A shining example of Russian River Pinot, there was no doubt this deserved Gold. ‘Some signs of ageing in the glass,’ began Jacopo Mazzeo of The Pig Hotel (Brockenhurst), describing ‘smooth, soft tannins, toasty notes with some dried fruits and berries on the palate, great balance and some freshness and spiciness’. ‘Very intense, textbook nose of cranberry and cherry,’ added team leader Andrea Briccarello, who found it ‘very focused and exotic, with plenty of personality and charm’. A great option for ‘beetroot dishes like red borscht, bigos or goulash’, suggested Buddha Bar’s Piotr Artur Tomaszewski.

£25.05 Bibendum

As Meiomi’s Pinot was handed the Gold, Arnaud Fiol of The Don Restaurant described ‘red flowers and fruit cake character, and a rich but well-balanced palate’, while Harbour Heights Hotel’s Marek Rakowski found ‘intense ripe strawberry with brown spices and ginger notes, a long finish and all at a good price level’. Michael Moore of The London Cookhouse added: ‘Nicely balanced with a chocolatey taste mixed with young berries, would go nicely with a garlic lamb shoulder.’

£14.29 Matthew Clark

A ‘full, inky, cool style’, said team leader Jade Koch, showing ‘blackcurrant and big drying tannins, with acids there but in the background’, while Vinoteca’s Charlie Young found an ‘almost mineral nose, taut palate, good tannins and crunchy fruit with an elegant finish’. ‘Lingering taste, great with game meats,’ chipped in Michael Moore of The London Cookhouse.

£28.04 Matthew Clark

There was ‘intense minerality on the nose, quite a full mouthfeel, firm tannins and excellent acidity that calls for food’, said Jacopo Mazzeo of The Pig Hotel (Brockenhurst), with team leader Andrea Briccarello finding ‘cherry and leafy notes, great vibrant fruit with a meaty and juicy character, good balance and length’.

£17.95 Liberty Wines

Senior judge Lionel Periner found ‘lightness but intensity, aromas of dark cherry and floral hints, then a well-balanced palate and pleasing finish with notes of spice’, with Corin Ireland of Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms noting ‘a whisper of violets and very fine, soft tannins’.

£13.58 Fells

Team leader Lionel Periner was happy with this wine’s ‘complex, ripe berries, cranberry, strawberry and tomato leaf aromas, with hints of forest floor, a well-balanced and fruity palate with well-integrated oak, then velvet tannins on a long finish’. ‘Silky and seductive, very elegant and sophisticated with great structure and texture,’ added fellow team leader Andrea Briccarello.

£31.01 Berkmann Wine Cellars

With Vinoteca’s Charlie Young highlighting ‘dark berry, plum and leaf aromas, intense and fairly powerful palate’, team leader Jade Koch pointed to its ‘toast and fruit-forward Pinot style with young drying tannins, making it identifiably US and fun’.

£8.01 Castelnau Wine Agencies

‘Cranberry and cherry with smoked notes on the nose,’ began team leader Andrea Briccarello, who was pleased with its ‘dry, lean and very Burgundian style, with a rich core of fruit followed by smooth tannins and a long finish’.

£21.46 Boutinot

‘The nose is fresh, with lots of black cherries and rose petals,’ began The Don Restaurant’s Arnaud Fiol, also noting ‘a smooth, harmonious palate with a delicate finish’. ‘Great fruit definition, high tannins with a touch of perfume on a dry finish,’ added Vinoteca’s Charlie Young.

£21.15 Bibendum

‘Intense, dark forest fruit nose, ripe and concentrated with a very rich, jammy palate,’ said team leader Andrea Briccarello, who enjoyed its ‘spicy, savoury oak aromas with notes of overripe plums’.

£9.93 Castelnau Wine Agencies

£12.18 Boutinot

£33.98 Bibendum