Home Winners > Winners 2016 > NEW WORLD: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz blends

Winner Details

 New World: Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blends

2016 Gold: 1 Silver: 2 Bronze: 1 Commended: 2
2015 Gold: 0 Silver: 2 Bronze: 0 Commended: 2

Not so very long ago, Cab/Shiraz was the bedrock of the UK market, and you’d think it would be a useful tool in the on-trade, too, especially for gastropubs and places looking for an honest glugger. 

Except that it doesn’t seem to be the bargain that it once was. Apart from the admirably priced Willunga, this was not a cheap part of the competition. And to add to its Alice in Wonderland topsy-turvy nature our Gold went to a Chilean. Curiouser and curiouser…

FROM THE TASTING TEAMS

‘This is easy to sell… and very nice value for money wines. People much prefer drinking full-bodied reds. And even with fish – things like fish stew or turbot – these could work.’ Adriana Valentini, Massimo Restaurant & Bar

‘We get people who are looking for something robust with steak, and that gives you a window to sell wines like this. But I don’t think anyone ever asks for Cab/Shiraz specifically.’ Giancarlo Cuccuru, Brackenbury Wine Rooms 

‘To be honest, people ask more for Shiraz now than Cabernet/Shiraz.’ Piotr Tomaszewski, JKS Restaurants

Award winners

Found 6 wines

New World: Cabernet & Shiraz

Bisquertt, Q Clay 2012, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

Deeply loved from the start. Piotr Tomaszewski of JKS Restaurants found a 'beautiful nose of roses and violets with nuts and cherry', then more cherry on the palate and 'a touch of crème caramel, almond and green pepper' on the palate, while Adriana Valentini of Massimo Restaurant & Bar admired its 'integrated tannins and wood, black pepper spice and maturity'. Team leader Natasha Hughes MW called it 'a classic balance of leafy Cab and spicy Shiraz, well balanced, fleshy and appealing. Ideal with slow roast lamb tagine.'

£13.16 Molson Coors

Ben Glaetzer, Anaperenna, Shiraz/Cabernet 2013, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Piotr Tomaszewski of JKS Restaurants found plenty of dark fruit complexity, 'warm crème de cassis and cherryish plum', along with floral notes of violet and rose petal, adding: 'Good balance, elegant and smooth with a touch of cinnamon, full-bodied and well made with a lot of red forest fruit and vanilla.'

£29.51 Enotria&Coe

Pérez Cruz, Single Vineyard, La Higuera Block 2014, Maipo Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

'Very enjoyable,' said Alex Sergeant of Hurley House, continuing: 'There's mellow red fruit, a touch of herb and a nice balance of tannin and acid.' 'Pleasant vanilla and black fruit nose, full-bodied and intense on the palate,' added Matthieu Longuère MS of Le Cordon Bleu.

£9.15 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Willunga 100, Cabernet/Shiraz 2014, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

'Deep ruby colour with smoky aromas and a touch of vanilla,' began Adriana Valentini of Massimo Restaurant & Bar, continuing: 'Blackcurranty and inky with some drying tannins and a touch of spice, through to a nice long finish. Good value for money.'

£8.65 Liberty Wines

Yalumba , The Signature, Barossa, Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2012, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£24.82 Negociants

Wirra Wirra, The Good Catch 2014, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner