Home Winners > Winners 2016 > NEW WORLD: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Bordeaux Blends: Rest of the New World

Winner Details

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Bordeaux Blends, Rest of the New World

2016 Gold: 3 Silver: 8 Bronze: 5 Commended: 7
2015 Gold: 4 Silver: 9 Bronze: 8 Commended: 13

Essentially, this section came down to two countries: the US and Argentina – and they fared very differently.

The US, led by California, was something of a disappointment. Gaining five good Silvers probably won’t ease the pain of a single place on the Gold List – particularly since three wines made top spot last year. Interestingly, where last year’s Golds were all expensive (over £20), this year’s sole winner was a rare sub-£10 offering. And for sure, there was (as usual) a lot of muttering about the prices of these wines.

That said, if you have a clientele that doesn’t look too carefully at the right-hand column, there is some good kit in these medal winners.

Argentina was much more positive. Surprisingly so, in fact, since the country has rarely made much of an impact at the Sommelier Wine Awards with Cabernet beyond the odd Gold here and there. So to pick up six medals, a third of them Golds was a fine performance – especially with nothing over the £14 mark.

FROM THE TASTING TEAMS

‘The Californian Cabernets were big, rich, bold, very polished and well made at the top end. But I didn’t find much value for money here.’ Olivier Marie, team leader

‘There’s lots of fruit and tannin in the Argentinian Cabernets, but there’s also this nice pencil shaving medicinal, spice flavour that comes through as well. There’s a lot more going on, and it’s in balance.’ Jade Koch, team leader

‘The Argentinian wines really started to deliver at £10-£12. There was good complexity and depth of flavour.’ Georgi Mihov, Bohemia Bar and Restaurant

‘For £50, you can buy some great Bordeaux…’ Stefan Kobald, Social Wine & Tapas

“Argentinian Cabernet is a fantastic alternative to Malbec, more fruit-driven than Bordeaux and better value than you get out of Australia and New Zealand.” Mya Brown, The Ledbury

“Before, Argentinian Cabernet was all about fruit. Now everything is better integrated.” Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet, Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa

Award winners

Found 11 wines

New World: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Bordeaux Blends: Rest of the New World

Pascual Toso, Selected Vines, Barrancas, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Mendoza, Argentina

Gold medal winner

Not one but two Cabernet Golds for Pascual Toso, starting with this easy-drinking, good-value single varietal. 'Creamy, red fruit nose, medium weight on the palate with good fruit and juicy acidity,' began Georgi Mihov of Bohemia Bar and Restaurant, while Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa found 'earthy, eucalyptus notes with food-friendly tannin and acidity', and team leader Tom Forrest said: 'Juicy, plump cherry and blackberry notes.'

£7.73 Kingsland

Pascual Toso, Alta, Barrancas, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Mendoza, Argentina

Gold medal winner

'Great quality, complex wine with sweet oak, coffee and capsicum notes on the nose,' said Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa of Pascual Toso's second 2016 Gold, continuing: 'Followed by a palate of leather, violets and herbs, and blueberry jammy notes. Great for a steak.' Team leader Andrea Briccarello agreed, saying: 'Wild berries, game, spices continue on to the palate. Will evolve with time.'

£13.31 Kingsland

Salentein, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

'Aromas of sour cherry, cocoa and tobacco, nicely balanced on the palate with sweet red fruits and well-judged tannins, and a long, blueberry fruit finish,' said Georgi Mihov of Bohemia Bar and Restaurant. 'Lush, soft, easy-drinking style,' added Mya Brown of The Ledbury.

£11.15 Matthew Clark

Casa Valduga, Raízes, Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Campanha, Brazil, Other

Silver medal winner

'Ripe nose with fresh plum character and sweet, oaky spice suggestions, and refreshing vibrancy on the palate,' said Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners, with team leader Andrea Briccarello noting 'mocha and berry aromas, with animal, game and wet forest leaves', and Park Chinois Bart Michalewicz adding: 'Fast maturing for its age.'

£8.50 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Santa Ana, La Mascota, Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

'Well-structured, classic Cabernet, showing capsicum and cassis notes, good firm tannins and giving grand value,' said Mya Brown of The Ledbury. 'Big and bold, with elegance, leather and chocolate notes,' added Frédéric Jean-Yves Billet of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa.

£9.36 Enotria&Coe

Atamisque, Serbal, Assemblage 2015, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

'Minty fruit and bloody dried tomato character on the nose, with fine but chewy tannins,' began team leader Jade Koch, with The Ledbury's Mya Brown adding: 'Cassis, capsicum and black plum aromas with green peppercorn, tobacco and cedar.'

£10.63 Matthew Clark

Casarena, Winemaker Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Mendoza, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

'Smoky blueberry and plum fruit, easy on the palate with fine tannins and peppery notes,' said Mya Brown of The Ledbury.

£6.99 Frederic Robinson

Babich, Rongopai, Merlot/Cabernet 2014, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Bronze medal winner

'Juicy and easy to drink, with good fruit and freshness on the finish,' said Erik Simonics of The Savoy, with team leader Tom Forrest adding: 'Sweet, dark fruit, blackcurrant and light oak spice on the palate with good acidity.'

£7.50 Molson Coors

Casarena, Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

Trapiche , Melodias, Merlot 2015, Mendoza , Argentina

Commended medal winner

£6.05 Enotria&Coe

El Esteco , Finca Notables, Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Salta , Argentina

Commended medal winner

£15.14 Enotria&Coe