Home Winners > Winners 2019 > SPAIN: Rioja - Reserva & Gran Reserva

Winner Details

Spain: Rioja – Reserva & Gran Reserva

2019 GOLD: 3      SILVER: 8      BRONZE: 2      COMMENDED: 14
2018 GOLD: 3      SILVER: 10    BRONZE: 2      COMMENDED: 9

Our tasters could discuss the concept of age and Rioja for weeks and not reach any conclusions. Some like their wines fresher and more youthful (even the reservas), others are fans of the older-style oxidative wines with lots of (old) barrel age.

If we had to conduct a straw poll, we’d say that, in general, there were more fans of ‘youth and modernity’ than there were of ‘age and tradition’. So it was interesting that our only reserva Gold this year went to the oldest wine in the category. The Tarón Reserva was a 2008 – significantly older than even the oldest gran reserva. What do we learn from that? Don’t ask us, squire, we only work here…

The feedback for this category was, broadly speaking, a lot more positive than it was for the crianzas, in particular. And while only two Gold-Listed wines was a bit disappointing, it wasn’t far off the norm, while the big bulge of Silvers suggests that there’s still plenty of good stuff lurking around the banks of the Ebro for those who have the patience to look for it.

Certainly the pricing isn’t bad: £12 for a reserva is decent, while just £3 more seems to get you into gran reserva territory, with an extra couple of years in barrel and bottle.

FROM THE TASTING TEAMS

‘These used to be too muscular, but there’s less of that, and they’re more food-friendly.’ Quentin Loisel, Restaurant Sat Bains

‘There was quite a mixture of styles here. The oak treatment makes a big difference, and for me the wines can feel a bit too manipulated. The best were all of a similar style: savoury, with nice tannins and big structure, which is what people look for.’ Olivier Gasselin, Hakkasan

‘The gran reservas are like policeman – they get younger every year. They don’t taste like gran reservas – it should have oak, ripe fruit, but it should be soft on the palate, a burst of flavour and a very long finish.’ Sarah Jane Evans MW, team leader

‘Rioja that is flavoured with a lot of American oak might not be our preference, but we all acknowledge that there’s a place for them on a wine list. There were modern wines here in the sense that they used French oak, but they’re still big, chunky wines.’ Hamish Anderson, team leader

‘Those [reservas] with American oak had that sweet spice that gives them typicity. But these are definitely moving towards what the market is asking for, with more freshness and a less rustic style.’ Marco Marcuzzo, Aster Restaurant

‘The gran reservas seem more vibrant. A lot more acidity and overall freshness compared to the normal cigar box and earthy notes. It’s a welcome change.’ Timothy Connor, Heddon Street Kitchen

Award winners

Found 2207 wines

Austria

Domäne Wachau, Federspiel Terrassen, Riesling 2017, Wachau, Austria

Gold medal winner

Team leader Hamish Anderson found this worthy Gold winner to have a ‘delicate, floral, very pretty nose’ and enjoyed its ‘clean, crisp, bright acidity’. For Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurant it was a ‘classic, crisp, lean style with a focus on acidity and freshness’, and he described a ‘touch of savoury yeast, plenty of grapefruit zest and a long, mineral finish’. ‘Overall, the wine is very well balanced with juicy fruit and lovely minerality,’ concluded team leader Carlos Ferreira.

£10.21 González Byass

Eschenhof Holzer, Zero-G, Grüner Veltliner 2018, Wagram, Austria

Gold medal winner Food Match

Team leader Carlos Ferreira found an appealing tropical note to this Gold medal winner that would ‘match very well with summer salads’. Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club added that the wine had a ‘lemon zest and herbal character’, describing it as ‘very peppery with green apple and gentle mineral notes’. Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains was very impressed: ‘This ticks all the boxes and it’s great value’, while Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan summed it up succinctly: ‘Pure, focused and flinty.’

£8.90 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Anton Bauer, Blaufränkisch, Reserve 2013, Wagram, Austria

Gold medal winner

‘Wow,’ began team leader Laurent Richet MS as this took its place on the Gold podium, going on to remark on its ‘maturity of aroma and flavours’, and describing it as ‘complex, elegant, polished and powerful’. Hakkasan’s Olivier Gasselin appreciated ‘gamey, leathery notes, as well as cooked fruit and a mix of spices’, and found it ‘earthy and savoury, with some bitter chocolate notes’. One for ‘lamb loin with red wine jus and truffled potatoes’ thought Cliveden House’s Francisco Macedo.

£26.23 Top Selection

Weingut Glatzer, Blaufränkisch 2016, Carnuntum, Austria

Silver medal winner

‘Spicy and leafy, with bell pepper notes, and a juicy, supple palate with fine fruit,’ said Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan, while consultant Emanuel Pesqueira described ‘earthy and mineral notes, with a floral note of red roses, too – a balanced wine that’s good value for money’.

£11.00 Bibendum

Weingut Glatzer, Zweigelt, Rebencuvee 2016, Carnuntum, Austria

Silver medal winner

‘Friendly and approachable,’ began Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan, who liked its ‘peppery, spicy nose, with broad cherry fruit on a juicy, ripe palate’. ‘Crunchy, with a good level of fruit ripeness and smooth tannins,’ added Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant.

£10.99 Bibendum

Anton Bauer, Rosenberg, Grüner Veltliner 2017, Wagram, Austria

Silver medal winner

Valentin Radosav from Gymkhana Restaurant was impressed by this wine’s ‘aromas of lime, green apple and its intense aromas on the mid-palate’, before the wine becomes ‘herbaceous and long’.

£15.32 Top Selection

Mantlerhof, Zehetnerin, Riesling 2017, Kremstal, Austria

Silver medal winner

‘Zesty, lemony and dried fruit, yet sharp, stoney and pure, with its intensity and zingy-ness,’ said Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan.

£14.90 Bibendum

Gruber Röschitz, Weinviertel Dac Grüner Veltliner 2018, Weinviertel, Austria

Silver medal winner

Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan enjoyed this wine’s ‘superb yet very intense nose of pepper and floral notes’, and found it ‘balanced, with its leafy, smoky, intensely bitter stoniness’.

£9.00 Gruber Röschitz

Domäne Wachau, Smaragd Terrassen, Grüner Veltliner 2017, Wachau, Austria

Silver medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira liked the ‘nose of citrus tarts and asparagus’ and described the palate as ‘very green’, going on to say that the wine ‘showcases stone fruits with a decent acidity on the finish’.

£13.62 González Byass

Domäne Wachau, Smaragd Reid Achleiten, Riesling 2017, Wachau, Austria

Silver medal winner

Valentin Radosav of Gymkhana Restaurant described ‘lemon, yellow flowers and delicate herbaceous notes on the nose, with a creamy texture, a flinty minerality and a nice zesty finish’.

£20.36 González Byass

Höpler, Blaufränkisch 2016, Burgenland, Austria

Silver medal winner

‘Fresh, bright red fruit, combined with a lovely floral, rose note,’ began Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant, who went on to describe ‘cranberry and strawberry notes, with a really bright tone of red fruit on the smooth and juicy palate – and easy to drink‘.

£11.35 EWGA, Alexander Wines

Tement, Steirische Klassik, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Südsteiermark, Austria

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira found ‘stone fruits, floral and lemon’ on the nose, and described the wine as ‘grassy and easy drinking’.

£15.32 Top Selection

Peter Schweiger, Zöbinger Terrassen, Grüner Veltliner 2017, Kamptal, Austria

Bronze medal winner

Bianca Potenza of the Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam described this wine as ‘subtle, fresh and light; with a nutty and buttery texture… and not really what you would expect from an Austrian GV’.

£14.80 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Eschenhof Holzer, Zero-G, Zweigelt 2017, Wagram, Austria

Commended medal winner

Laurenz V, Friendly, Grüner Veltliner 2017, Kamptal, Austria

Commended medal winner

£13.01 Bibendum

Sepp Moser, Classic Style, Grüner Veltliner 2018, Niederösterreich, Austria

Commended medal winner

£8.65 Boutinot

Mantlerhof, Mosburgerin Reserve, Grüner Veltliner 2017, Kremstal, Austria

Commended medal winner

£17.70 Bibendum

Somm in the Must, Neuburger 2016, Kremstal , Austria

Commended medal winner

£14.95 Flint Wines

Anton Bauer, Pinot Noir 2015, Wagram, Austria

Commended medal winner

£14.86 Top Selection

Gruber Röschitz, Ried Mühlberg, Grüner Veltliner 2017, Weinviertel, Austria

Commended medal winner

£14.00 Amathus Drinks

Cava

CVNE, Roger Goulart, Cava Gran Reserva 2011, Catalonia, Spain

Gold medal winner

For Savoy Grill’s Matteo Cali this impressive Gold winner was ‘delicate on the nose, with white fruits on the palate, which has richness, and a creamy mousse’, while Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club appreciated its ‘gentle pear aromas, rosemary notes and refreshing apple on the palate, with a gentle finish’. Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group thought it was ‘a great price’, considering its ‘yeasty notes of bread integrated with honey and ripe fruit, as well as some apricot’.

£11.83 Hatch Mansfield

Carchelo, The Tapas Wine Collection, Cava Brut NV, Valencia, Spain

Gold medal winner

This bright and approachable Gold winner opened with ‘an intense nose of pear and apple, together with a round and creamy palate, making this a great value wine’, according to Matteo Cali of Savoy Grill, while Harry Ballmann of Wiltons found it ‘extremely refreshing, with blackcurrant leaf and apple notes’. Team leader Jade Koch added praise for its ‘really good acidity, with some grip too, leading to some good citrus weight to the finish’.

£8.25 Bodegas Carchelo

Parés Baltà, Blanca Cusiné, Cava Brut Nature 2011, Penedès, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Complex, and showing some development,’ began team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, who went on to describe ‘roasted almond notes on the nose, which lead to honey and caramel on the toasty yet fresh palate’.

£20.73 Top Selection

Vallformosa, Mistinguett, Cava Brut NV, Penedès, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘Perfumed elderflower and lime zest aromas lead to tropical, pineapple notes on the palate, leading to a refreshing finish,’ said Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club.

£8.54 The Wine Rascals

England

Lavenham Brook, Suffolk Bacchus 2017, Suffolk, England

Gold medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest picked up ‘grassy mineral aromas’, and described a ‘light spritz’, a ‘grassy, pear and pea palate’ and a ‘touch of pineapple cube on the finish’, while fellow team leader Carlos Ferreira thought it had a ‘tropical nose, and asparagus on the palate’, and was a ‘good wine for the price’. For Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche it was a ‘lovely wine’, showing ‘ripe fruit, tangerine and lemon peel’ and with a ‘dry, citrussy and juicy clean palate.’ It gave Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam a ‘springtime feeling’, with its ‘aromatic notes of jasmine and white flowers’. She further described it as a ‘soft and supple, feminine wine’, with a ‘slightly citrussy palate with white peach; on the edge of off-dry’. ‘Great value by-the-glass option,’ said team leader Nigel Lister, adding ‘give it to a Sauvignon drinker’.

£6.50 Lavenham Brook

Gusbourne, Guinevere 2016, Kent, England

Gold medal winner

‘Great Chardonnay, toasty, yeasty, structured and complex,’ began a clearly impressed Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche, adding that this worthy Gold Lister ‘needs decanting’. Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam described it as ‘fresh and oaky, woody and smoky’, adding that it was ‘ripe and elegant’ with ‘nice texture’. She thought it ‘would pair well with creamy dishes’. Elegant was also the key word for team leader Carlos Ferreira, who noted: ‘Nose is elegant and complex with spice and stone fruit. Very elegant on the palate, with white spices and pineapple. Very elegant finish and food-friendly.’

£14.25 Gusbourne Estate

Gusbourne, Pinot Noir 2016, Kent, England

Gold medal winner

‘A really good representation of English wine,’ began team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW as this took its place on the Gold List, finding it to be ‘well balanced and structured, with some lively acidity and a fine rasp of tannin’, while Harry Ballmann of Wiltons spoke of a ‘lovely, well-rounded nose, leading to a balance of oak, spice and fruit’. Maze by Gordon Ramsay’s Gabriele Bertotti, meanwhile, thought its ‘savoury, juicy notes’ made it one to ‘pair with charcuterie’.

£16.50 Gusbourne Estate

Sharpham, Dart Valley Reserve 2017, Devon, England

Gold medal winner

‘Peach and nectarine on the nose, with good sweetness, and a ripe fleshy palate’ was how Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam described this Gold Lister, while team leader Tom Forrest found ‘fresh grapefruit and peel’ and a ‘mineral stoniness on the finish’. For Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants the wine impressed with its ‘citrussy zest and excellent minerality’ and he thought it ‘would make an excellent fish wine’. ‘Absolutely,’ agreed team leader Jade Koch, ‘perfect for fish and chips’.

£7.51 Boutinot

Biddenden Vineyards, Gribble Bridge White 2017, Kent, England

Gold medal winner By the glass

‘Fresh and mineral, with green notes reminiscent of olives and sea salt,’ began Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam, describing this Gold Lister as a ‘savoury wine that is perfect to be enjoyed at the beach’, while Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche detected ‘stone fruit character, like vine peach’, and thought it had ‘great structure and texture’ and a ‘long-lasting finish’. For team leader Carlos Ferreira it had a ‘nose of stone fruits, yellow apple and pear’, a palate that was ‘salted, crispy and with a touch of white spice’ and a ‘fresh and long finish’.

£6.98 Biddenden Vineyards

Gusbourne, Guinevere 2014, Kent, England

Silver medal winner

‘The nose is very elegant and complex. It shows a delicate spiciness that leads to some tropical fruit on the palate, with pineapple and grapefruit. The finish is delicate and classy,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira.

£14.25 Gusbourne Estate

Trotton Estate Vineyards, Brilliant Bacchus with a Dash of Pinot Gris 2017, West Sussex, England

Bronze medal winner

‘On the nose there’s a soft, peachy, fruity character. On the palate I find it nicely balanced, with smoke, toast, flavours of pear and apple and a zingy mineral note,’ said team leader Tom Forrest.

£8.45 Trotton Estate Vineyards

Camel Valley, Bacchus Dry 2017, Cornwall, England

Commended medal winner

Lyme Bay, Chardonnay 2016, Devon, England

Commended medal winner

Dunleavy, Pinot Noir Rosé 2017, Somerset, England

Commended medal winner

Toppesfield Vineyard, Reserve, Bacchus 2017, East Anglia, England

Commended medal winner

France: Alsace

Domaine Barmès-Buecher, Gewürztraminer, Grand Cru Steingrubler 2015, Alsace, France

Gold medal winner

‘Very pretty,’ began impressed team leader Andres Ituarte on encountering this Gold-worthy Alsatian Gewürz, going on to describe ‘rose water with a touch of saline, and lots of lychee and mandarin, not to mention lots of zippy acidity’, while Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club appreciated its ‘gentle peach aromas and tropical notes – an elegantly balanced, refreshing wine’. ‘This is very gastronomic,’ concluded team leader Martin Lam.

£19.50 Wine Source UK

Emile Beyer, Eguisheim, Gewürztraminer 2015, Alsace, France

Silver medal winner

‘Classic nose of rose and lychees with a pleasing hint of honey,’ said team leader Martin Lam. ‘The palate is quite sweet but not vendange tardive; this is spicy, characterful and well done.’

£16.62 Matthew Clark

Domaine Rémy Gresser, Brandhof Pinot Gris 2016, Alsace, France

Commended medal winner

£15.54 Top Selection

Emile Beyer, Riesling Tradition 2017, Alsace, France

Commended medal winner

£11.66 Matthew Clark

Jean Becker, Grand Cru Froehn Riesling 2015, Alsace , France

Commended medal winner

France: Beaujolais

Domaine du Vissoux, Chermette, Brouilly 2017, Beaujolais, France

Gold medal winner

As Domaine du Vissoux added a Gold medal to its pair of Silvers, Pasquale Moschettieri of Benares Restaurant & Bar described this Brouilly as having ‘a good aroma of black fruits, with judicious use of oak’, while Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston praised it for its ‘good structure with lovely complexity on a palate that’s fruity and earthy, and with a finish that is long and sweet’.

£15.58 Enotria&Coe

Mommessin, Les Grandes Mises, Beaujolais-Villages 2017, Beaujolais, France

Gold medal winner

Amid praise for its value for money, judges elevated this to Gold, with its ‘pretty nose with plenty of ripe red fruits and bramble, leading to a softly structured palate’, according to The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia, while Anita Vighova of Manor House Hotel enjoyed its ‘strawberries, redcurrants and hints of sweetness with nice acidity’. Scarlet Hotel’s Jim Bass found it ‘slightly spicy and earthy, with expressive cherry and tobacco notes, and some subtle tannins’, adding that ‘this would be great with a rich stew’.

£9.35 Matthew Clark

Louis Jadot, Château des Jacques, Fleurie 2014, Beaujolais, France

Silver medal winner

‘More of wine then a Beaujolais,’ was the intriguing opening remark of team leader Laurent Richet MS. ‘It has intensity and concentration alongside the floral aromas. There is a slight oxidative hint to the flavours and a nice touch of manure. This is ready for food,’ he concluded.

£11.58 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Domaine du Vissoux, Chermette, Fleurie Poncié 2017, Beaujolais, France

Silver medal winner

‘Wow!’ said team leader Laurent Richet MS, ‘this is so expressive on the nose, brightly aromatic and floral – Fleurie perhaps? There are lovely red cherries that frame a good structure and lead to a lovely clean, fresh finish.’

£14.95 Enotria&Coe

Mommessin, Les Grandes Mises, Morgon 2016, Beaujolais, France

Silver medal winner

‘Good aroma of red cranberry and raspberry fruits, sweet oak and a nice floral note. The tannins and acid are well balanced in this well-structured wine that leads to a long finish,’ said Pasquale Moschettieri of Benares Restaurant & Bar.

£13.44 Matthew Clark

Maison Jean Loron, Domaine du Sabot, Beaujolais-Villages 2018, Beaujolais, France

Bronze medal winner

‘This would be great slightly chilled; this has good typicity with a light cherry nose and strawberry on the palate. Would work well in a pub,’ said Anita Vighova of Manor House Hotel.

£7.44 Majestic Commercial

Mommessin, Les Grandes Mises, Saint Amour 2017, Beaujolais, France

Bronze medal winner

‘This is very fruity with dark cherry and sweet kirsch; the oak is well handled and it’s a great example; feels like it has the weight of a cru Morgan,’ noted Alan Bednarski of Texture.

£13.74 Matthew Clark

Château de Pougelon, Brouilly 2018, Beaujolais, France

Commended medal winner

£9.98 VINS DESCOMBE

Domaine du Vissoux, Chermette, Origine Beaujolais 2017, Beaujolais, France

Commended medal winner

£11.58 Enotria&Coe

Château de Pougelon, Beaujolais-Villages 2018, Beaujolais, France

Commended medal winner

£8.88 VINS DESCOMBE

Château de Pougelon, Morgon 2018, Beaujolais, France

Commended medal winner

£10.32 VINS DESCOMBE

Mommessin, Les Grandes Mises, Côte de Brouilly 2017, Beaujolais, France

Commended medal winner

£13.24 Matthew Clark

France: Bordeaux

Château des Gravières, Graves 2017, Bordeaux, France

Gold medal winner

‘Intense yet elegant,’ began Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles in praise of this Gold Lister, while Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains spoke highly of its ‘fresh chalk and Granny Smith apple, with a refreshing lime cordial note, too’. Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair agreed, describing ‘fresh green apple and freshly cut grass’, while team leader Andres Ituarte found ‘ginger and lemongrass – a delicate wine with some nice mineral notes, too’.

£9.36 Enotria&Coe

Calvet, Cuvée 1818 2016, Bordeaux, France

Gold medal winner By the glass

Singled out not only for a Gold, but for a By The Glass award too, this Bordeaux was a ‘refreshingly grown-up wine’, according to Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House, who appreciated its ‘black fruit nose with a touch of savoury, too’. Team leader Nigel Lister praised its ‘easy-drinking style’, while Hakkasan’s Olivier Gasselin found it ‘ferrous, dark and chunky, and a touch leafy – a precise and well-made wine’.

£7.72 Les Grands Chais de France

Château Teyssier, St-Émilion Grand Cru 2015, Bordeaux, France

Gold medal winner

As this took its rightful place on the Gold List, an appreciative team leader Martin Lam described it as ‘generous, with plums and spice’, while Stefano Barbarino of Chez Bruce Restaurant found it ‘very smoky, savoury and earthy’. Team leader Angela Reddin spoke highly of its ‘vibrant, ripe, rich red berries, with some balanced vanilla oak in evidence, and a mineral finish’, while The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia praised its ‘very opulent palate, with great length’.

£25.57 Matthew Clark

Antoine Moueix Propriétés, Château Capet-Guillier, St-Emilion Grand Cru 2015, Bordeaux, France

Gold medal winner

With judges like team leader Angela Reddin praising this as ‘pitch perfect and really engaging’, it’s no surprise that it was elevated to Gold. Reddin further described ‘a serious wine with bags of rich, elegant red and black fruits, some sweet and smoky oak and a clean, long finish’, while The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia appreciated ‘a complex nose of bramble, cassis and plum, with cloves and sandalwood spice’. ‘Elegant and refined,’ concluded Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn.

£36.47 ADVINI

Domaines Fabre, Château Lamothe-Cissac, Haut-Médoc 2014, Bordeaux, France

Gold medal winner

Judges had no shortage of praise for this Gold winner, with Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains describing ‘huge complexity, with cedar, cigar and cinnamon, as well as plum and raspberry, with a fantastic mouthfeel – round and velvety’. Consultant Ian Howard thought that it was ‘nicely structured, with good balance, and cassis and forest floor notes, and a nicely spiced finish’. Team leader Jan Konetzki added praise for its ‘polished fruit and grippy tannins, but with good elegance, too’.

£21.14 Matthew Clark

Château Fonsèche, Haut-Médoc 2012, Bordeaux, France

Gold medal winner

‘Classic!’ began team leader Jan Konetzki of this Left Bank Bordeaux as it took Gold, further describing ‘notes of vanilla and cedar wood, leading to a dry, dark-fruit palate that’s fresh and attractive, with some roasted peppers and autumn forest notes’.Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains thought that ‘plum, musk and noble mushrooms, as well as cigar box and lots of umami’ made this the ideal partner for ‘Bayonne ham braised with kimchi cabbage’.

£11.26 Matthew Clark

Château de Rouillac, Pessac-Léognan 2016, Bordeaux, France

Gold medal winner

Undoubtedly Gold worthy, this white Bordeaux was praised for its ‘smoky oak and cream, with some toast flavours’ by Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair, who also found it to be ‘grassy and herbaceous, with green apples and honey, as well as some lime peel and gooseberry’, while team leader Jan Konetzki additionally noted ‘butterscotch and sesame notes’. Fellow team leader Andres Ituarte found it ‘silky in the mouth, with ripe tropical fruits and a creaminess, leading to a stony finish’.

£31.35 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Direct Wines Production, Château Le Coin, Blanc 2018, Bordeaux, France

Gold medal winner

This ‘bright and breezy’ white Bordeaux, according to Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, was elevated to Gold by an impressed panel of judges. Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair praised its ‘grassy and herbaceous notes, with a hint of vanilla oak’, while Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles appreciated its ‘great, vibrant acidity, balancing the apricot and peach fruit’, adding that it was ‘great value’.

£6.67 Direct Wines Production

Château Talbot, 4ème Cru Classé, St-Julien 2011, Bordeaux, France

Silver medal winner

Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles was happy with this wine: ‘This has a great, intense nose that feels very elegant. There’s mature fruits balanced with great acidity. Very elegant tannins with a nice twist of spice. A great wine for the dinner table but I’d happily drink it alone: a meditation wine.’

£58.22 Enotria&Coe

Antoine Moueix Propriétés, Château Patache d'Aux, Médoc 2015, Bordeaux, France

Silver medal winner

‘Elegant red and black fruits with good cedar wood complexity on the nose, while the palate is juicy, with balanced tannins in check and a long finish,’ said Street XO’s Raphael Thierry.

£15.83 CHARLES TAYLOR WINES LTD

Château Lamothe-Bouscaut, Pessac-Léognan Blanc 2016, Bordeaux, France

Silver medal winner

Team leader Jan Konetzki noted a nose of ‘oranges and apricots with fresh herbs’ with ‘notes of honey and toast’, describing the palate as ‘dry, rich and medium bodied, with a nice toasty finish’.

£20.47 Liberty Wines

Château La Fleur des Rouzes, Pomerol 2016, Bordeaux, France

Silver medal winner

‘Lovely clean and direct dark fruits here,’ said team leader Angela Reddin, adding: ‘Floral scents of peony and foxglove mingle with the dark fruit that bathes the mouth in flavour, with pinpoint balance.’ ‘Age-worthy wine that would be perfect with lamb or steak,’ added Stefano Barbarino of Chez Bruce Restaurant.

£21.50 Bibendum

Château du Moulin Rouge, Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois 2015, Bordeaux, France

Silver medal winner

Team leader Jan Konetzki noted: ‘Fresh notes of red and black currants are followed by hints of toast on the nose; the palate is dry with a medium length and grippy tannins.’ Meanwhile Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair thought it had ‘cherry and plum with good, spicy balance between tannin and acidity’.

£12.14 Davy's Wine Merchants

Château Lamothe de Haux, Bordeaux Blanc 2018, Bordeaux, France

Silver medal winner

‘A very pretty nose,’ said Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles, adding: ‘It’s intense and fresh with a hint of minerality. Very full of life on the palate with apricot, mango and a hint of vanilla.’

£9.31 R D Wines

Château Lamothe de Haux, Côtes de Bordeaux 2016, Bordeaux, France

Silver medal winner

‘Some nice complexity for the money here,’ said Melania Bellesini of The Fat Duck. ‘This would be good by the glass in a pub; it has ripe fruit and some nice sweet spice; the new oak is well handled for easy drinking.’

£10.08 R D Wines

Direct Wines Production, Le C du Chai, Cuvée Noble 2017, Bordeaux, France

Silver medal winner

Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair noted: ‘A dry wine with apricot and peach fruit as well as crisp green apple, lime and lemon. There is a touch of honey too in this nicely textured wine.’

£8.22 Direct Wines Production

Château Lestrille-Capmartin, Bordeaux Supérieur 2012, Bordeaux, France

Silver medal winner

‘This would be a great charcuterie platter wine,’ said team leader Laurent Richet MS, ‘the nose is full of dry sausage, chorizo, dry salami; while the fairly savoury plate gives up rich plum and cassis with a final touch of bacon on the finish.’

£16.99 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Château de Côme, St-Estèphe 2015, Bordeaux, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Very intense red fruits with a touch of grass and spices on the nose,’ said Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles, adding: ‘There’s lovely acidity and good length.’

£24.92 Top Selection

Château Teyssier, Pezat, Bordeaux Superieur 2015, Bordeaux, France

Bronze medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group noted: ‘With a toasty, morello cherry palate this is quite mouthwatering. There are hints of graphite and tobacco leaf on the nose and well-balanced tannins to finish.’

£10.70 Matthew Clark

Château Siaurac, Plaisir de Siaurac, Lalande de Pomerol 2016, Bordeaux, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Leafy aromas mingle with the cassis and green plum; a more structured style, typical of the movement towards more Cabernet Franc,’ said Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club. ‘Good clean wine,’ added team leader Angel Reddin.

£15.35 Bibendum

Château Gardegan, Bordeaux Supérieur 2015, Bordeaux, France

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Nigel Lister described ‘a nose of charcoal and chocolate’, and went on to say ‘this has elegant, crushed forest fruits across a juicy palate and good typicity in a modern style’.

£11.24 Bibendum

Vignobles Léon Nony, Château Garraud, Lalande de Pomerol 2012, Bordeaux, France

Bronze medal winner

Pasquale Moschettieri of Benares Restaurant & Bar noted: ‘There are nice aromas of black fruits with sweet spice and a hint of rose petal. The palate follows with good cassis and plum fruit with a well-balanced finish.’

£13.89 Alliance Wine, Amathus, Christopher Piper Wines

Gonzague Lurton, Vivens 2014, Bordeaux, France

Bronze medal winner

‘A bit shy but smartly dressed,’ mused Street XO’s Raphael Thierry, ‘this is sophisticated but approachable.’

£27.00 Liberty Wines

Château Sainte-Marie, Bordeaux Supérieur 2016, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

£9.81 Enotria&Coe

Château Edmus, St-Emilion Grand Cru 2014, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

£22.64 Top Selection

Domaine Clos le Comte, Graves Blanc 2016, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

£14.66 Top Selection

Antoine Moueix Propriétés, Château Liversan, Haut-Médoc 2016, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

£17.43 ADVINI

Antoine Moueix Propriétés, Château d'Hanteillan, Haut-Médoc 2016, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

£15.08 ADVINI

Château Lamothe-Bouscaut, Pessac-Léognan 2014, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

£19.67 Liberty Wines

Château Phélan Ségur, La Croix Bonis, St-Estèphe 2015, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

£21.65 Bibendum

Samazeuilh, Château Montcabrier Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon, Bordeaux Supérieur 2017, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

£8.34 Matthew Clark

Samazeuilh, Château Montcabrier, Bordeaux Supérieur 2015, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

£8.42 Matthew Clark

Grands Chais de France, Château Tour de Bossuet, Lalande de Pomerol 2016, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

£18.78 Matthew Clark

Château Lestrille-Capmartin, Bordeaux Blanc 2016, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

Château Merigot, Côtes de Bourg 2015, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

Château Mayne Blanc, Lussac St-Émilion 2015, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

Château Cruzeau, St-Emilion Grand Cru 2015, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

Vignobles Leydet, Château de Valois 2014, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

Château Sénéjac, Comte de Senejac, Haut-Médoc 2014, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

Vignobles Rousselot, Château Au Pont de Guitres 2014, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

Château Boutisse, St-Emilion Grand Cru 2016, Bordeaux, France

Commended medal winner

France: Chablis

Savary, Chablis Sélection Vieilles Vignes 2014, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

As this took its place on the Gold List, team leader Nigel Lister praised its ‘typicity, as well as good acidity’, while fellow team leader Jade Koch appreciated its ‘smoky, gunflint nose, leading to some good grip and texture, with some citrus, too’, further describing it as ‘chewy and lean’. Sylwester Piasecki of Zuma was impressed by its ‘concentrated lemon and lime notes, with some mineral oyster shell and grapefruit, too’, and liked its ‘long finish’.

£15.62 Bancroft Wines

Domaine Jean Goulley, Chablis 2017, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

On encountering this complex Gold Lister, Sylwester Piasecki of Zuma painted a picture of an ‘elegant wine, with fresh lime and lemon, but spicy and floral, with some oyster shell, too’, while team leader Jade Koch thought it ‘complex, rich and balanced, with a lovely salty, chalky weight’, following an ‘intense, inviting nose that’s honeyed and oily’. Raphael Thierry of Street XO, meanwhile, enjoyed its ‘grapefruit bitterness with smoky minerality’.

£19.34 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

J Moreau & Fils, Petit Chablis 2017, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

This standout Petit Chablis took home a Gold medal for its ‘lovely fresh and food-friendly style’, according to team leader Nigel Lister, who found ‘classic Chablis character’. For fellow team leader Laurent Richet MS this meant ‘a honeyed, slightly waxy texture and flavour, along with crushed-stone minerality, with some lovely depth of flavour of honeysuckle and lemon’, while Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group appreciated additional notes of ‘delicate tomato leaf and bell pepper, as well as some graphite’.

£16.11 Matthew Clark, Inverarity Morton

Domaine de Vauroux, Chablis 1er Cru, Montée de Tonnerre 2015, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

'Complex, with great texture and balance,' thought an impressed Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse on encountering this Gold winner, describing notes of 'ripe lemon, melon and pomelo, as well as mineral notes of chalk, crushed rock and seashell', before identifying it as 'perfect both as an aperitif or to drink with seafood'. Team leader Carlos Ferreira added more praise for its 'elegant nose, with red and green apples, some stone fruit and butter, leading to a palate that's floral, with nice acidity, that finishes long and balanced.'

£19.66 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Louis Michel, Chablis 1er Cru, Montmain 2015, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

‘A superb wine,’ commented an approving Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche as judges awarded this Gold, while team leader Lionel Periner described notes of ‘green tea, lemongrass, coriander and lemon, and a palate that is fresh and elegant, finishing dry, flinty and long’. Francisco Macedo of Cliveden House added praise for its ‘amazing acidity, with stone fruit and peach, as well as some herbaceous notes – all leading to a lush finish’.

£23.49 Enotria&Coe

J Moreau & Fils, Chablis Premier Cru Vaucoupin 2016, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

For team leader Carlos Ferreira this Gold Lister was ‘elegant, with lots of stone fruit and oak on the nose, as well as some asparagus and almond notes, leading to a palate that’s both smooth and super spicy, with great balance, too’. Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse, meanwhile, described notes of ‘lemon zest, pomelo and yellow grapefruit, as well as some honeysuckle, honey and vanilla, along with a chalky, crushed-rock note with saline minerality’.

£28.79 Matthew Clark

Domaine Louis Michel, Chablis Grand Cru, Vaudésir 2015, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

‘Wow!’ began team leader Laurent Richet MS as this was elevated to Gold, going on to describe it as ‘flinty, vibrant and intense, with a lovely, ripe mid-palate’. Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse enjoyed its ‘lovely fruit profile of lemon, lime, green apple and melon, with a very expressive palate that’s smooth, mineral and very food friendly’, while team leader Carlos Ferreira identified ‘almonds, stone fruit and yellow apple, as well as some oak’, and described a ‘classic palate with salted asparagus and crisp acidity’.

£41.13 Enotria&Coe

Gilbert Picq, Chablis 1er Cru, Vosgros 2015, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

Team leader Lionel Periner found 'fresh lime with some elegant, herbaceous character, as well as flinty notes,’ going on to admire a ‘light palate with good, intense acidity and a finish that’s tart with minerals'. Le Gavroche’s Remi Cousin, meanwhile, summed up this Gold Lister’s characteristics as 'nutty'. James Fryer of Woodhead 17 noted a ‘gunmetal, almost rocky, nose, with baked lemon, matchstick and taut, unripe apricot’, before concluding that it ‘needs time’.

£19.71 Bibendum

Domaine Lupé-Cholet, Château de Viviers, Chablis 1er Cru, Les Vaillons 2015, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

On encountering this accomplished Gold winner, team leader Lionel Periner described it as ‘elegant, with fresh peach and lemon aromas, and a palate that’s complex, with good acidity on the finish’, while James Fryer of Woodhead 17 further noted some ‘citrus pith on the nose, leading to a smoky, saline palate, with peach flesh and apricot skin, too’. ‘Savoury, juicy, crisp and precise,’ summarised Mattia Mazzi of The River Cafe.

£21.88 Enotria&Coe

La Chablisienne, Paul Deloux Chablis 2015, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

‘An amazing palate,’ said team leader Laurent Richet MS, ‘it’s balanced and clean but this delivers itself slowly across the palate and doesn’t stop giving. There’s a slight touch of new oak and a flinty, smoky taste; it’s very moreish.’

£16.43 Matthew Clark

Domaine de Vauroux, Olivier Tricon Chablis 2017, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

‘This is bright, sharp, young and punchy,’ said team leader Laurent Richet MS, ‘it has a crustaceous feel; it’s clean with citrus notes but there’s a nice mineral, salty edge – great with shellfish.’

£16.20 Enotria&Coe

Jean-Marc Brocard, Chablis 1er Cru, Montmains 2017, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

Noelia Calleja of Hakkasan Hanway Place noted a nose of ‘green apple and intense citrus with intense flavours of lemon and lime’ and described ‘a nice flinty character and salty crackers over the long finish’.

£20.31 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Domaine Louis Michel, Chablis 1er Cru, Montée de Tonnerre 2015, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

‘The nose here is very complex,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, ‘aromatic citrus and stone fruits; the palate is very round and elegant with a clean finish. This is a lot of wine for the price.’

£25.80 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Louis Michel, Chablis 2017, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

Raphael Thierry of Street XO enjoyed the wine’s ‘elegant minerality’, going on to say: ‘There’s fresh lemon-lime and apple fruit, it’s medium bodied, textural and has a long refreshing finish.’

£16.40 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Laroche, Chablis Saint Martin 2018, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Wow! There’s a hint of truffle and blue cheese,’ enthused team leader Laurent Richet MS. ‘Nice minerality and an oily texture, all wrapped around Granny Smith apples with a lemon sherbet and crushed stone finish,’ he added.

£19.80 Liberty Wines

La Chablisienne, Chablis 1er Cru Fourneaux, Vignerons de Chablis 2012, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Lionel Periner noted: ‘There is a medium intense colour, the nose is open with ripe lemon and fresh straw; the palate is waxy, with a dry freshness and clean finish. Feels like a warm vintage.’

£19.55 Matthew Clark

Savary, Chablis Sélection Vieilles Vignes 2015, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

‘There’s smoky notes of vanilla here,’ said Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, ‘and a rich palate of some depth, a lovely nuttiness too. There’s also great balance, this is excellent.’

£15.62 Bancroft Wines

Domaine Passy le Clou, Chablis 2017, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

‘The wine has pure aromas and taste,’ said team leader Laurent Richet MS, ‘it’s clean, vibrant and mineral with notes of clay and oyster; quite long and brilliant.’

£14.28 VINS DESCOMBE

J Moreau & Fils, Chablis Premier Cru Montmains 2016, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche was impressed: ‘This is classic, great typicity, you absolutely know where you are; it’s dry and flinty with beautiful appley fruit, excellent.’

£28.69 Matthew Clark, Carlsberg UK

Alain Geoffroy, Cuvée Vieilles Vignes, Elevée en Fûts de Chêne, Chablis 2017, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

Sylwester Piasecki of Zuma noted: ‘A bright nose with orange peel and lemon and a mineral scent; this is fleshy, with pronounced fruit and brisk acidity.’

£14.02 R D Wines

Domaine Testut, Chablis 1er Cru, Les Vaillons 2017, Chablis, France

Commended medal winner

£21.18 Top Selection

Domaine Testut, Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£17.41 Top Selection

La Chablisienne, Petit Chablis, Vignerons de Chablis 2015, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£12.59 Matthew Clark

La Chablisienne, Chablis, Les Sarments 2015, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£15.03 Matthew Clark

Domaine Costal, Chablis 1er Cru, Montmains 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£22.28 Matthew Clark

Jean-Marc Brocard, Chablis Domaine Sainte Claire Organic 2018, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine Grand Roche, Chablis 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

J Moreau & Fils, Chablis 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine de Vauroux, Petit Chablis, Olivier Tricon 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£14.79 Enotria&Coe

Domaine de Vauroux, Vieilles Vignes, Chablis 2015, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£16.97 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Louis Michel, Petit Chablis 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£15.81 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Louis Michel, Chablis Grand Cru, Les Grenouilles 2015, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£51.06 Enotria&Coe

J Moreau & Fils, Chablis Premier Cru Mont de Milieu 2016, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£30.33 Matthew Clark

Domaine Louis Michel, Chablis 1er Cru, Forêts 2015, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£23.42 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Lupé-Cholet, Château de Viviers, Chablis 2015, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£15.91 Enotria&Coe

France: Loire, inc. Sancerre

Château du Cleray, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2014, Loire, France

Gold medal winner Food Match

As judges found this deserving of not only a Gold medal but a Food Match award too, team leader Charlie Young thought it ‘subtle yet memorable’, as well as ‘lean, focused and long, with minerality and complexity’, while Hakkasan Hanway Place’s Oliver Nagy appreciated its ‘ripe fruit, like elderberry, grapefruit and fresh green apple, and a mineral finish’. ‘Typical Loire,’ summarised consultant Emanuel Pesqueira, finding it ‘honest, complex and well aged – and great value too’.

£11.03 Les Grands Chais de France

Domaines Minchin, La Tour Saint Martin, Menetou-Salon, Morogues 2017, Loire, France

Gold medal winner

‘Complex, rounded and highly aromatic,’ was team leader Martin Lam’s summary as this was awarded Gold, while Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn elaborated with notes of ‘grapefruit and a slight kerosene note, leading to creamy roundness on the palate, with some flint, too’. ‘An elegant style,’ added The Gilbert Scott’s Juan Manuel Marcos Perez, who found ‘lemon and green gooseberry notes’, while team leader Laura Rhys MS identified ‘orange zest, wet stone and notes of green pepper’.

£14.01 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaine Franck Millet, Sancerre Cuvée Insolite 2017, Loire, France

Gold medal winner

With its ‘plush, exotic aromas and fleshy passion fruit flavour profile, with a grippy finish’, according to team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, a Gold medal was inevitable. Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles added praise for its ‘delicate apricot fruit aromas and refined palate that’s crisp but rounded, with more apricot and other candied fruits mingling pleasantly on the finish’, while Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks thought it ‘well weighted and viscous, with some fresh thyme, and a fresh finish’.

£21.93 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Pierre Sourdais, Chinon Tradition Organic 2017, Loire, France

Gold medal winner Food Match

Taking home not only a Gold medal, but a Food Match award too, this Loire red was ‘earthy and floral, with a touch of cacao’, according to Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, while team leader Nigel Lister appreciated its ‘earthy, farmyard nose and juicy, fleshy black and red fruits’. Beatrice Bessi of 67 Pall Mall thought its ‘complex layers of red berries, leather and liquorice root’ would make this ‘very enjoyable with a puttanesca pasta with burrata’.

£11.08 Enotria&Coe

Bougrier, Nicolas Rouzet, Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine 2017, Loire, France

Gold medal winner

Judges recognised the value for money offered by this Gold Lister, as well as its ‘very fresh and fruity character, with elderflower and passion fruit, and a typical mineral backbone’, according to Romain de Courcey of Gazelle Mayfair, who added that it was ‘intense, with good length’. Team leader Laura Rhys MS enjoyed its ‘lime, tropical fruit, green pea and grapefruit notes’, while Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston liked its ‘fresh-cut grass and citrus nose, with a sweet and aromatic palate, and balanced finish’.

£7.25 Majestic Commercial

Domaine Laporte, Pouilly-Fumé La Vigne de Beaussopet 2016, Loire, France

Gold medal winner

This Gold winner had, for Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn, ‘a lot of character, and a very interesting nose, with pink grapefruit and savoury spice, as well as a slight walnut or almond nuttiness’, while team leader Martin Lam described it as ‘complex and evolving well, with elderflower on the nose, and a hint of passion fruit and green herbs on the palate’. Fellow team leader Laura Rhys MS, meanwhile, spoke highly of its ‘lovely weight and acidity, with white pepper, lemon and herbal notes’.

£20.62 Enotria&Coe

Pithon-Paillé, Mozaik, Anjou Blanc NV, Loire, France

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

With generous praise from judges including team leader Charlie Young, who found this ‘endlessly complex, unconventional and delicious’, it’s no surprise that a Critics’ Choice award followed its elevation to Gold. Young described ‘sweet spice and fennel, with ground nuts and sherry notes, as well as cloves and citrus’, while Hakkasan Hanway Place’s Oliver Nagy enjoyed its ‘oxidative style, with crisp apple and citrus, and quite a rich palate, with good acidity and length’.

£13.34 Enotria&Coe

Pithon-Paillé, Coteaux des Treilles, Anjou 2013, Loire, France

Gold medal winner

‘Just delicious,’ said 67 Pall Mall’s Terry Kandylis as this took its place on the Gold List with its ‘honeyed notes on the nose, as well as some bruised apple, leading to a wonderfully dry palate with precision and length’, while consultant Emanuel Pesqueira pronounced it ‘harmonious’, and ‘expressing typicity’. ‘Perfect acidity,’ added Daniel Loughlin of 20 Stories, who thought its ‘marmalade, tangerine rind, nutty almond and smoky notes’ made this perfect for ‘fatty meats like pork belly’.

£27.05 Enotria&Coe

Pithon-Paillé, Mozaik, Anjou Rouge 2015, Loire, France

Gold medal winner

This ‘beautifully put together’ wine, according to team leader Charlie Young, earned its Gold medal for its ‘black fruit purity on the nose, and tight tannins that let some seamless red berry character through’. Impressed fellow team leader Nigel Lister found it ‘richly aromatic and very fleshy, with bright acidity’, while Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group appreciated its ‘nose of graphite and truffle’ and Melania Bellesini of The Fat Duck enjoyed its ‘very intense dark spice, red fruits and a long finish’.

£13.99 Enotria&Coe

Château de Fosse-Sèche, Eolithe, Saumur 2016, Loire, France

Silver medal winner

‘Bright, supple and pure fruit aromas; this has a nice ferrous palate with lovely juice and good potential,’ said Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan.

£19.14 Top Selection

Joseph Mellot, Les Collinettes, Sancerre 2018, Loire, France

Silver medal winner

‘Intensely aromatic,’ said team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW; ‘delicate and tropical’ thought Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles, adding: ‘There’s a grassy, herbaceous edge but a lovely concentration of soft peach and passion fruit on the finish.’

£16.20 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Domaine de Pierre, Sauvignon de Touraine, Domaine de Pierre 2017, Loire, France

Silver medal winner

‘This makes me salivate!’ said team leader Jan Konetzki, ‘there’s nice fresh notes of lemon and apple and a touch of pickle – dill and cucumber. This is dry, crisp and good!’

£9.57 Enotria&Coe

Joseph Mellot, Le Chant des Vignes, Pouilly-Fumé 2018, Loire, France

Silver medal winner

‘Very good Sauvignon,’ said Dario Barbato of Individual Restaurants, ‘there’s bright acidity and good flavour intensity; the wine is persistent and structured.’ ‘Lovely freshness to the green apple and peachy fruit,’ added team leader Laura Rhys MS.

£12.88 Hatch Mansfield

Domaine du Pré Baron, Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Loire, France

Silver medal winner

Team leader Nigel Lister found this ‘very aromatic, it feels New World almost, with juicy succulent, passion fruit notes’. ‘It’s certainly herbaceous, with fresh citrus and a touch of sweetness and brisk acidity,’ added Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant.

£7.95 Boutinot

Jérémie Huchet, Château de la Bretesche, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2017, Loire, France

Silver medal winner

‘This feels quite bashful but there is some oyster shell showing,’ began Moio Restaurant’s Carolina W Seibel, adding: ‘The palate shows more ripeness of fruit and a captivating acidity that embraces the richness with astringency on the finish.’

£8.57 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Laporte, Pouilly-Fumé Les Duchesses 2017, Loire, France

Silver medal winner

‘There’s white flowers on the nose, stone fruit on the palate with peach and apricot; good length and crisp acidity,’ said consultant Leonie Loudon. ‘Good concentration and a honeyed note to finish,’ added Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant.

£16.92 Enotria&Coe

Les Celliers de Cérès, Sancerre, Le Petit Broux 2017, Loire, France

Silver medal winner

Romain de Courcey of Gazelle Mayfair was impressed: ‘This is a delicate and elegant wine; it’s very nicely balanced with a great leesy mouthfeel that’s full with lemon and yellow plum, plus there’s a lovely chalky minerality.’

£16.41 Enotria&Coe

Sylvain Gaudron, Vouvray Sec 2016, Loire, France

Silver medal winner

'With light apple aromas this wine feels fresh and crisp and the palate has notes of lemon peel to augment the green apple fruit; the finish is fresh with a mineral edge.'
said team leader Tom Forrest.

£12.15 Enotria&Coe

Château de la Roulerie, Le P'tit Cab 2017, Loire, France

Silver medal winner

‘The nose has intense, mature, juicy aromas of berries with a savoury, earthy note. The palate is also juicy with nice, ripe tannins and nicely integrated alcohol,’ said Melania Bellesini of The Fat Duck.

£9.25 Borough Wines

Domaine de Pierre, Gamay de Touraine 2016, Loire, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Bright cherry and rose hip aromas with a touch of mushroom,’ noted team leader Nigel Lister, adding: ‘The palate is fresh with fairly elegant fruit and decent concentration.’

£9.57 Enotria&Coe

La Voûte, Touraine Chenonceaux 2017, Loire, France

Bronze medal winner

‘The nose shows citrus fruit, grapefruit and lime with hints of floral blossom; there’s a nice peachy palate and decent length,’ said Dario Barbato of Individual Restaurants.

£11.82 Liberty Wines

Domaine Franck Millet, Sancerre 2017, Loire, France

Bronze medal winner

Beatrice Bessi of 67 Pall Mall loved the ‘very vibrant palate, so refreshing!’ and found that ‘the nose is quite herbal with nice fresh cut grass and asparagus and there’s a nice flinty note, too’. ‘Good value in Sancerre terms,’ added team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£15.53 Enotria&Coe

Alliance Loire, La Divatte, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2017, Loire, France

Bronze medal winner

‘A light style, with lemon and stoney mineral aromatics; dry and fresh with golden fruit and a nice mineral finish,’ said Moio Restaurant’s Carolina W Seibel.

£7.46 Enotria&Coe

Cave des Vignerons de Saumur, La Cabriole, Saumur Blanc 2017, Loire, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Aromatics of white stone fruit and citrus with minerals,’ noted team leader Tom Forrest, adding: ‘The palate has some nicely rounded stone fruit and a creamy suggestion of lees stirring and there’s a nice yeasty prickle on the finish.’

£8.33 Enotria&Coe

Château de Fosse-Sèche, Arcane, Saumur 2016, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

£22.33 Top Selection

Joseph Mellot, La Bardine, Menetou-Salon 2018, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

Joseph Mellot, Les Thureaux, Menetou-Salon 2018, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

£11.38 Hatch Mansfield

Grands Chais de France, Pouilly-Fumé Pierre Brevin 2016, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine de la Chauvinière, Granit de Chateau-Thebaud, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2013, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

£13.83 Enotria&Coe

Domaine de Pierre, Touraine Oisly 2017, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

£10.44 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Laporte, Organic Sancerre La Comtesse 2016, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

£23.08 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Laporte, Organic Sancerre Grand Rochoy 2017, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

£23.31 Enotria&Coe

Cave des Vignerons de Saumur, La Cabriole, Saumur Rouge 2016, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

£8.33 Enotria&Coe

Cave des Vignerons de Saumur, Touraine Sauvignon Les Roches 2017, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

£8.52 Enotria&Coe

France: Red Burgundy

Louis Jadot, Beaune 1er Cru, Celebration 2012, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

Showing all the hallmarks of a Gold winner, this had ‘crunchy red fruits with high acids, as well as some scorched earth and minerality’, thought team leader Andres Ituarte, who added that it was ‘showing some development’. Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club spoke highly of its ‘fresh raspberry notes and floral aromas, as well as ripe fruit with firm tannins, all leading to a gentle, spiced finish’.

£27.71 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Château de Pommard, Clos Marey-Monge Monopole 2015, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

‘Classy stuff,’ began Sommelier Wine Awards competition director Chris Losh, as this took home a well-deserved Gold, going on to praise its ‘perfumed, elegant red fruit with an attractive savoury core’, and adding that ‘the tannins are still present, but you can drink this now – or any time over the next 20 years’. ‘I loved the complexity here,’ added Gymkhana Restaurant’s Valentin Radosav, who thought that ‘food-wise it’s very flexible, but it would be at its best with something gamey like partridge’.

£82.12 VIVANT INC

Domaine Pierre Naigeon, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru, Les Fontenys 2015, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

A Gold medal was inevitable for this ‘mineral, well-balanced and extremely elegant’ wine, thought House of Sake’s Honami Matsumoto, who went on to describe ‘red berries and a savoury element’. Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair agreed, finding ‘ripe fruit notes of cherry and strawberry, along with a woody note and some plum jam’, while team leader Andres Ituarte appreciated its ‘soft, warm humidor notes’. Describing ‘fresh mint and raspberry’, Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club praised its ‘complex body and very fine, elegant finish’.

£80.57 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaine René Monnier, Beaune 1er Cru, Les Toussaints 2015, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

On encountering this Gold winner, team leader Andrés Ituarte was impressed by its 'tart red fruits that are feminine and fresh, leading to violets and earthy notes and with a warm, Spanish cedar finish, while Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair found it to be a 'dry, very balanced wine, with rich tannins, cherries and black plum’. She also appreciated the complex and woody notes from the barrel, describing them as ‘a bit farmyard’.

£35.50 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Bouchard Aîné & Fils, Côte de Beaune-Villages 2016, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

One of a pair of well-deserved medals for Bouchard Aîné & Fils in this year’s competition, this Gold Lister was ‘ripe and smoky, with some herbal complexity, and leather notes, too’, according to Sonal Clare of Purnell’s Restaurant. Team leader Laurent Richet MS, meanwhile, had praise for its ‘intensity on the nose, with flowers and bright cherry notes, leading to an incredibly punchy palate that’s long, structured and balanced’, before adding that it would ‘definitely age well’.

£19.70 Matthew Clark

Domaine Lupé-Cholet, Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Les Peuillets 2015, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

Team leader Laurent Richet MS was among the judges who elevated this to Gold amid praise for its ‘deep, concentrated aromas of ripe black cherries and red plums, leading to a beautiful texture with savoury tannins and hints of spice and cedar’. Consultant Anja Breit was similarly impressed, describing ‘velvety, dark berry fruit and well-integrated oak, with a minty, herbal element and a juicy palate’ that meant it could ‘match strong meat dishes like beef bourguignon’.

£26.57 Enotria&Coe

Château de Pommard, Clos Marey-Monge Monopole 2016, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

‘Bright, briary fruit, with real concentration,’ began team leader Andres Ituarte, who thought that this was ‘a lovely wine, but it’s just not ready to drink yet’. ‘A very smart wine for a few years’ time,’ agreed fellow team leader Martin Lam.

£85.37 VIVANT INC

Domaine Lupé-Cholet, Volnay 2013, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

‘The vibrant, cherry aromas mingle with gentle fresh cassis fruit with notes of clove, leading to a long elegant finish,’ said Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club. ‘Nice, toasty notes on the finish – this is very good,’ added team leader Andres Ituarte.

£33.48 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Lupé-Cholet, Nuits-St-Georges 2013, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group liked the ‘tobacco aromas on the nose mixed with herbal nuances’, and went on to describe a palate with ‘black cherry and pepper spice with a smoky note of leather and good structure’.

£35.35 Enotria&Coe

Louis Jadot, Santenay Clos de Gatsulard 2013, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

‘This is pretty and feminine,’ thought team leader Andres Ituarte, ‘the bright red fruits though are balanced with some stalky tannin, which helps to showcase the terroir’.

£18.75 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Famille Carabello-Baum, Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2015, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

This had, according to Gymkhana Restaurant’s Valentin Radosav, ‘an attractive perfumed nose with a taut palate’.

£22.88 VIVANT INC

Domaine René Monnier, Pommard les Vignots 2015, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Laurent Richet MS was impressed: ‘Perfumed with ripe black cherry, cedar and vanilla aromas, this leads you to a voluptuous palate. Delectable and delicious there are notes of cherry, vanilla, cedar, tobacco and spice.The finish is long.’

£36.33 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaine Lupé-Cholet, 1er Cru les Crots, Nuits-St-Georges 2013, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Andres Ituarte found ‘dry pot-pourri floral notes mixed with red fruit flavours; there is a slight green note but also a nice earthy, long finish; unquestionably well made.’

£45.09 Enotria&Coe

David Duband, Bourgogne Rouge 2016, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£17.41 Top Selection

Maison Champy, Beaune 1er Cru, Aux Cras 2016, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£40.38 ADVINI

Maison Champy, Pernand-Vergelesses 2016, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£27.33 ADVINI

Domaine de Monterrain, Mâcon-Serrières 2015, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine Régis Rossignol-Changarnier, Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2014, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£17.91 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Régis Rossignol-Changarnier, Volnay 1er Cru 2014, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£31.16 Enotria&Coe

France: South & South-West, Red

Plaimont, Château De Sabazan 2014, Saint Mont, South West France, France

Gold medal winner

As this was elevated to Gold, Woodhead 17’s James Fryer described an intriguing mix of ‘chocolate and iodine, with some leafy notes in the background, leading to a leathery palate with some dried cranberries and redcurrants’. An impressed Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant further described it as ‘supple and juicy, full bodied and generous – very fresh and drinkable now but will also age’, appreciating its ‘well-integrated palate with lovely harmony and some toasty oak, not to mention mint and forest floor’.

£16.37 Bibendum

Grands Chais de France, Les Vignerons Grenache Pinot Noir 2017, France, France

Gold medal winner

This Gold-worthy Grenache impressed judges for its value for money, not to mention a ‘spicy, strawberry nose and light, pretty style’, according to team leader Nigel Lister, while Hakkasan’s Olivier Gasselin described it as ‘fruit driven, with a supple finish’. 67 Pall Mall’s Beatrice Bessi praised its ‘lovely, fresh layers of red fruit, like cherries, raspberries and plums’, while The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones recommended either ‘caramelised pork or steak tartare’.

£6.08 Les Grands Chais de France

Château Lagrézette, Cahors 2016, South West France, France

Gold medal winner

‘Outstanding,’ was Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant’s succinct summary of this impressive addition to the Gold List – one of two for Château Lagrézette this year. Meanwhile Filip Viorel of Benares Restaurant & Bar had praise for its ‘beautiful, elegant nose followed by a rich palate dominated with blackcurrant and almonds, as well as a herbaceous note, with refreshing acidity, too’. ‘A real thinking wine,’ concluded Sean Arthur of Cliveden House.

£25.67 Top Selection

Château Lagrézette, Cuvée Marguerite, Cahors 2016, South West France, France

Gold medal winner

Château Lagrézette’s second Gold in this category was ‘rich and intense, with vanilla and cedar wood, as well as some deep red-fruit flavours and a long, lingering finish’, thought Sean Arthur of Cliveden House, while Filip Viorel of Benares Restaurant & Bar added praise for a ‘great chocolate note with some sour, ripe cherry and cassis – a very complex wine’. ‘This has everything,’ continued an impressed Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant, describing ‘vibrant, small-clustered dark fruits, and a full-bodied palate that’s well balanced’.

£31.73 Top Selection

Château Thénac, Côtes de Bergerac 2012, Bergerac, France

Gold medal winner

This substantial, savoury Côtes de Bergerac earned itself a Gold medal for its ‘balsamic, meaty notes and big structure, yet gentle tannins’, according to Melania Bellesini of The Fat Duck, while Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan spoke highly of its ‘animal leather notes and juicy, cooked plums’, further describing it as ‘austere yet moreish’. ‘Very rich,’ added team leader Nigel Lister, who thought a decanter would further ‘unfurl the dense blackcurrant fruit and coffee notes’.

£17.32 Matthew Clark

Cazes, Ego, Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2017, Roussillon, France

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

Taking home not only Gold but a Critics’ Choice award, this drew praise from judges for its ‘cheerful blueberry fruit and a drying lick of spice’, began team leader Jade Koch, who thought it ‘generous without being over the top, with a balanced, considered and thoughtful palate, great minerality and inky length’. Hide Above’s Alonso Abed found it ‘herbal, savoury and full bodied, with some star anise’, while New Street Warehouse’s Tanguy Martin described ‘an explosion of fruit and spices, mixed with the right amount of tannins – great value!’.

£12.49 Enotria&Coe

Boutinot, Les Volets, Malbec, Haute Vallée de l'Aude 2017, Roussillon, France

Gold medal winner By the glass

Judges invariably commented on the great value for money offered by this Gold Lister, which Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse described as ‘gamey and savoury’, while team leader Christopher Cooper thought it ‘easy drinking, with creamy red berries and plum fruit, and a lift of violet’, identifying this as a ‘superior house wine or by-the-glass option’. This all led team leader Laurent Richet MS to picture it alongside ‘liver, mash, onion gravy and roasted broccoli’.

£6.45 Boutinot

La Croix de Saint Jean, Lo Mainatge, Minervois 2015, Languedoc, France

Gold medal winner

‘Explosive’, was Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse’s first impression of this Gold winner, going on to describe ‘intense, ripe, leathery notes on the nose’, which led to ‘a very generous palate’. Francesca Turra of Mondrian London thought it ‘very spicy with nuts and tobacco notes’, adding that there was ‘fairly high acidity and well-managed tannins’, while Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn found notes of ‘spicy cooked berry fruit – Black Forest gateaux?’.

£13.17 Liberty Wines

Mas Janeil, Rouge 2014, Roussillon, France

Gold medal winner

This Gold Lister was ‘big, balanced and very well made’, according to team leader Carlos Ferreira, while Matteo Cali of Savoy Grill was taken with its ‘pronounced sweet spice notes on the nose with vanilla and liquorice’, which led to a palate ‘coated with chocolate and blueberry fruit in this chunky red wine’. Team leader Tom Forrest, meanwhile, described ‘earthy notes, along with coconut and cedar, some dried fruit, and tobacco leaf, too’.

£14.08 Enotria&Coe

LGI-Wines, King Rabbit, Merlot 2017, South West France, France

Silver medal winner

‘This is good value for money,’ said Immacolata Cannavo of Hakkasan Mayfair. ‘It’s medium bodied, with a good red fruit character of supple plums; there’s a nice integration between acidity, tannin and alcohol; it’s well made.’

£6.11 Majestic Commercial

Jeanjean, Domaine du Causse D'Arboras, La Faille 2016, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles liked the ‘lifted, herbaceous aromas mixed with smoke black pepper’. He also thought the wine ‘has nice body and flavour concentration and although the tannins are quite stark there is a sense of balance and a very nice finish’.

£17.05 Enotria&Coe

Clos Troteligotte, K-Lys, Cahors 2015, South West France, France

Silver medal winner

Sean Arthur of Cliveden House found ‘pronounced, interesting vegetal “greenhouse” notes on the nose, with floral rose petal and cigar box hints too; the palate is quite meaty and leathery, complementing the vibrant and supple red fruit flavour.’

£12.73 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Château Coupe-Roses, Les Plots, Minervois 2017, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

‘Serious stuff,’ said team leader Charlie Young, ‘it needs food and the air from a decanter but that should help bring out the dark, herbaceous aromas, soften the good tannic structure and open the lovely spiced fruit.’

£11.63 Bibendum

Gérard Bertrand, Cigalus Rouge, Aude Hauterive 2017, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Silver medal winner

Rockliffe Hall’s Daniel Jonberger was impressed: ‘With cherries and a touch of raisin on the nose, this opens to a hugely complex palate that offers spice, tobacco, loganberry and cedar wood; lovely!’

£22.66 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaines Laithwaite, La Chimère de la Clarière 2016, Vin de France, France

Silver medal winner

Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan found a ‘big, concentrated, chunky nose with mint, dense bramble and new oak; the palate is meaty and juicy with tight, precise tannins and a fine texture’. ‘A steak and a decanter would be a good match,’ added CuVée VIII’s Michael Harrison.

£10.79 Direct Wines Production

Plaimont, Château Saint Benazit 2015, Madiran, South West France, France

Bronze medal winner

Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant found the nose ‘a bit funky, farmyardy, but there’s some good cherry and plum fruit behind it’, adding that ‘the palate has some fairly grippy tannin to keep things fresh’.

£10.18 Bibendum

Foncalieu, Le Versant Pinot 2017, Languedoc Roussillon, France

Bronze medal winner

‘The nose is quite earthy,’ said D&D’s Diana Rollan, ‘with liquorice, garrigue herbs as well as a floral note. A lighter style, more agreeable perhaps, with a final twist of garrigue herbs on the finish.’

£9.11 Bibendum

Gérard Bertrand, La Forge, Corbières-Boutenac 2016, Languedoc, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Richly aromatic and luscious,’ said Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, adding: ‘Very perfumed, with good length of dark fruits, garrigue and olive.’

£48.38 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Mas Janeil, Le Petit Pas Rouge 2017, Roussillon, France

Bronze medal winner

'This is earthy and gamey with good, dense, dark fruit structure.'
said Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn

£9.07 Enotria&Coe

Château Labastide-Haute, Cahors 2016, South West France, France

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest noted: ‘A medium ruby colour with some juicy and jammy red fruit notes and a sprinkle of cinnamon. There’s a creamy vanilla feel with the black fruit palate.’

£8.66 Matthew Clark

Château du Donjon, Grande Tradition, Minervois 2016, Languedoc - Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner

£8.66 Enotria&Coe

Grands Chais de France, Château Belles Eaux 2015, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine of the Bee, Les Genoux 2015, Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner

LGI-Wines, Beauté du Sud, Malbec 2017, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

Jeanjean, Devois des Agneaux, L'Audacieux 2017, Languedoc , France

Commended medal winner

£12.77 Enotria&Coe

Château de Chambert, Grand Vin, Cahors 2012, South West France, France

Commended medal winner

£29.94 Liberty Wines

Mas la Chevalière, L'Art des Sens, Pinot Noir Réserve 2018, Pays d'Oc, France

Commended medal winner

£8.82 ADVINI

Cazes, Les Clos de Paulilles, Classique 2017, Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner

£14.18 Enotria&Coe

LGI-Wines, Chemin de la Serre, Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2018, Languedoc , France

Commended medal winner

La Mascaronne, Fazioli 2016, Provence, France

Commended medal winner

Château Coupe-Roses, Bastide de Coupe-Roses, Minervois 2017, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£9.12 Bibendum

Plaimont, Château de Sabazan 2014 2014, Saint Mont, South West France, France

Commended medal winner

£16.37 Bibendum

Plaimont, Les 3 Chevaliers Rouge 2015, Saint Mont, South West France, France

Commended medal winner

£8.49 Bibendum

Domaine de la Baume, La Jeunesse 2017, Languedoc Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner

Badet Clément, La Cour des Dames, Mourvèdre, Pays d'Oc 2017, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£6.25 Molson Coors

Badet Clément, La Cour des Dames, Syrah, Pays d'Oc 2017, Languedoc , France

Commended medal winner

£5.69 Molson Coors

La Croix de Saint Jean, Lo Paire, Minervois 2015, Languedoc , France

Commended medal winner

£17.12 Liberty Wines

Domaine Chabbert, Minervois La Liviniere 2016, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner

£15.60 LA CROIX DE SAINT JEAN - DOMAINE CHABBERT

Domaine de Bila-Haut, Les Vignes de Bila-Haut, Rouge 2017, Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner

France: South & South-West, White

Grands Chais de France, Les Vignerons Vermentino Colombard 2017, France, France

Gold medal winner

‘Excellent,’ proclaimed team leader Nigel Lister on encountering this Gold winner, describing it as ‘floral and honeyed – off-dry with a lovely freshness’, while an impressed Melania Bellesini of The Fat Duck thought it ‘aromatic, fruity and mineral, with a long, fresh finish’. Bottles Group’s Chiara Sieni spoke highly of its ‘tropical nose and palate’, finding it ‘very rich, but balanced with acidity’, while CuVée VIII’s Michael Harrison added that it was ‘lovely and textural, with rich lemon notes’.

£5.95 Les Grands Chais de France

Badet Clément, La Cour des Dames, Viognier, Pays d'Oc 2018, Languedoc, France

Gold medal winner

Adding a Gold to Badet Clément’s collection of medals this year, and amid praise for its value for money, this Viognier was ‘elegant and mineral, with juicy pear and apricot’, according to team leader Laurent Richet MS, while Giorgio Scarsella of The Stafford found it ‘quite grassy, with lemon, apricot and lychee notes too, and well-balanced minerality’. The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia particularly enjoyed its ‘structured, mouthwatering palate, with subtle pear and rose water notes’.

£6.25 Molson Coors

Direct Wines Production, La Voûte, Sélection Terroir 2017, Vin de France, France

Gold medal winner

As this was elevated to Gold, Hakkasan’s Olivier Gasselin described it as ‘oaky and juicy, in a modern style, with roasted almond notes’, while team leader Nigel Lister praised its ‘lovely, rich and tropical fruit, with vanilla oak and pineapple on the nose’. Paola Giraldo of Wiltons, meanwhile, found it ‘warm and ripe on the nose, with a touch of honey, leading to a full-bodied, rich and intense palate’, making it ‘great for glazed pork’.

£8.19 Direct Wines Production

Domaines Auriol, Les Flamants, Picpoul de Pinet 2017, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

‘Bright and floral,’ said Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan, ‘very ripe and generous with soft, fleshy peach and apricot notes and quite grapey, too. It’s quite a full palate and nicely textured with a tingle of acidity to finish.’

£9.55 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

LGI-Wines, Chemin de la Serre, Marsanne Viognier 2018, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

Jim Bass of Scarlet Hotel found ‘a very floral, herbaceous nose with great freshness’. ‘It’s a lovely clean wine with notes of angelica and sweet pastry; excellent length and great value, too,’ added team leader Angela Reddin.

£6.22 Davy's Wine Merchants

Plaimont, Les 3 Chevaliers Blanc 2016, Saint Mont, South West France, France

Silver medal winner

‘Lovely aromatic, floral wine,’ said Mondrian London’s Francesca Turra, adding: ‘The palate balances tropical fruit notes with a mineral acidity that helps with the elegance.’

£8.49 Bibendum

Gérard Bertrand, Château La Sauvageonne, Grand Vin Blanc 2017, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

‘This is a stunning and complex wine,’ said Annamaria Juhasz of The Fat Duck, adding: ‘The nose shows very floral apple blossom notes, with ripe nectarine, mango, pineapple and grapefruit. The palate is rich and complex with spicy new oak and a waxy, mouthcoating finish.’

£20.59 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Mas Janeil, Le Traou de l'Ouille Blanc 2015, Roussillon, France

Silver medal winner

‘Buttered toast and lemon meringue pie with a powerful texture on the palate. There’s a lot of tropical fruit with mango, pineapple and banana, and it’s all well rounded and balanced. There is a bright, freshness, I could match it with turbot,’ said Stefano Barbarino of Chez Bruce Restaurant.

£15.61 Enotria&Coe

Chateau d'Aydie, Odé d'Aydie 2016, South West France, France

Silver medal winner

‘Bright and clear, with a lemon and lime, sweet and sour note,’ thought The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones. ‘Nice, creamy texture and a lovely finish,’ added team leader Lionel Periner.

£11.55 Enotria&Coe

Château de Campuget, Le Campuget, Grenache Viognier 2018, Languedoc, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Bright and bouncy,’ mused team leader Nigel Lister, adding: ‘Nicely perfumed with yellow plum and pear; this is fairly rich and full bodied; it’s very good value.’

£6.86 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Château de Campuget, 1753, Viognier 2018, Languedoc, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Aromatic notes of apricot and peach with acacia and jasmine notes. Nicely balanced, elegant food wine,’ said Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston.

£10.91 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaine de la Baume, La Baume 2018, Languedoc Roussillon, France

Bronze medal winner

‘With its fresh grapefruit and passion fruit aromatics this feels very well made. It’s juicy, fresh and lively,’ said team leader Nigel Lister.

£8.30 Les Grands Chais de France

Domaine Grauzan, Sauvignon Blanc, Pays d'Oc 2018, Languedoc, France

Bronze medal winner

‘This would be good by the glass,’ said team leader Nigel Lister, with its ‘intriguing nose of slate, minerals and gunpowder – quite a lot going on for the money. I like the peppery spiced pear palate.’

£6.90 Eurowines

Domaine de Morin Langaran, Picpoul de Pinet 2017, Languedoc - Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner

£8.58 Enotria&Coe

Foncalieu, Le Versant, Viognier 2018, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£8.48 Bibendum

Cave les Costieres de Pomerols, Mas Puech Picpoul de Pinet 2017, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£8.41 Bibendum

Château Coupe-Roses, Champ du Roy, Minervois 2016, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£9.20 Bibendum

Advini, Plo d'Isabelle, Picpoul de Pinet 2018, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine de Bila-Haut, Les Vignes de Bila-Haut, Blanc 2016, Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner

Caves de l'Ormarine, Picpoul de Pinet Les Prades 2017, Languedoc - Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner

£8.71 Enotria&Coe

France: White Burgundy

Lequin-Colin, Back to the Roots, Bourgogne Blanc 2017, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

This ‘exceptionally generous wine for the price’, according to Joshua Castle of Noble Rot, naturally took home Gold, with its ‘lovely array of smoky aromas and ripe orchard fruits, and a palate that’s tense and mineral, with a bright mineral finish’. Team leader Martin Lam particularly enjoyed its ‘leesy, barrel-ferment character’, while fellow team leader Hamish Anderson described ‘a powerful nose of smoke, spice and flowers, with cream, lemon pith and vanilla on the palate’.

£16.90 Top Selection

Domaine de Rochebin, Elodie Duprés, Macon-Villages 2017, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner By the glass

‘Ripe, creamy and bold – a lot for the price,’ praised team leader Hamish Anderson as this earned itself a Gold medal, with ‘a savoury, bright nose, and warm bread and apple notes’. Fellow team leader Angela Reddin agreed, finding it ‘very well balanced and nicely put together’, with ‘pears on the nose, and rock melon and peach on the palate’, while Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection appreciated ‘floral notes of acacia and elderflower, as well as peas, yellow apple, creamy vanilla and white pepper’.

£7.76 Majestic Commercial

Domaine Antoine Olivier, Le Biévaux l'Air de Rien, Santenay 2015, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

As this took its rightful place on the Gold List, New Street Warehouse’s Tanguy Martin praised its ‘very classy Burgundian notes, and a palate that’s vibrant and refreshing’, while team leader Martin Lam remarked on its ‘good concentration and typicity’, finding it ‘ripe and rounded, with a zesty acidity’. Ross Antonelli of Hawksmoor Borough, meanwhile, found it ‘smoky, with toasted seeds, pronounced fennel and popcorn, as well as some lemon, grapefruit and pineapple’.

£29.51 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaine Pierre Naigeon, Côtes de Nuits-Villages, Les Vignois 2015, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

The first of a pair of Gold medals for Domaine Pierre Naigeon in this year’s competition, this Côtes de Nuits-Villages was ‘complex, rich and savoury’, according to Gazelle Mayfair’s Romain de Courcy, who described notes of ‘fresh apple, ripe lemon and custard, as well as some minerality’. Team leader Hamish Anderson found it to be ‘a delicious, bold wine, in an opulent, toasty style that’s starting to develop’, describing ‘cream, toasty depth and some warm spice’.

£24.91 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaine Latour-Giraud, Cuvée Charles Maxime, Meursault 2016, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

‘Pure and restrained,’ praised team leader Hamish Anderson as this took home Gold, describing ‘a delicate floral nose, leading to a very driven, citrus-led palate with citrus pith and a long, intense finish’. Fellow leader Laura Rhys MS was equally complimentary, finding it to be ‘elegant and complex, with bold, juicy citrus and stone fruit’, while Daniel Nuttall of Adam’s Restaurant appreciated its ‘bright acidity and easy-drinking savoury palate with saline notes’.

£38.00 Bibendum

Domaine René Monnier, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru, Les Folatières 2016, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

Judges were generous in their praise as this was elevated to Gold, with team leader Laura Rhys MS finding it ‘delicious, with elegant fruit character, such as ripe citrus, apple and peach, and well-integrated oak’. Daniel Nuttall of Adam’s Restaurant described it as ‘steely, flinty and mineral’, while Kai Mayfair’s Elisa Soggia appreciated its ‘lemon and lime peel, with green apples, gooseberries and elderflower, too, as well as some vanilla and honeycomb, with oak and white pepper on the finish’.

£63.23 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Sylvain Loichet, Côte de Nuits Villages, Réserve La Comtesse 2015, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

Marco Marcuzzo of Aster Restaurant appreciated this Gold winner’s ‘typical Burgundian ripe stone fruit with spice and good oak integration, and a long, creamy palate with autolytic character of bread and lees’, while team leader Angela Reddin thought it ‘intense and intricate’, identifying additional ‘seashell and sea breeze notes, as well as lemon and stone fruits’. Kahani London’s Ennio Pucciarelli added praise for its ‘round yet crisp structure, with white peach and apple notes, as well as hints of honey, vanilla and toasted nuts’.

£30.04 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaine Ferret, Pouilly-Fuissé 2016, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

For Marco Marcuzzo of Aster Restaurant, this Gold winner was showing ‘classic Burgundian spice and autolytic character, like lees yeast and bread’, as well as being ‘full-bodied, with very fine and precise acidity, and integrated oak’. Team leader Angela Reddin appreciated its ‘talcum powder nose, with oak notes over tropical fruit’, describing it as ‘a clever, subtle wine, and very classy’, while Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection noted ‘melon, grapefruit, honey blossom and white pepper notes’.

£24.22 Enotria&Coe

Louis Jadot, Pernand Vergelesses Blanc 2013, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

‘There’s a touch of gunflint reduction on the nose,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS, ‘the palate is really lovely with lots of elegant citrus, spice and toast; there’s good weight and intensity to the fruit and the finish is long.’

£18.75 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Famille Carabello-Baum, Bourgogne Chardonnay 2015, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

According to Gymkhana Restaurant’s Valentin Radosav, there was ‘good, ripe fruit here, with some melon and pineapple, along with a nice honeyed richness on the mid-palate’, adding that this was ‘drinking now’.

£22.88 VIVANT INC

Domaine du Vissoux, Chermette, Beaujolais Blanc 2016, Beaujolais, France

Silver medal winner

‘White stone fruit with nectarine and apples on the nose, and there’s a nice leesy, nutty character, too,’ said Ross Antonelli of Hawksmoor Borough. ‘The mid-palate is creamy with good fruit support and a nice mineral finish,’ he added.

£11.95 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Ferret, Pouilly-Fuissé, Tete de Cru Les Perverse 2016, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

‘This has a subtle nose of petals and lime skin,’ said The Dorchester’s Christopher Delalonde MS, ‘there’s a complex delivery of ripe fruit here – this is a very stylish expression where everything is in balance. The layers of fruit are delivered with focus and lead to a ripe, spiced, long finish; top!’

£35.07 Enotria&Coe

Bouchard Aîné & Fils, Pouilly-Fuissé 2017, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

Dario Barbato of Individual Restaurants found ‘a floral nose of apple blossom that leads to nicely ripe fruit and well-integrated, judicious use of oak, probably using large barrels; the wine has a nicely balanced acidity and good length.’

£20.40 Matthew Clark

Domaine Jean Rijckaert, Le Mont Châtelaine, Viré-Clessé 2017, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

Christopher Delalonde MS of The Dorchester noted: ‘A floral nose of spring flowers with some oaked notes of baked brioche and toast; there’s a creamy texture to the ripe, primary fruit that’s both elegant and pure, with great lift and composure; the finish is long.’

£14.84 Bibendum

Henri de Villamont, Rully Blanc 2015, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Angela Reddin noted: ‘Hawthorn flowers, and camomile with a touch of crème anglais; there’s bright acidity that enjoys a kiss of oak and a lovely layering of flavours. Drink or keep.’

£18.75 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Château de la Maltroye, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£39.56 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Ferret, Pouilly-Fuissé 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

Louis Jadot, Château des Jacques, Beaujolais Blanc 2017, Beaujolais, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine Laurent Boussey, Monthelie Blanc 2016, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£22.44 Top Selection

Lequin-Colin, Clos Devant, Chassagne Montrachet 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£31.04 Top Selection

Domaine Jean-Pierre Sève, Mâcon-Solutré 2017, Burgundy , France

Commended medal winner

Henri de Villamont, Bourgogne Chardonnay Prestige 2015, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine Antoine Olivier, Clos des Champs Carafe, Santenay 2015, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine Ferrand, Pouilly-Fuissé, Prestige 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine René Monnier, Bourgogne Chardonnay 2016, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

Sylvain Loichet, Ladoix 1er Cru, Les Gréchons 2014, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine Ferret, Pouilly-Fuissé, Cuvée Hors Classé Les Ménétrières 2016, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£43.67 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Saumaize-Michelin, Pouilly-Fuissé 2016, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£18.63 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Jean Rijckaert, Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes 2015, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£20.81 Bibendum

Domaine Lupé-Cholet, St Romain Blanc 2013, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£23.72 Enotria&Coe

Germany

Egon Müller, QBA Riesling 2017, Mosel, Germany

Gold medal winner

‘Honeyed apple and blossom and elderflower,’ said impressed team leader Tom Forrest, while Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche was more than happy to see this take Gold, noting: ‘Fresh and sexy aromas of Williams pear and kiwi; stony minerality, juicy, mouth-watering’, and adding: ‘I can drink this bottle all on my own…’. ‘No, I can drink this bottle all by myself,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira (maybe they’ll share it), adding: ‘Melon, passion fruit and mango nose; palate of pineapple and pear with white spices; long vibrant finish.’

£31.98 Top Selection

Peth-Wetz, Unfiltered Riesling 2017, Rheinhessen, Germany

Gold medal winner

For Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam this was a ‘bit tight but opens up, expressing it’s potential’. She described it as ‘slightly off-dry’ and found it ‘aromatic with elderflower and ripe fruit and a crisp finish’. Team leader Tom Forrest, meanwhile, found ‘peachy mineral notes – floral, with lychee and rose and ‘a touch of honey and spice’ and thought it had a ‘soft round, peachy palate with a stony minerality’.

£13.07 Bibendum

Dreissigacker, Morstein, Riesling 2014, Rheinhessen, Germany

Gold medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest described ‘soft petrol on the palate mixed with apple and honey’ and thought it had ‘lovely balance’ and was ‘nicely mineral’ with ‘subtle acidity’. Fellow team leader Carlos Ferreira was equally impressed with its ‘very complex nose; stone fruits, oak and white, spicy grape juice, with a touch of petrol’, and thought the palate was ‘very elegant, with notes of red apple and asparagus’ and the finish ‘beautiful’. According to Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche, ‘this could age for years’.

£40.02 Liberty Wines

Kloster Eberbach, Estate, Pinot Noir 2016, Rheingau, Germany

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

Deserving of a place on the Gold List for, according to team leader Nigel Lister, ‘a pretty nose, elegant and floral, with gentle, silky tannins – a wine for a summer’s day’. Julien Sahut of Sexy Fish praised its ‘complexity on the palate, with cherry, black fruit and hints of spice, as well as good acidity’, while The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi thought it ‘vibrant, elegant and charming’, and an ideal match for ‘terrine or a cheese board’.

£16.00 Boutinot

Kopp, Roter Porphyr, Spätburgunder 2015, Baden, Germany

Gold medal winner

This fine addition to the Gold List opened with ‘a lovely floral and savoury nose’, according to team leader Hamish Anderson, who went on to praise its ‘textured, spicy palate with some wild edges, and some grippy tannins to keep it all well framed’. ‘This is made for food,’ added Maze by Gordon Ramsay’s Gabriele Bertotti, who thought its ‘delicate, chewy red fruit notes and good balance’ made it ideal to accompany lamb chops.

£18.45 Bibendum

Schieferkopf, Riesling 2016, Baden, Germany

Gold medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest picked up a ‘honey, mineral and petrol nose’ leading on to a ‘mineral palate’ with ‘green apples’ in this Gold-Listed Riesling. Meanwhile Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam described it as ‘dry feeling from the first sip’ and found it ‘slightly oaky yet with nice acidity’. For her it was ‘not an easy-drinking sipper’, but ‘definitely a food wine’, and she thought it ‘would work really well with seafood that had some aromatic ingredients’ and ‘would age well’.

£8.83 Mentzendorff & Co

Horst Sauer, Escherndorfer Lump, Silvaner S 2017, Franconia, Germany

Silver medal winner

Team leader Andres Ituarte loved the ‘balanced, bright mineral notes’ of this Silver medal-winning wine, and found ‘apricot and lemon verbena’ on the palate. ‘Delicate and delicious,’ he concluded.

£14.70 Boutinot

Kopp, Weissburgunder 2017, Baden, Germany

Silver medal winner

Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn described ‘vegetal and tropical notes’ on this wine, and enjoyed its ‘weight and balance, yet with green, underripe, grassy notes’.

£13.15 Bibendum

Peth-Wetz, Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2016, Rheinhessen, Germany

Bronze medal winner

‘A brooding, dark, ripe bramble nose’ led to ‘a rich, ripe style on the palate, but well balanced in its freshness, with plum, spice and excellent length’, thought team leader Hamish Anderson.

£16.98 Bibendum

Peth-Wetz, Estate, Grauer Burgunder 2017, Rheinhessen, Germany

Commended medal winner

£9.76 Bibendum

Weegmüller, Der Elegante, Riesling, Kabinett Trocken 2017, Pfalz, Germany

Commended medal winner

Kloster Eberbach, Crescentia, Neroberg, Riesling 2017, Rheingau, Germany

Commended medal winner

£13.10 Boutinot

Greece

Anatolikos Vineyards, M Fine Mavroudi 2016, Thrace, Greece

Gold medal winner

This ‘big, powerful wine’, according to James Fryer of Woodhead 17, earned its place on the Gold List with ‘earthy purple fruit and oak spice, with some intense acidity and well-integrated oak, as well as some velvet tannins, and some mint on the finish’. Team leader Jade Koch identified it as ‘international in style, versatile and very well integrated, with purple plum and violet notes’, while fellow team leader Nigel Lister described it as ‘tight, concentrated and elegant’.

£19.00 Southern Wine Roads

Alpha Estate, Ecosystem, Single Block, Aghia Kiriaki, Assyrtiko 2017, Amyndeon, Macedonia, Greece

Gold medal winner

With its ‘great intensity and poise’, a Gold medal was inevitable here, with Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan enjoying its ‘pepper and bright floral character, with juicy, ripe, fresh fruit and a zesty, floral finish’. Describing it as ‘a really serious wine’, Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains spoke of ‘salty seaweed, kombu and iodine, with a fresh, light, umami finish’, while Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club found ‘herbal and stone fruit aromas, with zest and ginger complexity on the palate’.

£14.00 Hallgarten & Novum Wines, Maltby & Greek

Alpha Estate, Malagouzia, Single Vineyard Turtles 2018, Florina, Greece

Gold medal winner

From its ‘lovely fresh floral nose, with candied pear and apple’ to its ‘delicious refreshing palate, with flowers, a bit of tropical acidity, and a long chalky finish’, according to team leader Hamish Anderson, this had all the characteristics of a Gold winner. 67 Pall Mall’s Beatrice Bessi praised its ‘layers of salty and smoky character’, while team leader Charlie Young enjoyed ‘a tropical palate that remains fairly rich on the finish, with some flaky almonds’.

£8.50 Hallgarten & Novum Wines, Maltby & Greek

Alpha Estate, Xinomavro, Single Vineyard Hedgehog 2016, Amyndeon, Macedonia, Greece

Gold medal winner

As judges awarded this a well-deserved Gold, Clément Loubeyre of The Cross Kenilworth described ‘red fruit and spicy, peppery aromas, with lovely cherry, kirsch notes on the palate’, while James Fryer of Woodhead 17 found it ‘Pinot-esque, with strawberry jam, dry morello cherries and dusty spice, along with some mint and eucalyptus’. ‘Crisp, with a savoury element and a refreshing backbone – a great game-bird option when the grouse season starts,’ thought Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants.

£10.25 Hallgarten & Novum Wines, Maltby & Greek

Strofilia, White Dot, Moschofilero/Malagousia 2018, Peloponnese, Greece

Silver medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young loved the ‘sweetly aromatic nose’ and was charmed by this Silver medal-winning wine’s ‘dry aromas on the palate’. He summed it up as ‘clean, decent and pure’.

£7.86 Matthew Clark

Papagiannakos, Savatiano 2018, Attica, Greece

Silver medal winner

This had ‘a ripe nose of concentrated apple and a bit of ginger’, according to Jose Luis Hernandez of Hakkasan, who went on to describe the wine’s ‘fresh acidity, full mineral flavours yet mellow and light on the finish’.

£9.30 Boutinot

Papagiannakos, Assyrtiko 2018, Attica, Greece

Silver medal winner

Jose Luis Hernandez of Hakkasan particularly liked this wine for it's ‘hint of brioche, stone fruits and floral notes’, and was captivated by its ‘mineral intensity, high acidity and fresh floral/herb length’.

£10.75 Boutinot

Kir Yianni, Paranga Red 2017, Macedonia, Greece

Silver medal winner

For team leader Carlos Ferreira this had ‘leather, black pepper, mushroom and pine notes, with good balance’, while Scarlet Hotel’s Jim Bass found it ‘fruit-forward and approachable, with notes of red cherry, black pepper and smoke, with some soft, silky tannins’, making it ‘a great-value pub wine’.

£8.50 Enotria&Coe

Kir Yianni, Kali Riza, Xinomavro, Vieilles Vignes 2016, Macedonia, Greece

Silver medal winner

‘Morello cherries with some leather, and the slightest hint of green pepper, leading to dried cherry fruits and some chewy tannins on the palate,’ described James Fryer of Woodhead 17, while team leader Carlos Ferreira thought the combination ‘a good option for red meat dishes’.

£12.00 Enotria&Coe

Gerovassiliou, Malagousia 2018, Macedonia, Greece

Silver medal winner

‘A grassy, and intense nose’ presented itself to team leader Charlie Young, who thought it was ‘fairly pleasant on the palate, until the end when the acidity really comes into its own’.

£14.36 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Gerovassiliou, Viognier, Epanomi 2018, Macedonia, Greece

Silver medal winner

Beatrice Bessi of 67 Pall Mall described this as ‘an aromatic wine with a lot of yellow flowers, punctuated with essences of orange peel and saffron’.

£15.35 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Biblia Chora, Estate White, Sauvignon Blanc/Assyrtiko 2018, Macedonia, Greece

Silver medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young waxed lyrical about this Silver medal-winning wine’s ‘clean and simple fruit aromas, spiky intensity and lots of mineral flavours’, summing it up as ‘young but full of energy’.

£15.92 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Monemvasia Winery, Monemvasia Red 2009, Laconia, Greece

Silver medal winner

This opened with ‘toasted oak, leather and some spicy aromas’, according to team leader Carlos Ferreira, and was followed by ‘a beautiful, long and fresh palate, with more smoky leather, lots of cherry fruit, and very good balance’.

£13.98 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Kir Yianni, Paranga White 2017, Macedonia, Greece

Bronze medal winner

Beatrice Bessi of 67 Pall Mall described ‘orchard fruits’ and ‘peachy characters with a distinctive fresh salty aftertaste’ in this Bronze medal-winning wine.

£8.50 Enotria&Coe

Avantis Estate, Agios Chronos 2014, Evia, Greece

Bronze medal winner

‘A ferrous nose, with some green capsicum notes too, leading to velvet tannins and some oak spice on the palate, as well as some black and purple fruits, leading to a minty finish,’ said Woodhead 17’s James Fryer.

£15.16 Amathus

Domaine Glinavos, Primus-Zitsa 2017, Epirus, Greece

Commended medal winner

Strofilia, Mountain Fish, Agiorgitiko 2017, Peloponnese, Greece

Commended medal winner

£7.86 Matthew Clark

Papagiannakos, Kalogeri Malagouzia 2018, Attica, Greece

Commended medal winner

£10.40 Boutinot

Idaia Winery, Ocean, Thrapshathiri 2017, Crete, Greece

Commended medal winner

Alpha Estate, Ecosytem, Reserve, Vieilles Vignes, Single Block, Barba Yannis, Xinomavro 2015, Amyndeon, Macedonia, Greece

Commended medal winner

Avantis Estate, Dolphins Santorini 2018, Evia, Greece

Commended medal winner

£12.89 Amathus

House Wine: Red - <£6 ex-VAT

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Vinha do Fava, Touriga Nacional 2017, Península De Setúbal, Portugal

Gold medal winner

This had all the makings of a Gold medal House Red, with Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan describing it as ‘a spicy, meaty, dark currant wine with a fine texture, elegant tannins and an easy, juicy finish’. Its ‘damson, black cherry, cassis and smoky, graphite notes’ led The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones to recommend it as ‘a match for barbecued meats’, while Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains declared it ‘generous, silky and impressive’.

£5.85 Direct Wines

Concha y Toro, CyT Merlot 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

‘Bramble and hedgerow in a glass,’ summarised Claire Love of Loves Consultancy as this Chilean Merlot joined the Gold list. Team Leader Nigel Lister found ‘an earthy, smoky green capsicum nose with a dense, ripe black fruit core’, while Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House noted a ‘smoky and savoury underbelly with good lilac and plum character’, before describing it as ‘a rather grown-up wine with more than a little grip and rich fruit’.

