Pinot Noir: Rest of the New World including Argentina, Australia & South Africa
2018 Gold 2 Silver 7 Bronze 5 Commended 6
2017 Gold 2 Silver 2 Bronze 5 Commended 6
With respect to Argentina, which has never really got going in this part of the Sommelier Wine Awards, this was always going to be a two-way battle between Australia and South Africa. In the end, while the places on the Gold List were shared, there were two very different narratives at play.
Australia came in with a big reputation and high expectations from our tasters that were rarely met. The early rounds saw a lot of disappointment and a lot of wines kicked out. But the wines that were left (our medal winners) were excellent.
South Africa seemed less confident in itself, our tasters expected a lot less and were pleasantly surprised by what they got. The hit rate of medals to entries was higher.
All in all, this rounded off a generally strong year for Pinot, which seems to be making good strides across the New World.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘There was definitely some clumsy winemaking in the Australian wines – oak being used in excess for such an elegant grape.’ Manuel Ribeiro, The Bybrook at The Manor House Hotel
‘When I approached this flight, I wondered whether I would be able to pick apart Yarra from Mornington, for example. But I was struggling to find Pinot character in general.’ Annette Scarfe MW, team leader
‘The South Africans were very good value; very good fruit expression, but structured wines.’ Carolina Seibel, Portland Restaurant
‘Very good winemaking in the South African wines. At £13-£16 – there’s not much from Burgundy.’ Nigel Lister, team leader
‘I think the Pinot Noirs at the lower end of the scale here were very commercial, but that’s not to say they’re not enjoyable and there isn’t a place for them.’ Andrés Ituarte, Coq d’Argent
‘Pinot Noir is a variety that’s popular enough that you can put very different styles on your list.’ Raphael Thierry, Street XO