New World: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Bordeaux-style blends - Rest of the New World
2019 Gold 1 Silver 3 Bronze 0 Commended 5
2018 Gold 0 Silver 1 Bronze 2 Commended 1
We’d expect a handful of medals from the ‘other’ Cab-producing countries – essentially Argentina and New Zealand, with the unexpected addition of some submissions from India this year as well. And that’s what we got.
One, country, however, fared significantly better than the other. While Argentina can be pretty happy with its haul and its feedback, the Kiwis should be concerned with their feeble showing.
Our tasters broadly liked the Argentinian flights, their questions more about how easy they would be to sell. The Kiwi wines too often attracted criticism for under-ripeness, however, and hardly anyone is looking for that.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘We saw a lot of wines that were ripe, spicy and fruity; classic choices for meat-heavy restaurants.’ Jan Konetzki, team leader
‘Argentinian Cabernet has to be incredible value for money to work. It needs to stay below £15 cost, because there’s so much in the market from Chile, California, France…’ Emanuel Pesqueira, consultant
‘I find in New Zealand’s cheaper wines this herbaceousness, which is about not getting them completely ripe, although they can appeal to the more classical Bordeaux drinker who likes a bit of herbaceousness.’ Hamish Anderson, team leader