£5.50 CyT UK

Anciens Temps, Rouge 2018, Vin de France, France

Gold medal winner

Taking home a Gold medal for its ‘easy-drinking, ripe fruit style’, according to Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche, this had ‘cherry, liquorice and plums with a bit of vanilla oak’, for team leader Carlos Ferreira, who went on to describe it as ‘quite floral on the fresh palate, with good balance and a long finish’. ‘A great all-rounder, with structure in the background to hold it all together,’ added team leader Hamish Anderson.

£5.83 Unity Wines & Spirits

Bodegas Olarra, Otoñal, Crianza 2017, Rioja, Spain

Gold medal winner

‘With its lovely dark berry character and notes of cedar, some red bush tea and leather, along with fairly high tannins, this seems too serious a wine for such a low price!’ remarked team leader Laurent Richet MS, among plenty of other generous praise for this well-deserved Gold winner. Equally impressed, Kai Mayfair’s Elisa Soggia described ‘well-managed alcohol, leather and earthy notes, with a hint of peppermint on the finish’.

£5.50 C&D Wines

DFJ Vinhos, Coreto Tinto 2018, Lisbon, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘Good quality and nice complexity; the red fruit flavours also have a nice farmyard character,’ said Corina Stanila of La Dame de Pic at Ten Trinity Square, with Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club noting ‘ripe cherry aromas with herbaceous notes and an elegantly soft palate’.

£5.95 Ellis of Richmond

Broadland Wineries, El Tesoro, Malbec 2018, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

Team leader Nigel Lister noted ‘soft red fruit berries with a touch of pencil lead’ and ‘easy blackcurrant and raspberry coulis with a hint of liquorice; very quaffable’. Woodhead 17’s James Fryer picked out ‘an aniseed and herbal note with a juicy black fruit mid-palate’.

£4.90 Broadland Wineries

Boutinot, Les Oliviers, Merlot Mourvèdre, Pays d'Oc 2017, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

‘Lovely texture’, commented Valentin Radosav of Gymkhana Restaurant, adding that it had ‘ripe red and black fruit, finely grained tannin and a juicy finish’. The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia, meanwhile, noted ‘lifted pretty aromas of cherry and cranberries with a structured, smooth palate’.

£5.90 Boutinot

Badet Clément, La Cour des Dames, Malbec, Pays d'Oc 2017, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

Christopher Delalonde MS of The Dorchester found ‘dark fruit and plum with notes of olives, smoke and spice’. He went on to describe a ‘juicy, lifted mid-palate with fruity berry flavours, good texture of ripe fruit and a balanced, spicy finish’.

£5.70 Molson Coors

Journey's End, This Merlot Needs You 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Silver medal winner

Joshua Castle of Noble Rot found this to have ‘a nose of ripe blue fruits and violets and a lush texture’, and noted that its ‘nuanced, elegant tannins provide a persistent finish’. Team leader Lionel Periner, meanwhile, remarked on the ‘crunchy berries, fairly high acidity and meaty, fleshy, body’.

£5.75 Bibendum

Due Palme, Sea Change, Negroamaro 2017, Puglia, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Easy drinking style but well done, great body with pleasant tannin. A great value everyday drinker,’ said Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles, while team leader Andres Ituarte found a ‘super floral nose with a candied palate’, adding: ‘A touch of residual sugar but a good, easy-drinking house red.’

£5.75 Inverarity Morton

Michel Servin, Rouge 2016, Vin De France, France

Silver medal winner

Team leader Lionel Periner picked up ‘red fruit with a hint of cacao’. He commented that the ‘dry, balanced palate suggests raspberries and a touch of rhubarb, while the well-integrated tannins lead to a decent finish with attractive freshness’, and described it as ‘versatile’.

£5.03 Majestic Commercial

Broadland Wineries, Pais de Poetas, Merlot 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants remarked on ‘an easy-drinking, juicy, red fruit style at an excellent price’.

£3.60 Broadland Wineries

Finca Constancia, Altozano, Tempranillo Syrah 2017, Toledo, Spain

Bronze medal winner

Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club described this as having ‘ripe cassis and sweet spices, black pepper over jammy notes and a long finish’.

£5.35 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Concha y Toro, CyT, Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira found a ‘very smoky nose with lots of rosemary, pine nuts and pepper’ and ‘a fresh, floral palate of soft stewed fruit’.

£5.50 CyT UK

Félix Solís, La Prensa, Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Central Spain, Spain

Bronze medal winner

Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche enjoyed a ‘slightly gamey, vegetal nose with a simple juicy, fruity palate, good balance and a nicely bitter finish’.

£5.66 Matthew Clark

Blass, Shiraz 2017, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam noted a ‘smoky, liquorice nose with a lick of oaky vanilla and a perhaps slightly under ripe, herbaceous note’.

£4.50 Molson Coors, Treasury Wine Estates

Wolf Blass, Blass Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Coonawarra, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Good black, jammy fruits with a plum-driven mid-palate warmed by the alcohol on the finish,’ said Aster Restaurant’s Marco Marcuzzo, describing it as ‘good with food’.

£6.00 Molson Coors, Treasury Wine Estates

Pegões, Fonte Do Nico, Tinto 2017, Península De Setúbal, Portugal

Bronze medal winner

‘Fruity and juicy wine with notes of plum, cherry and a touch of leather. Very good balance between tannins and acidity,’ commented Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair.

£4.85 Majestic Commercial

Domaine du Grand Mayne, Merlot Cabernet 2016, South West France, France

Bronze medal winner

This had ‘an attractive nose of spice and bramble’ with ‘a touch of green pepper’ for team leader Hamish Anderson.

£5.85 Grand Mayne

DFJ Vinhos, Portada, Winemaker's Selection, Tinto 2018, Lisbon, Portugal

Commended medal winner

LGI-Wines, Baron De Baussac, Vieilles Vignes, Carignan 2017, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

Broadland Wineries, Proudly Vegan, Merlot 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

WX Brands, Marques de Calado, Tempranillo 2018, Castilla, Spain

Commended medal winner

Cielo e Terra, Farfalla, Sangiovese 2017, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

Robert Brunel, La Colombe, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, South West France, France

Commended medal winner

Robert Brunel, Jardin, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, South West France, France

Commended medal winner

Cramele Recas, Pinot Noir 2017, Banat, Romania

Commended medal winner

Finca Constancia, Altozano, Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Toledo, Spain

Commended medal winner

Jarrah Wood, Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Sivipa, Terras Do Sado, Tinto 2018, Península De Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Félix Solís, Viña San Juan, Tinto 2018, La Mancha, Spain

Commended medal winner

£4.95 Adnams

Paul Sapin, Laughing Giraffe, Shiraz 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£5.97 R D Wines

Boutinot, Mucho Mas, Merlot 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£5.65 Boutinot

Bellefontaine, Merlot, Pays d'Oc 2017, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£5.90 Boutinot

Félix Solís, Casa Albali, Tempranillo Shiraz 2018, Valdepeñas, Spain

Commended medal winner

£5.93 Matthew Clark

Badet Clément, Le Bosq Rouge 2018, Vin de France, France

Commended medal winner

£6.00 Matthew Clark

WX Brands, El Molturo, Tempranillo Garnacha 2018, Spain, Spain

Commended medal winner

Peninsula Viticultores, Dominio de la Fuente, Tempranillo 2018, Castilla, Spain

Commended medal winner

Bodegas Olarra, Añares, Crianza 2016, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£6.38 C&D Wines

Cintila, Red 2017, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

De Bortoli, Under The Sycamore, Shiraz 2017, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

The Wine Group, Roller Girl, Merlot 2017, California, USA

Commended medal winner

Bird Island, Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Blends, Big Earl, Malbec 2018, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£5.95 Bibendum

San Valero, Big Earl, Tempranillo 2014, Aragón, Spain

Commended medal winner

£5.55 Bibendum

Broadland Wineries, Cawston Crossing, Shiraz 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

House Wine: Rosé - <£6 ex-VAT

Cielo e Terra, Primi Soli, Pinot Grigio Blush 2017, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Juicy and floral – a plush, ripe style,’ began impressed team leader Andres Ituarte as this picked up a well-deserved Gold, adding that it was ‘pretty and refreshing’, while fellow team leader Angela Reddin appreciated its ‘lasting strawberry fruit flavour’. Marco Marcuzzo of Aster Restaurant went on to praise its ‘light and fresh fruit, making this an easy by-the-glass choice that would also work with a range of light bites’.

£5.45 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Murviedro, Fauno, Rosé 2018, Valencia, Spain

Silver medal winner

James Fryer of Woodhead 17 noted this wine’s ‘elegant strawberry nose with pretty white flowers and hints of orange blossom on the palate’, describing it as ‘fairly classic’. Meanwhile team leader Lionel Periner approved of the ‘nice, light pink colour and good freshness’.

£5.10 Boutinot

Adria Vini, Avito, Pinot Grigio Rosé 2018, Lombardy, Italy

Silver medal winner

Team leader Lionel Periner noted the ‘light pink colour, a light, ripe berry palate and balanced acidity’, while Woodhead 17’s James Fryer described a ‘floral, blackcurrant leaf nose with blackcurrant fruit followed on to the palate’.

£5.50 Boutinot

Félix Solís, Casa Albali, Garnacha Rosado 2018, Valdepeñas, Spain

Silver medal winner

James Fryer of Woodhead 17 found this to have an ‘almond paste and rose petal nose; with touches of glycerol banana lending a sweetly fruited and textural palate’. He described the finish, like the nose, as ‘redolent of almonds and fresh strawberries’.

£5.93 Matthew Clark

WX Brands, El Molturo, Rosé 2018, Spain, Spain

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Angela Reddin found a nose of ‘carnations and strawberries with a touch of pineapple chunks (the sweets!)’ and described the wine as ‘easy drinking, fun and juicy’.

£4.98 Majestic Commercial

Santa Rita, Rosé 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Jan Konetzki noted ‘grapefruit, lemon and red fruits with a touch of reduction’, and found this wine to be ‘dry and crisp with medium length’.

£5.22 Matthew Clark

Bartolomeo Breganze, Le Colline di San Giorgio, Pinot Grigio Rosé 2018, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

WX Brands, Marques de Calado, Rosé 2018, Castilla, Spain

Commended medal winner

Broadland Wineries, Proudly Vegan, Rosé 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Pagos del Rey, Marqués de Altillo, Rosé 2018, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£5.65 Adnams

Borsao, Selección Rosado 2016, Campo de Borja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£6.00 Boutinot

Adria Vini, Mirabello, Pinot Grigio Rosé, Provincia di Pavia 2018, Lombardy, Italy

Commended medal winner

£5.55 Boutinot

Adria Vini, Ancora, Chiaretto, Monferrato 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£5.45 Boutinot

Félix Solís, Ayrum Rosado 2018, Valdepeñas, Spain

Commended medal winner

£5.25 Matthew Clark

Badet Clément, La Cour des Dames, Grenache Rosé, Pays D'Oc 2018, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£5.70 Molson Coors

López Morenas, El Mazo, Tempranillo Rosé NV, Extremadura, Spain, Spain

Commended medal winner

£3.40 Kingsland

House Wine: White - <£6 ex-VAT

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Dona Ermelinda Branco 2018, Palmela, Portugal

Gold medal winner

For Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group this impressive Gold medal winner opened with ‘a ripe apple and smoky character, as well as creamy and buttery notes, all very well balanced by a lively acidity, and with a delicate hazelnut hint on the finish’. Sonal Clare of Purnell’s Restaurant noted ‘honeydew melon and a lovely texture’, adding praise for its ‘balanced, honeyed notes on the palate, combined with an exotic sweetness’.

£6.00 Atlantico UK

Cintila, White 2017, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Gold medal winner

This Gold-worthy Portuguese white was praised by Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles, who found a nose that was ‘grapey, with lychee and spice’ leading to ‘a soft palate with the addition of some pithy grapefruit character’, while 67 Pall Mall’s Beatrice Bessi picked up hints of ‘fresh rose petals counterbalanced with a lovely refreshing palate, and a hint of salinity, too’. Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks spoke highly of ‘warm oranges, pineapple and banana on the palate’, before suggesting it as ‘a great by-the-glass choice’.

£5.81 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

The Wine People, Frederico, Pinot Grigio 2018, Sicily, Italy

Gold medal winner

This Gold winner stood out for its ‘dry, aromatic, lemon and lime peel character’, according to Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair, while team leader Andres Ituarte enjoyed its ‘fresh, grapey palate and long finish that shows some femininity’. Cavalry & Guards Club’s Andre Luis Martins found it to be ‘aromatic, with a fresh citrus character’, while team leader Carlos Ferreira praised its ‘well-balanced palate and long, crisp finish’, before adding that the ‘price is fantastic’.

£5.40 Frederic Robinson

Broadland Wineries, Cawston Crossing, Chenin Blanc 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Silver medal winner

Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House enjoyed this wine’s ‘fragrant lime and elderflower notes that follow up on the palate, good acidity, good intensity of flavour and a little petillance on the finish’.

£3.40 Broadland Wineries

WX Brands, El Molturo, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Spain, Spain

Silver medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group thought the wine had an aromatic nose of ‘fresh white flowers and elderflower, with a ripe lemon and lime palate and a balancing, vibrant acidity’, while team leader Laurent Richet MS noted ‘a herbal character with lemon, gooseberry and fresh mint’.

£4.79 Majestic Commercial

Riondo, Castelforte, Garganega 2017, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

The Dorchester’s Christopher Delalonde MS noted: ‘A floral nose of white flowers with hints of spice and minerals. Well structured with a dense mid-palate, the alcohol brings this power that would make this a good food wine. There is great balance throughout and a long finish of primary fruit.’

£5.98 Moreno Wines, Inverarity Morton

Three Choirs, Willow Brook 2018, Gloucestershire, England

Silver medal winner

Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House described a ‘punchy, fragrant, rich, inviting nose; a nicely intense palate with fruit in abundance’, while team leader Jade Koch found ‘a lime and passion fruit nose with a freshly squeezed lemon palate that would be great with sautéed scallops or fish and chips’.

£6.00 Three Choirs Vineyards Ltd

DFJ Vinhos, Portada, Winemaker's Selection, Branco 2018, Lisbon, Portugal

Silver medal winner

Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche found ‘candied aromas of orange and rhubarb followed by a velvety, juicy mouthfeel and a refreshing finish’, while Woodhead 17’s James Fryer, commented on the ‘delicate, floral, pear flesh palate. So elegant!’

£5.95 Portugalia Wines UK

Cielo e Terra, Primi Soli, Pinot Grigio 2017, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

For team leader Nigel Lister this had a ‘very floral, gewürtzy nose with lychee and rose; a slight salinity on the finish and a lifted freshness that makes for a very user-friendly wine’.

£5.49 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Cielo e Terra, Primi Soli, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group thought the wine showed notes of ‘baked pastries and butter with a creamy palate’, while team leader Laurent Richet MS admired the ‘very aromatic peach and lychee nose, lovely, elegant palate and texture, and generous length. A beautiful wine by the glass.’

£5.49 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Cramele Recas, Pinot Grigio 2017, Banat, Romania

Silver medal winner

Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection noted: ‘A floral nose with hints of green apple and pear, melon, peach and citrus. The palate shows good balanced acidity with asparagus, white pepper over melon and decent length.’

£5.25 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Finca Constancia, Altozano, Verdejo/Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Toledo, Spain

Silver medal winner

Moio Restaurant’s Carolina W Seibel found ‘warm, yellow stone fruit and rubbery notes as well as some dark chocolate’, and continued: ‘The palate is nuanced with minerality, ripe stone fruits, a touch of nutty bitterness. The wine finishes with notes of ripe yellow peach.’

£5.35 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Félix Solís, Viña San Juan, Blanco 2018, La Mancha, Spain

Silver medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest found ‘delicate notes of white peach and citrus on the nose, with a palate reminiscent of tinned peaches and pears and a long citrus finish’.

£4.95 Adnams

Boutinot, Mucho Mas, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Aster Restaurant’s Marco Marcuzzo noted: ‘A nose of citrus and tropical fruit with melon, pineapple and grapefruit. A hint of gooseberry on the palate lends a vibrant acidity and an uplifting finish.’

£5.65 Boutinot

Félix Solís, Casa Albali, Verdejo/Sauvignon 2018, Valdepeñas, Spain

Silver medal winner

Raphael Thierry of Street XO noted ‘banana skin and melon on the nose, with candied fruit on the palate’, while team leader Jade Koch found the nose to be ‘heady and intense with pear drops to the fore yet the palate was soft and easy with apple and pears’.

£5.93 Matthew Clark

Badet Clément, La Cour des Dames, Sauvignon Blanc, Pays d'Oc 2018, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

James Fryer of Woodhead 17 noted: ‘Green peppers and fresh herbs on the nose. Hints of elderflower, white pepper spice and a subtle note of white flowers and citrus wax. Finishes well.’

£5.69 Molson Coors

Wolf Blass, Blass Reserve, Chardonnay Semillon 2017, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club noted ‘zesty pink grapefruit aromas with a refreshing green apple palate and an elegant, peppery finish’, while team leader Andres Ituarte found the wine to be ‘fat and textural with notes of honeydew and currant leaf’.

£5.00 Molson Coors, Treasury Wine Estates

Famiglia Ferratti, Pinot Grigio 2017, Codru/Stefan Voda, Moldavia

Silver medal winner

Street XO’s Raphael Thierry enjoyed the wine’s ‘clean stone fruit and lime freshness’ and noted that ‘it has good texture and a touch of sweetness that is lifted by the fresh finish’.

£5.37 Lanchester Wine Cellars

Casa del Valle, Acantus, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Castilla, Spain

Bronze medal winner

Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair found this wine to be ‘dry citrusy and fresh, with green fruit notes’.

£4.65 C&D Wines

Casa del Valle, Antina, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Castilla, Spain

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Nigel Lister enjoyed the ‘fresh, floral nose, a juicy peach and pear palate and the slight petillance to help bring freshness’. His suggestion? ‘Try with ceviche.’

£4.00 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Broadland Wineries, Villa Benizi, Pinot Grigio 2018, Puglia, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Christopher Delalonde MS of The Dorchester described this as having ‘ripe pears, apples and a touch of marshmallow with brisk acidity’.

£3.85 Broadland Wineries

Broadland Wineries, Proudly Vegan, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

For Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club this had ‘a perfumed nose of elderberries with a lemon zest palate and a ripe finish’.

£3.90 Broadland Wineries

Le Jardin, Chardonnay 2016, South West France, France

Bronze medal winner

Sylwester Piasecki of Zuma picked up this wine’s ‘pronounced tropical fruit aromatics of lime and pineapple, and a palate of fresh citrus and pineapple with a zesty grapefruit finish’.

£5.09 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Borsao, Selección Blanco 2017, Campo de Borja, Spain

Bronze medal winner

Le Gavroche’s Rémi Cousin noted the ‘heady aromas of ripe stone fruit – white peach – and the nicely bitter spice finish’.

£6.00 Boutinot

Boutinot, Percheron, Chenin Blanc Viognier 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

Oliver Nagy of Hakkasan Hanway Place found ‘aromatic notes of apricot, peaches and cream that carried on through to the palate; medium body and acidity and a ripe fruit finish’.

£5.70 Boutinot

Cherry Tree Hill, Chenin Blanc 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

Beatrice Bessi of 67 Pall Mall found a ‘vibrant, juicy, citrusy, herbal profile on the nose: sage, basil and cress… followed with a very refreshing, balanced long finish’.

£5.50 Eurowines

Otra Tierra, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

Sonal Clare of Purnell’s Restaurant noted a ‘spicy, capsicum nose with sun-dried tomatoes and basil. Clean and crisp the wine finishes with a savoury acidity.’

£5.53 Lanchester Wine Cellars

Adega Ponte da Barca, Este, Loureiro, Grande Escolha 2018, Vinho Verde, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£5.11 Marta Vine

Broadland Wineries, Honu, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

Bartolomeo Breganze, Le Colline di San Giorgio, Pinot Grigio 2018, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

Broadland Wineries, Pais de Poetas, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Cielo e Terra, Farfalla, Pinot Grigio 2017, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

Cielo e Terra, Farfalla, Trebbiano 2017, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

Eurl Caveaux, La Colombe, Sauvignon Blanc 2016, South West France, France

Commended medal winner

Sivipa, Terras Do Sado, Branco 2018, Península De Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Félix Solís, Castillo De Mureva, Organic Verdejo 2018, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Commended medal winner

£5.67 Matthew Clark

Concha y Toro, CyT, Chardonnay/Pedro Ximinez 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£5.50 CyT UK

Los Haroldos, Finca Don Mauro, Torrontes 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£6.00 R D Wines

Murviedro, Fauno, Blanco 2017, Valencia, Spain

Commended medal winner

£5.10 Boutinot

Boutinot, Montevista, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Maule Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£5.90 Boutinot

Félix Solís, Ayrum, Verdejo 2018, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Commended medal winner

£5.25 Matthew Clark

Botter, Vivoli Pinot Grigio 2018, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£4.98 Molson Coors

Badet Clément, Le Bosq Blanc 2018, Vin de France, France

Commended medal winner

£6.00 Matthew Clark

López Morenas, El Mazo, Pardina/Chardonnay NV, Extremadura, Spain, Spain

Commended medal winner

£3.40 Kingsland

Anciens Temps, Medium Blanc 2017, Vin de France, France

Commended medal winner

Pegões, Fonte do Nico, Vinho Branco 2017, Península De Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Caviro, Sospiro, Bianco d'Italia NV, Emilia Romagna, Italy

Commended medal winner

Araldica, Alasia, Piemonte Cortese 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£5.40 Boutinot

Due Palme, Sea Change, Chardonnay 2018, Puglia, Italy

Commended medal winner

Michel Servin, Blanc 2017, Vin De France, France

Commended medal winner

Caviro, Il Molo, Pinot Grigio 2017, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£5.62 Enotria&Coe

Hungary

Gizella Pince, Szil-Völgy, Furmint/Hárslevelű 2017, Tokaj, Hungary

Gold medal winner

As this was elevated to Gold, Claire Love of Loves Consultancy praised its ‘smoky, mineral and lemon aromatics, with fresh, vibrant pear and fig, as well as Braeburn apple, and a concentrated, elegant finish’, while team leader Nigel Lister described ‘banana, guava, peach and apricot notes leading to a creamy mid-palate’. Le Gavroche’s Rémi Cousin picked up ‘ripe stone fruit and an orange blossom note’, before concluding that it was ‘zingy, fresh and appealing’.

£20.78 The Wine Rascals

Bolyki, Egri Bikavér 2016, Eger, Hungary

Gold medal winner

‘An excellent all-rounder,’ began impressed team leader Charlie Young as this was awarded a well-deserved Gold, going on to describe ‘a full, dark, spicy nose, leading to a puff of small berry fruit, light tannins and great length, with a cracking finish’. Woodhead 17’s James Fryer highlighted some ‘peppery tones and chalky tannins’, while Daniel Loughlin of 20 Stories thought the combination would be ‘great with a rack of lamb’.

£12.45 Top Selection

Vida, La Vida 2013, Szekszárd, Hungary

Silver medal winner

Anita Vighova of Manor House Hotel described ‘layer upon layer of savoury notes and red fruit, with additional tobacco, cedar, blackcurrant leaf and cherry brandy, with big, bold acidity and big tannins, too’, adding that it ‘would be great with a rich stew’.

£20.00 Malux Hungarian Wine & Spirits

Kovács Nimród, Battonage, Chardonnay 2015, Eger, Hungary

Silver medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group found ‘heavy bread crust notes on the nose’ and was impressed by its ‘smoky yeastiness on the palate, with vanilla notes, honey and a rather long finish’.

£13.33 Boutinot

Disznoko, Dry Furmint 2017, Tokaj, Hungary

Silver medal winner

Team leader Lionel Periner enjoyed the ‘lemon and floral aromas’ of this Silver medal-winning wine, and described the palate as ‘simple, dry and easy on the acidity’.

£10.15 González Byass

Heimann, Alte Reben, Kékfrankos 2016, Szekszard, Hungary

Silver medal winner

‘An incredibly pronounced nose, and very developed,’ began Sean Arthur of Cliveden House, who found ‘violet petals and dark fruit, with ripe but integrated tannins, and a toasted, persistent finish – a good food wine’.

£17.01 Top Selection Ltd

Vida, Bonsai Kadarka 2016, Szekszard, Hungary

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young described ‘an impressive wine that’s gentle but deep, with savoury aromas, good fruit definition, and some fine tannins’.

£12.20 Malux Hungarian Wine & Spirits

Szepsy, Estate, Furmint 2015, Tokaj, Hungary

Bronze medal winner

‘A great wine,’ thought Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche, with its ‘lovely phenolics and texture’. He went on to suggest that ‘with stone fruits and length’, this is a ‘wine for food’.

£22.76 Top Selection

Heimann, Céh Kereszt, Kadarka 2017, Szekszárd, Hungary

Commended medal winner

£17.01 Top Selection

Heimann, Kékfrankos 2017, Szekszárd, Hungary

Commended medal winner

£10.95 Top Selection

Gál Tibor, Titi, Egri Bikaver 2016, Eger, Hungary

Commended medal winner

£11.27 Bibendum

Israel

Segal, Whole Cluster, Syrah 2017, Judean Hills, Israel

Gold medal winner

This undisputed Gold medallist had ‘blueberries on the nose, joined by red cherries and strawberries, and all leading to a beautiful, silky texture on the palate, that’s well balanced between acidity, length and complexity,’ began Roberto Sanchez of Sexy Fish. Team leader Andres Ituarte, meanwhile, found it to have ‘a fresh style, with lots of pepper and violets, and a long finish of red fruit’ and added that ‘it will age, but needs big meat dishes now’.

£33.00 Kedem Europe

Barkan, Altitude 624 2014, Upper Galilee, Israel

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

‘Initially showing some balsamic development on the nose, this has great complexity and balance on the palate,’ began Street XO’s Raphael Thierry on encountering this clear Gold winner, before describing ‘red and dark fruit, some chocolate, and dark spice from the oak, along with good tannic structure and a long finish’. For team leader Andres Ituarte there were also some ‘oregano, pepper and vanilla notes, and big, balanced tannins’.

£22.67 Kedem Europe

Barkan, Classic, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Judean Foothills, Israel

Gold medal winner

For team leader Tom Forrest this approachable Gold Lister had ‘light bubblegum and cherry on the nose, as well as some spice aromas, followed by more soft cherry fruits on the spicy palate, as well as some vanilla’. Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants added praise for its ‘vibrant nose, with fresh fruits and some nice spice’, going on to describe ‘blackcurrant and anise on the palate, with smooth tannins’.

£7.00 Kedem Europe

Barkan, Classic, Chardonnay 2018, Judean Foothills, Israel

Gold medal winner Pub & Bar

Tasters were intrigued by this Gold Lister’s exotic, tropical notes, with team leader Lionel Periner finding ‘banana and candied lemon, leading to some apple on the dry palate, and a light, elegant finish’, while Jordan Moore of Trullo enjoyed notes of ‘elderflower, acacia and lychee’. ‘Fine, elegant and refreshing,’ praised Le Gavroche’s Rémi Cousin, who found ‘lovely fruit and crisp acidity’, not to mention some great value for money.

£7.00 Kedem Europe

Barkan, The Beta Series, Single Vineyard, Marawi 2017, Judean Hills, Israel

Silver medal winner

This was a hit with Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, who described it as ‘smoky, with vanilla and ripe fruit on the nose’. She found the palate ‘rich with a refreshing finish’, which she attributed to ‘the presence of the oak’.

£25.00 Kedem Europe

Barkan, Free Run, Merlot 2017, Judean Hills/Upper Galilee, Israel

Silver medal winner

‘A lovely nose of cherries and sugar plums, as well as some cinnamon spice, leading to a complex palate with acidity and structure well balanced, and all overlaid with delicious fruit – a great wine,’ said team leader Angela Reddin.

£22.00 Kedem Europe

Binyamina, Chosen Diamond 2014, Galilee, Israel

Silver medal winner

Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn admired this wine’s ‘great integration, balance of fruit, elegance and weight, with notes of plum, damson and loganberry’. Additional notes, according to team leader Tom Forrest, included ‘ripe red and black aromas, as well as some liquorice spice and vanilla, leading to cherries and berries on the palate, with some currants, too’.

£38.00 Kedem Europe

Covenant Israel, Blue C, Adom 2016, Golan Heights, Israel

Silver medal winner

‘This is fresh, lively and balanced, with ripe tannins and integrated oak, leading to a lingering finish,’ said Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants, describing ‘floral aromas, as well as cedar and spice’. Gymkhana Restaurant’s Savvas Symeonidis further described ‘violets and roses on a perfumed nose, with black fruit, sweet spices, leather and forest floor on the palate’.

£26.66 Kedem Europe

Tabor, Adama, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Galilee, Israel

Silver medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group described this Silver medal-winning wine as ‘crisp and lemony, with essences of melon and ripe fruit. Herbs and grassiness dominate the length, partnered by lively acidity’.

£11.58 Kedem Europe

1848, 5th Generation, Cabernet Franc 2014, Galilee, Israel

Silver medal winner

‘There’s overall harmony here,’ began Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant, who described ‘some interesting spices, as well as some bruised black fruit notes’. The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones thought this showed ‘good winemaking, with good balance of fresh berry fruit, some spiciness and length, and a menthol finish’.

£16.66 Kedem Europe

Carmel Winery, Carmel Limited Edition 2011, Galilee, Israel

Bronze medal winner

‘Aromas of violets, roses, liquorice and kirsch lead to some great structure on the palate – a great wine by any standard,’ thought team leader Angela Reddin.

£37.33 Kedem Europe

Covenant Israel, Syrah 2016, Golan Heights, Israel

Bronze medal winner

‘This has good depth, with cooked black-fruit coulis and both dried and fresh berry fruit,’ said team leader Angela Reddin, who further thought that it was ‘long and succulent, and will age’.

£40.00 Kedem Europe

Barkan, Altitude 720 2014, Upper Galilee, Israel

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Jade Koch found ‘an intense nose, with liquorice and blackcurrant’. ‘A fruity and peppery nose, with some spices too, and a hint of clove,’ added The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston’s Giuseppe Longobardi, going on to describe ‘a mature yet jammy palate, with good tannins’.

£22.67 Kedem Europe

Tabor, Malkiya, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Galilee, Israel

Bronze medal winner

‘Sour cherries and blackcurrant on the nose, with a hint of violets,’ began Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn, going on to describe ‘a palate that shows a lot of attention to hedgerow fruits, with oak used to add a lovely bit of spice’. Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group identified ‘cedar, cocoa and a lovely bouquet of wild berries, leading to velvety tannins’ and described it as ‘a well-structured wine’.

£30.00 Kedem Europe

Tabor, Limited Edition, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Galilee, Israel

Bronze medal winner

‘Savoury notes of herbs and blueberries on the nose, leading to good tannins on the palate, with some cherry and wild berry notes, too,’ said Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, while Alan Bednarski of Texture remarked on its ‘elegance and good acidity, with crème de cassis notes too’.

£26.66 Kedem Europe

Barkan, Superieur, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Upper Galilee, Israel

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Jade Koch found this to be ‘bright and energetic, with a hint of strawberry, ripe acidity and some fine, dusty tannins’. Texture’s Alan Bednarski, meanwhile, noted its ‘good tannic structure, with complexity, and not over-extracted, with the alcohol well integrated’.

£30.83 Kedem Europe

Barkan, Classic, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Judean Foothills, Israel

Bronze medal winner

‘Lovely aromas of fresh fruit, with floral notes such as jasmine, lilies and a little acacia,’ said Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche.

£7.00 Kedem Europe

Adir Winery, Kerem Ben Zimra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Galilee, Israel

Commended medal winner

£16.65 Kedem Europe

Adir Winery, Kerem Ben Zimra, Shiraz 2016, Galilee, Israel

Commended medal winner

£18.67 Kedem Europe

Segal, Petit UF, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Upper Galilee, Israel

Commended medal winner

£35.00 Kedem Europe

Segal, Levant, Argaman 2017, Judean Hills, Israel

Commended medal winner

£9.32 Liberty Wines

Binyamina, Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Galilee, Israel

Commended medal winner

£13.33 Kedem Europe

Dalton Winery, Alma Scarlet 2014, Galilee, Israel

Commended medal winner

£13.60 Kedem Europe

Jezreel Valley Winery, Jezreel, Single Vineyard, Agrarian 2016, Galilee, Israel

Commended medal winner

£26.66 Kedem Europe

Jezreel Valley Winery, Jezreel, Carignan 2016, Galilee, Israel

Commended medal winner

£20.00 Kedem Europe

Pelter Winery, Matar by Pelter, Cumulus 2016, Galilee, Israel

Commended medal winner

£22.00 Kedem Europe

Pelter Winery, Matar by Pelter Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2017, Galilee, Israel

Commended medal winner

£19.16 Kedem Europe

Or Haganuz, Namura, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Galilee, Israel

Commended medal winner

£30.66 Kedem Europe

Tabor, Single Vineyard, Tannat 2014, Golan Heights, Israel

Commended medal winner

£23.33 Kedem Europe

Yatir Winery, Yatir Forest 2014, Judean Hills, Israel

Commended medal winner

£37.33 Kedem Europe

Italy: Central – White

Capannelle, Chardonnay 2011, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Lime zest, peach, rubber and petrol’ summed up this Gold Lister’s complex nose, according to team leader Lionel Periner, who went on to describe ‘a dry, well-structured palate with walnuts and ripe yellow fruit’. Fellow team leader Carlos Ferreira declared it ‘a beautiful wine’, which had ‘very complex notes of stone fruit and pear, with excellent acidity’, while James Fryer of Woodhead 17 praised ‘oxidative bruised apple notes and oily caramel and nutty notes, with some bright fruit and coconut on the finish’.

£25.99 Top Selection

Monte Schiavo, Ruviano, Verdicchio Classico 2018, Marche, Italy

Gold medal winner

A unanimous Gold for our judges, with House of Sake’s Honami Matsumoto finding it ‘mineral and salty, with citrus and white stone fruit, and some good concentration’, before recommending it be paired with seafood. Consultant Anja Breit described ‘lemon peel and apple, as well as a herbal note’, while team leader Laura Rhys MS concluded: ‘Fresh, elegant and fruit-driven, with some herbal notes – a super glass of wine as an aperitif, and great value too!’

£6.35 Boutinot

Paolo e Noemia d'Amico, Falesia, Chardonnay 2017, Lazio, Italy

Gold medal winner

With its ‘concentration and elegance’, according to Gymkhana Restaurant’s Savvas Symeonidis, this couldn’t be anything but Gold. Symeonidis went on to describe ‘sweet spices and a creaminess, alongside citrus and stone fruit’, while Kai Mayfair’s Elisa Soggia thought it ‘rich and smoky, with almond and brioche, with real complexity on the rounded palate’. ‘A sweet almond, marzipan nose and a generous, warm and balanced palate, with some juicy, intense acidity and a lingering honeyed almond finish,’ concluded team leader Lionel Periner.

£20.30 Eurowines

Torre dei Beati, Bianchi Grilli, Pecorino 2017, Abruzzo, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Pure, crystalline and very incisive’ were the Gold-worthy characteristics that impressed Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan here, who found notes of ‘saffron, leading to a mineral, salty finish, with a lovely texture’. Consultant Anja Breit added praise for this ‘classy wine, with ripe apple and stone fruit, good spice and green herbs’ and a palate that featured ‘yellow apple and lemon pith, and an oiliness on the finish’, which made it ideal for ‘richer fish dishes such as smoked salmon with horseradish cream’.

£17.35 Matthew Clark

Colle Corviano, Pinot Grigio, Colline Pescaresi 2018, Abruzzo, Italy

Gold medal winner

Earning a spot on the Gold podium with its ‘aromatic style’, this Pinot Grigio had, for team leader Lionel Periner, impressive ‘floral and lemon aromas, leading to white pear on the palate, with well-balanced acidity’. It was ‘super-crisp and bright, with some peach and banana peel, and a pétillance’, according to Woodhead 17’s James Fryer, while Kai Mayfair’s Elisa Soggia noted ‘lemon and lime peel, and green apple, too, with good freshness’.

£7.87 AZIENDA VINICOLA TALAMONTI SRL

Santa Barbara, Tardivo ma non Tardo, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Riserva Classico 2016, Marche, Italy

Gold medal winner

With its ‘wow factor’, according to team leader Charlie Young, a Gold medal was certain here. Young went on to speak of ‘elegance, depth and very well-defined fruit, with citrus, apple and almond notes’, while impressed team leader Laura Rhys MS described it as a ‘polished, classy wine, with herbaceous notes, lovely acidity and minerality, too’. House of Sake’s Honami Matsumoto decided that its ‘grapefruit and yellow citrus, with a hint of saltiness and smokiness’ made it perfect for ‘veal with tuna mayonnaise’.

£22.50 Delitalia

Cantina Villafranca, Roma, Bianco 2017, Lazio, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A fun wine, with richness and complexity shining through,’ began team leader Laurent Richet MS, who went on to describe ‘honeysuckle, some waxy, bruised apple, and cinnamon bun’, while Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse summarised it as ‘a fruit-forward wine for a summer picnic’.

£8.95 Eurowines

Belisario, Del Cerro, Verdicchio di Matelica 2017, Marche, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Beautiful tropical fruits on the nose,’ began Cliveden House’s Sean Arthur, who described this wine as ‘very well balanced, with great drinkability’, while Manor House Hotel’s Anita Vighova described ‘floral notes, and a savouriness that carries through to the palate, joined by orange and lemon’.

£10.50 Liberty Wines

Casata Mergè, Sesto 21, Frascati Superiore Riserva 2017, Lazio, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Green asparagus, gooseberry and lime leaf, with flinty flavours, too,’ began team leader Laurent Richet MS, while Tatiana Mann of The Vine Eno Gastropub spoke of ‘sun and sea breezes, with floral notes and exotic fruit, leading to grapefruit and orange blossom on the finish’.

£20.92 Casata Mergè

Colle Corviano, Pecorino, Colline Pescaresi 2018, Abruzzo, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Earthy and mineral, with some good floral notes,’ was consultant Emanuel Pesqueira’s first impression, while Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan went on to identify ‘saffron and white pepper notes, alongside bright stone fruit – fresh, zesty, ripe and bittersweet’.

£11.78 AZIENDA VINICOLA TALAMONTI SRL

MGM, Villa dei Fiori, Pecorino, Terre di Chieti 2017, Abruzzo, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A lovely floral aroma, with some fresh apple, too,’ began Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant, who went on to describe this as ‘lively, fresh and fruity – an easy-drinking wine that’s good value for money’.

£6.72 Bibendum

Fattoria Le Pupille, Poggio Argentato 2017, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

For Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse, this was ‘rounded and concentrated, with good orchard fruit and floral notes’, while Elena Serban of Hakkasan found it ‘refreshing, with some spiciness, and oak present but not overpowering’.

£12.00 Armit

Talamonti, Trabocchetto, Pecorino, Colline Pescaresi 2018, Abruzzo, Italy

Silver medal winner

Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant appreciated this wine’s ‘ripe stone fruit character, with peach and a hint of melon’, while Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan described it as ‘bright and vivacious, with zesty, peppery aromas, and some elegance on the palate, leading to a fresh, crisp finish’.

£10.48 VinumTerra

Contesa, Caparrone, Pecorino 2018, Abruzzo, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘An elegant wine that’s peppery on the nose, with some wet stone notes,’ began Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan, further describing ‘silky texture, with some bitter lemon notes’, while Flat Three Restaurant’s Heesoo Kang thought it ‘a food-friendly wine, with good weight and body’.

£7.45 Boutinot

Moncaro, Verde Ca' Ruptae, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2018, Marche, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A great example of a classic, foodie Verdicchio,’ decided team leader Charlie Young, on the basis that this wine had ‘marzipan and almond aromas, which lead to quite a rich palate, with some decent complexity, too’.

£8.65 Eurowines

Moncaro, Vigna Novali, Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva Classico 2014, Marche, Italy

Silver medal winner

This opened with ‘freshly baked pastry, cream, apricots and acacia honey on the nose’, according to Manor House Hotel’s Anita Vighova, who found ‘quite a rich palate, and herbaceous, with a dry finish, making this a great food wine’.

£13.75 Eurowines

Cincinnato, Castore 2017, Lazio, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘A flinty, mineral nose, leading to a juicy palate with more minerality, and all balanced by some crisp acidity – a great wine for food matching,’ thought Mattia Mazzi of The River Cafe.

£9.22 Winetraders

Belisario, Vigneti B, Verdicchio di Matelica 2018, Marche, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Manor House Hotel’s Anita Vighova found ‘floral notes and white grapes, as well as some lemon juice, with zingy acidity and some almond notes on the finish’.

£12.50 Liberty Wines

Umani Ronchi, Centovie Pecorino 2016, Marche, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Grassy, floral and perfumed, with an exotic smoky note, leading to a fruity palate with well-balanced acidity and good weight,’ said Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant.

£14.56 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Colonnara, Cuprese, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Classico Superiore 2017, Marche, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Candied lemon peel, almost oily in its nature’ was joined by ‘a resinous character on the palate, with hints of pine and bergamot’, thought 67 Pall Mall’s Terry Kandylis.

£8.74 Alivini

Paolo e Noemia d'Amico, Terre di Ala 2017, Umbria, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Citrus and salinity on the nose, followed by a very juicy and appealing palate, with well-integrated acidity and minerality, and an elegant, dry finish,’ said Mattia Mazzi of The River Cafe.

£13.25 Eurowines

Cecchi, Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2017, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘A great value, straightforward, crisp white wine,’ said The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi, while team leader Lionel Periner highlighted its ‘refreshing, fruity style, with good acidity’.

£6.14 Vinexus Ltd

Monte Schiavo, Villaia, Verdicchio Classico 2017, Marche, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.35 Boutinot

Monte Schiavo, Coste del Molino, Verdicchio Classico 2018, Marche, Italy

Commended medal winner

£7.25 Boutinot

Orsogna, Aete, Terre di Chieti 2012, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

Terenzi, Balbino, Vermentino di Maremma 2017, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.81 Top Selection

Belisario, Cambrugiano, Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva 2016, Marche, Italy

Commended medal winner

£15.00 Liberty Wines

Umani Ronchi, Vecchie Vigne, Castello di Jesi Classico Superiore 2016, Marche, Italy

Commended medal winner

Casal Thaulero, Orsetto Oro, Pecorino Terre di Chieti 2017, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

£10.39 Alivini

Contesa, Terradura, Pecorino 2018, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

£6.90 Boutinot

Paolo e Noemia d'Amico, Calanchi di Vaiano, Chardonnay 2017, Lazio, Italy

Commended medal winner

£14.05 Eurowines

Tenuta Ammiraglia, Vermentino 'Massovivo', Toscana, Frescobaldi 2018, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

Marotti Campi, Luzano, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2017, Marche, Italy

Commended medal winner

£9.15 Bibendum

Colle Corviano, Chardonnay, Colline Pescaresi 2018, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

Talamonti, Aternum, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2017, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

£10.48 VinumTerra

Santa Barbara, Back to Basics, Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi 2017, Marche, Italy

Commended medal winner

£20.00 Delitalia

Cantina Tollo, Pecorino, Terre di Chieti, Linea Cru 2018, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.15 Eurowines

Cantina Tollo, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Biologico 2018, Abruzzo , Italy

Commended medal winner

£7.80 Eurowines

Cantina Tollo, Pinot Grigio, Rocca Ventosa, Terre Di Chieti 2018, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

£7.50 Eurowines

Moncaro, Le Vele, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Classico 2018, Marche, Italy

Commended medal winner

£7.70 Eurowines

Italy: Central, including Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Umani Ronchi, Jorio, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2016, Abruzzo, Italy

Gold medal winner

Impressed by this lighter, fresher style of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, judges handed over a well-deserved Gold, while team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW described a ‘silky palate full of juice, like plums and damson’. Consultant Cinthia Lozano appreciated its ‘round tannins, and smooth and dry palate, with oaky notes of chocolate and coffee’, while team leader Laura Rhys MS spoke highly of its ‘dark cherries and blackcurrants, along with some liquorice spice’.

£11.18 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Umani Ronchi, Pelago 2014, Marche, Italy

Gold medal winner

Team leader Hamish Anderson was impressed by this Gold winner’s ‘great nose and classical palate’, going on to describe ‘lavender and pepper aromas, with red fruit, spice and minerals, as well as good grip and structure on the finish’. Joshua Castle of Noble Rot described ‘tannins suave and captivating, along with tomato leaf, ripe red fruit and cardamom spice’, while team leader Lionel Periner thought the palate ‘mature, full bodied, complex, with an elegant finish’.

£24.87 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Casata Mergè, Sesto 21, Syrah 2016, Lazio, Italy

Gold medal winner

For team leader Carlos Ferreira, this Syrah was ‘a big wine, but very well balanced, with notes of blackcurrant and vanilla’, while fellow team leader Tom Forrest described it as ‘lightly spiced and juicy, with soft cherry fruit’. ‘Velvety and toasty,’ added Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam.

£20.92 Casata Mergè

Orsogna, Nican 2009, Abruzzo, Italy

Gold medal winner

As an impressed panel of judges elevated this to Gold, consultant Cinthia Lozano praised it as ‘complex and round, with smooth blackberry fruit and a velvety texture, with stunning aromas of mocha and coffee’. Finding it ‘toasty and smoky, with leather, prune, thyme and rosemary’, and going on to describe a ‘well-structured palate with firm, powdery tannins’, The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki thought this would be ‘great with venison in a prune sauce with red cabbage’.

£23.52 Cantina Orsogna

Talamonti, Modà, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2018, Abruzzo, Italy

Gold medal winner

This worthy Gold winner was ‘bursting with flavour’, according to team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, who spoke of ‘vivid sour cherry notes’, while Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London described it as ‘quite intense, with violet and a touch of smoke, leading to a juicy and refreshing palate, with velvety tannins’. Victoria Sharples of St John Wines, meanwhile, enjoyed notes of ‘rich, round plums and bright acidity’. ‘Great value and an excellent choice by the glass,’ concluded team leader Laura Rhys MS.

