems very young.'
We hope it will return!

£29.47 Bibendum

‘Clean with great fruit concentration,’ said team leader Olivier Marie, adding: ‘Elegant style and poise, nice aromatics with judicious use of oak and pleasant, unforced minerality.’ 'Toast and apricots, with nutmeg and hints of fresh chilli, this has a long and spicy finish,' said Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel. Match with chicken, veal, or pork.

£25.95 Alliance Wine

Hakkasan Group’s Christine Parkinson found this ‘compact, with lovely acidity’, saying: ‘Fudge, lemon, chalky with tropical notes. Rich, slightly sweet notes, spicy with incense. Very rich style,' while Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel noted: 'Herbaceousness and lovely florality. Good oak integration. match with turbot.'

£17.00 Justerini & Brooks

‘Some ripe, tropical fruit present, with great, clean length and good acid balance,’ began James Hocking of The Vineyard Group, with Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering adding: ‘Very appealing wine and a versatile food option.’

£14.63 Liberty Wines

‘Drinking well now, showing clean, fruit-driven tropical notes on the nose with honeydew and cantaloupe melon, and creamy, lactic secondary yeasty character,’ said team leader Olivier Marie, while Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel noted: 'Earthy stone fruits with touches of brown spice and high acidity. Match with salt-baked bream.'

£14.90 Cockburn & Campbell