£7.69 VinumTerra

Monte Schiavo, Sassaiolo, Rosso Piceno 2016, Marche, Italy

Silver medal winner

With its ‘deep brambly nose with wild herbs, spice and earth there’s a lot going on for the price’, said team leader Hamish Anderson, adding: ‘The palate has red cherry, herbs and meat. It’s lovely characterful stuff.’

£7.00 Boutinot

Orsogna, Coste di Moro Riserva 2012, Abruzzo, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘This has farmyardy aromas, with notes of the forest floor,’ said Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse, while team leader Laura Rhys MS noted: ‘With its ripe and jammy, rich dark fruits it’s certainly bold and intense.’

£11.13 Cantina Orsogna

Orsogna, Coste di Moro Riserva 2011, Abruzzo, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘This has high intensity and is very concentrated with pronounced notes of cedar with supple tannins,’ said Lucie Kalertova of Sexy Fish, adding: ‘Black cherry and liquorice coat the palate, with raisiny notes leading to a long finish.’

£11.13 Cantina Orsogna

Querciabella, Mongrana 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘An intensely complex nose with bitter cherries and chocolate, are followed by a ripe fruit palate and uncompromising but ripe tannins,’ said team leader Hamish Anderson, ‘and there’s a warm, earthy finish that would make this great with hearty braised meats.’

£11.50 Armit Wines

Casata Mergè, 1960 Cesanese 2017, Lazio, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘This is rich, powerful and dense,’ said team leader Hamish Anderson, ‘with notes of grilled meat, stewed plum and earth; yet there is a real feeling of poise in the power. It’s iron and grippy to the finish – an intriguing and complex wine.’

£18.95 Casata Mergè

Vinicola Tombacco, Biferno Rosso Riserva 2014, Molise, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘A deep and powerful brooding nose,’ noted team leader Hamish Anderson, ‘this feels very modern and polished – almost New World in style; but it certainly has an appeal.’

£7.50 Continental Wine and Food

Torre dei Beati, Cocciapazza, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2016, Abruzzo, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘This feels very savoury,’ said Lucie Kalertova of Sexy Fish, ‘'it’s aromatic with meaty, smoky and herbaceous bell pepper aromas; the black cherry palate finishes long.’

£21.53 Matthew Clark

Santa Barbara, Mossone, Merlot 2016, Marche, Italy

Bronze medal winner

With its ‘dense, black fruit and balsamic notes’, Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London noted that this brooding wine was ‘fresh, though tannic and long’.

£51.50 Delitalia

Cincinnato, Pollùce 2017, Lazio, Italy

Commended medal winner

£9.22 Winetraders

Casal Thaulero, Orsetto Oro, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2016, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

£10.39 Alivini

Paolo e Noemia d'Amico, Notturno dei Calanchi, Pinot Nero 2015, Umbria, Italy

Commended medal winner

£27.35 Eurowines

Paolo e Noemia d'Amico, Atlante, Cabernet Franc 2014, Umbria, Italy

Commended medal winner

£31.90 Eurowines

Farnese, Fantini, Edizione 17, Cinque Autoctoni 2015, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

£21.02 Liberty Wines

Marotti Campi, Orgiolo, Lacrima di Morro d'Alba Superiore 2015, Marche, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.65 Bibendum

Colle Corviano, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2018, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

Talamonti, Tre Saggi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2015, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

£10.48 VinumTerra

Lungarotti, Rubesco, Vigna Monticchio, Torgiano Rosso Riserva 2012, Umbria, Italy

Commended medal winner

£28.95 Eurowines

Lungarotti, Montefalco Sagrantino 2015, Umbria, Italy

Commended medal winner

£21.30 Eurowines

Cantina Tollo, Montepulciano D'abruzzo Dop Biologico 2017, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

£7.80 Eurowines

Cantina Tollo, Cagiòlo, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva 2013, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

£16.45 Eurowines

Cantina Tollo, Mo, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva 2014, Abruzzo, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.50 Eurowines

Italy: Chianti

San Felice, Il Grigio, Chianti Classico Riserva 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner

As this earned itself a well-deserved Gold, Paola Giraldo of Wiltons had praise for its ‘elegant nose and delicate aromas, leading to intense spices and ripe fruits on the palate, with great length’, while James Fryer of Woodhead 17 appreciated notes of ‘coffee, red earth and leather, along with dried black fruits and grippy tannins’. Further noting ‘dense dark berry fruits, as well as chocolate and liquorice’, team leader Nigel Lister added: ‘Pappardelle with wild boar ragu, anyone?’

£13.10 Boutinot

San Felice, Poggio Rosso, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner

For Valentin Radosav of Gymkhana Restaurant, this Gold-worthy Gran Selezione was ‘ripe and expressive, with grippy tannins, cherries, sweet cardamom spice and vanilla’. Team leader Andres Ituarte thought it ‘bright, pretty and elegant, as well as mineral and earthy, with oaky, spicy notes’, while Raphael Thierry of Street XO appreciated its ‘good fruit concentration, with redcurrants and strawberries, as well as well-integrated oak, with tobacco, mocha and cinnamon, and a long, fresh finish’.

£29.15 Boutinot

Castellare, Il Poggiale, Chianti Classico Riserva 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner

As this took its place on the Gold podium, The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia expressed appreciation of its ‘very concentrated morello cherries and subtle spices, with a smooth, yet softly structured palate that will age well’, while James Fryer of Woodhead 17 enjoyed notes of ‘sap and varnish, with black fruits and milk chocolate, too’. Finding it ‘rich and balanced’, Michael Moore of The London Cookhouse thought it would be ideal to serve alongside ‘liver and bacon with sautéed apples’.

£25.06 Bibendum

Castello Vicchiomaggio, Agostino Petri, Chianti Classico Riserva 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner

This ‘rich and intense’ Chianti Classico Riserva, according to Paola Giraldo of Wiltons, was clearly a candidate for Gold, with team leader Laura Rhys MS describing it as ‘perfumed and floral’, with ‘black cherries and cherry stone notes, and good tannic structure’, while Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group found it ‘very elegant, with some liquorice and woody notes’. An ‘amazingly silky texture, with elegant tannins and dark fruit flavours’ made this a good accompaniment for ‘winter dishes’, thought team leader Lionel Periner.

£17.00 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Villa Cerna, Primocolle, Chianti Classico 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner Food Match

Amid generous praise from our judges, this was awarded not only a Gold medal but a Food Match award, too, with team leader Martin Lam approving of its ‘proper Chianti profile, with pencil shavings and a cherry-fruit nose, more sour cherry on the palate, and a savoury finish’. Raphael Thierry of Street XO, meanwhile, was impressed by its ‘tannic structure balanced by good freshness, and some redcurrant, mocha and tobacco notes’.

£9.22 Vinexus Ltd

Prunatelli, Chianti Rufina 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

This Chianti had much to commend it, with team leader Jan Konetzki finding ‘barnyard notes with game and leather’ among the ‘red and black cherry fruit’. He described the palate as ‘dry and grippy with good length’ and thought ‘osso bucco would be a good match’.

£8.15 Boutinot

Uggiano, Fagiano, Chianti Riserva 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Nice, elegant nose,’ said Paola Giraldo of Wiltons, adding: ‘It’s spiced, with red plum flavours; there’s fairly high tannins, but it’s elegant, with nice, long length. This would be really good with steak.’

£9.50 Boutinot

Villa Saletta, Chianti 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

This aromatic wine brought notes of ‘clove, cinnamon, vanilla and honeycomb’ to the nose of team leader Jan Konetzki, while for Claire Love of Loves Consultancy there was ‘concentrated cherry note’ and ‘a morello cherry palate with a thyme and sage finish’.

£13.73 Fattoria Villa Saletta Società Agricola srl

Castellare, Chianti Classico Riserva 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘This has a lifted, perfumed nose of cherry pie and a nicely mineral, crunchy palate,’ said Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club. ‘It’s rich, with a lot character,’ added Paola Giraldo of Wiltons.

£21.18 Bibendum

Castello Vicchiomaggio, La Prima, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘This is a great example of the 2015 vintage,’ said Alan Bednarski of Texture, adding: ‘Along with the good, ripe, stewed red cherry and strawberry fruit, there are notes of cherry in chocolate and ripe red currants with tarry balsamic notes; plus great aromatics with orange zest, violet and rose.’

£33.15 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Castellare, Chianti Classico 2017, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

For Raphael Thierry of Street XO this wine brought ‘an aromatic umami note of stewed tomato peel; there are juicy tannins and a long refreshing finish, where the fruit is peppered with complex notes of cinnamon and mocha’.

£15.84 Bibendum

Castello Vicchiomaggio, Vicchiomaggio Vegan 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Nice forest fruits, with dark chocolate, black pepper and tobacco,’ said Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection, adding: ‘It’s juicy, with sweet tannins and fine use of oak, plus there’s good balance and length.’

£15.70 Castello Vicchiomaggio

Tenuta di Capraia, Effe 55, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Very ripe dark and red cherry fruit with violet, clove and mocha aromatics,’ said team leader Jan Konetzki, while Claire Love of Loves Consultancy thought it had ‘great concentration of sour cherry with herbal notes and good texture’.

£25.65 Eurowines

Uggiano, Prestige, Chianti Classico Riserva 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘A lovely nose,’ said Paola Giraldo of Wiltons, ‘there’s rich plums, spice with dried herbs and lots of character.’

£8.85 Boutinot

Grati, Poggio Galiga, Chianti 2017, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

For Claire Love of Loves Consultancy this brought hints of ‘cherries and tea leaves to the nose’, and had a ‘fresh, creamy, juicy character with gentle fruit’.

£6.30 Majestic Commercial

Brancaia, Chianti Classico Riserva 2013, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Very animal aromatics,’ thought The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia, ‘and the smell of old leather armchairs’. ‘It’s certainly rich, with lots of character,’ added Paola Giraldo of Wiltons.

£24.58 Enotria&Coe

Villa Rosa, Ribaldoni, Chianti Classico 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Nicely aromatic, this Chianti brought ‘notes of violets, cinnamon, clove and dark chocolate’ to team leader Jan Konetzki, with a ‘good dry finish’.

£9.99 Vinexus Ltd

Castello di Gabbiano, Chianti Classico Riserva 2013, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘This could work well served by the glass,’ thought Paola Giraldo of Wiltons, adding: ‘It’s aromatic, with ripe red fruit and sour cherry, rich tannins and notes of liquorice.’

£8.45 Molson Coors, Treasury Wine Estates

Ruffino, Chianti 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

For Texture’s Alan Bednarski ‘this medium-bodied wine has good black cherry fruit with fresh floral notes and good concentration’.

£9.16 Matthew Clark

Ruffino, Santedame Estate, Chianti Classico 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Jan Konetzki found this wine to have ‘fresh and very ripe dark cherry fruit with a dry, oak-spiced, herbaceous finish and good acidity’.

£15.44 Matthew Clark

Ruffino, Riserva Ducale, Chianti Classico Riserva 2014, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘This is well balanced and earthy, cooked red fruits, plum, chocolate and spice and leather; plus, there’s smooth tannins and a decent finish.’

£15.70 Matthew Clark

Prunatelli, Chianti 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£6.95 Boutinot

La Sala, Il Torriano 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£26.78 La Sala

Fèlsina, Rancia 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£31.27 Liberty Wines

Nipozzano, Chianti Rúfina Riserva, Frescobaldi 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

Villa Cerna, Chianti Classico Riserva 2014, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£14.58 Vinexus Ltd

Ruffino, Il Leo, Chianti Superiore 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.00 Matthew Clark

Ruffino, Riserva Ducale, Oro, Chianti Classico Riserva Gran Selezione 2014, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£25.26 Matthew Clark

Italy: North-East - Red, including Amarone & Valpolicella

Montresor, Castelliere delle Guaite, Valpolicella Classico Primo Ripasso 2015, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

With judge Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn describing this as ‘gamey and built to last, with really great balance and richness, with a long lasting finish’, it’s no surprise this went home with Gold. Team leader Carlos Ferreira appreciated its ‘smoky nose of oak, vanilla, tobacco leaves and leather, with a palate that’s elegant, smooth and aromatic, with lots of complexity’, while Kai Mayfair’s Elisa Soggia described notes of ‘red cherries and plums, orange marmalade and a herbaceous note, too’.

£19.90 Boutinot

Zenato, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

With team leader Laura Rhys MS describing this Amarone as ‘rich, bold, meaty and complex, with black fruit and tar’, and declaring that ‘this wine has everything’, it’s unsurprising that it was awarded not only a Gold medal but a Critics’ Choice award, too. An impressed Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant found it ‘fresh and vibrant, with liquorice, chocolate, prune and tobacco’, while consultant Anja Breit described ‘smoke, raisins and dried fruit, with some marzipan and cherries, too’.

£35.15 Eurowines

Zenato, Sergio Zenato, Amarone Classico della Valpolicella Riserva 2012, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Super-complex and very powerful,’ praised team leader Laurent Richet MS as this was elevated to Gold status, while Giorgio Scarsella of The Stafford was impressed by its ‘great purity of fruit’, describing it as ‘elegant and velvety, with baked cherry, cinnamon and star anise’. ‘A really exciting wine,’ added impressed team leader Laura Rhys MS, who found it to be ‘dark, rich and inky, with some minerality and polished tannins’, which all made it ideal for ‘rich, meaty stews’.

£70.25 Eurowines

Villa Mattielli, Valpolicella Ripasso 'San Giacomo' 2016, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Rather opulent’ was Diana Rollan of D&D’s first impression of this great-value Gold winner, going on to praise its ‘savoury notes of tapenade as well as dense cherry and kirsch’, while Virginia Fontò of La Trompette appreciated its ‘notes of tobacco leaf and cigar box’. Woodhead 17’s James Fryer, meanwhile, pointed out ‘an almost lacquer character on the nose’, which led to ‘vanilla and nutty chocolate notes on the palate’.

£14.10 Top Selection

Domìni Veneti, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2016, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

This great-value Amarone was easily worthy of a Gold medal for its ‘good fruit intensity’, according to Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant, who went on to describe a wine that was ‘earthy, spicy and woody, with rich cherry notes and generous tannins’. ‘For the price point it’s hard to beat,’ added consultant Anja Breit, who described ‘wood, smoke and dark berry fruit’, and suggested this was served with ‘braised meat or ox cheek’.

£15.12 Direct Wines

Orion Wines, Tenute Fiorebelli, Cabaletta Rosso 2016, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

Judges had praise for this Gold winner’s great value, as well as ‘purity of fruit and bright acidity’, according to team leader Andres Ituarte, who found it ‘concentrated and toasty’. Nut Tree Inn’s Sarah McKenzie appreciated its ‘ripe red fruits on the palate, as well as some bell pepper, and well-integrated tannins’, while team leader Carlos Ferreira found it ‘complex and peppery, with blackcurrant, blackberry and leather, as well as cigar and coffee notes’.

£7.82 Matthew Clark

Santa Sofia, Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2016, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

Displaying all of the qualities needed for Gold, this Valpolicella was praised by Woodhead 17’s James Fryer for its ‘dark, dense purple fruit and freshly ground coffee, with sappy, plush black fruit on the palate, as well as some black pepper, finishing with chocolate and leather’. ‘Concentrated, big and bold with lovely liquorice and sweet spice along with the cherry and plum fruit, and a nice texture, too,’ said Diana Rollan of D&D, adding that its acidity made it ideal ‘to pair with oily fish’.

£13.40 Mondial Wine

La Dama, Valpolicella Classico 2016, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

As judges handed over the Gold, Gymkhana Restaurant’s Savvas Symeonidis spoke highly of this Valpolicella’s ‘perfumed nose with black fruit, leading to some tart acidity’, while La Trompette’s Virginia Fontò thought ‘its persistent tannins and sour cherry and strawberry flavours make it feel versatile’. ‘Spiciness and some mint on the nose, leading to a complex palate with good, fresh acidity’ made this ‘a great wine for a Sunday roast’, concluded team leader Carlos Ferreira.

£11.09 Bibendum

Ca' La Bionda, Ravazzòl, Amarone della Valpolicella 2013, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

This was clearly destined for no less than Gold, with ‘a savoury nose with black tea and prunes’, according to team leader Laurent Richet MS, and notes of ‘clove, prune and chocolate, and a sweet palate that has an oxidative note but is very fruit forward’, according to Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston. ‘Elegant and silky,’ added team leader Laura Rhys MS, who enjoyed its ‘juicy, sweet red and black fruits’.

£36.70 Top Selection

Zenato, Cresasso, Corvina Veronese 2013, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

While Sarah McKenzie of Nut Tree Inn found a nose of ‘farmyard, black pepper and plenty of spice’, Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club enjoyed the ‘savoury, baked fruits, fine structure and good length’.

£29.05 Eurowines

Villa Mattielli, Amarone della Valpolicella 2015, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Classic style, going back to its roots; very enjoyable wine,’ said Benares Restaurant & Bar’s Filip Viorel, adding: ‘Lots of black olive tapenade, excellent balsamic notes and a slightly oxidative style. Absolutely beautiful.’

£26.30 Top Selection

Prà, Morandina, Valpolicella 2017, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Juicy and balanced, this is very approachable and easy to drink,’ said D&D’s Diana Rollan, adding: ‘With its fruity notes of blueberry and cherry this has great by-the-glass potential.’ ‘Elegant and pure, light and fresh,’ thought La Trompette’s Virginia Fontò.

£10.55 Boutinot

Riondo, Castelforte, Corvina 2015, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘There’s a nice, smoky nose with an earthy rustic finish,’ noted Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks. ‘It offers good complexity at this price point,’ added team leader Andres Ituarte, agreeing that it had an ‘earthy style with crunchy red fruit’.

£6.17 Moreno Wines, Inverarity Morton

Ca' Rugate, Campo Lavei, Valpolicella Superiore 2016, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Diana Rollan of D&D liked the ‘lifted notes of blackberries, blackcurrant, tea leaf, tobacco and dark chocolate’ and found it ‘well balanced and concentrated, yet with refreshing acidity’. She thought it was ‘craving for roast lamb’. Virginia Fontò of La Trompette summed it up as ‘outstanding and great value for money’.

£18.66 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Allegrini, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Perhaps it lacks a bit of acidity but everything else is outstanding,’ said Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant, pointing to the ‘ripe, jammy, almost baked fruits, like cherry pie or cooked strawberry’ and the ‘subtle notes of raspberries and strawberry sorbet’.‘It may have grippy tannins,’ he added, ‘but it’s very drinkable.’

£46.29 Liberty Wines

Sartori, 120° Anniversary, Valpolicella Superiore 2016, Valpolicella, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Great spicy, very “Mediterranean” flavours,’ thought team leader Lionel Periner, adding: ‘There’s good aromas of fresh-picked red berries and a nice floral note. The palate is balanced with refreshing acidity and a long finish.’ ‘Spicy and earthy,’ added The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones.

£10.48 Casa Vinicola Sartori S.p.A.

Guerrieri-Rizzardi, Clos Roareti 2016, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks picked out the aromatics, finding ‘piquant notes of resin, violets and a leather’. For team leader Andres Ituarte, meanwhile, it had ‘big, woody notes, lots of oak grip and jammy fruit with a touch of vanilla’ and he thought it would be ‘a style that lots of people will like’.

£13.55 New Generation Wines, New Generation McKinley

47 Anno Domini, Le Argille, Cabernet di Cabernet 2014, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

For Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks, this was another aromatic wine, with a ‘medicinal nose, dense black fruit, notes of tar and crunchy a red fruit finish’.

£20.39 Lanchester Wine Cellars

Bolla, Le Origini, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2010, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Richly aromatic with dried dates and prune, chocolate, coffee, tobacco and herbs,’ said Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant, adding: ‘Good intensity of fruit concentration is balanced by fairly high acidity through a long finish.’

£40.70 Matthew Clark

Sansonina, Merlot 2016, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira noted ‘plums and black pepper with dried cherry and vanilla’ and described the palate as ‘fresh with good balance’ and the finish as ‘long and clean’.

£29.75 Eurowines

Masi, Bonacosta Valpolicella Classico 2017, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘This would work with raw meat,’ said Virginia Fontò of La Trompette, describing ‘clean and pure strawberry and plum flavours with balanced acidity and tannins’ and summing it up as ‘rather elegant’.

£10.22 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Cantina di Negrar, Bartolomeo Lorenzi, Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2017, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

For Francesca Turra of Mondrian London this had a ‘powerful and intense nose’ with ‘red fruit, chocolate and leather’. She described ‘a very good palate’ and found it ‘pleasant to drink’ and ‘full bodied with well-handled oaky tannins’.

£9.05 cantina valpolicella negrar

Santa Sofia, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2013, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Sean Arthur of Cliveden House found this a typical example of the style: ‘With its touch of salinity, raisins and prune notes, and intense, dark red fruit, this well-balanced wine tastes like a definitive recipe for Amarone.’

£29.00 Mondial Wine

Trastullo, Primitivo 2017, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks described this as an aromatic wine with notes of ‘pine and eucalyptus’ that led to a palate of ‘raspberry fruit and tar’.

£7.50 New Generation Wines, New Generation McKinley

Montresor, Capitel della Crosara, Amarone della Valpolicella 2013, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£39.90 Boutinot

Zenato, Ripassa, Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2015, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£16.20 Eurowines

Villa Mattielli, Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva 2013, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£38.44 Top Selection

Cantina di Custoza, Corvina Garda, Val dei Molini 2016, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.65 Eurowines

Campagnola, Valpolicella Classico 2018, Veneto , Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.05 Eurowines

Masi, Costasera Amarone Classico 2013, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

Orion Wines, Tenute Fiorebelli, Fiorebella 2016, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£9.24 Matthew Clark

Santa Sofia, Antichello Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£24.35 Mondial Wine

Nicolis, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2012, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£30.39 Bibendum

Sartori, 120° Anniversary, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2012, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

Sartori, 120° Anniversary, Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2015, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

Nicolis, Ambrosan, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2009, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£42.00 Bibendum

Cantina di Negrar, Bartolomeo Lorenzi, Rosso 2017, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£5.92 Direct Wines

Italy: North-East - Trentino, Alto Adige & Friuli Venezia Giulia – Red

Mezzacorona, Castel Firmian, Merlot 2017, Trentino, Italy

Gold medal winner

Judges were impressed by this great-value Gold’s ‘maraschino cherries and baked plum notes, with a grippy, chalky texture and smooth tannins’, began The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki, while Immacolata Cannavo of Hakkasan Mayfair spoke highly of its ‘bright red fruit flavours of cherry and strawberry’, before describing it as ‘quite earthy, but with light, supple tannins’. ‘A very fresh wine, with black pepper spice and herbal, rosemary notes,’ added Flat Three Restaurant’s Heesoo Kang.

£7.40 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Colterenzio, Pinot Nero 2017, Alto Adige, Italy

Gold medal winner

Chalking up another Gold for Colterenzio, this Pinot Nero drew praise from judges for its ‘delicate nose of wild strawberry and raspberry, with sweet cinnamon spice, some woody herbs and generous fruit’, said Flat Three Restaurant’s Heesoo Kang, who found that its ‘silky texture and delicate tannins support good concentration, fruit intensity and length’. A similarly impressed Gabriele Galuppo of Theo Randall at the InterContinental found it ‘fruit driven, with hints of violet and rose, with a well-defined, elegant palate’.

£11.47 Enotria&Coe

Bastianich, Vespa Rosso 2013, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Silver medal winner

Filip Viorel of Benares Restaurant & Bar noted: ‘A light and fruity nose, with a palate dominated by black fruits; complex notes of smoke and leather with lots to think of… the more time you spend with this one, the more you start to love it!’

£23.63 Bibendum

Fantinel, La Roncaia, Fusco 2014, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Silver medal winner

Filip Viorel of Benares Restaurant & Bar noted: ‘Black fruits with minerals on the nose, followed by dark, plummy soft fruit flavours. A sweet balsamic note comes through on the finish, along with a touch of cinnamon.’ ‘Tar, violet and rose, really quite perfumed,’ added Hakkasan Mayfair’s Immacolata Cannavo.

£19.93 Matthew Clark

Cavit, Bottega Vinai, Pinot Nero 2016, Trentino, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Very pale colour,’ remarked Julien Sahut of Sexy Fish, ‘with bright, floral and red cherry aromatics. There is a hint of a green note but the finish is long, with lots of red berry fruit and a pleasing, spiced twist.’

£9.05 Boutinot

Mezzacorona, Castel Firmian, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Trentino, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A nose of floral red fruit; medium bodied with nice texture. Easy drinking. Sour cherry notes are balanced with a good acidity and gentle tannins,’ said 67 Pall Mall’s Antonio Federico Moccia.

£7.69 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Mezzacorona, Castel Firmian, Teroldego Rotaliano Riserva 2014, Trentino, Italy

Silver medal winner

Cliveden House’s Sean Arthur was impressed: ‘A smooth and velvety wine showing dense blackcurrant, chocolate and an aromatic spiced note. Excellent value for money.’ ‘Wild berries and violets,’ added 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen’s Melania Battiston, ‘with a lovely herbal note.’

£9.22 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Moschioni, Schioppettino, Colli Orientali del Friuli 2011, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Expressive and decadent,’ said Alonso Abed of Hide Above, adding: ‘Powdered chocolate and cacao reach out to the nose. Rich notes of plum and red cherry jam fill the palate.’ ‘Bitter chocolate and soy,’ mused Sonal Clare of Purnell’s Restaurant.

£36.75 Eurowines

Fantinel, Tenuta Sant Helena, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2013, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Melania Battiston of 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen noted: ‘The wine has a herbaceous character with notes of bay leaf and sage, as well as a green bell pepper note. The fruit, however, is all tart strawberries and raspberries, giving great acidity, soft tannins and a long finish.’

£12.92 Matthew Clark

Mezzacorona, Castel Firmian, Teroldego Rotaliano 2017, Trentino, Italy

Bronze medal winner

With its ‘smoky, blackcurrant nose with hints of eucalyptus and lick of oak’, team leader Jade Koch certainly thought this wine had its place: ‘Perhaps a bit brash but could be good in a pub by the glass.’

£8.16 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Moschioni, Rosso Celtico, Colli Orientali del Friuli 2011, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£22.15 Eurowines

Moschioni, Rosso Real, Colli Orientali del Friuli 2011, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£23.30 Eurowines

Alois Lageder, Krafuss, Pinot Noir 2015, Alto Adige, Italy

Commended medal winner

£31.46 Bibendum

Fantinel, La Roncaia, Refosco 2013, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£20.84 Matthew Clark

Italy: North-East - Trentino, Alto Adige & Friuli Venezia Giulia – White

Jermann, Pinot Grigio 2017, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Gold medal winner

This worthy Gold medallist was ‘a big mouthful of crunchy, dry fruit with concentration and aromatic complexity’ for team leader Martin Lam, while Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall added praise for its ‘melon, honey and soft brioche notes, with a palate that’s zesty, with an oily touch of red apple and grapefruit, and a long finish’. ‘An oily texture, with some chalkiness and good acidity’ stood out for Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn.

£17.38 Enotria&Coe

Alois Lageder, Am Sand, Gewürztraminer 2016, Alto Adige, Italy

Gold medal winner

Judges were generous in their praise of this worthy Gold winner, from team leader Laurent Richet MS’s description of it as ‘charming, and packed with minerality, blossoms, peach and apricot notes’ to fellow team leader Tom Forrest’s appreciation of its ‘typical floral, aromatic, perfumed Gewürztraminer nose’. ‘Buttery vanilla and some lemon and lime, with a fresh finish’ led The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston’s Giuseppe Longobardi to recommend this be served with ‘monkfish or risotto’.

£20.37 Bibendum

Alois Lageder, Porer, Pinot Grigio 2017, Alto Adige, Italy

Gold medal winner

As this clinched a well-deserved Gold, Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn admired ‘summer flowers and orange on the nose’, before going on to describe ‘Seville orange marmalade on the palate, alongside some good minerality and acidity, and a long, orange blossom finish’. The Cross Kenilworth’s Clément Loubeyre described ‘savoury, artichoke aromas, and some evidence of skin contact’, which led to a palate that was ‘quite rich, but with lovely acidity and good citrus flavours, leading to a long finish’.

£16.88 Bibendum

Bastianich, Vigne Orsone, Friulano 2017, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Delicate and elegant,’ began Raphael Thierry of Street XO in his praise of this worthy Gold medal recipient, further finding ‘smoky minerality on the nose, followed by some good fruit and white flowers, too’. With its ‘orange peel, with floral notes too, and a delicate balance’, Prestonfield House’s Dave Cushley thought this was ‘one to get to know’, while The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston’s Giuseppe Longobardi thought its ‘stone fruit and honeysuckle, with creaminess on the palate balanced by freshness’ made it the right choice for ‘spiced lentil daal’.

£12.98 Bibendum

San Michele Appiano, Sanct Valentin, Pinot Grigio 2016, Alto Adige, Italy

Gold medal winner

This ‘rich and developed’ Gold winner, for Moio Restaurant’s Carolina W Seibel, had some appealing notes of ‘yellow stone fruit and baked pastry, and a yeasty note’, while team leader Carlos Ferreira spoke highly of ‘lemon pie and peach, with a complex palate and big finish, with some white spices and good acidity – a very well-made wine’. Fellow team leader Martin Lam added praise for its ‘very creamy palate, with a toasted, vanilla character’.

£22.30 Eurowines

Mezzacorona, Castel Firmian, Chardonnay 2018, Trentino, Italy

Gold medal winner Food MatchCritics Choice

Unsurprisingly taking home a handful of awards, including a Gold medal, this Chardonnay drew praise from judges for its complex notes of ‘apricot and lemon verbena’, according to team leader Jan Konetzki, who enjoyed its ‘grip, and a touch of elegant bitterness’. For Roberto Sanchez of Sexy Fish it was ‘light and easy drinking, but with good balance, and some grassy, green notes – all at a remarkable price. A good by-the-glass option.’

£7.38 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Colterenzio, Gewürztraminer Classici 2017, Alto Adige, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Delicious’, was team leader Hamish Anderson’s summary of this Gold winner, which he described as ‘very aromatic and perfumed, with some Asian spice and ginger, leading to a more restrained palate with chalk and lime zest’, while Prestonfield House’s Dave Cushley pointed out that it was ‘voluptuous and refreshing at the same time’. ‘Rosewater, pear and lychee aromas, with a ripe, floral palate’ made this an ideal match for ‘seabass curry and coconut’, according to team leader Jan Konetzki.

£13.48 Enotria&Coe

Colterenzio, Chardonnay La Foa 2016, Alto Adige, Italy

Gold medal winner

A hit with our judges, and a clear candidate for Gold, this showed ‘oak and minerality on the nose, leading to more well-integrated oak on the palate, with some toasted sesame and good fruit, too’, according to Street XO’s Raphael Thierry, while team leader Angela Reddin found ‘white peach, crème anglaise and lemon posset, leading to a crunchy palate of cashews and lime’. ‘Lovely, delicate and light on the nose, yet very deep and complex on the palate,’ concluded Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains.

£26.81 Enotria&Coe

Mezzacorona, Terre del Noce, Pinot Grigio 2018, Trentino, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Pretty, with gooseberry and floral aromas, like honeysuckle, leading to a palate that’s crisp, precise and dry, with some peachy stone fruit,’ said Jim Bass of Scarlet Hotel, concluding that it was ‘well made, in a popular style, and with a great price’.

£6.43 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Fantinel, La Roncaia, Pinot Grigio 2017, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A toasty nose, with hints of oak, touches of brioche, and a nice dose of melon and mature pear,’ described Rockliffe Hall’s Daniel Jonberger, while Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club found it to be ‘a richer, more opulent and serious style, with stone fruit, and real depth and length’.

£13.60 Matthew Clark

Tramin, Nussbaumer, Gewürztraminer 2017, Alto Adige, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Sultanas, lychees and cardamom and ginger spice on the nose, leading to lovely balance on the palate, with nice acidity and bags of complex flavours,’ said team leader Angela Reddin, while The London Cookhouse’s Michael Moore further identified ‘rose petal and lavender, with an orange finish’.

£21.69 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Cavit, Bottega Vinai, Pinot Grigio 2018, Trentino, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Expressive and aromatic, with good balance, and some white peach and pear drops on the palate,’ said Pavilion Wine’s Tomasz Kuszneruk, while Rockliffe Hall’s Daniel Jonberger found it ‘light at first, with light pear fruit, before a nice oily palate, with more pear on the finish’.

£7.90 Boutinot

Cavit, Bottega Vinai, Nosiola 2018, Trentino, Italy

Silver medal winner

According to Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection, this opened with ‘citrus, herbal and white blossom aromas, as well as some white pepper’, while Julien Sahut of Sexy Fish found ‘balanced acidity and an oily texture’.

£7.15 Boutinot

Cavit, Rulendis, Pinot Grigio 2017, Trentino, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A super-elegant wine,’ began James Fryer of Woodhead 17, who went on to describe ‘lemon pith on the nose, leading to an oily, structural palate with lemon balm notes’, while Jim Bass of Scarlet Hotel appreciatd its ‘fresh aromatics, and a clean, mineral palate’.

£12.50 Boutinot

Mezzacorona, Castel Firmian, Pinot Grigio 2018, Trentino, Italy

Silver medal winner

James Fryer of Woodhead 17 found ‘apricot skin and flesh on the nose, and even a bit of smokiness, leading to more apricot, and a slight melon note, too, with a more textural mid-palate, along with some grassiness’.

£7.98 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Colterenzio, Pinot Bianco Cora 2017, Alto Adige, Italy

Silver medal winner

For team leader Angela Reddin this had ‘wet stone and herbal notes like thyme’, while Roberto Sanchez of Sexy Fish thought its ‘smooth, easy-drinking character, with a long finish, would make you want to drink another glass’.

£10.71 Enotria&Coe

Livon, Manditocai Friulano 2016, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A very intense, complex nose, with some spice, followed by lots of stone fruit, and an oily texture on the palate, all leading to a spicy finish,’ thought Sexy Fish’s Julien Sahut, while team leader Hamish Anderson described ‘some oak and vanilla, and a rich, generous palate’.

£22.35 Eurowines

Ruffino, Lumina Pinot Grigio delle Venezie Giulia 2016, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘An attractive, elegant nose, followed by good acidity on the citrus palate, along with some stone fruit and a delicate finish,’ said Pavilion Wine’s Tomasz Kuszneruk.

£9.39 Matthew Clark

Mezzacorona, Castel Firmian, Sauvignon 2018, Trentino, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘A good value, well-made wine,’ according to team leader Nigel Lister, who described ‘a warm, spicy nose leading to a fresh, floral palate, with some apple notes’.

£8.08 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Tramin, Stoan 2017, Alto Adige, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Aromas of ‘yellow stone fruit like white peach, as well as a floral note’ led, according to Dilger Sommelier Selection’s Markus Dilger, to a palate with ‘fresh acidity, and some minerality too’.

£19.47 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Cavit, Maso Toresella, Chardonnay Doc Trentino Superiore Riserva 2017, Trentino, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Crushed apple and chalk aromas’ led, according to team leader Angela Reddin, to ‘a saline note on the palate that’s definitely moreish – shellfish anyone?’

£13.35 Boutinot

Mezzacorona, Terre del Noce, Chardonnay 2018, Trentino, Italy

Commended medal winner

Cavit, Terrazze della Luna, Pinot Grigio 2018, Trentino, Italy

Commended medal winner

£6.60 Boutinot

Fantinel, Tenuta Sant Helena, Pinot Grigio 2017, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.13 Matthew Clark

Alois Lageder, Fórra, Manzoni Bianco 2016, Alto Adige, Italy

Commended medal winner

£18.14 Bibendum

Collavini, Villa Canlungo, Pinot Grigio 2017, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Commended medal winner

San Simone, Pinot Grigio Prestige 2018, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.50 Eurowines

San Michele Appiano, Sanct Valentin, Pinot Bianco 2016, Alto Adige, Italy

Commended medal winner

£22.30 Eurowines

San Michele Appiano, Sanct Valentin, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Alto Adige, Italy

Commended medal winner

£23.50 Eurowines

Mezzacorona, Castel Pietra, Pinot Grigio 2017, Trentino, Italy

Commended medal winner

Colterenzio, Pinot Grigio 2017, Alto Adige, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.19 Enotria&Coe

Italy: North-East - White, including Soave

Villa Mattielli, Campolungo, Soave Classico Superiore 2017, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner Food Match

This ‘rich and textured’ Soave took home a Gold medal for ‘bright acidity with some pineapple and melon notes’, according to team leader Andres Ituarte, while Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks described it as ‘fresh and mineral, with some oily, smoked characteristics’. Julien Sahut of Sexy Fish added praise for its ‘spicy nose, leading to a richer style on the palate’, and described ‘honeycomb, tangerine, and some spiciness, with a nutty finish’.

£11.75 Top Selection

Pieropan, La Rocca, Soave Classico 2016, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

As this took its rightful place on the Gold podium, impressed team leader Hamish Anderson called it ‘toasty and young, leading to a warm, savoury and complex palate, with nuts, lemon and beeswax’. Fellow team leader Andres Ituarte, meanwhile, spoke highly of its ‘rich style, nutty and ripe, with some well-integrated fruit and balanced acids, not to mention a long, toasty finish – making it perfect with salted cod or Dungeness crab’.

£20.02 Liberty Wines

Alpha Zeta, Terrapieno, Pinot Grigio 2018, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner By the glass

‘This has a lovely aromatic profile,’ began Raphael Thierry of Street XO on encountering this clear Gold winner, going on to describe ‘melon, apple and white flowers, leading to a nice, fresh texture and a long finish’. Sexy Fish’s Roberto Sanchez praised its ‘apricot, peach and lime notes’, finding it to be ‘really beautifully balanced and well structured’. ‘Perfect for cheese and English charcuterie – think a ploughman’s lunch on a sunny day in the country,’ concluded Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn.

£8.87 Liberty Wines

Cantina di Custoza, Custoza Superiore Custodia 2017, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘The nutty, buttery nose is laced with both ripe and candied lemon,’ began The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi, who went on to describe a palate that was ‘fresh, but with a mouth-coating texture, well-integrated oak flavours and a long, pleasant, saline finish’.

£9.90 Eurowines

Suavia, Monte Carbonare, Soave Classico 2016, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Almonds, spice and fresh flowers on a very lifted and pure nose,’ began team leader Hamish Anderson, who went on to describe a palate that was ‘supple and nutty, with lemon and lime’.

£15.49 Bibendum

Pieropan, Calvarino, Soave Classico 2016, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Delicious, balanced and food friendly,’ summarised team leader Nigel Lister, who described ‘elegant peach fruit aromas with hints of honey, leading to some floral, honeysuckle notes on the palate’. ‘Great texture, with a hint of spice,’ added Julien Sahut of Sexy Fish.

£15.27 Liberty Wines

Riondo, Castelforte, Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie 2018, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Refreshing and pleasant, with some melon flavour, and a bit of creaminess,’ began Raphael Thierry of Street XO, while team leader Angela Reddin described ‘great typicity of pear fruit, with some spice characters too’.

£6.12 Forth Wines, Moreno Wines, Inverarity Morton

The Wine People, Frederico Collezione, Pinot Grigio 2018, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Fresh, light and easy drinking, with nice texture and a long finish,’ described Roberto Sanchez of Sexy Fish, adding: ‘You’d want to keep drinking this until the end of the meal.’ ‘A very nice food wine,’ concluded team leader Angela Reddin.

£6.25 Frederic Robinson

Prà, Staforte, Soave Classico 2016, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘A fresh nose with lemon and a nuttiness leads to a pure and refreshing palate, with fresh lemon juice, lime leaf and some savoury nuance,’ said team leader Hamish Anderson.

£14.60 Boutinot

C&C, Zimor, Organic Pinot Grigio 2018, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

For Raphael Thierry of Street XO, this was ‘creamy, with bright, ripe fruit, showing melon, apple and a hint of lime, leading to a long, clean finish’.

£9.43 C&C SRL

Suavia, Soave Classico 2017, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection described aromas of ‘melon, apricot and almond, as well as a floral element’, going on to find ‘fresh acidity on the palate, with some green apple notes’.

£11.42 Bibendum

Anselmi, Capitel Croce 2017, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘A complex, aromatic wine, and creamy, too, with toasted notes of almonds, vanilla and a hint of honey too,’ thought Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair.

£17.23 Enotria&Coe

Anselmi, San Vincenzo 2017, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘A very expressive wine, with sweet papaya and mango notes, and great for Thai or spicy Indian food,’ thought Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants.

£11.37 Enotria&Coe

Cantina di Custoza, Custoza Val dei Molini 2018, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£7.55 Eurowines

Musella, Bianco del Drago 2016, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£10.40 Armit

Ca' Rugate, San Michele, Soave Classico 2017, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

Novità, Pinot Grigio 2018, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

Anselmi, Capitel Foscarino 2017, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£15.24 Enotria&Coe

Italy: North-west, Red including Barolo/Barbaresco

Damilano, Marghe, Langhe Nebbiolo 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

As this took its place on the Gold List, team leader Jade Koch described ‘tea and purple fruit notes, as well as some chocolate liqueur’, and found it to be ‘elegant and lingering, sweet and taut’, while The Gilbert Scott’s Juan Manuel Marcos Perez noted its ‘intense flavours, with ripe tannins and fruit well integrated with the oak’. ‘A juicy palate of cherries, cedar and tobacco’ all led team leader Laurent Richet MS to picture this alongside a ‘peppered steak with morel mushrooms and green asparagus’.

£15.89 Winetraders

Tomaso Gianolio, Barbera d'Alba Superiore 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Power and elegance’ elevated this to Gold, according to team leader Charlie Young, along with its ‘leafy blackcurrant aromas and a super-fresh palate packed with blackberries and spice’. A similarly impressed Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse thought this had ‘a really fresh, punchy nose and crunchy red fruits, leading to a palate that is firm and fresh, showing the classic flavours of Barbera’, before concluding that it was ‘yummy and juicy, with great grip’.

£12.96 Top Selection

Vietti, La Crena, Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2013, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘A marvellous wine from start to finish,’ began Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall, echoing the sentiment of his fellow judges as they elevated this to Gold, and further describing ‘a mixture of soft berries, and a good dose of cedar wood too, with a hint of spice’. Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles went on to describe ‘lovely lingering sweet morello cherry fruit character, with mouth-coating tannins that clear nicely to reveal a refreshing, dark fruit flavour’.

£34.12 Bibendum

Vietti, Tre Vigne, Barbera d'Asti 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Lovely purity of fruit’ made this a clear Gold winner for team leader Charlie Young, who thought it was ‘beautifully defined, with dark red berry aromas, full tannins and good freshness on the finish’. Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club appreciated ‘wild strawberries and gentle herbal hints, with a spicy, cherry fruit-driven finish’, while team Leader Martin Lam enjoyed ‘dark berry fruit notes mingling with violets on the nose, and a palate that’s high toned but balanced, and savoury, too’.

£17.30 Bibendum

Pelassa, Sot, Nebbiolo d’Alba 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

This Nebbiolo took home a well-deserved Gold medal for its ‘electric red rose bouquet, with marked red berry aromas’, according to Alonso Abed of Hide Above, who went on to find a palate with ‘piercing cherry and floral notes that invite you to finish the glass’. Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants found it similarly ‘approachable, with a pretty nose of juicy fruits, and good structure – a very bright and vibrant wine’.

£13.14 Davy's Wine Merchants

Il Cascinone, Crocera, Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

Judges were generous in their praise of this Gold Lister, with Elena Serban of Hakkasan finding ‘great varietal definition, with cherry and plum, and a nice floral lift’, while for Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles there were ‘fresh tomato leaf aromas and hints of coffee’. An impressed Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall further described it as ‘smooth, with notes of lavender’, before adding that ‘the oak gives a lick of caramel, too’.

£6.95 Boutinot

Massolino, Margheria, Barolo 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘A top Barolo with superb ageing potential’ was Diana Rollan of D&D’s summary, as this unsurprisingly took Gold. She went on to describe it as ‘floral, with classic rose petal notes and dense red berries, with lovely dried herbs, too, as well as sweet spices, cedar wood and vibrant acidity – great balance and concentration. Delicious.’ A similarly impressed Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants found it ‘pretty and perfumed’, with ‘cigar box, prune, cherry and vanilla notes’ making it ideal for ‘pork with mustard mash’.

£48.57 Liberty Wines

Rovellotti, Costa del Salmino, Ghemme Riserva 2013, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

This ‘taut and beautiful’ Gold winner had a ‘gorgeous floral, tarry nose’, according to team leader Nigel Lister, while fellow team leader Laurent Richet MS spoke highly of its ‘perfumed notes, bright tobacco and sour cherries, as well as some pencil shavings’, and further praised its ‘vibrant acidity well balanced with firm acidity’. Cliveden House’s Francisco Macedo, meanwhile, thought its ‘tertiary notes of dried fruit and liquorice’ would pair perfectly with ‘venison served with a berry sauce’.

£35.25 Mondial Wine

Bruno Rocca, Barbaresco, Rabajà 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

This was clearly deserving of a place on the Gold List, with its ‘intense creosote, oaky nose and sweet, tannic, oak-enveloped palate’, according to team leader Martin Lam, while Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club appreciated its ‘perfumed red cherry and coffee aromas, firm chalky tannins and a fresh long finish’. ‘Nicely balanced,’ said Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants, describing ‘tobacco, leather and underlying red fruit, along with a delicate tannin structure’.

£62.17 Liberty Wines

Boroli, Cerequio, Barolo 2013, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

As this took its rightful place on the Gold List, La Trompette’s Virginia Fontò spoke highly of its complex combination of ‘strawberry and sour cherry notes, as well as tobacco, cigar box, black pepper and dark chocolate, as well as truffle and wet autumnal leaves’. D&D’s Diana Rollan found it ‘floral, with notes of dried herbs and tar – an elegant and delicate wine with a beautifully balanced palate and lovely concentration and texture’, adding: ‘This would be a great wine for your perfect steak.’

£81.14 Top Selection

Negro, Barbaresco Basarin 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

This Barbaresco snapped up Gold with its ‘red cherry and green peppercorn aromas, leading to firm and chalky tannins, culminating in a long, elegant finish’, according to Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club, while team leader Martin Lam appreciated its ‘fresh, lifted-fruit nose, with lots of spice and lovely liquorice, as well as some sweet and sour fruit’. ‘Intense and highly structured, with leather and tobacco leaf,’ added fellow team leader Laurent Richet MS, who thought that made it ideal for ‘wild boar with smoked peppers’.

£28.26 Enotria&Coe

Vietti, Tre Vigne, Barbera d'Alba 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

This had ‘clean, pure and fresh blackcurrant aromas’ for team leader Charlie Young, who added: ‘The fruit is very attractive and juicy and the finish is not heavy at all.’ ‘I like the meatiness to it,’ said Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse, adding: ‘It’s intense and full but the fruit is sweet with nice touches of mint and liquorice.’

£16.43 Bibendum

Vietti, Tre Vigne, Dolcetto d'Alba 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

Alonso Abed of Hide Above admired the ‘dense, blackberry and blackcurrant aromas, the beautiful structure and lively fruit finish’, while Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche noted that ‘the wine is intense, yet fresh; juicy and persistent’.

£14.73 Bibendum

Il Cascinone, Rive, Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Fresh cassis aromas with some green leaf notes,’ said Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club, also noting ‘gentle, raspberry jam fruit with a touch of black pepper and a nice mouthfeel’.

£10.75 Boutinot

Conte Vistarino, Tavernetto, Pinot Nero 2015, Lombardy, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘There’s light, fresh and fruity red berries, with a floral and herbal twist of aromatics,’ said Julien Sahut of Sexy Fish, adding: ‘The palate is very well balanced with lots of young, fresh red fruit flavours. The fairly high acidity balances with the elegant tannins.’

£22.95 Eurowines

Angelo Veglio, Barolo 2014, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

Diana Rollan of D&D described this as ‘spicy, earthy and toasty’ and went on to say: ‘Quite floral on the nose but with notes of white pepper. The wine has good acidity with round tannins making it feel agreeable and balanced.’

£15.60 Bibendum

Michele Chiarlo, Tortoniano, Barolo 2014, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Beautiful nose,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira: ‘floral with red fruits, really very complex. Very well balanced, fresh and elegant.’ ‘The refreshing acidity makes the wine feel lighter,’ remarked D&D’s Diana Rollan, who found it ‘very round and balanced’.

£35.57 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Michele Chiarlo, 16 Mesi Le Orme, Barbera d'Asti 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Gentle wild berry and bramble nose leads to firm, ripe tannins. There are some nice high herbal notes adding complexity to the finish,’ said Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club. ‘Floral, sappy, perfumed and assured,’ thought team leader Martin Lam.

£11.68 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Michele Chiarlo, Reyna, Barbaresco 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘This has real depth and nuance,’ said team leader Martin Lam, ‘the chewy tannins and nice depth of fruit shows promise.’ ‘Red cherry and fresh plum mingle with meaty aromas and spice, leading to a long finish,’ added Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club

£27.84 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Damilano, Cannubi, Barolo 2014, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Cigar box, cedar wood and spice,’ noted D&D’s Diana Rollan, adding: ‘The red berry fruit has good acidity and the tannic structure is in balance. This is really concentrated with good texture and very good potential.’

£41.07 Winetraders

Cordero di Montezemolo, Monfalletto, Barolo 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Pronounced red fruit aromas mingle with dried herbs, chocolate, clove and liquorice in this full-bodied wine,’ said Savoy Grill’s Matteo Cali, while D&D’s Diana Rollan described it as a ‘floral, delicate and complex Barolo with a great texture’ and concluded: ‘Classic style to be paired with red meat.’

£34.60 Eurowines

Olim Bauda, Barbera d'Asti, Nizza 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Big on colour, nose and palate! A rich mouthful that explodes in flavour from oak, tobacco, black cherry and supple blueberry fruit. Really rather well balanced though,’ said Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall.

£22.84 Alliance Wine

Pelassa, San Pancrazio, Barbera d’Alba 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Essence of hay with cherries, too,’ said Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall, adding: ‘The mouthfeel is calm, with cedar tree and a long aftertaste.’

£11.64 Davy's Wine Merchants

Marchesi di Grésy, Martinenga, Barbaresco 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£40.00 Boutinot

Ca’ Bianca, Barbera d’Asti Superiore 2013, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£9.00 Matthew Clark

Fontanafredda, Raimonda, Barbera d'Alba 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£13.28 Enotria&Coe

Tomaso Gianolio, Barbaresco 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£20.69 Top Selection

Vietti, Barbaresco Masseria 2014, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£53.11 Bibendum

Vietti, Barolo Castiglione 2014, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£40.76 Bibendum

Vietti, Perbacco, Nebbiolo 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£18.10 Bibendum

GD Vajra, Barolo Albe 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£26.90 Liberty Wines

Conte Vistarino, Pernice, Pinot Nero 2015, Lombardy, Italy

Commended medal winner

£24.95 Eurowines

Michele Chiarlo, Cipressi, Barbera d'Asti Superiore, Nizza 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

San Silvestro, Brumo, Nebbiolo d'Alba 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

Scarpa, Casa Scarpa, Barbera d'Asti 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.00 Carson Wines

Scarpa, La Bogliona, Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2012, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£26.00 Carson Wines

Scarpa, Rouchet, Monferrato Rosso 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£22.00 Carson Wines

Italy: North-west, White including Gavi

Fontanassa, Gavi di Gavi, Rovereto 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn saw Gold here, with its ‘sweet and sour notes, and with some creaminess, too, giving it some interesting weight’, while The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki found ‘peach, pear and apricot notes, with some steely, limestone minerality’. ‘Super-fresh and really fruity, and yet light and easy drinking, with a round finish,’ added an impressed Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam, imagining it well paired with ‘chicken or light meat dishes’.

£14.17 Top Selection

Cà dei Frati, Brolettino, Lugana 2017, Lombardy, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Fresh and elegant’ was team leader Andre Luis Martins’ take on this Gold winner, describing ‘some green apple and light camomile aromas, leading to some ripe mango notes and a long finish’. ‘Sweet pear aromas’ led, for fellow team leader Jade Koch, to ‘a juicy, ripe and very fleshy palate, with more peach on the finish – this would be great with baked fish dishes, or with risotto’.

£17.02 Liberty Wines

Ca' del Bosco, Chardonnay 2014, Lombardy, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Youthful and charming,’ began Texture’s Alan Bednarski as judges declared this a Gold, going on to describe ‘fantastic crunchy peach with well-balanced, generous French oak, and complex brioche and melted butter balancing the fresh limestone minerality and beautiful floral finish’. For The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki it was ‘complex, with a pronounced intensity’ with notes of ‘lemon, lime, yellow grapefruit, melon and pomelo, as well some white rose petals, and a touch oak to it, too’.

£54.00 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Pratello, Catulliano Lugana 2018, Lombardy, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Really showing typicity, with a pronounced grassy and herbaceous nose, leading to a refreshing palate with some good acidity,’ said Matteo Cali of Savoy Grill as this was elevated to Gold, while team leader Andre Luis Martins appreciated its ‘gentle, perfumed peach aromas, some spice notes, and a lingering finish’. Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam added further praise for its ‘approachable style, with stone fruit and some herbaceous notes, too’.

£10.45 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Ca’ Bianca, Gavi 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘All you want!’ began an enthusiastic Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn about this worthy Gold winner, calling it ‘proper Gavi, steely and mineral, with wet stone notes’. Gymkhana Restaurant’s Savvas Symeonidis went on to admire its ‘excellent intensity and purity of fruit’, while Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse thought its ‘pronounced intensity and classic style, with peaches, pears, apricot and great minerality’ made it ‘a very approachable wine’.

£9.53 Matthew Clark

Rovellotti, Il Criccone, Colline Novaresi 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

One of a pair of Gold medals for Rovellotti Viticoltori in Ghemme in this year’s competition, this was described as a ‘citrus-driven wine’ by Juan Manuel Marcos Perez of The Gilbert Scott, while Francisco Macedo of Cliveden House identified ‘notes of red apple, as well as grapefruit’. ‘A fun wine,’ summarised team leader Laurent Richet MS, who particularly enjoyed ‘a salted caramel note’.

£12.10 Mondial Wine

Fontanassa, Ca' Adua, Gavi 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest was impressed by the complexity in this wine, with its ‘crisp lemon notes, as well as some white pepper’, going on to describe a palate with ‘some creaminess and almond nuttiness, as well as a drying, mineral finish’.

£11.67 Top Selection

Ottella, Le Creete, Lugana 2017, Lombardy, Italy

Silver medal winner

Team leader Jade Koch found this ‘chalky, with a bell pepper and pear drop character, and a little grip on the finish’, while Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston appreciated its ‘lovely aromatic structure, with apple and pineapple notes, and a palate that’s fresh, with some lemon’.

£17.50 Enotria&Coe

Ottella, Back to Silence 2017, Lombardy, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Pink grapefruit aromas lead to some baked apple notes, with a palate that’s rich and complex, with a long, lemony finish,’ thought Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, while team leader Jade Koch appreciated its ‘intense orange blossom aromas, and an attractive, silken texture’.

£18.00 Enotria&Coe

Ottella, Molceo, Lugana Riserva 2015, Lombardy, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Complex, long and fascinating,’ began team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, who went on to describe a wine that was ‘plump and fleshy, with notes of greengage, gooseberry and green herbs’, while Savoy Grill’s Matteo Cali enjoyed ‘herbaceous aromas of fresh grass and asparagus, leading to a fresh palate and a long finish’.

£18.90 Enotria&Coe

Nunzio Ghiraldi, Sant'Onorata 1953, Lugana 2016, Lombardy, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Gunpowder and graphite on the nose, followed by ripe apple and honey on the palate – a well-balanced wine with some great acidity,’ thought Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, while Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine appreciated its ‘interesting fruit, like honeydew melon and cantaloupe, as well as some citrus’.

£15.78 Winetraders

Lunae, Etichetta Nera, Colli di Luni Vermentino 2018, Liguria, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘An intense nose of herbs, thyme and lavender,’ began Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group. ‘Elderflower, rose and peach aromas lead to a complex and aromatic palate, with a sweet finish – a good alternative to Alsace or Mosel when pairing with curry,’ added Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston.

£17.00 Armit

Negro, Onorata Langhe Favorita 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Refreshing and light, with some interesting peach fruit, as well as some grip, all leading to a bright, silken finish,’ thought team leader Jade Koch. ‘Crisp and fresh,’ agreed Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam, who described ‘green-apple fruit and a smokiness too’.

£11.70 Enotria&Coe

Castel del Lupo, Della Ginestra, Pinot Grigio 2018, Lombardy, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Pronounced orange flowers on the nose, along with herbal, mint notes on the palate, leading to a lovely finish with persistent acidity,’ said Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, while team leader Jade Koch found it ‘ight, fragrant and floral, with some sweet pear notes’.

£7.85 Boutinot

Pelassa, San Vito, Roero Arneis 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Peach, pear and flowers on the nose,’ began Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston, going on to describe a palate that was ‘full, fresh and pétillant, with an intense finish that’s both spicy and aromatic – great with aromatic fish dishes’.

£10.47 Davy's Wine Merchants

Lunae, Etichetta Grigia, Colli di Luni Vermentino 2018, Liguria, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Peppery and aromatic, with some intense white flower aromas, as well as some pear and apple, leading to a palate that’s backed by good acidity,’ thought Savoy Grill’s Matteo Cali.

£12.50 Armit

Il Cascinone, Campo Fiorito, Chardonnay 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Light and easy, with some camomile flower and honey, leading to good intensity on the palate, with some minerality, too,’ said Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston, while Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine found ‘lemon and peach aromas, with hints of apricot on the soft palate’.

£6.95 Boutinot

La Scolca, Black Label, Gavi dei Gavi 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Vibrant, with a zippy palate, and fresh acidity,’ began Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants, further describing ‘elegant stone fruit with some minerality, leading to a rounded and balanced finish’. ‘Delicious, with some great complexity,’ added Gymkhana Restaurant’s Savvas Symeonidis.

£24.90 Eurowines

Fontanassa, Marin Timorasso 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£17.81 Top Selection

Zenato, Sergio Zenato, Lugana Riserva 2016, Lombardy, Italy

Commended medal winner

£21.70 Eurowines

Olim Bauda, Gavi di Gavi 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£13.15 Alliance Wine

Morgassi Superiore, Volo, Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£14.86 Bibendum

Ancilla, Ella, Lugana 2017, Lombardy, Italy

Commended medal winner

Vietti, Roero Arneis 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£16.18 Bibendum

Michele Chiarlo, Rovereto, Gavi del Commune di Gavi 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

Araldica, Valle Berta, Gavi 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

Santa Seraffa, Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£9.95 Boutinot

La Battistina, Gavi 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.40 Boutinot

Italy: South – Red

Agricole Vallone, Vallone Susumaniello 2016, Puglia, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Red cherries and berries well balanced by some spicy, peppery notes,’ said Roberto Sanchez of Sexy Fish on encountering this Gold Lister, while Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts praised its ‘old-school style, with some black olives and black bread crust notes, and some good acidity and freshness, too’. ‘A fillet of beef with Stilton would complement this well, with its dark cherry and rich chocolate notes,’ thought Michael Moore of The London Cookhouse.

£8.70 Boutinot

Vinosia, Sesto a Quinconce, Aglianico 2011, Campania, Italy

Gold medal winner

This well-deserved Gold winner was showing some ‘black fruit and sweet spices, as well as some black pepper and a savoury, meaty note, with fine-grained tannins and well-integrated alcohol’, according to Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant. ‘A complex nose of plum and vanilla, with a hint of caramel, leading to raisin fruit with fresh cherries on the palate, bringing some necessary acidity,’ continued Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine, adding that ‘hints of white truffle and crème brûlée make this a great wine’.

£43.78 Alivini

Amastuola, Primitivo 2016, Puglia, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Elegance,’ summarised Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn as judges unanimously awarded Gold, further describing it as ‘dry and lean, with good fruit breaking through, and leading to a pleasant finish’. Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants thought it ‘floral and fresh, with some chalky tannins’, while team leader Carlos Ferreira found interesting notes of ‘olives, pine and eucalyptus, as well as some rosemary, all leading to a long, fresh finish with black fruits and good acidity’.

£13.05 Amathus

Antica Masseria Jorche, Primitivo di Manduria Riserva 2014, Puglia, Italy

Gold medal winner

Clearly a Gold winner for its ‘intense perfume of dark cherry, vanilla and liquorice, leading to a rich, full-bodied palate with good concentration, and well-integrated alcohol’, thought Matteo Cali of Savoy Grill, while team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW appreciated its ‘dense, ripe fruit balanced by sawdusty oak, and a complex, fleshy finish’. Woodhead 17’s James Fryer went on to describe additional interesting notes such as ‘rhubarb crumble and cola, with some earthiness, too’.

£17.95 Alivini

Amastuola, Lamarossa, Primitivo 2015, Puglia, Italy

Gold medal winner

This Puglian Gold medallist earned praise from team leader Tom Forrest for its ‘leafy tobacco notes and black fruit’, while The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones appreciated its ‘bright, clean flavours, including fruits of the forest, with richness and smoothness’, further describing ‘plenty of vigour and minerality on the finish’. Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant found it to be ‘savoury on the nose, with leather notes, as well as red and black fruit, and sweet spices, too’.

£10.48 AMASTUOLA SOCIETA' AGRICOLA s.s.

Regio Cantina, Donpà, Aglianico del Vulture 2014, Basilicata, Italy

Gold medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest was taken with this Gold winner’s ‘perfumed, violet aromas, as well as cherries and blueberry notes’, which led to a palate with ‘soft red fruit, some cinnamon spice and a nice meatiness’. Fellow team leader Laurent Richet MS found it to be ‘scented with spices and liquorice, as well as some lavender and thyme, leading to prunes and dates on the palate, with elderberry and cassis, in addition to some grippy tannins’.

£11.36 Matthew Clark

Francesco Candido, Salice, Salentino Riserva 2015, Puglia, Italy

Gold medal winner

For team leader Angela Reddin, this worthy Gold winner opened with some serious ‘humidor aromas, as well as some crushed red bramble fruits, leading to a good, spicy palate with some good fruit and some tertiary leathery characteristics, too’. Woodhead 17’s James Fryer added praise for its ‘tart palate, with black plum and kirsch notes, as well as some mouthwatering acidity’, while team leader Carlos Ferreira further identified some ‘red roses, cherries and pine, with a fresh finish’.

£9.21 Enotria&Coe

Librandi, Cirò, Rosso 2017, Calabria, Italy

Silver medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group spoke of ‘cocoa notes, with some violet too, leading to a palate that’s elegant and warm, with blackberry, liquorice, leather and pepper’, while Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn liked its ‘easy-drinking style, with good acidity, a touch of herbaceousness, and redcurrant notes’.

£7.75 Enotria&Coe

Feudi Salentini, Gocce, Primitivo del Manduria 2015, Puglia, Italy

Silver medal winner

For Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants, this had ‘juicy black cherries, blackberries, chocolate and tobacco notes’, adding that it had ‘good structure, and a finish that is fresh, long and elegant’. Team leader Tom Forrest, meanwhile, appreciated its ‘dry, mineral palate, with some spicy, peppery notes too’.

£16.06 Matthew Clark

Orion Wines, Masseria Borgo dei Trulli, Primitivo 2017, Puglia, Italy

Silver medal winner

This had, for team leader Tom Forrest, ‘warm aromas of ripe cherry and berry fruits, leading to more ripe fruit on the palate, with chalky tannins and fresh acidity’. Gymkhana Restaurant’s Savvas Symeonidis appreciated its ‘nice perfume, with red berry fruit and sweet spices, with good concentration’.

£8.00 Bibendum

Orion Wines, Masseria Borgo dei Trulli, Salice Salentino 2016, Puglia, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A characterful glass of wine,’ began team leader Hamish Anderson, going on to describe ‘dark, rich bramble fruit, like blackberry jam, leading to black plum, all with some grip underneath, as well as some earthiness’.

£8.00 Bibendum

San Marzano, Talò, Primitivo di Manduria 2017, Puglia, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Plums, kirsch and smoky oak’ characterised the nose here for team leader Angela Reddin, who thought the palate was ‘powerful, with weight of fruit, and edgy tension of acidity on the crunchy finish’. Sexy Fish’s Roberto Sanchez, meanwhile, found it ‘rich, but with soft tannins well balanced by the acidity’.

£11.24 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Leone de Castris, Villa Santera, Primitivo di Manduria 2017, Puglia, Italy

Silver medal winner

Alan Bednarski of Texture found ‘a warm nose of red and black cherries with a charming hint of rose marmalade, followed by some herbal notes, like thyme and mint’, while Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group noted ‘leathery tobacco aromas, along with clove, bay leaves and cedar box on the palate – a great wine, with sweet spice coming from the oak’.

£11.95 Eurowines

Francesco Candido, Cappello di Prete, Salento 2015, Puglia, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Stylish, with warm black cherry notes, as well as confiture de prunes, and some hints of spices too,’ said Texture’s Alan Bednarski, while Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group appreciated its ‘delicate dried rose and violet, along with lovely, jammy dark fruits emerging – a warm and full-bodied wine’.

£10.51 Enotria&Coe

Varvaglione, Papale Oro, Primitivo di Manduria 2015, Puglia, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Sweet fruit and spices, with plum, chocolate and cinnamon, and some juicy tannins,’ described Raphael Thierry of Street XO, which all led Michael Moore of The London Cookhouse to suggest it as a match for ‘pheasant or pigeon’.

£18.63 Enotria&Coe

Feudi Salentini, 125 Primitivo del Salento 2016, Puglia, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Lots of cassis, some black fruit and a perfumed note too,’ began Julien Sahut of Sexy Fish, who found the palate to be ‘juicy and fresh, with good acidity, plum and black cherry fruit, and a hint of spice on the finish’.

£8.81 Matthew Clark

Fattoria San Francesco, Cirò Rosso Classico 2017, Calabria, Italy

Bronze medal winner

This opened with ‘raspberry, tea and petals on the nose, leading to a light, smoky palate with good grip’, according to team leader Jade Koch, who thought it ‘a good option for barbecued lamb chops’. ‘Well-integrated tannins, with red and black fruit and a dry cherry finish,’ added Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston.

£8.95 Laytons

Le Vigne di Sammarco, Bisso, Salice Salentino Riserva 2015, Puglia, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Red and dark fruits, with some ripe plum, along with some sweet spice and chocolate flavours’ led Raphael Thierry of Street XO to describe this as a ‘food wine, with juicy, tannic structure and a long, refreshing finish’.

£12.39 Alivini

Orion Wines, Masseria Borgo dei Trulli, Negroamaro 2017, Puglia, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘A warm and juicy wine, with a good mix of black and red fruits, and a hint of herbs and chocolate on the palate,’ began Texture’s Alan Bednarski, while Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group found ‘an elegant bouquet of flowers and wild berries, with smokiness and tobacco leaves too, and oak and fruit both integrated on the palate’.

£8.00 Bibendum

Bisceglia, Gudarrà, Aglianico del Vulture 2014, Basilicata/Campania, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Boysenberries and blackberries are joined by some hummus, spice and tobacco leaf, leading to a well-structured palate with balance, poise and precision,’ said team leader Angela Reddin.

£15.47 Bibendum

Feudi di San Gregorio, Serpico, Irpinia Aglianico, 2013, Campania, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Balanced, with leather and dried fruit notes,’ began team leader Tom Forrest, going on to describe a palate reminiscent of ‘cherry liqueur, with some freshness and minerality, and good balance’. Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants found ‘umami on the palate, like oyster sauce, with baked fruits too, and well-integrated oak’.

£37.15 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Masseria Li Veli, Askos, Susumanielo, Salento 2017, Puglia, Italy

Bronze medal winner

This had ‘fresh raspberry notes, together with some gentle mint’, according to team leader Andre Luis Martins, who further described ‘an intense palate, with more ripe, sweet raspberry and chalky tannins’.

£14.24 Bibendum

Antonio Caggiano, Taurasi, Vigna Macchia dei Goti 2014, Campania, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Summer berries and fleshy stone fruits, as well as vanilla and spicy oak’ led, according to team leader Angela Reddin, to ‘a really muscular grip, but with plenty of backbone and weight of fruit’.

£28.35 Enotria&Coe

Agricole Vallone, Vigneto Giardinelli Salice Salentino 2015, Puglia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£7.80 Boutinot

Vinicola Tombacco, Azzurra, Rosso 2017, Puglia, Italy

Commended medal winner

Varvaglione, 12 e Mezzo, Negroamaro del Salento 2016, Puglia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£9.29 Enotria&Coe

Tenuta Iuzzolini, Cirò, Rosso Classico 2017, Calabria, Italy

Commended medal winner

£13.07 Mondial Wine

Amastuola, Centosassi, Primitivo 2015, Puglia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£27.30 Amathus

Orion Wines, Masseria Borgo dei Trulli, Lucale Primitivo 2016, Puglia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.57 Bibendum

San Marzano, Il Pumo, Salice Salentino 2016, Puglia, Italy

Commended medal winner

Leone de Castris, Maiana Rosso, Salice Salentino 2017, Puglia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£9.70 Eurowines

Leone de Castris, Donna Lisa Rosso, Salice Salentino Riserva 2015, Puglia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£22.65 Eurowines

Italy: South – Red Sicily & Sardinia

Cusumano, Tenuta San Giacomo, Sàgana 2016, Sicily, Italy

Gold medal winner

Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant admired ‘lovely toast and vanilla notes, and spice mingled with dark cherry and plum notes’, on encountering this clear Gold winner, going on to speak of its ‘good balance between body and fruit character’. Team leader Jan Konetzki, meanwhile, was impressed with its ‘complex Mediterranean nose, and savoury, meaty, leather notes’, while The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston’s Giuseppe Longobardi appreciated its ‘black cherry and eucalyptus notes, with some good tannins, too’.

£22.15 Eurowines

Santadi, Noras, Cannonau di Sardegna 2015, Sardinia, Italy

Gold medal winner Food Match

Team leader Lionel Periner had only good things to say about this Gold Lister’s savoury nose of ‘Mediterranean herbs and tomato stew, with red fruits, too’, going on to describe ‘a full-bodied palate with some bramble notes and a touch of smokiness’. The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki enjoyed notes of ‘wild strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and red cherries, with an earthy, leathery character, too, and firm tannins balanced by refreshing acidity’.

£7.21 Enotria&Coe

Fondo Antico, Per Te, Perricone 2016, Sicily, Italy

Gold medal winner

This earned its Gold medal for its ‘interesting and different style’, according to team leader Martin Lam, who described ‘violet notes and some light tannins’. Rockliffe Hall’s Daniel Jonberger appreciated notes of ‘plum and cherry, with a hint of oak’, while team leader Lionel Periner praised its ‘notes of black olive combined with good fruit character’, which led to ‘a full palate, with dark fruit flavours, and a fresh, mineral finish’.

£10.25 Bibendum

Torre Mora, Scalunera, Etna Rosso 2015, Sicily, Italy

Gold medal winner

As it took its rightful place on the Gold podium, team leader Tom Forrest praised this ‘perfumed wine’, before going on to describe ‘red flowers and fruits, like cherries and berries, along with some leafy mintiness as well as some spice’. More praise came from Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, who found ‘graphite and cedar notes, as well as some chocolate’, which led to ‘a lovely finish, with some crunchy, dark fruits’.

£14.75 Matthew Clark

Tornatore, Pietrarizzo, Etna Rosso 2016, Sicily, Italy

Gold medal winner

Judges didn’t hold back in their praise of this Gold medallist, with Pavilion Wine’s Tomasz Kuszneruk enjoying ‘a mix of dried and fresh cherries, with a touch of Provençal herbs and chocolate’, while Rockliffe Hall’s Daniel Jonberger spoke highly of its ‘touches of mint, and a savoury character with some oaky tobacco’. Team leader Lionel Periner, meanwhile, was impressed by its ‘floral aromas, leading to a refreshing palate with berry fruit and more floral notes’.

£17.35 Bibendum

Tornatore, Trimarchisa, Etna Rosso 2016, Sicily, Italy

Gold medal winner

Team leader Lionel Periner had praise for this Gold Lister’s ‘great tannic structure, with dry floral notes, and some berry flavours too’, while an impressed Mattia Mazzi of The River Cafe described ‘strawberries and smoke on an open and appealing nose, leading to a meaty and savoury palate with more strawberry fruit, and great concentration, not to mention some striking acidity’. ‘Perfumed, mineral and elegant, with some great complexity,’ summarised Hakkasan Mayfair’s Immacolata Cannavo.

£27.39 Bibendum

Santa Maria La Nave, Calmarossa, Etna Rosso 2015, Sicily, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘So aromatic and elegant,’ began impressed team leader Laurent Richet MS on discovering this clear candidate for Gold, going on to describe ‘complex cherry, cedar, dried meat and liquorice – dynamic and vibrant, with a silky texture’. Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, meanwhile, enjoyed its ‘eucalyptus aromas, with ripe cherry and strawberry on the palate, leading to a charcoal finish’, while team leader Lionel Periner thought it ‘floral and smoky, with good acidity on a long finish’.

£32.22 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

The Wine People, Frederico Collezione, Rosso Nero d'Avola Appassimento 2017, Sicily, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Rich and comforting, like a hug’ was Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains’ first impression of this Gold-worthy Nero d’Avola, finding notes of ‘chocolate and hazelnut paste, with lovely spices and some cherry jam – a ripe and chewy wine’. A similarly impressed Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant found it to be ‘very easy to drink’, adding praise for ‘lots of juicy fruit balanced with refreshing acidity, some mixed herbs and spices, and smooth tannins’.

£6.50 Frederic Robinson

Colomba Bianca, Vitese, Nero d'Avola 2018, Sicily, Italy

Gold medal winner

This fascinating wine, described by Hakkasan’s Olivier Gasselin as ‘leafy and ferrous, with forest fruit, some spice, and an earthiness too, with rounded, crunchy tannins’, took home a well-deserved Gold. Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains complimented its ‘velvety texture and bright acidity, and baking spices too, like a red-fruit pie’, while team leader Jan Konetzki felt its ‘rich palate of prune and leather’ made it the ideal match for ‘roasted lamb with Mediterranean herbs’.

£7.55 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Pietradolce, Contrada Rampante, Etna Rosso 2016, Sicily, Italy

Silver medal winner

Terry Kandylis of 67 Pall Mall spoke of ‘a charming nose, with floral elements like cherry blossoms’, while team leader Charlie Young described ‘spice, oak and fruit aromas, leading to lots of tannin and acidity’, but thought that ‘it flows extremely well, and the finish really demonstrates the quality of the fruit’.

£21.07 Armit

Siddùra, Tìros, Colli del Limbara 2014, Sardinia, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Toasted and complex on the nose, with some vanilla notes,’ began Sean Arthur of Cliveden House, who went on to describe ‘brilliant structure, with very well-balanced acidity and tannins – a rich and well-made wine’.

£27.60 Mondial Wine

Argiolas, Korem, Bovale, Isola dei Nuraghi 2015, Sardinia, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Black cherry, black plum and bramble fruit, along with pine, mint and eucalyptus character,’ began The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki, going on to describe ‘good balance on the palate, with significant oak, and a good, spicy texture’.

£19.75 Eurowines

Feudo Arancio, Syrah 2017, Sicily, Italy

Silver medal winner

Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall described aromas of ‘dark fruit and hibiscus’, going on to find ‘a fruit-driven palate, with medium tannins’, which team leader Martin Lam summarised as ‘more winter than summer – a wholesome red with no pretensions’.

£7.00 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Feudo Arancio, Rosso Riserva 2015, Sicily, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Violets and roses, leading to good balance on the palate,’ was consultant Emanuel Pesqueira’s first impression, while team leader Jan Konetzki identified ‘floral notes, along with dark, ripe fruit, leading to some acidity on the dry palate’.

£10.50 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Pietradolce, Archineri, Etna Rosso 2016, Sicily, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Red fruit, with a touch of plum, too, leading to a savoury palate with soft tannins, and some smokiness,’ thought Pavilion Wine’s Tomasz Kuszneruk.

£21.07 Armit

Pietradolce, Contrada Santo Spirito, Etna Rosso 2016, Sicily, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Light red berry fruit and fresh flowers lead to sour cherry notes on a palate that’s dry and elegant, with good balance and some nice acidity,’ said team leader Lionel Periner.

£21.07 Armit

Santadi, Rocca Rubia, Carignano del Sulcis Riserva 2015, Sardinia, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Intense dark fruit, with pencil and oak notes, leading to a full-bodied palate with a lot of extraction, and dry coffee bean notes on the finish,’ said team leader Lionel Periner.

£16.06 Enotria&Coe

Terrazze dell'Etna, Carusu Etna Rosso 2015, Sicily, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘A slightly smoky and earthy nose with savoury undertones, leading to a palate that has a sweet core of fruit – a refreshing wine with real character,’ said 67 Pall Mall’s Terry Kandylis.

£16.02 Liberty Wines

Vigneti Zabù, Il Passo, Nerello Mascalese 2017, Sicily, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Manor House Hotel’s Anita Vighova described a ‘delicate nose and a soft, mid-weight palate, with redcurrants on the finish and a cherry chocolate aftertaste’.

£10.22 Liberty Wines

Argiolas, Senes, Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva 2014, Sardinia, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘An intense nose of macerated cherries and blackberries, along with some liquorice, leading to a full and warm palate, with bittersweet black cherries, and some long, woody tannins to finish,’ said Mattia Mazzi of The River Cafe.

£17.95 Eurowines

Feudo Arancio, Nero d'Avola 2017, Sicily, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Fragrant and perfumed, with herbal notes and some dark fruit – a modern wine, with good precision,’ thought Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan.

£6.80 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Nicosia, Frappato Bio [Organic] 2017, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.50 Boutinot

Cantina del Vermentino, Isola's Cannonau di Sardegna 2017, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.55 Boutinot

Planeta, Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2016, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.95 Enotria&Coe

Tasca d'Almerita, Il Tascante, Nerello Mascalese 2014, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

Alessandro di Camporeale, Kaid Syrah 2015, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£14.20 Alivini

Donnafugata, Sul Vulcano, Etna Rosso Nerello Mascalese 2016, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£21.37 Liberty Wines

Siddùra, Èrema, Cannonau di Sardegna 2016, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£13.45 Mondial Wine

Siddùra, Fòla, Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva 2016, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£18.60 Mondial Wine

Siddùra, Bàcco, Isola dei Nuraghi, Cagnulari 2015, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£19.55 Mondial Wine

Sella & Mosca, Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva 2016, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.08 Alivini

Canicattì, Diodoros, Rosso 2015, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£16.35 CVA Canicatti

Agripunica, Montessu 2016, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£16.00 Armit

Argiolas, Is Solinas, Carignano del Sulcis Riserva 2015, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£17.35 Eurowines

Argiolas, Turriga Isola dei Nuraghi 2014, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£39.60 Eurowines

Torre Mora, Cauru, Etna Rosso 2016, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.56 Matthew Clark

Canicattì, La Ferla, Nero d'Avola 2017, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£6.90 VinumTerra

Canicattì, Centuno, Nero d'Avola 2016, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£9.49 VinumTerra

Feudo Arancio, Passiari 2016, Sicily , Italy

Commended medal winner

Italy: South – White

Varvaglione, 12 e Mezzo, Malvasia del Salento 2017, Puglia, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘A very inviting, super-floral nose, like Muscat,’ began impressed team leader Martin Lam as this took a well-deserved Gold, further describing ‘just a hint of sugar on the palate, with big jasmine and honeysuckle notes’. ‘Aromatic, dry and light on the palate, with a lovely balance between the floral and the citrus notes,’ said fellow team leader Charlie Young. All of this led Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn to identify it as an excellent ‘foie gras match’.

£8.62 Enotria&Coe

Masseria Li Veli, Askos, Verdeca, Salento 2017, Puglia, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Lovely!’ was how 67 Pall Mall’s Beatrice Bessi summed up this worthy Gold medal recipient, going on to describe it as ‘fresh, intense and rich, and full of ripe orange, tangerine, guava and saffron notes, with some minerality to complete the picture’. A similarly impressed James Fryer of Woodhead 17 spoke of ‘smoke, apricots and almonds, with touches of gunmetal’, followed by ‘a textural palate, with golden fruits, and lychee tropical fruit too’.

£14.24 Bibendum

Cenatiempo, Forastera, Ischia Bianco 2017, Campania, Italy

Gold medal winner

As this was awarded a well-deserved Gold, team leader Charlie Young spoke highly of its ‘spicy citrus aromas, and a full palate with upfront, pithy fruit, ripe but abundant grapefruit-like acidity, and some real complexity on the finish’. Fellow team leader Martin Lam went on to describe it as ‘quite plump and ripe, and spicy, too, with some honeyed melon fruit’, while Pavilion Wine’s Tomasz Kuszneruk put it succinctly: ‘Serious but fresh; rich but easy-drinking.’

£18.00 Enotria&Coe

Librandi, Cirò, Bianco Greco 2017, Calabria, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Asparagus, green leaf and citrus aromas’ on the nose were followed by ‘sweet peach and lemon rind on the palate, which finishes saline and leafy’, thought James Fryer of Woodhead 17, while Scarlet Hotel’s Jim Bass found the palate ‘buttery and bold, with some elderflower notes too’.

£8.12 Enotria&Coe

Villa Raiano, Greco di Tufo 2017, Campania, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A pretty nose of jasmine, leading to a fresh, citrus palate,’ began The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia, while team leader Martin Lam noted ‘apple, pear and stone fruit on the nose, with a juicy, sappy, dry and aromatic palate’.

£11.00 Boutinot

Masseria Pioppeto, Greco di Tufo 2017, Campania, Italy

Silver medal winner

James Fryer of Woodhead 17 described a combination of ‘golden nashi pears and pear skin, as well as white peach aromas, leading to mango and underripe pineapple on the palate, together with almond and cashew notes’.

£12.70 Berkmann Wine Cellars

I Pàstini, Rampone, Minutolo, Valle d'Itria 2017, Puglia, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Dry and refreshing, with some green pea notes along with some citrus, too,’ said Pavilion Wine’s Tomasz Kuszneruk, while team leader Martin Lam described ‘oily, intriguing aromatics on the nose, leading to a juicy, fresh palate’.

£11.60 Winetraders

A Mano, Bianco 2018, Puglia, Italy

Silver medal winner

This Puglian white was ‘fragrant, with some floral, blossom notes, and green apple too, leading to a palate that’s crisp, refreshing and in good balance’, thought Scarlet Hotel’s Jim Bass, who also commented on its good value for money.

£8.70 Liberty Wines

Cenatiempo, Kalimera Biancolella, Ischia 2016, Campania, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A very complex nose, with floral notes and stone fruits, with a bit of age that helps to balance the wine very well,’ began team leader Carlos Ferreira, going on to find ‘lemon and red apple on the palate, leading to a long finish with some fresh vanilla’.

£19.77 Enotria&Coe

Villa Raiano, Contrada Marotta, Greco di Tufo 2015, Campania, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Complex stone fruit on the nose, with some white spiciness and asparagus notes too, leading to a palate that’s very elegant, complex and full of life, with a long finish,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira.

£15.50 Boutinot

Villa Raiano, Ventidue, Fiano di Avellino 2016, Campania, Italy

Commended medal winner

£15.50 Boutinot

Feudi Salentini, 125 Malvasia del Salento 2017, Puglia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.70 Matthew Clark

Feudi di San Gregorio, Cutizzi, Greco di Tufo 2017, Campania, Italy

Commended medal winner

Feudi di San Gregorio, Serrocielo, Falanghina del Sannio 2017, Campania, Italy

Commended medal winner

Antonio Caggiano, Béchar, Fiano di Avellino 2017, Campania, Italy

Commended medal winner

£13.99 Enotria&Coe

Ettore Sammarco, Terre Saracene, Costa d'Amalfi Bianco 2017, Campania, Italy

Commended medal winner

£13.75 Eurowines

Italy: South – White Sicily & Sardinia

Sella & Mosca, Monteoro, Vermentino di Gallura Superiore 2017, Sardinia, Italy

Gold medal winner

Clearly Gold-worthy for its ‘rich and ripe nose, with some pastry notes’, according to New Street Warehouse’s Tanguy Martin, while team leader Tom Forrest liked its ‘rounded palate, with some perfumed notes alongside cinnamon and ginger spice’. Fellow team leader Jan Konetzki appreciated notes of ‘peach and apricot, along with orange peel and cream, leading to a fresh palate with plenty of ripe apple and more peach, as well as a hint of toast’.

£11.75 Alivini

Santa Maria La Nave, Millesulmare, Sicilia Bianco 2015, Sicily, Italy

Gold medal winner

This Gold winner was ‘such a beauty, with chalky notes and yellow flowers, as well as yellow apples and almonds’, according to an enthusiastic Tatiana Mann of The Vine Eno Gastropub, further describing ‘a balanced palate, finishing with camomile flowers’. Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse, meanwhile, found ‘nuts and Indian spice notes on a bone-dry palate with exciting bitterness, giving it a real kick – an expressive, impressive wine’.

£32.22 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Colomba Bianca, Vitese, Zibibbo 2018, Sicily, Italy

Gold medal winner

Team leader Jan Konetzki was impressed by this Gold medallist’s ‘lemon sherbet with some tropical notes too, and a hint of minerality, as well as some food-friendly bitterness’, while Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan appreciated its ‘fine texture and lovely acidity, with bright mandarin and spiced peach notes, as well as some floral characters’. ‘Pear and stone fruit, hoppy herbal notes and some zippy lemon acidity’ rounded things off for team leader Tom Forrest.

£7.55 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Alta Mora, Etna Bianco 2017, Sicily, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Fresh apple aromas are followed by some real balance and elegance on the palate, with well-defined apple and pear on the finish,’ thought team leader Charlie Young, while Cliveden House’s Sean Arthur liked its ‘elderflower aromas and dry, pleasing palate’.

£12.30 Eurowines

Caruso & Minini, Caruso-Minini, Terre di Giumara, Grecanico 2018, Sicily, Italy

Silver medal winner

Cliveden House’s Sean Arthur spoke of ‘an aromatic, floral and pronounced nose, with fresh green apple and citrus on the palate’, and went on to single this wine out for its ‘very good value, exceeding its price point’.

£7.45 Bibendum

Siddùra, Spèra, Vermentino di Gallura 2018, Sardinia, Italy

Silver medal winner

Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan encountered a complex nose of ‘seashell and seaweed, with some floral notes too’, going on to describe ‘a ripe, fruity palate with yellow plums and fresh grapes, with some precise acidity’.

£11.50 Mondial Wine

Argiolas, Is Argiolas, Vermentino di Sardegna 2017, Sardinia, Italy

Silver medal winner

Terry Kandylis of 67 Pall Mall appreciated this wine’s ‘expressive palate, with juicy peach and apricot that lingers, with a touch of salinity, too’, while team leader Charlie Young found additional notes of ‘spice, and a dollop of honey on a ripe, rich palate’.

£13.20 Eurowines

Argiolas, Iselis, Nasco di Cagliari 2017, Sardinia, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A well-made wine, with peach and apricot notes, and an oily texture,’ said team leader Laurent Richet MS, while The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki described it as ‘rounded and aromatic, with a creamy, mineral texture and a long finish’.

£13.15 Eurowines

Santadi, Villa Solais, Vermentino di Sardegna 2017, Sardinia, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘A good value wine,’ said Flat Three Restaurant’s Heesoo Kang, describing ‘lovely pear, blossom and grassy notes, with a hint of nuttiness and a savouriness, too, with a refreshing, long finish’.

£8.45 Enotria&Coe

Tasca d'Almerita, Vigna San Francesco, Chardonnay 2016, Sicily, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘A complex wine, with a spiciness, like white pepper, and wild flowers too,’ thought consultant Emanuel Pesqueira, while Flat Three Restaurant’s Heesoo Kang identified a ‘creamy, buttery note, along with some citrus and melon’, finding it ‘full-bodied but not heavy’.

£29.80 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Colomba Bianca, Vitese, Grillo 2018, Sicily, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Vibrant and aromatic, with peach, apricot and lemon juice, as well as some golden apple notes, and a savoury, mineral note, too,’ thought team leader Laurent Richet MS.

£7.71 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Planeta, La Segreta, Bianco 2017, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.30 Enotria&Coe

Cusumano, Tenuta Ficuzza, Jalè 2016, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£16.60 Eurowines

Nicosia, Fondo Filara, Etna Bianco 2017, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.75 Boutinot

Tasca d'Almerita, Nozze d'Oro 2016, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

Donnafugata, SurSur, Grillo 2018, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.70 Liberty Wines

Rapitalà, Chardonnay, Grand Cru 2016, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£19.30 Matthew Clark

Siddùra, Maìa, Vermentino di Gallura Superiore 2016, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£18.60 Mondial Wine

Alessandro di Camporeale, Vigna di Mandranova, Grillo 2017, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.85 Alivini

Cantina del Vermentino, Funtanaliras, Vermentino di Gallura 2017, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.65 Bibendum

Fondo Antico, Grillo Parlante 2017, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£10.02 Bibendum

Torre Mora, Scalunera, Etna Bianco 2017, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

£14.75 Matthew Clark

Agripunica, Samas 2017, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£14.00 Armit

Poderi Parpinello, Sessantaquattro, Vermentino 2018, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

Feudo Arancio, Grillo 2018, Sicily, Italy

Commended medal winner

Italy: Tuscany, including Montalcino

Il Poggione, Brunello di Montalcino 2012, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘This is Tuscany,’ began impressed team leader Jade Koch on encountering this Gold winner, finding it ‘elegant, soft and perfumed’, while Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club appreciated its ‘red plum and gentle, smoked green herbs, leading to mature leather and cigar notes, chalky tannins and a long finish’. Describing it as ‘intense, with wild meats, smoke and truffle’, Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains concluded it was ‘a great option for food pairing’.

£13.28 Enotria&Coe

Rocca di Frassinello, Le Sughere di Frassinello 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner

With its ‘raisin aromas and bright sweet and sour cherries’, this Gold-worthy Tuscan was ‘chalky, earthy, well balanced and very food-friendly’, according to team leader Martin Lam, while an impressed Victoria Sharples of St John Wines found it to be ‘textural and smooth, with good power and hints of tar and spice’, also describing it as ‘moreish, with lovely length and finesse’. For Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants, this all added up to a great match for ‘spicy meats and wild mushrooms’.

£17.51 Bibendum

Rocca di Frassinello, Baffonero 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Absolutely marvellous,’ began consultant Cinthia Lozano, as this unsurprisingly took Gold, while team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW praised its ‘gloriously aromatic profile, with violets, cherry and cedar, and with tannins that underline the palate, along with black fruit freshness’. Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London appreciated its ‘good complexity with red fruit, floral aromas, hints of graphite, clove and a touch of pepper’, while consultant Rebecca Coates found it ‘rich, powerful and full bodied’, adding that it ‘would pair perfectly with rare roast beef’.

£130.98 Bibendum

Carpineto, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner

This ‘complex and elegant’ Gold winner, according to team leader Laura Rhys MS, was characterised by its ‘dark fruit and herbaceousness, with a smoky element, too’, while fellow team leader Nigel Lister appreciated its ‘ripe cherry and bramble, with wild woody herbs and roast meat aromas, leading to dense blackcurrant and cassis on the palate’. Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House, meanwhile, added praise for its ‘lovely open fruit and serious grip’.

£18.34 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Talenti, Pian di Conte Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino 2012, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Complex and elegant,’ began Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club as this was elevated to Gold, adding that it was ‘showing some development’. Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan, meanwhile, found it to be ‘very ripe, with richly spiced plum and cherry, and a savouriness, too, with round, ripe tannins’. Team leader Jade Koch agreed, calling it ‘chewy, juicy and full of grip’, and suggesting it would be ideal alongside ‘lamb chops or steak tartare’.

£53.00 Bibendum

Badia di Morrona, Taneto, Toscana Rosso 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘Dark, plush and juicy,’ began Victoria Sharples of St John Wines, as this was elevated to Gold, describing it as ‘quite elegant, with good persistence and some attractive mineral undertones’, while consultant Emanuel Pesqueira found it to be ‘earthy and smoky, with strawberry notes and some soft tannins’. Team leader Martin Lam, meanwhile, appreciated its ‘sweet, dark fruit and spice, with some juicy plum and a savoury edge’.

£10.55 Eurowines

Uggiano, Il Sanzio, Sangiovese/Syrah 2017, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House found notes of ‘nutmeg and dried red fruit, with lots of cherry fruit and spice and beautiful tannins in abundance’. ‘Simple, yet with good length and acidity,’ added Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts.

£6.25 Boutinot

Brancaia, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A concentrated, black fruit nose,’ said ETM Group’s Guillaume Mahaut, adding: ‘The palate is complex with elegant ripe, plummy fruits that have a lovely sweetness. The structure is pleasantly delicate with good ripe tannins.’

£18.24 Enotria&Coe

Brancaia, Tre, Rosso di Toscana 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘This has red cherries and vanilla pods on the nose, while the palate has good length with well-balanced fruit and peppery acidity,’ said Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts.

£14.55 Enotria&Coe

Ruffino, Greppone Mazzi, Brunello di Montalcino 2013, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘An attractive, yeasty nose with dried red fruits on the palate and a long and refreshing finish,’ said Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, with team leader Nigel Lister adding: ‘A lovely, barnyard nose, this feels rich and dense with a fruitcake palate.’

£36.28 Matthew Clark

Villa Saletta, 980 AD, Chianti 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘This is super-juicy, with a pretty nose,’ said team leader Jade Koch, ‘like fresh figs from a tree; the palate has baked fruits and notes of chocolate and coffee.’ ‘Decant and drink with rare bistecca Fiorentina,’ suggested fellow team leader Nigel Lister.

£83.49 Fattoria Villa Saletta Società Agricola srl

Castellare, I Sodi di San Niccolò 2014, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘A complex earthy nose,’ thought ETM Group’s Guillaume Mahaut, while Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts found notes of ‘coffee, dark chocolate, black olives and good balsamic vinegar, with acidity lifting up the palate’.

£42.13 Bibendum

Castello Vicchiomaggio, Ripa delle More 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘There’s notes of menthol and eucalyptus alongside the dense blackcurrant fruit,’ noted team leader Jade Koch, ‘and there’s a lick of oak with tobacco and sweet cherry.’ ‘It’s a premium listing,’ thought Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants, adding: ‘It’s flash and vivacious but its elegance is key.’

£21.86 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Val delle Rose, Morellino di Scansano 2017, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants enjoyed this Silver medal winner for its ‘fresh, straightforward style… like a good house Chianti’, and thought it ‘would be great with the Sunday roast’.

£8.45 Vinexus Ltd

Monte Solaio, Sassinoro 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts was impressed with this Silver medal wine, saying: ‘This has good dark blueberry fruit coming through on the nose with some nice aromas of coffee there too, and the palate is very ripe with lots of sweet spice present as well.’

£20.00 Bedmond Hill Estate

Capannelle, Solare 2007, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘This is showing signs of maturity, with a refined, restrained style; the red fruit is still there but showing some nice, tertiary development,’ said team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£31.14 Top Selection

Capezzana, Ghiaie della Furba 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest noted: ‘The warm, cedar oak nose leads to a palate of jammy, cherry, red currant fruit and chocolatey tannins.’

£25.37 Liberty Wines

Corte Alla Flora, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2014, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘There’s sour cherry with balsamic and toasty leathery notes,’ said The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki, while Lucie Kalertova of Sexy Fish found ‘liquorice and gamey red cherry that would be great with a simple steak or roast chicken’.

£17.80 Eurowines

Corte Alla Flora, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘This has medium intensity with a nice black pepper, spicy nose,’ said Lucie Kalertova of Sexy Fish, ‘and there are notes of tomato leaf with the vibrant, black cherry fruit.’

£14.20 Eurowines

Talenti, Brunello Di Montalcino 2013, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Inky with notes of menthol,’ described, team leader Jade Koch, ‘'with pretty, yet fairly lightweight fruit.’ For Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants it was ‘structured, refreshing and classic’.

£33.00 Bibendum

Poggio al Tesoro, Il Seggio, Bolgheri 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Laura Rhys MS noted: ‘Dark fruits with plums, jam and prune. The tannins are bold but ripe, rounded and silky.’

£18.37 Liberty Wines

La Mozza, I Perazzi, Morellino di Scansano 2014, Tuscany, Italy

Bronze medal winner

With its ‘blackcurrant aromas and sweet tea-soaked brambly fruit’, team leader Jade Koch fancied pairing this with ‘lentils and herby sausage’.

£12.91 Bibendum

Le Macioche, Brunello di Montalcino 2013, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£40.23 Top Selection

Terenzi, Madrechiesa, Morellino di Scansano Riserva 2014, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£26.75 Top Selection

Il Poggione, Rosso di Montalcino 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£15.54 Enotria&Coe

Poliziano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£21.50 Enotria&Coe

Poliziano, Rosso di Montepulciano 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.99 Enotria&Coe

Poliziano, Asinone, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£35.68 Enotria&Coe

Villa Saletta, Chiave di Saletta 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£15.70 Fattoria Villa Saletta Società Agricola srl

Villa Saletta, Saletta Giulia 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£30.03 Fattoria Villa Saletta Società Agricola srl

Villa Saletta, Saletta Riccardi 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£30.03 Fattoria Villa Saletta Società Agricola srl

Piccini, Villa al Cortile, Rosso di Montalcino 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£13.77 Bibendum

Fèlsina, Fontalloro 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£32.82 Liberty Wines

Petra, Toscana 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£36.67 Liberty Wines

Talenti, Rosso di Montalcino 2017, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£14.00 Bibendum

Argentiera, Bolgheri Superiore 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£51.50 Eurowines

Tolaini, Al Passo, Rosso di Toscana 2015, Tuscany , Italy

Commended medal winner

£16.95 Eurowines

Campaperi, Brunello Montalcino 2013, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£25.69 Top Selection

Campaperi, Rosso Montalcino 2016, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.96 Top Selection

Fattoria Le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano Riserva 2015, Tuscany , Italy

Commended medal winner

£14.00 Armit

Ruffino, Modus Toscana 2013, Tuscany, Italy

Commended medal winner

£24.46 Matthew Clark

New World: Cabernet Franc

Norton, Altura, Cabernet Franc 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

Gold medal winner

As this Argentinian Cabernet Franc took its well-deserved spot on the Gold podium, team leader Jan Konetzki spoke of ‘sappy aromas of blackcurrant and red cherry, as well as some tomato leaf, which lead to a palate with some grip from smooth, polished tannins’. Team leader Martin Lam had praise for its ‘very savoury nose, and a smokiness, too’, while Moio Restaurant’s Carolina W Seibel thought it ‘very Argentinian, with some capsicum and dark berry notes’.

£12.75 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Stratus, Cabernet Franc 2015, Niagara Peninsula, Canada

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

Awarding Gold for this bottle, team leader Angela Reddin said: ‘This is lusciously ripe with fantastic balance,’ adding, ‘there’s a note of pink gooseberry among the rich bramble fruits and a sustained, evolving finish.’ Meanwhile Christopher Delalonde MS of The Dorchester noted: ‘The nose is ripe with stone fruit and berries and there are notes of black olive and minerals; the palate is elegant and interlaced with minerality plus there’s a nice lift of acidity and ripe tannin to balance the sweet fruit finish.’

£21.36 Bibendum

Garage Wine Co, Lot #82, Cabernet Franc 2016, Maipo Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘A true perception of fragrant Cabernet Franc that continues to grow on your palate,’ said Timothy Connor of Heddon Street Kitchen.

£18.31 Bibendum

Andeluna, Pasionado, Cabernet Franc 2016, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

‘Herbaceous, with notes of bell peppers, blackcurrant and green leaf,’ asserted Lucie Kalertova of Sexy Fish, ‘with medium to soft tannins and mineral’.

£29.57 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Casarena, Lauren's Vineyard, Cabernet Franc 2012, Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

‘Black cherry, dark plums, leather and forest floor,’ detailed Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse, who further described the wine as ‘perfumed with cloves, mint and rosemary’.

£16.55 Frederic Robinson

Rietvallei, JMB, Cabernet Franc 2014, Robertson, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

‘Black fruit, jammy and bold,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS, ‘but with integrated tannins, perfume and freshness’.

£19.47 Rietvallei Wine Estate (Pty) Ltd

Gabriëlskloof, Cabernet Franc 2016, Cape South Coast, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£21.82 Liberty Wines

Salentein, Numina, Cabernet Franc 2014, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£19.85 Matthew Clark

Boutinot, Cabaret Frank No.2, The Aviary, Old Vine, Cabernet Franc 2017, Lodi, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£6.60 Boutinot

Valdivieso, Single Vineyard, Cabernet Franc 2014, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£12.81 Bibendum

Zorzal, Eggo Franco, Cabernet Franc 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

Stellenrust, Barrel Selection, Cabernet Franc 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£14.78 Bibendum

Dr Konstantin Frank, Cabernet Franc 2014, Finger Lakes, New York State, USA

Commended medal winner

£19.03 Matthew Clark

New World: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Bordeaux Blends, Australia

Xanadu, Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

This ‘stylish wine, with graphite and blackcurrant character’, according to Tatiana Mann of The Vine Eno Gastropub, snapped up Gold, with Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse describing ‘ripe dark forest fruits joined by cinnamon and vanilla, with plush tannins balancing the alcohol, and with both adding to the intensity of flavour’. The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston’s Giuseppe Longobardi thought that its ‘violets and cherries, with a spicy finish of cloves’ made it a perfect match for ‘pickled walnut and braised beef pie’.

£15.19 Bibendum

McWilliams, 660, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, New South Wales, Australia

Gold medal winner

Judges heaped praise on this Gold-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, with an impressed Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House calling it ‘restrained and elegant – a real step up – with savoury, earthy black fruits and subtle tannins’. Team leader Carlos Ferreira added additional notes of ‘mushroom and tobacco on the nose’, while Woodhead 17’s James Fryer spoke of ‘juicy dark fruits led by pepper and earth on a perfectly balanced palate, with velvet tannins’.

£10.61 Enotria&Coe

RedHeads, Nobs & Snobs 2017, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

Standing out as a clear Gold medallist, this was ‘fresh, with some eucalyptus aromas, leading to a smooth and silky palate, with good tannins and a black olive note’, according to Clément Loubeyre of The Cross Kenilworth, who considered it ‘really good value’. Team leader Jan Konetzki found it to be ‘juicy and grippy, with red and black fruit, as well as some oyster shell notes, making it a good match for lamb with mint sauce’.

£8.61 Direct Wines Production

Katnook Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘A leafy nose, with graphite and blackcurrant notes,’ began Elena Serban of Hakkasan, who further described ‘savoury, meaty flavours, with a good, elegant structure, and some char and smoke to finish’. ‘A great, layered, complex wine with powdery tannins,’ added Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse.

£17.86 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Deakin Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Victoria, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘With its eucalyptus and bramble fruit notes, this is a well-made wine, at a good price point,’ said Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club, while Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall described ‘toasty aromas, and some plums too, with big blackberry and vanilla notes on the palate’.

£7.32 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Lake Breeze, Arthur's Reserve 2013, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall found a combination of ‘matchsticks and plums on the nose, with a complex palate of raspberries, red cherries, oak and spice’. ‘Young but drinkable now, with a long future ahead of it too,’ added team leader Martin Lam.

£28.62 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Kingston Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse spoke of ‘an expressive wine, with cassis, bramble, eucalyptus, toast and oak’, while Elena Serban of Hakkasan found ‘graphite, ink and blackcurrant notes’. ‘Round, fruity, balanced and classic,’ concluded team leader Laurent Richet MS.

£9.98 House of Townend

Mitolo, Jester, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘A very well-balanced wine that’s showing some evolution,’ began Tomasz Kuszneruk of Pavilion Wine, going on to describe ‘a mix of fresh berries, along with some tobacco and leather notes, combined with some good acidity’.

£11.77 Liberty Wines

Dandelion Vineyards, Pride of the Fleurieu, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘A fresh mix of red and black fruit, together with some mint and eucalyptus, leading to a full-bodied palate with generous tannins,’ described Tomasz Kuszneruk of Pavilion Wine, with team leader Martin Lam commenting on its ‘rounded palate, with good concentration, and a saline element too’.

£9.73 Liberty Wines

Heirloom, Cabernet 2016, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘An aromatic nose of eucalyptus and pine needle, leading to a concentrated palate with coffee and chocolate notes,’ described team leader Laurent Richet MS. Meanwhile Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse called it ‘a polished wine, with a lot of expression’.

£20.42 Heirloom Vineyards

Hardys, HRB, Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Multi-Regional, Australia

Silver medal winner

Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club found a combination of ‘eucalyptus and creamy, dark stone fruits, leading to a structured palate with some herbaceousness, as well as some savoury notes’, while Rockliffe Hall’s Daniel Jonberger noted ‘dark fruit and cedar, with some lingering spice’.

£18.40 Matthew Clark

Woodlands, Wilyabrup Valley, Cabernet/Merlot 2015, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Black fruit is joined by char, tobacco and coffee notes, as well as some pine aromas to add complexity and freshness,’ said Elena Serban of Hakkasan.

£12.95 Berkmann Wine Cellars

RedHeads, Whip-Hand 2016, Barossa, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Meaty, with some subtle coconut and earthy notes, as well as some bay leaf and mint notes, leading to macerated red and black fruit and some white pepper on the palate,’ said Woodhead 17’s James Fryer.

£18.56 Direct Wines Production

Aberdeen Wine Company, Angus The Bull, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Victoria, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Archetypal Australian Cabernet,’ said team leader Martin Lam, who described ‘a fresh wine, with eucalyptus, and a bit of mint too’.

£8.00 Wine Importers

Lake Breeze, Bull Ant, Cabernet/Merlot 2016, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Robert Oatley, Pennant, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Frankland River, Western Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£25.31 Hatch Mansfield

Rob Dolan, White Label, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

£16.75 Rob Dolan Wines

Growers Wine Group, Growers Gate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Fraser Gallop, Parterre, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£18.40 Bibendum

Dandelion Vineyards, Damsel of the Barossa, Merlot 2017, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Berton Vineyard, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Zonte's Footstep, Blackberry Patch, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Madfish, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2016, Western Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£11.95 Enotria&Coe

Howard Park, Miamup, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Western Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£16.75 Enotria&Coe

New World: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Bordeaux Blends, South Africa

MAN Family Wines, Ou Kalant, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Western Cape, South Africa

Gold medal winner

This ‘fruity and easy-to-drink’ Gold winner had, according to team leader Charlie Young, ‘leafy, spicy, black fruit aromas, with soft and sweet fruit on the palate’. ‘Classic crunchy red berries, with a hint of smokiness, leading to a light, juicy palate,’ added an impressed Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse, while team leader Tom Forrest concluded that it was ‘warm and perfumed, and with some good freshness, too’.

£7.20 Enotria&Coe

Kleine Zalze, Family Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Gold medal winner

‘A beautiful expression of Stellenbosch,’ praised Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts as this was awarded a well-deserved Gold, further describing ‘black fruit and blueberries, with some floral notes of lilies, and some good balance’. Team leader Tom Forrest spoke of ‘an earthiness, with soft tannins and cedar spice’, while Hakkasan’s Olivier Gasselin found it ‘big and concentrated, with a leafy, spicy aroma and a juicy palate, with tight, grippy tannins’.

£20.12 Hatch Mansfield

Buitenverwachting, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2016, Constantia, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘A typical South African nose,’ thought Terry Kandylis of 67 Pall Mall, who described ‘loads of black fruit and spice, together with notes of leather and smoke, and crunchy fruit on the palate’, before concluding that it ‘delivers for the price’.

£7.45 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Journey's End, Single Vineyard, Merlot 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Silver medal winner

This opened with ‘a lovely botanical, herbal note’, according to Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant, who went on to describe ‘dried rose petal, both fresh and dried cherries, plums and strawberries, along with a peppery note’.

£14.03 Bibendum

Journey's End, Single Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘Good fruit combined with a touch of toast and vanilla’ characterised the nose here for Flat Three Restaurant’s Heesoo Kang, who described a palate with ‘generous, fresh dark cherries and plums, along with some liquorice spice, and overall good balance’.

£14.02 Bibendum

Elgin Vintners, Merlot 2015, Elgin, South Africa

Silver medal winner

For Cliveden House’s Sean Arthur this was ‘a really gamey, smoky and leathery wine that’s very ripe on the palate, but exceptionally well balanced’, while 67 Pall Mall’s Terry Kandylis described ‘good length, with soft tannins and a touch of sous-bois’.

£12.80 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Morgenster, Estate Red 2003, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Silver medal winner

Flat Three Restaurant’s Heesoo Kang liked the combination of ‘fresh and dried fruit, as well as herbs and spice’ on the nose, which led to a palate that was ‘full bodied, with chocolate, prune and date notes’.

£27.50 Enotria&Coe

Normandie Est 1693, Anno 1693 2014, Franschhoek, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

‘A slightly oxidative style,’ thought Cliveden House’s Sean Arthur, who found ‘raisins and cooked fruits, very well integrated, with a long, pleasant finish’.

£18.00 Wine Source UK

Journey's End, The Pastor's Blend 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

‘Elegant and juicy, with some bell pepper and tomato leaf,’ began Hakkasan’s Olivier Gasselin, further describing this as ‘crunchy, with grippy tannins and a savoury element’.

£10.46 Bibendum

De Trafford, Elevation 393 2011, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

‘Fresh blueberries, plums and cherries, with a full-bodied structure and silky texture, and some menthol notes too,’ thought Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant.

£41.80 Bibendum

Kleine Zalze, Vineyard Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£10.04 Hatch Mansfield

Kleine Zalze, Cellar Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Coastal Region, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Boschendal Elgin Merlot 2015, Elgin, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£22.65 DGB Europe Ltd

Journey's End, The Cape Doctor, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£19.10 Bibendum

Steenberg, Merlot 2015, Constantia, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£14.08 Bibendum

Journey's End, The Cape Doctor, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£20.61 Bibendum

Tokara, Director's Reserve, Red 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Morgenster, Lourens River Valley Red 2003, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£14.85 Enotria&Coe

Thelema, Sutherland, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£11.87 Enotria&Coe

Asara, Vineyard Collection, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

New World: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Bordeaux Blends, USA

Silverado, Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa Valley, California, USA

Gold medal winner

For Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group this inevitable addition to the Gold List was ‘very floral, with an intense violet bouquet, along with wild berry and forest fruits – an elegant wine, with a long finish’. The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston’s Giuseppe Longobardi, meanwhile, appreciated notes of ‘cherry, pencil and tar on the nose, leading to a fruity palate with a smoky finish’, adding that its ‘tannins need rich flavours and meat dishes’.

£30.00 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Chateau Ste Michelle, Columbia Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Washington State, USA

Gold medal winner

This Gold Lister was ‘bursting with fruit, and very easy drinking’, according to Jim Bass of Scarlet Hotel, clearly impressed, while Woodhead 17’s James Fryer added praise for its ‘pure, sweet blueberry juice, with some decent acidity, too’. Team leader Martin Lam found plenty of ‘cherry fruit at first, but then savoury, and softening on the finish’, while Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn spoke of ‘light toast and vanilla, with some subtle blackcurrant leaf, and some lasting texture’.

£12.05 Enotria&Coe

Charles Smith, Chateau Smith, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Washington State, USA

Gold medal winner

As this Cabernet Sauvignon was elevated to Gold, team leader Martin Lam described it as ‘bright, with a sappy nose, and very well balanced’, while fellow team leader Carlos Ferreira found it to be ‘dry and big, with some spicy character that’s very well balanced by fruit’. For Scarlet Hotel’s Jim Bass, ‘green peppers and black fruit, as well as some real freshness’ made this wine ‘perfect for grilled meats and barbecues’.

£16.35 Bibendum

Black Stallion, Limited Release, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Napa Valley, California, USA

Gold medal winner

‘Sumptuous aromatics of rose, cherry and French oak,’ began team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW as this was awarded a well-deserved Gold, going on to describe ‘a dark palate that’s savoury and balanced, with freshness, too’. House of Sake’s Honami Matsumoto appreciated ‘ripe, sweet damson fruit, with blackcurrant and some sweet spice’, while ‘cassis and intense black cherry, with a full-bodied palate of coffee and bitter chocolate’ made this, for consultant Anja Breit, a good choice for ‘chargrilled meat’.

£61.92 Bancroft Wines

Trefethen, Merlot 2016, California, USA

Gold medal winner

Team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW singled out this Gold Lister as ‘very aromatic, with generous raspberry and plum fruit, leading to a ripe and fleshy palate, although really well balanced’, while House of Sake’s Honami Matsumoto described it as ‘structured but elegant’. Matteo Cali of Savoy Grill, meanwhile, appreciated its ‘pronounced aromas of plum, cassis and blackberries, with secondary notes of vanilla and liquorice’, adding that its ‘rich and opulent palate would go well with a rib eye’.

£19.13 Daniel Lambert Wines

Bonterra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, California, USA

Gold medal winner

‘Like walking along an autumn hedgerow, with blackcurrants and blackberries on the nose,’ mused Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine on encountering this impressive Gold winner, also finding ‘complexity on the palate, with charred nuts, coffee, pecan and blueberry pie’. Team leader Jade Koch described it as ‘smoky and lean, with a buttery finish that’s fine, long and savoury’, which all made it an excellent match for ‘either venison or duck breast’.

£16.38 Enotria&Coe

Jordan, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Alexander Valley, California, USA

Silver medal winner

‘A great wine, with great aromatics, and loads of ripe, dark fruit, as well as mint, humus, leather and vanilla notes,’ began team leader Angela Reddin, who added that this had ‘strong tannins and a cashmere mouthfeel, with a palate that extends wonderfully’.

£45.00 House of Townend

Louis M. Martini, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa Valley, California, USA

Silver medal winner

‘Intense, rich and bold,’ began Savoy Grill’s Matteo Cali, who found ‘hints of sweet spices, chocolate and cedar, with big structure and good alcohol integration’, while team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW described ‘refined cedar aromatics, with vanilla and cherries, and more oak and red fruits on the palate’.

£25.98 Enotria&Coe

Louis M. Martini, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Sonoma County, California, USA

Silver medal winner

On the nose this had ‘cassis, plum and some minerality’, according to team leader Angela Reddin, who found it ‘rich and ripe on the palate, with good structure and balance of acidity. A good, friendly style.’

£14.89 Enotria&Coe

Boutinot, Showdown, Man with the Ax, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, California, USA

Silver medal winner

‘A ripe nose of wild black and red berries, with some underlying sweet spices, leading to a lush, juicy finish,’ described Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club, while team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW spoke of a ‘plump, fleshy palate with silky tannins’.

£7.10 Boutinot

Dry Creek Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Sonoma County, California, USA

Silver medal winner

‘Roses, red berries and red cherries, as well as some vanilla,’ began Roberto Sanchez of Sexy Fish, who went on to describe ‘a well-balanced palate, with a hint of leather on the finish’. ‘A big wine, but ready to drink,’ concluded Raphael Thierry of Street XO.

£20.86 Bibendum

Chateau Ste Michelle, Indian Wells, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Washington State, USA

Silver medal winner

For team leader Carlos Ferreira, this opened with ‘lots of almonds, pine and leather, as well as some black fruit, and a grassiness too, leading to a palate that’s very well balanced, and with a long finish’.

£14.92 Enotria&Coe

Chateau Ste Michelle, Motto, Gung Ho, Red Blend 2014, Washington State, USA

Silver medal winner

‘Smoky aromas, as well as some blueberry’ led to ‘a silky, very fruity palate, with nice oak and well-balanced tannins’, according to Clément Loubeyre of The Cross Kenilworth, while James Fryer of Woodhead 17 appreciated ‘stalky fruit, with some dark earthy notes too, as well as blueberry skin and dusty tannins’.

£12.66 Enotria&Coe

Col Solare, Col Solare 2012, Washington State, USA

Silver medal winner

‘Blueberry fruit, mint and black pepper aromas lead to sap, black berries and velvet tannins on the palate, along with some minty leaf notes and black pepper,’ said Woodhead 17’s James Fryer, who thought it ‘still young, but with clear potential’.

£46.28 Enotria&Coe

Black Stallion, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Napa Valley, California, USA

Silver medal winner

‘A dark, earthy and gravelly nose, with some black fruit, raspberry and plum coulis’ kicked things off here for team leader Angela Reddin, who further described a ‘creamy mocha palate that’s fruit laden and complex’.

£24.72 Bancroft Wines

Black Stallion, Limited Release, Merlot 2013, Napa Valley, California, USA

Silver medal winner

‘Real elegance and power,’ thought Harry Ballmann of Wiltons, who described ‘blackberry and cassis on the nose, with some rich spice and dark fruit on the palate – a lustrous and succulent wine’. Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club, meanwhile, appreciated its ‘lush, red and black fruit, complex body and jammy, liquorice finish’.

£42.72 Bancroft Wines

Kautz Winery, Drifting, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Lodi, California, USA

Bronze medal winner

Raphael Thierry of Street XO described this as having ‘sweet and jammy blackcurrant fruit, with some leather and cedar complexity, juicy tannins and a long, fresh finish’.

£9.12 Matthew Clark

Jordan, Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Alexander Valley, California, USA

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Jade Koch found this to be ‘made to last, with gentle strawberry, deep blackcurrant and eucalyptus notes’, while Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group described notes of ‘graphite and gunpowder, with a juicy, oaky, smoky palate with forest fruit and velvety tannins’.

£45.00 House of Townend

Cannonball, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, California, USA

Bronze medal winner

‘Cigar box on the nose leads to sweet redcurrant and plum on the palate, with some chocolate and cinnamon, too,’ said Street XO’s Raphael Thierry, who further described a ‘smooth structure and delicate finish’.

£12.45 Enotria&Coe

Laurel Glen, Counterpoint, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£37.34 Top Selection

Precision Wines, The Introvert, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£12.89 Top Selection

Kautz Winery, Drifting, Merlot 2016, Lodi, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£9.12 Matthew Clark

Joel Gott, 815, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, California, USA

Commended medal winner

Chateau Ste Michelle, Cold Creek, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Washington State, USA

Commended medal winner

£24.49 Enotria&Coe

Trefethen, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, California, USA

Commended medal winner

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

Matias Riccitelli, Old Vines from Patagonia, Merlot 2016, Patagonia, Argentina

Gold medal winner

According to team leader Martin Lam this ‘big, super-concentrated’ Gold Lister featured ‘violet notes and some balanced acidity’, while Flat Three Restaurant’s Heesoo Kang praised its ‘elegance, with some gently generous fruit, well-integrated acidity, and tannins that aren’t astringent’. Team leader Jan Konetzki went on to find some appealing ‘exotic spice notes along with some ripe fruit’, while Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan found it ‘smoky and meaty, with robust spiciness paired with some sour dark fruit, not to mention some grippy tannins’.

£28.51 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Esk Valley, Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec 2017, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

‘There’s a classical feel to this,’ began team leader Hamish Anderson, who went on to describe ‘some blackcurrant and plum fruit, as well as some leaf, spice and herbs, and a palate that’s juicy and bright’.

£10.18 Hatch Mansfield

Salentein, Numina, Gran Corte 2015, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

‘Lovely toast, tobacco and cigar box, with some blackcurrant and forest floor, too,’ described Flat Three Restaurant’s Heesoo Kang, going on to find ‘ripeness balanced with acidity on a vibrant, fresh palate, and a fruity, juicy finish’.

£19.85 Matthew Clark

Bodegas La Rosa, Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

‘Big, concentrated and leafy, with notes of dark chocolate and blueberry, with some spiciness too,’ began Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan, who further described this as ‘tight and dense, with some fine, silky tannins – easy and modern’.

£22.45 Grupo Peñaflor

Pask, Gimblett Gravels, Merlot 2016, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

J'Noon, Akluj, Red 2016, Mahārāshtra, India

Commended medal winner

£23.67 Liberty Wines

Norton, Privada, Family Blend 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

Kaiken, Ultra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£11.47 Liberty Wines

Belhara Estate, Estrella del Sur, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Uco Valley, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£8.80 D&V Wines

New World: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Bordeaux Blends: Chile

Viña Requingua, Toro de Piedra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

Judges were unanimous in their praise of this Gold-worthy wine. Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club spoke of ‘cassis and bramble bush, with a crisp freshness on the palate’, while Tomasz Kuszneruk of Pavilion Wine appreciated notes of ‘blackcurrant leaf, mint and Provençal herbs’. Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, inspired by its ‘savoury character, with Chinese five spice and rich baked plums’, thought it would be an excellent match for ‘venison and Indian spices’.

£9.85 Survalles

Santa Rita, 120, Merlot 2017, Central Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

This couldn’t have been anything but Gold, with its ‘juicy and easy-drinking style’, as 67 Pall Mall’s Terry Kandylis described it, before going on to find ‘a touch of spice, with savoury undertones, and complex minty-chocolate notes, too’. Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group thought it was ‘elegant on the nose, evoking blackberry fruit, and leading to more dark fruit on the palate, with a herbaceous finish’, while Le Gavroche’s Rémi Cousin had particular praise for its ‘lovely, fruity, velvet mouthfeel’.

£7.27 Matthew Clark

Sur Valles, Patagón, Family Reserve 2017, Curicó Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

This deserving Gold winner was ‘intense and interesting’, according to an impressed Sean Arthur of Cliveden House, who went on to describe ‘cassis, red cherry, blackcurrant and rich chocolate notes, along with some eucalyptus and toasted vanilla, too’. For team leader Lionel Periner it was ‘young, with great potential’ and had notes of ‘toasted bread, dark fruit and vanilla, with good acidity and an elegant finish’, while Le Gavroche’s Rémi Cousin appreciated additional ‘crushed black pepper and leather notes’ and its ‘good structure and refreshing palate’.

£13.72 Survalles

Tabalí, Talud, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Maipo Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

‘Ripe red and black fruits and well-integrated oak’ characterised this impressive Gold Lister’s aromas for Mattia Mazzi of The River Cafe, who described it as ‘a beauty, with fruit shining through on the palate, with ripe tannins and acidity that are harmonious with the weight of the wine’. ‘Refreshing, complex and well balanced,’ praised 67 Pall Mall’s Beatrice Bessi, who described ‘lovely, fresh red and blue fruit, as well as some peppermint and vanilla notes’.

£13.00 Boutinot

Via Wines, Chilcas, Red One Blend 2015, Maule Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

Little surprise that this Chilean red took home a Gold medal, with Manor House Hotel’s Anita Vighova calling it ‘a powerhouse, with lots of green bell pepper and cedar notes on the nose and palate’, while team leader Charlie Young spoke of ‘excellent judgement of fruit and balance of oak’. For Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group it had ‘balsamic and mint notes, as well as some bold tannins balanced by crunchy red cherry fruit’.

£21.18 Viña San Rafael S.A

Via Wines, Chilensis, Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

This Chilean Cabernet earned its Gold List spot with appealing aromas of ‘eucalyptus, menthol and plums, with a hint of tar’, according to The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia, who was taken with its ‘crunchy cherry palate’, too. Team leader Charlie Young had praise for its ‘fresh red berry aromas’ and found it ‘plummy on the palate’, while 67 Pall Mall’s Beatrice Bessi described ‘sweet, ripe fruits like blueberries and strawberries, and a good body’.

£7.70 Viña San Rafael S.A

Viña Requingua, Potro de Piedra 2016, Curicó Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Black plums and black cherries, and a hint of cassis, with soft tannins on the dry palate,’ thought Kai Mayfair’s Elisa Soggia, while Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants found ‘chocolate and coffee notes, and subtly integrated oak’.

£14.43 Survalles

Sur Valles, Santa Alba, Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Central Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Team leader Lionel Periner described aromas of ‘cooked dark fruit, oak, vanilla, black pepper and pencil’, which led to ‘a full-bodied palate that’s spicy too’. Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants, meanwhile, called it ‘a level up, and classic in style, with eucalyptus and cassis notes’.

£8.08 Survalles

Chocalan, Reserva, Merlot 2014, Maipo Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants found this ‘fresh to start, leading towards a palate driven by some big, concentrated fruit, as well as some wood spice’, while team leader Lionel Periner thought that ‘good acidity, with some black pepper and olive notes, make this a good food wine’.

£17.93 Viña Chocalán

Chateau Los Boldos, Grande Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Cachapoal Andes, Chile

Silver medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young appreciated this Cabernet Sauvignon’s ‘black and red fruit, as well as leafy aromas’, going on to find ‘a palate that is full, balanced, expressive and long’. ‘This is impressive winemaking,’ he concluded.

£10.11 Liberty Wines

Sur Valles, Patagón, Gran Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Smoke and plum notes, with an oaky palate of cherries and tobacco,’ described Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall. ‘A deep, dark, layered wine,’ added The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia, who went on to describe ‘herb and spice notes, with some good length too’.

£9.50 Survalles

Valdivieso, Caballo Loco NV, Central Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘A beauty, with a lifted and appealing nose of sweet cassis,’ began The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi, going on to find a palate with a ‘plump fruit core wrapped in firm but approachable tannins, and packed with freshness’.

£30.97 Bibendum

Valdivieso, Caballo Loco, Grand Cru, Apalta 2015, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

A combination of ‘tea tree oil and menthol, with some bramble fruit’, according to Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club, led to what Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall described as ‘a complex palate with an abundance of dark fruit, and hints of chocolate, leading to a long, pleasant finish’.

£20.16 Bibendum

Pérez Cruz, Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Maipo Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘A full-bodied wine, with good bramble and dark fruit,’ began team leader Lionel Periner, while Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair appreciated its ‘rich tannins and low acidity’. Beatrice Bessi of 67 Pall Mall also spoke of its ‘lovely texture’, as well as identifying ‘layers of red and blue fruit, as well as jalapeños in jelly’.

£10.53 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Casas del Toqui, Reserva, Merlot 2016, Cachapoal Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Floral aromas, with ripe berry fruit too, leading to a good palate, with smooth tannins and a refreshing finish,’ thought team leader Lionel Periner, while Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair described it as ‘easy drinking, with good balance between acidity, tannins and alcohol’.

£6.85 Frederic Robinson

Veramonte, Primus, The Blend 2015, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

This opened with ‘deep cherry notes on the nose’, according to Rockliffe Hall’s Daniel Jonberger, who found it overall to be ‘a smooth and light red, with good balance of fruit and tannins’. Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club further commented on its ‘lifted red fruit aromas, silky mouthfeel and slight crunchiness’.

£12.10 Matthew Clark

Haras de Pirque, Hussonet, Gran Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Maipo Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘An enticing nose of cassis, leading to a juicy palate with a good tannic backbone, and a dry, peppery finish,’ thought Mattia Mazzi of The River Cafe.

£10.95 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Emiliana, Adobe, Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Central Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Fruit forward, with appealing sweet cassis notes and a spiciness, with good concentration of fruit, fresh acidity and some smooth tannins,’ said The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi.

£6.70 Boutinot

7 Colores, Aox NV, Multi-Region, Chile

Bronze medal winner

For 67 Pall Mall’s Terry Kandylis, this was ‘an unpretentious wine, and fruit driven, with blueberry and yoghurt notes, as well as some peach skin’.

£8.48 7 Colores

Tierra Antica, Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Leafy blackcurrant aromas, leading to a dry palate with decent tannins that work nicely with the fruit here,’ said team leader Charlie Young.

£6.57 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Viña Requingua, Toro de Piedra Merlot 2017, Curicó Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£9.85 Survalles

Viña Requingua, Potro de Piedra 2015, Curicó Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£14.43 Survalles

Sur Valles, Santa Alba, Grand Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£9.50 Survalles

Santa Rita, Medalla Real, Gran Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2016, Maipo Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£10.53 Matthew Clark

Emiliana, Adobe, Reserva, Merlot 2017, Rapel Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£6.70 Boutinot

Alma de Chile, Reserva, Merlot 2016, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Luis Felipe Edwards, Gran Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£8.55 Matthew Clark

Sur Valles, Patagón, Grand Reserve, Carmenère/Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£9.50 Survalles

Alma de Chile, Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Ventisquero, Enclave 2013, Maipo Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Montes Alpha, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£10.82 Liberty Wines

Felix Solis, Casa Vista, Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£6.16 Matthew Clark

Valdivieso, Caballo Loco, Grand Cru, Sagrada Familia 2016, Curicó Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£20.08 Bibendum

Siegel, Single Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£13.80 Carson Wines

Via Wines, Chilensis, Reserva, Merlot, 2018, Maule Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Via Wines, Oveja Negra, Reserva, Cabernet Franc/Carmenère 2018, Maule Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Via Wines, Oveja Negra, Reserva, Carmenère/Merlot 2018, Maule Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Apaltagua, Signature, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Maipo Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Apaltagua, Envero, Gran Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Curicó Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Veramonte, Merlot 2017, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£8.61 Matthew Clark

New World: Cabernet/Shiraz Blends

Sur Valles, Patagón, Grand Reserve, Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

There was clearly much to admire in this Gold Lister, and Timothy Connor of Heddon Street Kitchen summed it up, saying that with its ‘bright red fruit and spice and soft touch of oak’ it had ‘everything to love in New World spiced, varietals’. ‘There’s lots of juicy tannin and good fruit concentration,’ added Raphael Thierry of Street XO, noting ‘plum, berry, chocolate and mint’ and ‘some nice earthy notes towards a good long finish’. For Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House, the wine’s qualities were to be found in its ‘fragrant, perfumed, lifted nose’, describing it as ‘a very cool, calm, elegant wine’.

£9.50 Survalles

Berton Vineyard, High Eden, The Bonsai, Shiraz/Cabernet 2016, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

‘Concentrated and powerful with a long finish’ was Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse’s assessment of this Gold Lister, adding: ‘There’s a good, ripe fruit profile with cassis, blueberry, black cherry and plums, with some nice smoky and toasty notes.’ Team leader Laura Rhys MS praised the ‘juicy and rich, bright jammy fruit’ that had ‘meaty, spicy and leathery notes’, leading to ‘silky, polished tannins’. With its ‘elegant touches of cedar with black cherry’, Lucie Kalertova of Sexy Fish recommended pairing this wine with ‘steak or mushroom dishes’.

£20.91 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Viña Requingua, Toro de Piedra, Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Curicó Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘With generous black fruits and green pepper, what’s not to love about this rich, full and inky wine,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS of this Silver medal winner. Impressed by its ‘bold juiciness’, she described it as ‘a lot of wine for under £10’.

£9.85 Survalles

Sur Valles, Santa Alba, Grand Reserve, Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£9.50 Survalles

Imbuko, Fat Barrel, Cabernet/Shiraz 2016, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Via Wines, Chilensis, Lazuli, Red Blend 2015, Maule Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

New World: Carmenère

Sur Valles, Santa Alba, Reserva, Carmenère 2017, Central Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

A clear sense of place helped land this Carmenère a sold Gold medal. ‘Excellent typicity,’ said consultant Emanuel Pesqueira, with its ‘pensive cassis and capsicum nose, it takes you straight to Chile’. ‘Super-typical,’ agreed James Fryer of Woodhead 17, adding that as well as ‘all the right bell pepper and vegetal notes’ it had ‘a nice, inky, fresh core of fruit’. ‘Black cherry and plum,’ said Daniel Loughlin of 20 Stories, adding ‘herbaceous notes of mint and rosemary, and it’s elegant with soft tannins’, and suggesting it would ‘match well with duck and game’.

£8.08 Survalles

Veramonte, Primus, Carmenère 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

This Gold Lister really stood out as an interesting point of difference in the line-up. Team leader Christopher Cooper found much to admire: ‘There is lovely delicate and fragrant blueberry fruit, with perfumed, violet top notes. And there’s also a lifted, silky quality to this wine that you don’t normally find in Carmenère. It certainly feels a cool-climate style, with softer tannins on the finish.’ Woodhead 17’s James Fryer agreed, saying: ‘There’s a solid core of juicy black fruit, with notes of mint and chocolate; with fine tannins and a nicely balanced finish.’

£12.10 Matthew Clark

Viña Requingua, Toro de Piedra, Carmenère 2017, Maule Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young found a lot to love about this wine, describing ‘sweet red fruit aromas’. He further noted: ‘Although soft and juicy, it has energetic tannins and fresh acidity to carry on through.’

£9.85 Survalles

Montes Alpha, Carmenére 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

While James Fryer of Woodhead 17 found notes of ‘bacon fat, sweet spice and pepper’ in this ‘rich and complex wine’, consultant Emanuel Pesqueira detected ‘mushroomy flavours’, and described it as ‘excellent’.

£10.82 Liberty Wines

Via Wines, Chilcas, Las Almas, Carmenère 2015, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘A herbaceous first nose with underlying funky red fruit aromas,’ said 67 Pall Mall’s Terry Kandylis, adding that its ‘oak is well balanced in relation to its juicy palate’, and summing it up as ‘very well made’.

£26.95 Viña San Rafael S.A

Siegel, Single Vineyard, Carmenère 2016, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Terry Kandylis of 67 Pall Mall was impressed by the ‘driven leafy nose of capsicum, bell pepper and eucalyptus’ and further eulogised about its ‘dark chocolate, almost gamey palate’, which has ‘a touch of grip from the welcome tannins’. ‘Lovely!’ was his conclusion.

£13.80 Carson Wines

Sutil, Limited Release, Carmenère 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Black fruits’ were dominant for Daniel Loughlin of 20 Stories, along with ‘spicy black pepper, light chocolate and a sweet fruit acidity on the finish’.

£10.73 Castelnau Wine Agencies

Morandé, One to One, Estate Reserve, Carmenère 2017, Maipo Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Alma de Chile, Reserva, Carmenère 2016, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Via Wines, Oveja Negra, Single Vineyard, Carmenère 2017 2017, Maule Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

New World: Chardonnay, Australia

Rob Dolan, White Label, Chardonnay 2017, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia

Gold medal winner

‘Excellent’ was how consultant Emanuel Pesqueira summed up this bottle, as it was awarded its Gold medal, adding: ‘It has an oily, rich quality that flows throughout this complex, integrated wine.’ ‘Such a super flinty nose,’ said James Fryer of Woodhead 17, ‘there’s some almond skin and a smoky, peachy quality, too.’ ‘It’s very inviting,’ agreed Terry Kandylis of 67 Pall Mall, ‘and the palate has complexity, length, freshness and purity.’

£14.63 Rob Dolan Wines

Fraser Gallop, Parterre, Chardonnay 2017, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

Clearly a gastronomic wine, this Gold Lister had the panel excited about its food-matching potential. For consultant Emanuel Pesqueira it was ‘a great fish wine’, because it was both ‘very juicy’ and had ‘steely acidity’. Daniel Loughlin of 20 Stories agreed, feeling it would pair well with ‘rich sauces and seafood’. All agreed there was a light hand on the oak, with team leader Charlie Young describing ‘lifted, citrus aromas; a lemony palate and very well-integrated background oak’. Summing up, he said it was simply ‘super-fresh and drinkable’.

£18.40 Bibendum

Petaluma, Chardonnay 2015, Piccadilly Valley, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

There was unanimous praise for this easy Gold medal choice, with team leader Charlie Young noting: ‘A savoury wine, with complex, toasty notes, but there’s also tangerine and the citrus notes are plentiful.’ Praising the wine’s balance, he said: ‘It has life and freshness and the fruit is powerful but not overpowering.’ Terry Kandylis of 67 Pall Mall noted ‘mature notes’ that were ‘nutty, with camomile, caramel and lime marmalade on toast’, while consultant Emanuel Pesqueira described a ‘well-made food wine’ that was ‘rich and mineral; complex and long’.

£22.21 Matthew Clark

Woodlands, Wilyabrup Valley, Chardonnay 2016, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

This wine, which fell just short of a Gold medal, was a hit with team leader Charlie Young, who delighted in its ‘subtle, pleasant aromas… balanced and ripe with integrated textural interest’. He summed it up as ‘a great all-rounder of a wine’.

£12.95 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Shaw & Smith, M3, Chardonnay 2016, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Consultant Emanuel Pesqueira was generous in his praise for this weighty, Silver medal-winning Chardonnay, describing the ‘opulance and well-made soft, savoury palate’ in a wine that ‘is noted for its nutty complexity and generous length’.

£19.75 Liberty Wines

Kingston Estate, Chardonnay 2017, Padthaway, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young sang the praises of this Aussie Chardonnay, which he thought delivered ‘match-head aromas with a touch of lime’. He went on to say that its ‘good depth and balance is accompanied by plenty of good fruits and freshness’.

£9.98 House of Townend

Josef Chromy, Chardonnay 2016, Tasmania, Australia

Silver medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young described ‘savoury, mineral aromas’ backed up with ‘tangerine rind, flowing acidity and a mild spice with a long, compelling length’, and suggested this wine should bear a label saying ‘Taste me!’.

£17.53 Bibendum

Jarrah Wood, Chardonnay 2017, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young was impressed by this reasonably priced Silver medal-winning wine’s ‘guava and lime aromas’. He described a ‘toned-down palate’, but thought it was ‘still full bodied with a decent finish’.

£6.25 LWC DRINKS LTD

Fowles Wine, Ladies who Shoot their Lunch, Wild Ferment, Chardonnay 2017, Victoria, Australia

Silver medal winner

This solid Silver medal-winning wine was described by Daniel Loughlin of 20 Stories as a wine with ‘strong banana and tropical notes, medium bodied, yet juicy and sweet, with a decent acidity and a nice long finish’.

£18.34 Enotria&Coe

Zonte's Footstep, Dusk Til Dawn, Chardonnay 2017, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

This Silver medal-winning wine was a hit with team leader Charlie Young, who described a nose of ‘white peach and spice’. Of its palate he noted: ‘Freshness with underlying steeliness, yet this wine has a gentle side as it brings a long supple mouthfeel of apples and quince.’

£14.43 Zonte's Footstep

Citrus Tree, Chardonnay 2018, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

According to James Fryer of Woodhead 17, ‘this wine would fly off the bar if it were to be served in a pub’, and and he backed up his claim by describing it as ‘super-ripe and tropical with sweet spice and characteristic Chardonnay fruits’.

£6.70 Unity Wines & Spirits

Petaluma, Stonier, Chardonnay 2016, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

Silver medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young described a ‘savoury nose with a fabulous underpinning of acidity, intensity and flowery spice that leads to high complexity and minerality’, and suggested that this wine needs to be tasted by all.

£13.82 Matthew Clark

Hardys, HRB, Chardonnay 2013, Multi-Regional, Australia

Silver medal winner

James Fryer of Woodhead 17 described a ‘Montrachet-like nose’ with ‘riper, golden, richer fruits that border on the nutty and possibly even buttery’. Although he thought it ‘borders slightly on the over-ripe’, he suggested that ‘as a style it works’.

£15.88 Matthew Clark

Paringa Estate, Peninsula, Chardonnay 2016, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘With its verbena, lemon pith and herb nose’, James Fryer of Woodhead 17 described this wine as having ‘a palate that follows with lovely soft peach fruit spice and great texture’.

£20.18 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Larry Cherubino, Ad Hoc, Hen and Chicken, Chardonnay 2017, Western Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

This ‘great example of a regional Australian Chardonnay’ was described by Daniel Loughlin of 20 Stories as ‘intensely nutty and popcorny’.

£13.29 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaine Tournon, Landsborough Vineyard, Chardonnay 2016, Pyrenees, Australia

Commended medal winner

Katnook Estate, Founder's Block, Chardonnay 2017, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Deakin Estate, Chardonnay 2018, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

Xanadu, Estate, Chardonnay 2017, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£15.95 Bibendum

Yering Station, Village, Chardonnay 2016, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

£13.89 Bibendum

Kooyong, Clonale, Chardonnay 2017, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

£16.38 Enotria&Coe

Howard Park, Miamup, Chardonnay 2017, Western Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£15.95 Enotria&Coe

New World: Chardonnay, Rest of the New World

Viña Requingua, Toro de Piedra, Chardonnay 2017, Maule Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner Food Match

‘There’s a nose of creamy vanilla spice, with melon, ginger and pineapple,’ said team leader Tom Forrest of this Gold medal winner. This exotic fruit profile continued to the palate, where he thought it was lifted by some ‘very nice, sexy spice’. Moio Restaurant’s Carolina W Seibel found ‘more complexity on the nose, with green pineapple and warm lemon notes’, while for Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London, a sense of harmony was key: ‘There’s a really nice balance between the fruit and the oaky aromas, it’s refreshing.’

£9.85 Survalles

Luis Felipe Edwards, Gran Reserva, Chardonnay 2018, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

‘Very typical and pleasurable,’ said team leader Hamish Anderson, awarding a deserved Gold medal to this great value Chardonnay. ‘It has a simple nose of cream, spice and ripe pear,’ he added, ‘and there’s some really very good tropical fruit, cut with nice acidity.’ Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London noted ‘melon, white peach and hints of sweet spice’, before adding: ‘It’s medium bodied and with a nice lick of toasty oak.’ Oliver Nagy of Hakkasan Hanway Place, meanwhile, thought it offered ‘ripe tropical fruits with a touch of apple and some coconut vanilla’ and a ‘ripe fruit palate with good acidity’.

£6.82 Majestic Commercial

Concha y Toro, Marques de Casa Concha, Chardonnay 2017, Limarí Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

‘Great stuff,’ said team leader Hamish Anderson as he happily elevated this worthy winner to Gold medal status. ‘It has a lovely smoky, taut and complex nose, with lemon zest, spice and apple; it’s fresh but ripe, with a lovely texture and cut through with a piercing minerality. The finish is long and fine.’ Kahani London’s Ennio Pucciarelli could only agree, adding: ‘The exotic fruit elements have good intensity and complexity and are well integrated with the oak flavours.’

£10.50 CyT UK

Santa Rita, Medalla Real, Gran Reserva, Chardonnay Limari 2017, Limarí Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest noted: ‘A creamy, vanilla and tropical nose with touches of mango and pineapple following across the palate. The finish is quite mineral with a nice cedar spice twist.’

£10.53 Matthew Clark

Salentein, Single Vineyard, San Pablo, Chardonnay 2015, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

Team leader Hamish Anderson found the ‘big powerful nose’ on this wine to his liking, with its ‘toast and pineapple’. He described it as a ‘big, powerful, ambitious wine that really works… with a very good dryness, alcohol and uninterrupted aftertaste’.

£23.14 Matthew Clark

Coopers Creek, Swamp, Reserve, Chardonnay 2014, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London described this Silver medal-winning wine as having ‘great balance between the fruit flavours and the delicate use of oak’, and thought it was ‘refreshing on the palate with a clean, long, crisp finish’.

£14.75 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Finca Flichman Dedicado, Tupungato Vineyard, Chardonnay 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London found ‘exotic fruit aromas, with hints of vanilla, ginger and yeast’, and praised it for its ‘refreshing medium body and distinctive long finish’.

£14.66 Liberty Wines

Familia Schroeder, Alpataco, Chardonnay 2018, Patagonia, Argentina

Silver medal winner

Team leader Hamish Anderson admired this wine’s ‘simple, bright style, with its apple, pear and green plum aromas’. He further described it as ‘almost Chablis-esque, with its unoaked freshness and crisp acidity that delivers great drinkability’.

£8.85 Ellis of Richmond

Emiliana, Adobe, Reserva, Chardonnay 2018, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

Carolina W Seibel of Moio Restaurant found ‘ripe fruit and oatmeal on the nose, with a stone fruit and ripe kiwi palate’, and went on to say: ‘The wine finishes clean with a slight medicinal touch.’

£6.70 Boutinot

Ventisquero, Tara, White Wine 1 2015, Huasco Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘This is unfiltered and a touch hazy,’ noted team leader Tom Forrest, ‘it feels quite hands-off, with a wild ferment feel to the green apple and clove spice; this is quite complex and finishes long.’

£23.00 The Wine Treasury

Chateau Changyu-Castel, Premium, Chardonnay 2016, Yantai, China

Bronze medal winner

Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair found this wine to be ‘fabulous on the nose, yet very restrained on the palate; with some smoky notes, lemon freshness and green apple’.

£21.03 Changyu Pioneer Wine Co., Ltd. Yantai China

Lapostolle, Cuvée Alexandre, Chardonnay 2016, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Stone fruits and red apple aromas leading to a very elegant palate, with yellow apple and oak notes, leading to a beautiful, long finish,’ thought team leader Carlos Ferreira.

£11.97 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Sur Valles, Santa Alba, Reserva, Chardonnay 2017, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£8.08 Survalles

Foley Family Vineyards, Vavasour, Chardonnay 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£12.85 Matthew Clark

Morandé, Gran Reserva, Chardonnay 2016, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Vidal, Reserve, Chardonnay 2017, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

Alma de Chile, Reserva, Chardonnay 2016, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Cadus, Appellation Vista Flores, Chardonnay 2017, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£11.65 Boutinot

Norman Hardie, Chardonnay 2015, Niagara Peninsula, Canada

Commended medal winner

£24.00 Bibendum

Felix Solis, Casa Vista, Chardonnay 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£6.16 Matthew Clark

Bemberg, La Linterna, Chardonnay 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£49.39 Top Selection

Carrick, Chardonnay 2016, Central Otago, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£14.98 Enotria&Coe

New World: Chardonnay, South Africa

Boschendal, Appellation Series, Elgin, Chardonnay 2016, Elgin, South Africa

Gold medal winner

‘This smells of the Cote d’Or…’. Praise indeed from team leader Jan Konetzki, as he awarded this aromatic wine a worthy Gold medal, adding: ‘It’s dry and rich but also fresh; it’s slick and savoury but has complex fruit.’ ‘Burgundian, with sweet hazelnuts and sweet spice,’ thought Claire Love of Loves Consultancy. ‘Very good use of oak,’ said Street XO’s Raphael Thierry, adding: ‘The ripe stone fruit and minerality present a charming wine that is rich and round, yet elegant at the same time.’

£22.65 DGB Europe Ltd

Kleine Zalze, Cleefs. Reserve Collection, Chardonnay 2017, Western Cape, South Africa

Gold medal winner Pub & Bar

Awarding a Gold medal for this great value Chardonnay, team leader Laura Rhys MS said, ‘This has nice complexity for the price.’ It was a sentiment shared by many on the panel. Claire Love of Loves Consultancy praised the balance between ‘spicy, creamy oak’ and the ‘vibrant lemon and floral notes’. ‘The subtle crème brûlée oak notes give texture,’ said Street XO’s Raphael Thierry, ‘but the ripe stone fruits finish fresh.’

£7.72 Hatch Mansfield

Lismore, Chardonnay 2016, Western Cape, South Africa

Silver medal winner

Team leader Jan Konetzki was impressed by this ‘ripe, tropical wine’, and described ‘yeasty, toasted sesame flavours balanced with coconut, yoghurt and a dry, fresh acidity’.

£18.78 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Creation, Reserve Chardonnay 2017, Walker Bay, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘Vibrant lemon, sweet apple and juicy white peach notes’ were the aromas noted by Claire Love of Loves Consultancy. She followed up by describing this Silver medallist as having an ‘intense, smoky hazelnut spice, with a substantial finish’. It was, she said, ‘a real crowd pleaser’.

£17.40 Bibendum

Hartenberg, The Eleanor 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Silver medal winner

Raphael Thierry of Street XO found aromas of ‘stone fruits, pineapple and melon’, and enjoyed its complexity, ‘with well-integrated oak, displaying elegant toasted nutty notes and a fresh, long, balanced finish’.

£19.00 Bancroft Wines

Kleine Zalze, Vineyard Selection, Chardonnay 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Silver medal winner

Raphael Thierry of Street XO noted: ‘Yellow apple and honeydew melon, yet buttery with good fruit concentration and elegant oak spices.’

£7.49 Hatch Mansfield

Journey's End, Single Vineyard, Chardonnay 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

Alan Bednarski of Texture certainly liked this Bronze medal-winning wine, describing its ‘sweet apple and pear notes, and candied fruit’, followed by ‘sweet toast, roasted veg and generous oak’.

£14.04 Bibendum

Creation, Chardonnay 2017, Walker Bay, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

Claire Love of Loves Consultancy found ‘a cedar wood nose and sweet hazelnuts’ and described this wine’s ‘rich middle palate’ as having ‘a cinnamon apple pie finish’.

£17.66 Bibendum

Kleine Zalze, Cellar Selection, Chardonnay 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Journey's End, Destination, Chardonnay 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£19.10 Bibendum

Journey's End, Haystack, Chardonnay 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£10.46 Bibendum

Springfield Estate, Méthode Ancienne, Chardonnay 2016, Robertson, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£25.30 Bibendum

Elgin Vintners, Chardonnay 2018, Elgin, South Africa

Commended medal winner

MAN Family Wines, Padstal, Chardonnay 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£7.20 Enotria&Coe

New World: Chardonnay, USA

Massican, Hyde Vineyards, Chardonnay 2017, Napa Valley, California, USA

Gold medal winner

A great sense of overall balance was a recurring theme in tasters’ notes for this worthy Gold Lister, with New Street Warehouse’s Tanguy Martin saying that it stood out as particularly ‘vibrant and refreshing, among its peers from California’, and adding: ‘Its lovely nervosity on the palate makes the wine spicy and savoury.’ Meanwhile Joshua Castle of Noble Rot noted: ‘It has nice restraint, it’s full bodied without being too oaky.’ Team leader Martin Lam agreed, saying: ‘It’s nicely balanced; there are bold flavours but they’re not overdone.’

£35.00 Wine Source UK

Joseph Phelps, Freestone Vineyards, Chardonnay 2016, Sonoma Coast, California, USA

Gold medal winner

‘This has a delicate marzipan note with white flower blossom,’ said ETM Group’s Guillaume Mahaut of this aromatic Gold Lister, while Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts picked up ‘elegant ripe melon’ with ‘a touch of fresh thyme flowers’. For team leader Lionel Periner the wine was both ‘elegant’ and ‘full bodied, with a long ripe fruit finish and good acidity’, and fellow team leader Tom Forrest noted ‘pineapple and peach fruit, with a fresh apple, mineral finish’.

£34.25 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Buena Vista, Carneros, Chardonnay 2015, California, USA

Silver medal winner

This was a hit with Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House, who described it as ‘powerful yet balanced, with a nice touch of toasted oak’, and enjoyed the ‘rich yet light touch on the palate’.

£19.80 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Boutinot, Helter Skelter, Chardonnay 2017, California, USA

Silver medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest was amazed by the price of this Silver medal-winning wine (which narrowly missed out on Gold). He described ‘creamy, buttery oak and toasty melon and pineapple’ balanced with a lovely ‘gingery prickle’.

£6.70 Boutinot

Three Sticks, Durell, Chardonnay 2016, California, USA

Silver medal winner

Guillaume Mahaut of the ETM Group loved the ‘balanced oak’ and thought it had ‘good fruits, lemony, apples and flowers’. ‘The wine finished well with creamy notes, almonds, freshness and a defined texture,’ he added.

£36.42 The Wine Treasury

Kautz Winery, Drifting, Chardonnay 2016, Lodi, California, USA

Bronze medal winner

‘Citrus, exotic fruits and a hint of oak; yet the palate is full with a light lingering note of nuts,’ said team leader Lionel Periner.

£9.12 Matthew Clark

Precision Wines, Octopoda, Chardonnay 2017, Russian River Valley, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£16.22 Top Selection

Jordan, Chardonnay 2016, Russian River Valley, California, USA

Commended medal winner

Jordan, Chardonnay 2015, Russian River Valley, California, USA

Commended medal winner

Chateau Ste Michelle, Canoe Ridge, Chardonnay 2015, Washington State, USA

Commended medal winner

£21.82 Enotria&Coe

Kingsland Drinks, Chain Reaction Chardonnay 2017, California, USA

Commended medal winner

Morgan, Double L Vineyard, Chardonnay 2016, Santa Lucia Highlands, California , USA

Commended medal winner

£33.14 Bibendum

Black Stallion, Chardonnay 2016, Napa Valley, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£17.52 Bancroft Wines

Calera, Chardonnay 2016, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£19.55 Top Selection

Trefethen, Chardonnay 2017, California, USA

Commended medal winner

Bonterra, Chardonnay 2017, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£11.72 Enotria&Coe

New World: Chenin Blanc

MAN Family Wines, Lievlander, Chenin Blanc 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Gold medal winner

‘Delightfully floral,’ began Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn, one of the many with praise for this clearly Gold-worthy wine, further describing ‘peaches and dry minerality’. Team leader Martin Lam called it ‘a refreshing wine, with citrus, fresh pear and green apple notes’, while fellow team leader Angela Reddin found ‘lip-smacking, zingy acidity, with some orchard flowers and cooked Bramley apples’, concluding that it was ‘a great food wine, and fantastic for the price’.

£6.75 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Kleine Zalze, Family Reserve, Chenin Blanc 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Gold medal winner

‘You need this on your wine list!’ began an enthusiastic Roberto Sanchez of Sexy Fish on encountering this clear candidate for Gold, going on to describe a wine that was ‘intense on the nose, with toasted brioche notes, with a beautiful texture that’s very rich and creamy, with acidity to support it’. Further praise came from Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn, who spoke highly of ‘fresh minerality, and complexity with great balance’, before describing ‘ripe lemons and limes, and a herbaceous rosemary-stem note, too’.

£15.97 Hatch Mansfield

Kleine Zalze, Vineyard Selection, Chenin Blanc 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Gold medal winner

As this was quite rightly awarded a Gold medal, Carolina W Seibel of Moio Restaurant praised its ‘green freshness and complexity, not to mention good depth of fruit and longevity’, while Cavalry & Guards Club’s Andre Luis Martins was impressed by ‘ripe peach with some white spices, leading to ripe yellow plum on the palate, with a long, refreshing finish’. Harry Ballmann of Wiltons, meanwhile, spoke of ‘depth and balance, with some camomile notes’.

£8.02 Hatch Mansfield

Stellenrust, 53, Barrel Fermented, Chenin Blanc 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Gold medal winner

Taking home a well-deserved Gold, this Stellenbosch Chenin had ‘aromatic floral and tropical fruit characteristics’ for Sonal Clare of Purnell’s Restaurant, who went on to describe ‘concentrated fruit on the fleshy, buttery palate, with passion fruit and guava, and a nuttiness, too’. Team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, meanwhile, found ‘smoky aromatics that lead to a powerful palate bright with citrus, as well as some lime curd sweetness’, and described it as ‘culminating in a tangy, zesty finish’.

£14.36 Bibendum

Dorrance, Kama, Chenin Blanc 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘A pronounced, creamy, toasted brioche nose,’ began Savoy Grill’s Matteo Cali, who found this ‘rich and round on the palate, with some white fruits coming through too’. Team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW described ‘a delicate grapefruit character, and some oily notes on the palate, making this a good food match for Asian cuisine’.

£16.24 Top Selection

Ken Forrester, Reserve, Chenin Blanc 2017, Western Cape, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

‘Easy drinking and light, with some green notes, as well as some lime and grapefruit, accompanied by some high acidity and some minerality that refreshes your palate,’ said Sexy Fish’s Roberto Sanchez.

£10.08 Enotria&Coe

Spier, 21 Gables, Chenin Blanc 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Kleine Zalze, Cellar Selection, Chenin Blanc Bush Vines 2018, Coastal Region, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Imbuko, Illusion, Chenin Blanc 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Perdeberg, The Dry Land Collection, Courageous, Chenin Blanc 2017, Paarl, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£9.30 Boutinot

Asara, Granite Soil, Chenin Blanc 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

New World: Malbec

Pannunzio, Las Piedras, Malbec 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

Gold medal winner

‘Wow’ was the immediate response of team leader Laurent Richet MS to this clear Gold Lister, adding: ‘This wine has lovely fruit, structure, balance and length.’ He thought it would be ‘a great wine by the glass or equally with food’, and that ‘you could easily keep it for one or two years’. Fellow team leader Jade Koch was also a fan, admiring its aromatic notes of ‘tea, smoke and violets’, while Zuma’s Sylwester Piasecki picked out ‘spices like clove and ginger’ that lead to a ‘clean and elegant finish’.

£9.72 Top Selection

Salentein, Primus, Malbec 2015, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Gold medal winner

‘What an intense nose,’ said The Gilbert Scott’s Juan Manuel Marcos Perez of this rather fine Gold Lister, adding: ‘It’s extremely aromatic… with raspberries, strawberries, fresh cherry and vanilla; there’s also violet and spice all integrated in the oak.’ Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles agreed, noting ‘creamy cassis and bramble fruit, all layered in with sweet tobacco, cedar and game’, before adding that there was a ‘lovely integration of flavours and tannin on the palate; it’s concentrated yet elegant’. Meanwhile team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW praised the ‘generous, plump and fleshy fruit’ and fellow team leader Martin Lam admired ‘the silky tannins’.

£31.72 Matthew Clark

Salentein, Barrel Selection, Malbec 2017, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Gold medal winner

Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine was impressed with the elegance of this Gold Lister, noting ‘ripe autumnal pears with figs and vanilla’ on the nose and a palate of ‘delicate freshness’ that belied its ‘good, punchy, sour cherry finish’. Perhaps this was why he suggested ‘roast duck’ as a food match. While team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW enjoyed the ‘super-ripe, pure raspberry fruit with dark cocoa back notes’, fellow team leader Martin Lam found ‘a raisin and red fruit nose’ and a ripe palate that was ‘juicy and fresh; spicy and attractive’.

£13.53 Matthew Clark

Coopers Creek, Gisborne, Malbec 2016, Gisborne, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

With its ‘lovely ripe fruit, balance and length’, team leader Laurent Richet MS was happy to award this a Gold, adding that it was ‘juicy, fleshy and meaty, with coffee aromatics’, and suggesting it would work well with ‘venison or leg of lamb’. Francesca Turra of Mondrian London suggested it would certainly work with ‘fatty dishes’ and Mattia Mazzi of The River Cafe thought that this Malbec was more ‘in a Cahors style, as it’s drier and fresher’.

£9.97 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Finca Las Moras, Alma Mora, Selected Reserve, Malbec 2017, San Juan, Argentina

Gold medal winner By the glass

Recommending this Gold medal winner as a great choice by the glass or down the pub, team leader Laurent Richet MS praised ‘the lovely fruit concentration of pear and bruised fruits wrapped in chocolate’ and also its ‘evolution, with a little soy sauce adding a savoury note’. ‘Pork chop with onion gravy’ was his pairing suggestion, while fellow team leader Angela Reddin suggested that its ‘herbal-tinged, sweet, ripe black fruits’ called for ‘a plate of smoked meats’.

£7.50 Matthew Clark

Trapiche, Terroir Series, Finca Ambrosia, Malbec 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

Gold medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest was happy to articulate the many reasons for this wine’s Gold medal listing, saying: ‘There are high notes of cinnamon spice and vanilla; then raspberry and cranberry with a smoky char. The palate is plump, with soft creamy vanilla and ripe blackberry and dark cherry, while the finish is marked with a dash of dark pepper.’ While nearly all the judges noted the continued fashion for the weighty receptacle in this category, Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse was pleased to find ‘real elegance’ coming out of ‘such a heavy bottle’, a point on which team leader Martin Lam agreed. Commending the ‘ripe, spicy fruit and juicy balanced tannins’, he added: ‘For a big wine this certainly has a good, attractive character.’

£22.52 Enotria&Coe

Amalaya, Gran Corte, Malbec 2017, Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina

Gold medal winner Food Match

Approaching the Gold medal table, team leader Angela Reddin said: ‘This wine is so lovely and inviting.’ She went on to describe ‘a burst of mulberry and plum fruits with smooth chocolate, diving into the mouth’ and concluded by describing a ‘firm, elegant all rounder’. For fellow team leader Laurent Richet MS it was ‘pure juice – intense and concentrated’. Its ‘power and balance’ had him calling for ‘cote du boeuf with Béarnaise sauce and fries’. ‘Lime-marinated pulled lamb with sweet potato and red onion’ was the choice of Aviary’s Aurore Anguenot, while ‘game with a chocolate reduction’ was the suggestion of Mattia Mazzi of The River Cafe. Clearly a wine with many gastronomic possibilities…

£11.87 Liberty Wines

Bemberg, La Linterna, La Consulta, Malbec 2013, Mendoza, Argentina

Gold medal winner

Awarding a deserved Gold medal, team leader Martin Lam observed a sense of restraint in the winemaking: ‘This has a dark and savoury nose but it’s not oaky,’ he said, adding: ‘It’s fresh, concentrated and nicely balanced, and a clear winner in this macho style – heavy bottle, too!’ Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn added: ‘There’s good typicity here, too,’ pointing to ‘the really complex’ herbal elements of ‘eucalyptus, rosemary, thyme and pepper…’. ‘Ripe fruit, ripe tannins and complex’ was Cavalry & Guards Club’s Andre Luis Martins summation.

£49.39 Top Selection

Catena, Appellation, La Consulta, Malbec 2016, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Gold medal winner

As this beauty was granted a place on the Gold List, Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles described a wine of ‘great complexity: the bramble fruit flavours are rich and well integrated, and there’s a hint of cedar and sweet tobacco; the acidity is fresh and zippy, washing back the tannins nicely’. For team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, elegance was key. She described its ‘delicate, berry fruit profile’ and thought it had ‘a sweetness but it’s done with finesse’. Still a hearty wine, however, Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston matched it with ‘braised ox cheeks and sirloin with a prune sauce’.

£12.49 Bibendum

Humberto Canale, Family Selection, Malbec 2016, Patagonia, Argentina

Silver medal winner

‘A lovely savoury palate,’ noted Gabriele Bertotti of Maze by Gordon Ramsay as he described this Silver medal-winning wine as ‘juicy, round and well balanced’ and ‘very much ready to go’.

£15.22 Enotria&Coe

Mendel Wines, Mendel, Malbec 2016, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine loved the ‘stewed fruit and rhubarb notes’ of this wine, and described its ‘hints of spice, plum pudding and sour cherries’ as ‘gentle yet with good balance’.

£15.35 House of Townend

Doña Paula, Selección de Bodega, Malbec 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

Captivated by its ‘extremely aromatic, intense nose’, The Gilbert Scott’s Juan Manuel Marcos Perez found this wine to be ‘full of raspberries and strawberries, with fresh cherries, violets and vanilla spice’. He summed it up as a ‘lovely, youthful and lively wine’.

£32.65 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Finca Las Moras, Paz, Malbec 2016, San Juan, Argentina

Silver medal winner

‘Black and red fruit on the nose, and a bit floral too, leading to a spicy palate,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, while fellow team leader Tom Forrest appreciated ‘black fruit and blueberries, with more soft, ripe black fruits and some pepper and liquorice on the palate’.

£9.50 Matthew Clark

Trapiche, Perfiles, Calcareo, Malbec 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

‘Ripe red fruit and plum notes are lifted by sweet spices, cinnamon, clove and touch of minty eucalyptus,’ said Hakkasan Hanway Place’s Oliver Nagy, adding: ‘The medium-bodied palate is soft with black cherry and a nice blackcurrant finish.’

£12.97 Enotria&Coe

Familia Schroeder, Saurus, Barrel Fermented, Malbec 2016, Patagonia, Argentina

Silver medal winner

‘Perfumed and intense’ were the initial feelings of team leader Laurent Richet MS as he tasted this Silver medal-winning wine, and he continued by saying that this wine’s ‘fruits are well managed with a balance of ripe plums and prunes’.

£16.25 Ellis of Richmond

Caliterra, Tributo, Single Vineyard, Pétreo, Malbec 2016, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Gabriele Bertotti of Maze by Gordon Ramsay described this wine as having ‘a very interesting palate’, and found it ‘balanced, with delicate notes of black fruits, although both juicy and grippy’.

£10.39 Hatch Mansfield

Mendel Wines, Lunta, Malbec 2016, Mendoza, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

‘Plums with a hint of baked tart, yet with some lovely flavours of spice and a decent length,’ said Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine.

£9.98 House of Townend

Bressia, Pablo y Walter, Malbec 2018, Mendoza, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

This was described by team leader Jade Koch as having ‘smoky warm plums, with good freshness, and notes of violets, chocolate and warm spices’.

£7.50 Boutinot

Boutinot, Turno de Noche, Malbec 2018, Mendoza, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

Carolina W Seibel of Moio Restaurant found ‘dark, dusty, green notes, but ripe berry flavours, dark cherries and well-integrated oak’.

£7.35 Boutinot

Boutinot, Showdown, The Bird, Malbec 2017, California, USA

Bronze medal winner

Gabriele Bertotti of Maze by Gordon Ramsay enjoyed this entry-level Malbec, noting: ‘Good yet delicate black fruit nose; yet round, fresh and long-lasting on the palate.’

£6.85 Boutinot

Finca Las Moras, Los Intocables, Malbec 2018, San Juan, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest noted ‘warm vanilla and dusty cedar notes on the nose, with a touch of medicinal clove’, adding: ‘There’s certainly ripe blackberry with perhaps a touch of reduction and a spiced, cranberry finish.’

£9.50 Matthew Clark

Trapiche, Estación 1883, Malbec 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

Juan Manuel Marcos Perez of The Gilbert Scott noted this wine’s ‘dark purple/ruby colour with a pronounced oaky flavour on the nose’ and further described ‘black fruits with balanced vanilla and a good oak integration’.

£9.27 Enotria&Coe

Andeluna, Pasionado, Malbec 2015, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

This was a hit with Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine, who found ‘good fruits, with plums and spiced lemon/lime zesty flavours’. ‘It has a nice touch of vanilla,’ he added, ‘and a generous sour cherry finish’.

£29.57 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Matias Riccitelli, Vineyard Selection, Malbec 2016, Mendoza, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

Gabriele Bertotti of Maze by Gordon Ramsay thought this wine had ‘extra juicy opulence’, and continued by saying that the palate showed ‘black fruit, a delicate clean flavour profile and touch of eucalyptus’.

£23.44 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Norton, Privada, Malbec 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

Finca Decero, Remolinos Vineyard, Malbec 2017, Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

Left Field, Malbec 2017, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

Nieto Senetiner, Malbec 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£8.15 Boutinot

Nieto Senetiner, Malbec 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£7.65 Boutinot

El Porvenir de Cafayate, Amauta Absoluto, Malbec 2018, Cafayate Valley, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£7.65 Boutinot

El Esteco, Fincas Notables, Malbec 2016, Salta, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£15.44 Enotria&Coe

Trapiche, Perfiles, Textura Fina, Malbec 2016, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£12.97 Enotria&Coe

Grupo Peñaflor, Member's Mark, Malbec 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£15.52 Grupo Peñaflor

Familia Schroeder, Saurus, Select Malbec 2017, Patagonia, Argentina

Commended medal winner

Belhara Estate, Estrella del Sur, Malbec 2017, Uco Valley, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£8.90 D&V Wines

Belhara Estate, Sierra de los Sueños, Malbec 2017, Uco Valley, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£7.90 D&V Wines

Piattelli Vineyards, Grand, Malbec 2016, Salta, Argentina

Commended medal winner

Aires Andinos, Malbec 2018, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

Caliterra, Reserva, Malbec 2016, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Benegas, Quid Pro Quo, Malbec 2018, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

Salentein, Capilla de Barro, Malbec 2018, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

New World: Other red varietals & blends

Guenoc, Petite Sirah 2016, California, USA

Gold medal winner

This Gold Lister was praised by several judges for its aromatics and supple texture. ‘The nose is very present,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, ‘with black fruits, rosemary, pine, black pepper and leather… the palate is also very elegant with good fruit complexity and a beautiful finish’. ‘It’s delicate and juicy with a touch of liquorice,’ said Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam, adding: ‘It’s also well balanced and good value for money.’

£9.29 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Emiliana, Coyam 2015, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

‘Fluffy and gentle, an adult teddy bear’ was the somewhat eccentric assessment of this fine Gold Lister by Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains. ‘It has such elegance and balance,’ he said by way of explanation. The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones sang somewhat more conventional praise, describing it as ‘certainly rich, luscious and velvety’, and adding ‘it’s also full and ripe but with very good grip’. For Dario Barbato of Individual Restaurants, its Gold medal credentials were more simply found in ‘its structure, complexity and flavour intensity’.

£15.00 Boutinot

Bogle, Petite Sirah 2016, California, USA

Gold medal winner

For team leader Laura Rhys MS, this Gold Lister managed to balance ‘soft and supple black cherry fruit’ with ‘a bold and spicy tannic structure’. Dario Barbato of Individual Restaurants described it as ‘complex and structured’, picking up notes of ‘menthol mixed in with the blackcurrant fruit’, while for Valentin Radosav of Gymkhana Restaurant, a nose of ‘violets and sweet spices’ led to a ‘velvety texture and an earthy yet chocolatey finish’.

£12.77 Enotria&Coe

Siegel, Unique Selection 2015, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

‘Could be Chilean,’ guessed team leader Martin Lam correctly of this big, brooding yet aromatic Gold medal winner. ‘It’s the densely concentrated cassis and spice nose and palate,’ he said. Other team members also picked up clues, with Gymkhana Restaurant’s Valentin Radosav pointing to the ‘complex nose of baked bell peppers and an earthy, savoury, dense blackberry and coffee note’, adding: ‘The palate is smooth and velvety and the finish is long.’

£18.02 Carson Wines

Trefethen, Dragon's Tooth 2016, California, USA

Gold medal winner

‘A sense of harmony’ characterised this worthy Gold medal winner, as Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn explained: ‘The dense black fruits are in balance with the vanilla and oak and the fruit finishes clean and with great length.’ ‘Caramelised pork belly with Chinese five spice’ was her lip-smacking food pairing. ‘A mesmerising style,’ said Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains, adding: ‘It’s a wine of complexity and balance, with great potential.’

£25.17 Daniel Lambert Wines

Sur Valles, Santa Alba, Grand Reserve, Carmenère/Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

This wine reminded Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn of ‘hedgerows, berries and summer fruits’, and she enjoyed its ‘big tannins, balanced with its warmth, fresh berries and a touch of oak’.

£9.50 Survalles

Lapostolle, Vigno, Carignan 2016, Maule Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Team leader Christopher Cooper enjoyed the ‘nice, dark forest fruits with a touch of red pepper and roasted herbs’, adding: ‘This feels powerful and poised.’

£14.47 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Fox Gordon, The Dark Prince, Nero d'Avola 2017, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘Lavender, pine and eucalyptus’ were the dominant aromas in this exotic Silver medal winner for team leader Carlos Ferreira. He also found ‘black and red fruits’, and on the palate thought the wine was ‘very well balanced with freshness, a good acidity, and soft tannins’.

£15.49 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

El Porvenir de Cafayate, Amauta Absoluto, Tannat 2018, Cafayate Valley, Argentina

Silver medal winner

Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse described ‘cassis, blueberry and black cherry’ notes, and thought it had ‘plum notes, sweet spices and extended powerful intensity on the finish’.

£7.65 Boutinot

Chalk Hill, Barbera 2018, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘Wow, this wine is so fresh on the nose,’ began team leader Carlos Ferreira, going on to describe a wine ‘with lots of strawberries and cherries, with roses and vanilla on the palate, and a very fruity and elegant finish’.

£13.80 Matthew Clark

Heirloom, Touriga 2017, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘An enjoyable wine,’ said Bianca Potenza of the Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam, which she found to be ‘slightly jammy, earthy with spicy black pepper and a defined freshness of the blend’.

£36.73 Heirloom Vineyards

Bogle, Phantom 2014, California, USA

Silver medal winner

Team leader Andres Ituarte described ‘dense blueberry and blackberry jams’ and found ‘lots of oak and vanilla, yet balanced with some wet stone mineral notes’. It was, he thought, a ‘very good wine for the price’.

£16.92 Enotria&Coe

Cannonball, Angels and Cowboys, Proprietary Red 2016, California, USA

Silver medal winner

‘On the nose there’s black fruits, with some paprika, leather and white mushrooms,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, adding that ‘on the palate it’s very spicy with dense black fruit juice, with a medium length’.

£15.50 Enotria&Coe

Viña Requingua, Toro de Piedra, Petit Verdot/Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Curicó Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Easy drinking and not too overwhelming’ was how Bianca Potenza of the Bluespoon Andaz Hotel -Amsterdam described this Bronze medallist, adding: ‘With its pure black fruits the wine is elegant, pure and subtle.’

£9.85 Survalles

Kingston Estate, Echelon, Petit Verdot 2012, Riverland, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Poppy seed and tomato leaf aromas,’ noted Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan of this charming Bronze medal winner. ‘With fruits of the forest, the wine is warm yet assured,’ he added.

£14.14 House of Townend

Some Young Punks, The Squid's Fist, Sangiovese/Shiraz 2017, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

For Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn this wine had ‘green menthol notes with interesting savoury/animal flavours’ and she described it as ‘an enjoyable wine’.

£13.54 Bibendum

Zonte's Footstep, Canto di Lago 2017, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira found ‘black fruits and white spices, leather and tobacco’ on the nose, and described a wine with ‘chocolate, mint, some green notes and with the fruits still ready to go’.

£11.48 Zonte's Footstep

Trimboli, Black Duck Durif 2018, New South Wales, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Bubble gum on the nose with cherries and strawberries on the palate’ is how team leader Carlos Ferreira described this ‘full-bodied yet intensely black-fruited’ wine.

£6.05 Laithwaite's Wine

Asara, Vineyard Collection, Cape Fusion 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains described this Bronze medallist as ‘restrained yet savoury, almost meaty in texture, yet with fresh and busy green flavours’.

£11.02 Asara Wine Estate & Hotel

Viña Requingua, Toro de Piedra, Carignan 2016, Maule Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£9.85 Survalles

Fox Gordon, By George, Tempranillo 2017, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Humberto Canale, Barzi-Canale 2015, Patagonia, Argentina

Commended medal winner

Giornata, Barbera 2016, Paso Robles, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£14.50 Boutinot

Garage Wine Co, Single Ferment, Cinsault 2016, Maule Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£13.96 Bibendum

Garage Wine Co, Single Ferment, Pais 2017, Maule Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£13.74 Bibendum

Chalk Hill, Grenache/Tempranillo 2018, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£12.69 Matthew Clark

Bodegas La Rosa, CXV, Red Blend 2016, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£34.00 Grupo Peñaflor

Chaffey Bros Wine Co, La Conquista!, Tempranillo/Garnacha/Graciano 2016, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£11.92 Enotria&Coe

Perdeberg, The Dry Land Collection, Joseph's Legacy 2015, Coastal Region, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£9.60 Boutinot

Piattelli Vineyards, Trinità 2016, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

Siegel, 1234 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£9.44 Carson Wines

Fram, Cinsault 2017, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£11.95 Enotria&Coe

Caliterra, Dstnto 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Caliterra, Edición Limitada A 2017, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£10.87 Hatch Mansfield

New World: Other White Varietals & Blends

Lismore, The Age of Grace, Viognier 2017, Western Cape, South Africa

Gold medal winner

‘Long, creamy and seductive,’ said team leader Andres Ituarte of this Gold-winning Viognier. Alan Bednarski of Texture agreed: ‘It’s rich, round and creamy, with sweet oak spices, while the palate has sweet round notes of brioche and French pastry, like apricot pie.’ ‘The nose is so exuberant!’ enthused team leader Laurent Richet MS, ‘with notes of peach, quince and apricot.’ Giorgio Scarsella of The Stafford noted ‘honeysuckle, acacia and camomile’, while Nut Tree Inn’s Sarah McKenzie loved the palate, describing it as ‘bursting with exotic fruits like pineapple and grapefruit’, and Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks suggested we drink it with ‘lobster with lemon and lime butter’.

£16.17 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Haute Cabrière, Chardonnay/Pinot Noir 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Gold medal winner

This great-value Gold stood out for judges with its ‘fragrant notes of hyacinth and wet stone minerality’, according to team leader Martin Lam, while Shane McHugh of Adam Handling was impressed by its ‘nice weight, good length and balance’, adding that it was ‘very well made’. Cliveden House’s Francisco Macedo found ‘lots of complexity, with stone fruit notes’, while Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants described it as ‘easy going, and a real crowd pleaser’.

£7.19 Hard To Find Wines

Chaffey Bros Wine Co, Kontrapunkt, Kerner 2017, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

‘Very elegant’ was Juan Manuel Marcos Perez of The Gilbert Scott’s first impression on encountering this impressive Gold-worthy wine, further describing ‘stone fruit like peaches, pineapple and mango, with a slight influence of oak’, while Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair noted ‘a creamy, smoky, vanilla aroma with elderflower and tropical fruit’. Team leader Laurent Richet MS was reminded of ‘key lime pie’, and found it ‘pure, bright and intense’, saying it would be ideal alongside ‘sweet and sour pork with pak choi and steamed vegetables’.

£12.92 Enotria&Coe

Asara, Vineyard Collection, Cape White Blend 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Gold medal winner

This had everything it needed to take home Gold, with ‘passion fruit and caramelised pineapple, and a full, rich and sweetly spiced palate’, according to New Street Warehouse’s Tanguy Martin, while Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall described it as ‘a complex wine with apricot scent on the nose, as well as a good dose of buttery oak’. This all made it ‘a wine for rich fish or pork dishes’, thought team leader Charlie Young.

£11.02 Asara Wine Estate & Hotel

Fox Gordon, Princess, Fiano 2016, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘The colour has a vibrant lemon hue and the nose is very floral, also carrying these citrus lemon notes. The palate has honeyed flavours of candied pear, stone fruit and lychee with a touch of residual sugar,’ said Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles.

£15.49 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Left Field, Albariño 2018, Gisborne, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

‘The wine gives up melon and white peach aromas,’ said team leader Charlie Young, and ‘has a clean and light feel with a savoury and mineral character which carries through to the crisp finish.’

£8.59 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Boutinot, The Underworld, Grenache Blanc 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘Good aromatic profile for the price (passion fruit and lemon peel) and from grapes that have had enough skin contact to bring texture and a pleasing bitter, fresh finish,’ said Street XO’s Raphael Thierry.

£6.95 Boutinot

Boutinot, The Tea Leaf 2017, Piekenierskloof, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘Very smoky aromatics with tropical fruits and notes of vanilla,’ said Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair. ‘Certainly a rich wine,’ added Raphael Thierry of Street XO, ‘but with enough fruit to stand the fairly heavy oak used here. Nice flavours of butterscotch, but finishes fresh.’

£9.55 Boutinot

Boutinot, Strange Bru, Fernao Pires 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘A nice, soft nose of citrus fruit and orange peel lead to a more stone fruit palate with notes of ripe peach. Feels like there’s Chardonnay in the mix… Either way, it’s well made, good value and would make a nice house wine,’ thought consultant Ian Howard.

£7.50 Boutinot

Te Kano, Blanc de Noir 2017, Central Otago, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

For Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles this had ‘flinty and mineral notes on the nose, like wet slate’, then ‘opens up to more tropical flavours like pineapple’. ‘There’s good concentration on the palate, which is kept in check with a refreshing acidity, through to the finish,’ he added.

£13.22 Davy's Wine Merchants

Shirayuri Winery, L’Orient, Katsunuma, Koshu 2017, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

Silver medal winner

Melania Battiston of 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen found a ‘pungent nose of lily, asparagus and pears, with tart lime juice on the palate’, while for team leader Tom Forrest there were ‘dry, nutty, almond notes, reminiscent of a fino sherry’.

£20.00 SHIRAYURI WINERY

Zonte's Footstep, Lady Marmalade, Vermentino 2018, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘Nice subtle notes of salinity, like sea air, lead to white pear fruit and a crisp finish with medium length,’ said team leader Jan Konetzki. ‘Nicely textured and balanced with a persistent finish,’ added Street XO’s Raphael Thierry.

£10.00 Zonte's Footstep

Peacock's Tail, Vermentino 2017, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘Pale colour with a wide open, inviting nose of fresh apple and peach,’ began Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall, adding: ‘The palate is strongly flavoured with melon and a lingering lime zest finish.’

£7.00 Zonte's Footstep

Spinifex, Lola, White 2017, Barossa, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Some oak and nuttiness on the nose,’ said team leader Charlie Young, continuing: ‘There’s plenty of character and good intensity on the palate. Again, nuttiness and elegant acidity are notable here and the finish is good.’

£16.35 Bibendum

Saint Clair, Origin, Viognier 2017, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Bronze medal winner

This had a ‘good nose of nectarine and yellow spring flowers’, according to Pasquale Moschettieri of Benares Restaurant & Bar, with ‘a touch of vanilla and ripe stone fruit with good balance’.

£12.22 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Kaiken, Terroir Series, Torrontés 2018, Salta, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

‘An intensely floral example of Torrontés,’ began Cliveden House’s Sean Arthur, with ‘notes of fresh Sicilian lemon zest, lychee and juicy white grape. The wine finishes with a long satisfying finish.’

£8.07 Liberty Wines

Amalaya, Torrontés/Riesling 2018, Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

‘Vibrant and aromatic, the nose is engaging and pleasing,’ began New Street Warehouse’s Tanguy Martin, adding: ‘Overall, this is an engaging wine with lovely, grapey, exotic, floral flavours that charmed everyone.’

£7.87 Liberty Wines

Siegel, Gran Reserva, Viognier 2018, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston found ‘stone fruit and yellow flowers with lime hints on the nose and a tropical fruit palate’ and thought it was ‘well balanced, with a fresh mineral, aromatic finish’, describing it as ‘very food friendly’.

£9.44 Carson Wines

Between Five Bells, White Blend 2018, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

Deakin Estate, Viognier 2018, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

David Traeger, Maranoa, Verdelho 2013, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

£11.72 Top Selection

Massican, Annia 2017, Napa Valley, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£25.00 Wine Source UK

Olifantsberg, Grenache Blanc 2016, Breedekloof, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Esk Valley, Verdelho 2018, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

Emiliana, Adobe, Reserva, Gewürztraminer 2018, Rapel Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£6.70 Boutinot

Emiliana, Signos de Origen, La Vinilla, Chardonnay/Viognier/Marsanne/Roussanne 2017, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£10.00 Boutinot

Robert Oatley, Hancock & Hancock, Fiano 2018, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Salentein, Osado, Malbec Blanco 2018, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£8.73 Matthew Clark

Chaffey Bros Wine Co, Düfte Punkt, Riesling/Gewürztraminer/Kerner 2017, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£11.92 Enotria&Coe

Stratus, White 2015, Niagara Peninsula, Canada

Commended medal winner

£23.51 Bibendum

M/S, Akluj, Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Mahārāshtra, India

Commended medal winner

£9.77 Liberty Wines

Berton Vineyard, Winemaker's Reserve, Viognier 2018, New South Wales, Australia

Commended medal winner

Gnarly Head, Viognier 2016, Lodi, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£11.12 Bancroft Wines

Org De Rac, Die Waghuis 2017, Swartland, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£11.77 Amathus

Casarena, Winemaker's Selection, Torrontes 2018, Salta, Argentina

Commended medal winner

D’Arenberg, The Money Spider, Roussanne 2017, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£10.65 Enotria&Coe

New World: Pinot Gris

Jarrah Wood, Pinot Grigio 2015, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

Awarding a Gold medal, team leader Andres Ituarte suggested this ‘would be perfect for prawns and oysters’. Nut Tree Inn’s Sarah McKenzie thought ‘mango and papaya salad with a hint of chilli’ would make a good match, while team leader Nigel Lister suggested its great value would make it an ideal wine to be poured by the glass and praised its ‘Gala melon nose and very juicy, ripe stone fruit palate’. For Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, the ‘grapefruit and ripe nectarine flavours’ were balanced with ‘a nice mineral note and a suprisingly long finish’.

£6.25 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Peregrine Wines, Pinot Gris 2017, Central Otago, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

Awarding this zesty, fresh and versatile wine a Gold medal, team leader Nigel Lister admired its ‘floral, spicy, citrussy nose’, finding it ‘very elegant with lovely ripe fruit – it’s both refreshing and textured; it’s very good’. Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan described it as ‘bright and perfumed, with kumquat, orange and grapefruit’, adding: ‘The palate is zesty, fresh and oily and it’s incisive, with a fine, juicy finish.’ ‘It reminds me of a spring day!’ said Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, ‘it’s so very floral with fresh herbs, elderflower and apples.’ ‘Would be a great match for brill with fennel,’ suggested Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks.

£15.98 Enotria&Coe

Ceres, Swansong, Pinot Gris 2018, Bannockburn, Central Otago, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

Team leader Nigel Lister described a ‘pithy, grapefruit aroma with honeyed notes to soften. There’s a touch of grapefruit bitterness across the palate and a touch of saffron; overall though the feel is one of elegance.’

£15.82 Matthew Clark

Zonte's Footstep, Shades Of Gris 2018, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Team leader Nigel Lister described a ‘peach and apricot nose’ and a ‘juicy, fleshy, well-balanced palate with bright citrus acidity’, and thought it was ‘good value’. For Michael Harrison of CuVée VIII it had a ‘bon bon anglais nose and simple, balanced fruity palate’, while Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group picked up ‘tomato leaf and capsicum’ and thought it was ‘fresh and vibrant’.

£7.00 Zonte's Footstep

Urlar, Pinot Gris 2016, Wairarapa, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

Michael Harrison of CuVée VIII described a ‘pearlescent, pale gold colour with a honeysuckle nose; there are candied fruits with good length and a textured mouthfeel’. ‘Floral and honeyed with notes of peach and apricot,’ added Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group.

£11.89 Enotria&Coe

Babich, Pinot Gris 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Bronze medal winner

Michael Harrison of CuVée VIII noted a ‘modern style, with cool fermentation, an aromatic, sherbet lemon nose and a lovely texture across the palate, a touch of oak, and with good acidity to maintain freshness’.

£9.73 Babich Wines Ltd

A To Z Wineworks, Pinot Gris 2017, Oregon, USA

Commended medal winner

£14.05 Bibendum

Mount Langi Ghiran, Billi Billi, Pinot Grigio 2017, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

£9.32 Bibendum

Elk Cove Vineyards, Pinot Gris 2017, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Commended medal winner

£11.00 Amathus

Lanchester Wines, Vintrigue, Pinot Gris 2016, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

New World: Pinot Noir, Australia

Tolpuddle, Pinot Noir 2017, Tasmania, Australia

Gold medal winner

There was praise all round for this Gold medal winner, with Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks calling it a ‘well-made wine which is beautifully balanced’, while Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club echoed these sentiments, saying: ‘It’s very well made with eucalyptus aromatics over a cherry and plum, savoury palate.’ Team leader Andres Ituarte thought it was ‘delicious now but will certainly age’, before suggesting that it ‘would be perfect with wild boar and Brussel sprouts’.

£36.02 Liberty Wines

Sidewood, 777, Pinot Noir 2017, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

Delicacy and refinement seemed to be the watchwords for this aromatic, Gold medal-winning Pinot Noir. ‘This has such a lovely smoky nose with notes of bacon and tarragon,’ said Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks, adding: ‘There’s real depth to the wild strawberry fruit, but it’s the meaty flavours that suggest a pigeon and fois gras match.’ ‘There’s beautifully lifted strawberry and raspberry aromas,’ said The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia, ‘plus there’s a touch of tea tree oil leading to a fresh minty finish.’ ‘The palate is so elegant,’ added Nut Tree Inn’s Sarah McKenzie, ‘and I really like the finish.’

£14.22 Davy's Wine Merchants

Ocean Eight, Pinot Noir 2015, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

Gold medal winner

Complex, funky and interesting were some of the adjectives used to describe this brilliant Gold medal winner, with Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House enjoying the ‘nicely dirty and funky nose’, and adding: ‘This is punchy, with crunchy cherry fruit and real interest and complexity; very clever wine making.’ Team leader Nigel Lister agreed, appreciating the ‘sweet, farmyard nose, plump, cushiony ripe fruit and skilful wine making’, suggesting it would be a great match for game. For Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club the nose was ‘a complex mix of cherry blossom, spice and earth’, which led to ‘soft, fleshy fruit across a wonderfully balanced palate’.

£25.83 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Paringa Estate, Peninsula, Pinot Noir 2017, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

Silver medal winner

Team leader Andres Ituarte thought this had a ‘kirsch-like, cough syrup note, yet was bright and fresh on the nose’. He went on to describe palate that was ‘well integrated with oak and just enough stemmy herbaceous character’.

£21.59 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Josef Chromy, Pinot Noir 2016, Tasmania, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘Super-ripe… with strawberries, cherries and vanilla chantilly cream,’ said Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club, ‘yet it has a super soft roundness of palate.’

£17.40 Bibendum

Kooyong, Massale, Pinot Noir 2017, Victoria, Australia

Silver medal winner

Nielo Pinto of Candlesticks thought this Silver medal-winning wine had ‘notes of earth with a note of truffle and balsamic’, with ‘hay, coffee and nuts’ on the mid-palate.

£16.38 Enotria&Coe

Lethbridge, Menage a Noir, Pinot Noir 2017, Geelong, Australia

Bronze medal winner

Michael Fiducia from The Royal Automobile Club picked up ‘eucalyptus and red cherry aromas’ in this Bronze medal-winning wine, and praised its ‘soft and savoury palate’.

£16.54 Berkmann Wine Cellars

La La Land, Pinot Noir 2018, Victoria, Australia

Bronze medal winner

For team leader Andres Ituarte this well-priced Bronze medallist offered a sweeter style, with ‘cinnamon, confit, candied fruit, marshmallow and candy floss’.

£6.54 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Rob Dolan, White Label, Pinot Noir 2017, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia

Bronze medal winner

Nielo Pinto of Candlesticks thought this Bronze medal winner had ‘lighter notes of bay leaves and nuts’, plus ‘a touch of sweetness and menthol tones to balance the fruit’.

£16.75 Rob Dolan Wines

Shaw & Smith, Pinot Noir 2018, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£20.92 Liberty Wines

Yering Station, Village, Pinot Noir 2017, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

£13.89 Bibendum

Heirloom, Velvet Fog, Pinot Noir 2017, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Stonier, Pinot Noir 2016, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

£14.31 Matthew Clark

New World: Pinot Noir, Chile

Santa Rita, Gran Hacienda, Pinot Noir 2017, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

For Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine this was a clear Gold winner that had a very definite place on the list. Praising its judicious balance of oak and ripe fruit he said: ‘This style is so on trend, it would be perfect for a gastropub, and would fill the Pinot Noir gap very well.’ Sonal Clare of Purnell’s Restaurant agreed, adding that its ‘seductive, deep, ripe fruits and rosemary hints’ would make it a great match for ‘lamb chops and mint’.

£7.67 Bibendum

Boutinot, Sierra Grande, Pinot Noir 2017, Central Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Black cherries and rather aromatic,’ began team leader Martin Lam, describing a wine with ‘well-integrated oak that’s balanced with its pronounced bitterness on the finish’.

£6.50 Boutinot

Santa Rita, Medalla Real, Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir 2016, Leyda Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine found ‘bold red fruits’ in this Silver medal-winning wine, as well as ‘leather, herbs, spiciness, parsley and sweet cherry pie flavours on the palate’.

£11.60 Santa Rita Estates UK

Chocalan, Origen, Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir 2017, San Antonio Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

Carolina W Seibel of Moio Restaurant found ‘rose bush flower, cranberry and orange’ aromas in this wine, and thought it had ‘refreshing and delicate character and length’.

£24.98 Viña Chocalán

Lapostolle, Cuvée Alexandre, Pinot Noir 2015, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

Sonal Clare of Purnell’s Restaurant enjoyed this Bronze medal-winning wine’s ‘plum and fresh fruit character, with its fresh, dark spiciness and gamey length’.

£11.97 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Morandé, Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir 2017, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

For Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine this wine had a ‘fresh and bright nose and appearance’, and he was impressed by its ‘cherry, bubble gum flavours’.

£9.89 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Emiliana, Adobe, Reserva, Pinot Noir 2017, Bío Bío Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£6.70 Boutinot

Carmen, Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir 2016, Leyda Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

7 Colores, Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir/Semillon 2016, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£7.33 7 Colores

Leyda, Single Vineyard, Las Brisas 2017, Leyda Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£12.17 Enotria&Coe

New World: Pinot Noir, New Zealand

Foley Family Vineyards, Vavasour, Pinot Noir 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

Happy to award a Gold medal, Christopher Delalonde MS of The Dorchester described an ‘intense and juicy palate with sweet, ripe fruit but that’s held together with a great tension throughout’. Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants agreed, saying: ‘The silky tannins are working alongside the crisp acidity brilliantly.’ The aromatics appealed to Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant, who noted ‘violets, rose and lavender’, while for Melody Wong of The Mandrake the wine was simply ‘charming’.

£12.96 Matthew Clark

Burn Cottage, Moonlight Race, Pinot Noir 2015, Central Otago, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

‘This is so well made,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira as he awarded a Gold medal, picking out its aromatic ‘red fruit elegance with roses and mint’ and praising the ‘great balance, fresh fruits and long finish’. His sentiments were echoed by fellow team leader Andres Ituarte, who wrote: ‘This is really good wine’, admiring the ‘earthy, leafy character’, the ‘soft currant fruit’ and the ‘lightly grippy finish’.

£24.02 Liberty Wines

Akarua, Pinot Noir 2017, Central Otago, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

Awarding a Gold medal, team leader Andres Ituarte simply said: ‘This is what Otago Pinot should be.’ And it seemed that all who tasted the wine agreed. Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant loved the ‘pronounced mushroom nose’ with notes of ‘smoke, liquorice and sweet spices’, and praised it for its ‘outstanding fruit intensity that remains so elegant’. Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair described ‘a succulent and sumptuous wine with plum, cherry and black fruit complexity’, while James Fryer of Woodhead 17 found ‘some serious stuffing with smoky bacon fat and morello cherry’ and a ‘super, soft, velvety finish’.

£21.37 Liberty Wines

Prophet's Rock, Home Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2014, Central Otago, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

Complex aromatics and a beautifully balanced palate made this wine an easy Gold medal winner. ‘A top nose,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, describing ‘notes of leather, tobacco and dried red and black fruits, with hints of vanilla’. ‘The palate is also very well made with lots of fruit, while the acidity and balance of the finish is excellent… Pinot Noir for any white meat,’ he concluded. ‘Opulent,’ said Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club. ‘Beautiful, strong, yet delicate,’ added Corina Stanila of La Dame de Pic at Ten Trinity Square.

£27.74 Bibendum

Peregrine Wines, Pinot Noir 2014, Central Otago, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

A clear Gold medal winner, Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants praised this Pinot’s ‘lovely nose of spice and rich fruit’, adding: ‘The palate is fresh with deep, dark fruit and the lovely texture glides you towards a long finish with great complexity. This will age, too.’ Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair also praised the complexity and balance of the wine, picking out aromatics that included ‘tobacco, farmyard earthiness, grass, spicy cinnamon and leather’. Summing up, team leader Martin Lam, simply said: ‘It’s very serious, complex and long.’

£21.65 Enotria&Coe

Akitu, A2, Pinot Noir 2016, Central Otago, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

‘A predominantly smoky wine with aromatic notes of dark cherries and earth,’ said James Fryer of Woodhead 17, adding: ‘Velvety fruit flavours give way to morello, pepper, pleasant leafy flavours and a distinctive pot pourri finish.’

£20.00 Mentzendorff & Co

Mahi, Pinot Noir 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

‘Dry, fruity and juicy’ were the initial thoughts of Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair, and she went on to say: ‘Strawberries and raspberries dominate a palate with medium acidity and tannin.’

£16.15 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Sileni, Greyrock, Pinot Noir 2015, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant commented on the ‘pronounced nose’ of this wine, describing it as ‘perfumed with red fruits, cranberries and hints of smoke, yet with a palate of forest floor and a refreshing acidity’.

£6.48 Boutinot

Te Kano, Pinot Noir 2017, Central Otago, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

This was liked by all, and loved by team leader Carlos Ferreira, who found it to have a distinctive flavour of ‘dry roses, mint and red fruits’ as well as ‘balance with grippy tannins’ and ‘fresh and clean’ length.

£23.07 Davy's Wine Merchants

Saint Clair, Tutu Block 26, Pinot Noir 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

‘With a mushroomy, cherry nose, this wine does not disappoint, with its black cherry palate, balanced with clove, and a long juicy black fruit length,’ said James Fryer of Woodhead 17.

£17.96 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Giesen, Small Batch, Pinot Noir 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

It was the ‘subtle, clay earth nose’ that drew James Fryer of Woodhead 17 to this wine, and he went on to note: ‘Subtle fruits give way to a velvety black cherry and morello mid-palate, with cloves and spice present on the length.’

£15.02 Bibendum

Huia, Pinot Noir 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira found ‘red plums, cherries and vanilla on the nose’ of this Silver medal-winning wine, and described ‘a very fresh palate with fruits that are very well present, and a very good acidity’.

£18.44 Bibendum

Carrick, Unravelled, Pinot Noir 2017, Central Otago, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair loved the ‘simplicity’ of this wine, with its ‘elegant dry characters of red fruits, notably raspberries and cherries, but with some blackberries and a bit of earthiness in the end of the palate’.

£13.98 Enotria&Coe

Foley Family Vineyards, Te Kairanga, Pinot Noir 2017, Martinborough, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

‘A dry wine with good balance between the tannins,’ began Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair, ‘with a good body, nice acidity and balanced alcohol’.

£17.39 Matthew Clark

Ceres, Composition, Pinot Noir 2017, Bannockburn, Central Otago, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£20.19 Matthew Clark

Babich, Pinot Noir 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

Coopers Creek, Pinot Noir 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

Mount Brown, Pinot Noir 2017, Waipara , New Zealand

Commended medal winner

Wild Earth, Pinot Noir 2016, Central Otago, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£16.82 Liberty Wines

Tinpot Hut, Pinot Noir 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£13.82 Liberty Wines

Giesen, Ara, Resolute, Pinot Noir 2015, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£25.56 Bibendum

Giesen, Ara, Single Estate, Pinot Noir 2015, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£12.62 Bibendum

Peregrine Wines, Mohua, Pinot Noir 2015, Central Otago, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£13.81 Enotria&Coe

Urlar, Pinot Noir 2017, Wairarapa, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£14.22 Enotria&Coe

New World: Pinot Noir, Rest of the New World

Haute Cabrière, Reserve, Pinot Noir 2015, Franschhoek, South Africa

Gold medal winner

Awarding a deserved Gold medal, Immacolata Cannavo of Hakkasan Mayfair praised the ‘fantastic palate of strawberry, dried herbs and spicy oak’, which showed ‘nice complexity’ and was ‘very good value for money’. Both team leader Lionel Periner and Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche noted that it had ‘good structure’ and both suggested matching it with a dish of ‘roast lamb with rosemary or thyme’. New Street Warehouse’s Tanguy Martin described it as ‘a lovely wine’ with ‘a charming nose… just a great example of South African Pinot Noir’.

£11.32 Hard To Find Wines

Norton, Altura, Pinot Noir 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

Immacolata Cannavo of Hakkasan Mayfair found ‘strawberries, spice, pepper, violets and floral essences’, and described this Silver medal-winning wine as ‘soft, supple and balanced with its tannins’.

£12.75 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Boschendal, Appelation Series, Elgin Pinot Noir 2016, Elgin, South Africa

Silver medal winner

Team leader Lionel Periner was impressed by this Silver medal winner’s ‘delicate light aromas’, and described the palate as ‘dry with a good structure, yet a delicate lighter finish with well-integrated tannins’.

£22.65 DGB Europe Ltd

Creation, Reserve, Pinot Noir 2016, Walker Bay, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘With a nose of red cherries and dark plums, this spicy wine has well-integrated tannins with a really good length,’ thought Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group.

£25.87 Bibendum

Bemberg, La Linterna, Pinot Noir 2013, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group described this as ‘spicy and peppery’ with ‘leathery and dark fruits on the nose’. She found the palate ‘fresh, with silky tannins and well-integrated fruits’.

£49.39 Top Selection

Casa Valduga, Identidade, Pinot Noir 2017, Encruzilhada do Sul, Brazil

Bronze medal winner

‘The nose is full of yeast notes of bread, with a hint of chocolate and smoke on the palate, as well,’ said Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group.

£9.98 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Lismore, Pinot Noir 2017, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Creation, Pinot Noir 2017, Walker Bay, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£19.46 Bibendum

New World: Pinot Noir, USA & Canada

Walter Hansel, South Slope, Pinot Noir 2016, Russian River Valley, California, USA

Gold medal winner

Balance and concentration seemed to be the buzz words around this Gold medal winner, with team leader Charlie Young describing ‘dark spices lifting to a ripe but well-layered palate’ and ‘great fruit definition and superbly judged oak ageing’. Beatrice Bessi of 67 Pall Mall loved the balance of ‘tart red fruits with savoury spice and herbs, like sage and rosemary’, adding: ‘This still has a long life ahead of it but is drinking now.’ For Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan this wine was a balance of contrasts with ‘spiced cherry and orange zest, coated in chocolate’ balancing with ‘meaty, savoury, oak spiced ripe fruits’.

£31.92 Bibendum

Calera, Pinot Noir 2016, California, USA

Gold medal winner

‘This is beautifully put together,’ said team leader Charlie Young of this Gold Lister, adding: ‘There’s real life and energy here; it’s not too sweet with its raspberry and spice, and it’s beautifully put together.’ ‘The palate really dances between the lovely fruit and bright acidity,’ added Noble Rot’s Joshua Castle. For Beatrice Bessi of 67 Pall Mall it was ‘the layers of spice’ that intrigued, with ‘nutmeg, clove, cinnamon’ mingling with a ‘beetroot and bright berry finish’.

£23.55 Top Selection

Black Stallion, Pinot Noir 2017, Napa Valley, California, USA

Gold medal winner

Jose Luis Hernandez of Hakkasan was full of praise for this Gold medal-winning Pinot. ‘This has a very pleasant and appealing nose with elegant, floral notes of mint and spice,’ he said, adding: ‘There’s a hint of liquorice perhaps across a fresh silky palate, which is also full, savoury and meaty.’ ‘It’s a very refreshing yet complex glass of wine, with an elegant uplifted finish,’ thought Marco Marcuzzo of Aster Restaurant, while 67 Pall Mall’s Beatrice Bessi wanted to ‘pour this complex wine by the glass’ and match it with ‘pheasant and a cherry jus’.

£20.52 Bancroft Wines

Three Sticks, Price Family Estates, Pinot Noir 2017, California, USA

Gold medal winner

‘This has such a long finish,’ remarked Beatrice Bessi of 67 Pall Mall of this clear Gold medal winner, adding: ‘The nose brings red and black fruits along with rosemary, juniper and mint; while the palate has a fresh, lovely texture and full body.’ ‘It’s quite a big wine,’ said team leader Charlie Young, ‘with lots of juicy, sweet red fruit and spice but there’s also freshness and plenty of character and energy here, too.’ Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn agreed, finding ‘ripe fruit sweetness balanced with savoury notes and good weight and purity with freshness’.

£29.12 The Wine Treasury

A To Z Wineworks, Pinot Noir 2015, Oregon, USA

Silver medal winner

Beatrice Bessi of 67 Pall Mall loved this ‘foodie wine’, describing ‘layers of ripe red berries and liquorice, mint and cinnamon’. She found it ‘not only balanced, but finished with a very pleasant acidity’.

£17.78 Bibendum

Rex Hill, Pinot Noir 2016, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Silver medal winner

For team leader Charlie Young, this wine showed ‘spicy, dark aromas with ripe fruit and fairly rich, soft tannins… yet dry, with a big ripe finish’. His conclusion? ‘Great wine!’

£24.21 Bibendum

Norman Hardie, Pinot Noir 2016, Niagara Peninsula, Canada

Silver medal winner

‘Definitive berry aroma, this wine shows a presence of cedar, forest fruits and perfume,’ said Jose Luis Hernandez of Hakkasan, who also found it ‘fresh, with nice tannins and a lighter, delicate fruit finish’.

£24.02 Bibendum

Elk Cove Vineyards, Mount Richmond, Pinot Noir 2016, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Silver medal winner

This was a hit with Beatrice Bessi of 67 Pall Mall for its ‘freshness, spice and layers of fruits’. She went on to say: ‘Fresh berries were dominant throughout as the wine continued with its very youthful feel.’

£29.00 Amathus

Walter Hansel, Estate, Pinot Noir 2016, Russian River Valley, California, USA

Silver medal winner

‘The character is toasty and earthy, yet packed with rich ripe fruit,’ said Jose Luis Hernandez of Hakkasan, with ‘cherries dominating the mid-palate, resulting in a lively long finish.’

£30.20 Bibendum

Morgan, Twelve Clones, Pinot Noir 2016, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, USA

Silver medal winner

A firm favourite in the line-up for Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, who found notes of ‘rich cooked red and black fruits’ and thought it had ‘good balance and super velvety length’.

£25.07 Bibendum

MacMurray Estate Vineyards, Pinot Noir 2015, Central Coast, California, USA

Bronze medal winner

Jose Luis Hernandez of Hakkasan found ‘a bit of cedar, floral and savoury notes’ on the nose of this Bronze medallist, and ‘a ripe palate and a very juicy length’.

£13.64 Enotria&Coe

Quails' Gate, Pinot Noir 2016, Okanagan Valley, Canada

Commended medal winner

Joseph Phelps, Freestone Vineyards, Pinot Noir 2016, Sonoma Coast, California, USA

Commended medal winner

Pisoni, Lucia, Pinot Noir 2016, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, USA

Commended medal winner

Omero, Ribbon Ridge, Pinot Noir 2014, Oregon, USA

Commended medal winner

£28.11 Enotria&Coe

Omero, Willamette Valley, Pinot Noir 2016, Oregon, USA

Commended medal winner

£17.76 Enotria&Coe

Meiomi, Pinot Noir 2017, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£15.42 Matthew Clark

Eola Hills, Classic Oregon, Pinot Noir 2016, Oregon, USA

Commended medal winner

New World: Pinotage

Imbuko, Illusion, Pinotage 2017, Western Cape, South Africa

Gold medal winner

‘Great entry-level Pinotage,’ said team leader Lionel Periner, awarding this bottle its deserved Gold medal: ‘There’s good cooked fruit aromas and a smoky, meaty note, while the palate is full bodied and the tannins are smooth.’ ‘It’s very well made,’ said fellow team leader Andres Ituarte, adding that it was ‘nice and herbaceous and very good value’. The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia found ‘fresh, lifted aromas of morello cherry and warm Simnel cake spices, plus a rich, warming palate’, while Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair simply described a ‘nicely balanced wine, with soft tannins and gentle acidity’.

£6.39 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Spice Route, Pinotage 2017, Swartland, South Africa

Gold medal winner Food Match

‘Never in a million years would you know that this was Pinotage,’ said team leader Andres Ituarte of this splendid Gold medal winner, adding: ‘It’s very well made and concentrated and could definitely age; it’s very good.’ ‘It’s nicely perfumed,’ continued Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club, ‘with raspberry and sweet spice plus there’s complex fruit with an elegant finish.’ ‘So intensely spiced,’ said Paola Giraldo of Wiltons, ‘with ripe red fruit and plums and good rich tannins.’ Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection admired a nose of ‘plum, cinnamon and coffee beans’, adding: ‘This is spicy, well-balanced and long, perfect with grilled lamb chops with chocolate sauce and wine jus.’

£11.42 Liberty Wines

Spier, 21 Gables, Pinotage 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘Plum, dense forest fruits, chocolate and pepper spices on the nose, with good concentration of fruit, juicy, with exciting young tannins,’ said Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection of this Silver medallist.

£24.26 Bibendum , Walker & Wodehouse Wines

Perdeberg, The Dry Land Collection, Resolve, Pinotage 2015, Paarl, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘A concentrated nose of dark stone fruits, spices and cream,’ noted Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club. On the palate, he found the wine ‘more serious, with a well-structured grip and decent length’.

£9.45 Boutinot

MAN Family Wines, Bosstok, Pinotage 2017, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£7.20 Enotria&Coe

New World: Riesling

Quails' Gate, Dry Riesling 2017, Okanagan Valley, Canada

Gold medal winner

Team leader Hamish Anderson admired the ‘restrained, cool nose of lime cordial and flowers’ in this Gold-Listed Canadian Riesling, adding: ‘It has really good lime acidity that cuts through a textured palate, plus this one will develop.’ ‘There’s a great delivery of fleshy yet zippy fruit that leads to a freshness throughout,’ said Christopher Delalonde MS of The Dorchester, adding: ‘The taut yet limpid palate leads to a long, lemony finish’. ‘There’s an elegant petrol note, too, and I think this would make a great aperitif,’ said Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants.

£14.50 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Chateau Ste Michelle, Columbia Valley, Riesling 2017, Washington State, USA

Bronze medal winner

Alonso Abed of Hide Above picked up ‘notes of citrus, lime, fresh apple and orange peel’ and thought that this ‘off-dry wine possesses a long finish with great acidity’.

£9.45 Enotria&Coe

Charles Smith, Kung Fu Girl, Riesling 2017, Washington State, USA

Bronze medal winner

Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts noticed the ‘dominant floral aromatics’ of this Bronze medal-winning wine, and described it as ‘balanced with citrus and lime notes, yet revealing a simple yet clean lingering freshness’.

£12.70 Bibendum

Dr Konstantin Frank, Dry Riesling 2015, Finger Lakes, New York State, USA

Bronze medal winner

‘Tight, steely and intense,’ began team leader Hamish Anderson, adding ‘kiwi, lime and apple’ into the mix and summing it up as ‘very pure, simple and very pleasurable’.

£15.41 Matthew Clark

Nathan Kendall, Riesling 2016, Finger Lakes, New York State, USA

Commended medal winner

£21.30 Top Selection

Hartenberg, Riesling 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Peregrine Wines, Riesling 2016, Central Otago, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£15.98 Enotria&Coe

New World: Riesling, Australia

Clos Clare, Riesling 2017, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

Restrained elegance and refreshing minerality earned this a place on the Gold List, with Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts admiring the ‘delicate, floral nose, with its warm hints of ripe white peach’, adding: ‘The palate is well balanced and crisp with some stony minerality coming through and really good length.’ ‘Classy and balanced,’ thought Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse, while Guillaume Mahaut of ETM Group noted: ‘Restrained complexity with flowers and honey and soft acidity.’

£18.67 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Peter Lehmann, Wigan, Riesling 2013, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

For Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse this was an easy Gold Lister. Suggesting that it would be a great choice to pour by the glass, he described ‘a top-class Australian Riesling… this ticks all the boxes, with notes of lime, orange and grapefruit; there’s lovely evolution on the palate and a lingering finish’, before adding: ‘It’s exciting, value for money and would be a classy match with ceviche scallops, pomelo slices, and a lime and ginger dressing.’ Clearly a gastronomic wine, Michael Moore of The London Cookhouse upped the ante with ‘Dover sole’; while for team leader Nigel Lister, its classic aromatic notes of petrol and rubber, balanced with spiced pear and apple acidity suggested sushi.

£13.02 Liberty Wines

Petaluma, Hanlin Hill, Riesling 2016, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

Awarding a Gold medal, team leader Tom Forrest admired this wine’s ‘petrol-nosed minerality, with its distinct lemon pith and apple skin notes’, and its ‘spicy, honeyed palate’ tempered by ‘a laser-like acidity and a long, stony, mineral finish’. Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, meanwhile, found the wine ‘dry and smoky; rich and refreshing’, adding that the palate was ‘nutty and creamy, with almond and bready notes’. For Guillaume Mahaut of ETM Group the palate was full, with ‘apricot and orange’, and the nose brought ‘camomile, flowers and honey’.

£18.61 Matthew Clark

Allegory, Riesling 2017, Western Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

For Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts, this Silver medal-winning wine offered ‘orange zest and pineapple’, as well as a ‘warm and bright freshness on the palate, paired with a well-balanced acidity’.

£8.40 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Magpie Estate, Rag & Bone, Riesling 2018, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse described this wine as having a ‘soft, delicate palate’ and thought it ‘manages in a way to lighten the sweetness with fresh acidity’, describing it as ‘very well balanced’.

£8.90 Boutinot

Howard Park, Mount Barker, Riesling 2017, Western Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest loved the ‘balance between the lime and apple blossom higher notes of the aroma paired with the more petrolly mineral notes on the palate’, describing it as ‘a more saline Riesling yet with a refreshing lime zing towards the finish’.

£15.95 Enotria&Coe

Egon Muller, Kanta, Riesling 2015, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

For Alonso Abed of Hide Above this wine had ‘salty, petrol, lime and smoky notes’ and ‘a mouthfeel of stone fruit, white pepper, dry leaves, green fruit and a long mineral finish’.

£16.75 Top Selection

Josef Chromy, Delikat SGR, Riesling 2016, Tasmania, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Lighter mineral flavour, yet a definitive honey and apple nose,’ said team leader Tom Forrest, adding: ‘The honeyed character carries on through the palate with sugar levels balanced with fresh acidity.’

£13.68 Bibendum

Chaffey Bros Wine Co, Tripelpunkt, Riesling 2016, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

Tanguay Martin of New Street Warehouse enjoyed this wine’s ‘very classy nose of potato, lemongrass and lime’ and thought it had ‘a delicate palate that was round and easy-drinking’.

£11.92 Enotria&Coe

Langmeil, Wattle Brae, Riesling 2017, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Jim Barry, The Florita, Riesling 2016, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Mount Langi Ghiran, Billi Billi, Riesling 2015, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

£9.34 Bibendum

Chaffey Bros Wine Co, Not Your Grandma's Riesling 2017, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£9.92 Enotria&Coe

Dandelion Vineyards, Wonderland of the Eden Valley, Riesling 2018, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Heirloom, Riesling 2018, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

John Hughes Winery, Rieslingfreak No.5, Riesling 2018, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£13.49 Bibendum

New World: Sauvignon Blanc, Chile

Luis Felipe Edwards, Gran Reserva, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Leyda Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

For team leader Lionel Periner, this Gold Lister was simply ‘a classic Sauvignon’. Le Gavroche’s Rémi Cousin was not about to disagree; suggesting a match of tuna and scallop tartare, he praised the ‘superb aromas of clean fresh fruit, the hint of minerality and the refreshing palate’. Summing up, he said: ‘It’s clean, juicy and zesty, and simply calls for a second glass.’

£8.55 Matthew Clark

Sutil, Chono, Single Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Leyda Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

Awarding a Gold medal, team leader Martin Lam praised the wine’s ‘savoury, herbal nose’ and ‘good, bright palate of green herbs and cut grass’. For fellow team leader Lionel Periner, it called for a plate of ‘asparagus egg meurette’ to celebrate the ‘fresh, floral elegant aromas; the equally elegant citrussy palate and well-balanced long finish’.

£8.95 Ellis of Richmond

Felix Solis, Casa Vista, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

Offering more than just great value for money, this Gold Lister was praised by Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group for its ‘ample nose of gooseberry and citrus and its rich lemon and herb finish’. Corina Stanila of La Dame de Pic at Ten Trinity Square, meanwhile, admired its ‘simplicity and elegance’, praising its ‘beautiful exotic notes and crisp acidity’.

£6.16 Matthew Clark

Santa Rita, Floresta, Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Leyda Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

Not hesitating to award a Gold medal, team leader Lionel Periner praised ‘a palate full of flavour, with crisp green apple and ripe green olive’, while for Le Gavroche’s Rémi Cousin, the wine’s appeal was in its ‘round, soft and refreshing texture’. Immacolata Cannavo of Hakkasan Mayfair noted enticing aromas of ‘asparagus and gooseberry’ and ‘well-integrated acidity’, and thought it was ‘great value for money’.

£7.67 Bibendum

Chocalan, Reserva, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Maipo Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Team leader Lionel Periner scored this wine highly for its ‘fine, elegant nose of fresh grapefruit with a hint of minerality’. He described the palate as ‘dry, with balanced acidity and a medium to long finish’.

£17.93 Viña Chocalán

Emiliana, Novas, Gran Reserva, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, San Antonio Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Team leader Lionel Periner was attracted to the ‘primary aromas of lemon, vegetal notes and herbaceousness’ of this Silver medal-winning Sauvignon. He found the palate ‘dry and elegant’ and thought it had a ‘distinctly – yet pleasant – chalky finish’.

£7.70 Boutinot

Caliterra, Reserva, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Team leader Lionel Periner described this wine as ‘a nice glass of Sauvignon!’, which he found to be ‘typically refreshing, elegant and light’.

£6.59 Hatch Mansfield

Casas del Toqui, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group detected ‘smoky notes’ in this wine and a ‘red apple and almonds palate’, followed by a ‘refreshing long finish’.

£8.99 Frederic Robinson

Viña Requingua, Toro de Piedra, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Maule Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group thought this wine had ‘delicate notes of fresh bakery, thyme and floral aromas’ and described it as ‘rich’ and ‘yeasty’, with ‘a fresh creamy texture’.

£9.85 Survalles

Errazuriz, 1870, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group described a ‘nose of herbs and flowers that’s well-integrated with the citrus palate, possibly balanced by the saline character, with a reminder of fresh-cut grass and fresh asparagus’.

£8.13 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Haras de Pirque, Albaclara, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Maipo Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

For Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche this had ‘a lot of vegetal characters’. He considered it a ‘pleasant wine with high acidity and plenty of time to develop full maturity’.

£8.80 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Chocalan, Origen, Gran Reserva, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, San Antonio Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Classic Sauvignon aromas of lime and asparagus, with a light mouthwatering, lingering palate,’ said Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche of this worthy Bronze medal winner.

£9.10 D&V Wines

Alma de Chile, Reserva, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Boutinot, La Leyenda de Las Cruces, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Leyda Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£6.95 Boutinot

Luis Felipe Edwards, Marea, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Leyda Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£13.08 Matthew Clark

Santa Rita, Gran Hacienda, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£7.76 Bibendum

Outer Limits by Montes, Zapallar Coast, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£11.82 Liberty Wines

Valdivieso, Single Vineyard, Wild Ferment, Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Leyda Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£12.52 Bibendum

Siegel, Gran Reserva, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Leyda Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£9.44 Carson Wines

Pérez Cruz, Doña Mariana, Reserva, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Via Wines, Oveja Negra, Reserva, Sauvignon Blanc/Carmenère 2018, Maule Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Veramonte, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£8.61 Matthew Clark

Caliterra, Tributo, Single Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Leyda Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

New World: Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand

Whitehaven, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

Awarding Gold, team leader Jan Konetzki simply said: ‘This is very well made.’ He went on to describe the wine as ‘very aromatic and floral, with fine herbs and pretty fruit, plus a hint of salinity on the finish’. ‘This does the job,’ said Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains, suggesting it be matched with a ‘delicate white fish ceviche with grapefruit zest, garlic water and almonds’.

£12.50 E&J Gallo Winery

Saint Clair, Wairau Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

‘Very rich, opulent and powerful’ was how Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains described this worthy Gold medal winner. ‘This is complex and layered,’ said team leader Jan Konetzki, adding: ‘There’s herbs and lemon and apple fruit, with a gooseberry note that’s dry, fresh and energetic, plus it has very polished finish and good length.’

£18.25 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

Describing this Gold medal winner, Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains seemed to choose his words carefully: ‘This is quite delicate and subtle, it’s really quite refined… there’s a lovely, vivid acidity and hints of noble garden herbs: verbena and coriander.’ Going on to describe the palate, he found ‘grapefruit and silex minerality and iodine’. His food match was rather refined too, suggesting ‘oyster tartare with caviar, lime and verbena’.

£10.42 Liberty Wines

Tinpot Hut, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

Elevating this wine to a Gold medal, team leader Jan Konetzki praised its ‘savoury edge’ that lifted it above the competition and gave it ‘more character than just fruit’. Pointing to its ‘dry, fresh, citrus and lees flavours’, he also noted its aromatic ‘hoppy’ nose. For Prestonfield House’s Dave Cushley, however, it was the ‘lightness of touch’ that won him over, and he praised this ‘elegant, calm wine, with a finish that demands you return to the glass’.

£10.42 Liberty Wines

Sileni, Greyrock, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

For Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House this Silver medal winner had ‘a lightly pungent touch of freshness and gooseberry, with a mouth-filling richness, good acidity and pleasant long-lasting finish’.

£7.60 Boutinot

Kim Crawford, Spitfire, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

Team leader Jan Konetzki found ‘aromas of herbs, leek, chive and lemon peel, plus a nice floral and very herbaceous palate’. For Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House the wine had a ‘punchy nose, with strong fruit character and a rich, refreshingly dry and clean palate’.

£12.36 Liberty Wines

Willow's End, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

‘Floral, tropical and passion fruit aromas’ noted team leader Jan Konetski, with ‘lime’ and ‘crushed peas’ on a palate that was ‘firm and dry, with a round length’. ‘Well made!’ he concluded.

£8.40 Eurowines

Lanchester Wines, Nika Tiki, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains described this wine as ‘juicy, fresh and zesty, with a rich apple core, and a delicate gooseberry length’.

£6.99 Lanchester Wine Cellars

Babich, Black Label, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Bronze medal winner

Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House described this ‘classic Sauvignon’ as having ‘depth and maturity, yet with smoky tones running through it’.

£10.50 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Saint Clair, Origin, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Bronze medal winner

Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston considered this a classic Sauvignon with ‘citrus, mineral and grassy notes’, adding: ‘The medium palate is presented with a fresh yet oily finish, with a lingering delicate creaminess on the tongue.’

£12.22 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Peregrine Wines, Mohua, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Central Otago, New Zealand

Bronze medal winner

Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains thought this Sauvignon Blanc was ‘very grassy and very “expected’, but a great wine nonetheless’.

£9.92 Enotria&Coe

Babich, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

Coopers Creek, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

Boutinot, The Cloud Factory, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£7.05 Boutinot

Boutinot, Wanderlust, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£7.20 Boutinot

Mount Brown, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Waipara , New Zealand

Commended medal winner

Kelly Washington, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£15.22 Bibendum

Felix Solis, Pulpo, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£7.78 Matthew Clark

Giesen, Selection, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£9.40 Bibendum

Wither Hills, Kapuka, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£9.33 Wither Hills

Mack & Collie, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

Lanchester Wines, First Dawn 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

New World: Sauvignon Blanc, Rest of the New World

Tokara, Reserve Collection, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Elgin, South Africa

Gold medal winner Food Match

Another worthy Gold for the category, team leader Laura Rhys MS described this as ‘a classic South African style of Sauvignon Blanc’, and thought it would be ‘a good partner for springtime dishes with herbs’. Consultant Anja Breit, meanwhile, described it as ‘so well rounded and balanced’, adding: ‘The nose brings capsicum, bell pepper and fresh, soft herbs and the intense palate is very likeable.’ New Street Warehouse’s Tanguy Martin also thought it had great typicity, and was ‘very expressive, pleasant and refreshing; it’s your classic style’.

£11.12 Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies

MAN Family Wines, Warrelwind, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Gold medal winner

Happy to award a Gold medal, team leader Laura Rhys MS said: ‘This would be a lovely example to list by the glass; it’s made in a fresh, fruit-driven style and it’s great value for money.’ Consultant Anja Breit admired its ‘pure, aromatic, balanced exotic fruit’ that led to a ‘creamy palate’, adding: ‘There’s a nice chalky minerality, a sherbety acidity, but it’s well rounded and balanced too; good value.’ Clément Loubeyre of The Cross Kenilworth agreed, saying, ‘great wine for a pub, by the glass’.

£7.20 Enotria&Coe

Some Young Punks, Quickie!, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘A very classic style of Sauvignon Blanc,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS, describing it as ‘classically fresh, elegant and juicy, with higher notes of citrus and sherbet’.

£12.08 Bibendum

Casa Valduga, Raizes, Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Campanha, Brazil

Bronze medal winner

Consultant Anja Breit described this as a ‘terroir-driven style of wine, with lighter stoney fruit flavours’. With ‘high minerality and balanced acidity’, she thought is was ‘an unusual yet pleasing wine’.

£9.98 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Doña Paula, Paula, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Mendoza, Argentina

Bronze medal winner

Consultant Anja Breit described ‘a delicate nose of mint and nettles’ with ‘salty minerality backed up with a fairly simple citrus-driven length’.

£7.83 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Rietvallei, Estéanna, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Robertson, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

‘A riper style of Sauvignon with good weight on the palate,’ said Honami Matsumoto of House of Sake, ‘delicately flavoured with a good high acidity.’

£12.43 Rietvallei Wine Estate (Pty) Ltd

Kautz Winery, Drifting, Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Lodi, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£9.12 Matthew Clark

Imbuko, Fat Barrel, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Rikus Neethling, RNW, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Western Cape , South Africa

Commended medal winner

Journey's End, Weather Station, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£10.46 Bibendum

Zonte's Footstep, Excalibur, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

New World: Semillon & Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc

Mount Pleasant, Cellar Aged, Elizabeth, Semillon 2009, New South Wales, Australia

Gold medal winner

For team leader Angel Reddin this Gold medal winner offered ‘toast, lemon curd, a whiff of nutty oak and beeswax’ as well as a ‘slight spritz’, while Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club described it as ‘green-flecked gold with a generous nose of concentrated lime and oily characteristics’, with a ‘light petillance and opulent, oaked palate’. ‘Powerful, full and buttery with tropical fruit and a baked bread, new oak feel,’ thought Jim Bass of Scarlet Hotel, and Annamaria Juhasz of The Fat Duck noted: ‘The nose has a baked bread, yeasty character alongside yellow apples and green pears. It is bone dry, medium bodied and savoury, with a waxy texture. The palate mirrors the nose – lots of bread dough and green fruit.’ She further described it as ‘a good example of an ageing Semillon’.

£13.52 Enotria&Coe

Tokara, Director's Reserve, White 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Gold medal winner

It was the ‘hint of petrol and hot tarmac, lovely core of chunky fruit, fresh acidity and good intensity’ that elevated this to Gold for team leader Angela Reddin, while Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club was impressed by the ‘warming nose of ripe gooseberry, with lime undertones’ and the ‘nuances of ripe brioche within the creamy rich palate’, suggesting a match with ‘grilled prawns’. Anita Vighova of Manor House Hotel also thought it would be ‘great to match with food’, and The Fat Duck’s Annamaria Juhasz described it as an ‘excellent wine’ that ‘needs some creamy seafood’.

£15.45 Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies

Rikus Neethling, Bizoe, Henriëtta 2016, Franschhoek, South Africa

Silver medal winner

Team leader Angela Reddin found ‘an oxidative nose with toast, lemon curd and hedgerow flowers’ and described the palate as ‘clean and broad, quite beautiful and intense’. Meanwhile Stefano Barbarino of Chez Bruce Restaurant liked the ‘butter and saline finish that would match well with seabass or turbot’.

£15.31 Davy's Wine Merchants

Carmen, Quijada #1, Semillón 2017, Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Team leader Angela Reddin enjoyed the ‘shaved lemon nose with notes of hawthorn and a faint whiff of honey’, and said: ‘Languid at first, this gains power across the palate moving to very lovely elongated finish; will age.’ ‘Lovely with grilled fish or white meat,’ suggested Scarlet Hotel’s Jim Bass, while for Annamaria Juhasz of The Fat Duck it was ‘so interesting, a real talking point wine’.

£19.50 Viña Carmen

Peter Lehmann, Margaret, Semillon 2012, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£13.02 Liberty Wines

Henschke, Louis, Semillon 2015, South Australia , Australia

Commended medal winner

£16.23 Enotria&Coe

Elgin Vintners, The Century 2017, Elgin, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£18.00 Elgin Vintners

Madfish, Sauvignon/Semillon 2017, Western Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£11.95 Enotria&Coe

New World: Shiraz/Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre & Rhône Blends, Australia

Domaine Tournon, Shays Flat Vineyard, Shiraz 2015, Pyrenees, Australia

Gold medal winner

‘Great nose of sour cherry, black berry, mushroom and truffle,’ said Gian Giacomo Stella of Simpsons Restaurant, while Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles described a ‘richly stewed dark fruit palate a menthol and eucalyptus finish’.

£12.40 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Chateau Tanuda, Matthews Road, Shiraz 2016, Barossa, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

This remarkable Shiraz stood out for judges as ‘rich, full and concentrated, with dark chocolate and ripe, spicy tannins, and a long, leathery finish’, according to The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi, as it was rightly elevated to Gold. Team leader Jan Konetzski found ‘notes of plum, prune, violet and clove, plus cinnamon, cola and liquorice’, adding that it was ‘quite grippy, with good structure’. Aviary’s Aurore Anguenot thought its ‘vanilla spice and tannins’ made it ideal to accompany ‘a rib eye steak’.

£12.70 Bibendum

Mitolo, Jester, Shiraz 2016, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

Our judges had no reservations about awarding this Gold, with Benares Restaurant & Bar’s Filip Viorel, for example, finding it to be ‘elegant and soft, with a rich palate of prunes, blackberries and coffee, and with great acidity and tannin – overall a great wine’. Team leader Tom Forrest was similarly impressed, describing ‘spicy aromas with menthol, and some light medicinal notes, alongside ripe blackberry, leading to eucalyptus and some savoury notes too, like black pepper and chillies’.

£11.62 Liberty Wines

Chaffey Bros Wine Co, Synonymous, Shiraz 2016, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner Food Match

As Chaffey Bros added another Gold to its collection of medals, as well as a Food Match trophy, an impressed Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles described ‘cassis and menthol notes on the nose, leading to more cassis dominating the palate, with some nice gamey character coming through on the finish, which has notes of black tea, menthol and liquorice’. The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi, meanwhile, enjoyed notes of ‘tobacco, as well as sweet-and-savoury fruit compote’, finding it to have ‘good concentration and balance’.

£12.42 Enotria&Coe

Glaetzer, Wallace, Shiraz/Grenache 2016, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

‘Classic Aussie Shiraz,’ said consultant Ian Howard as this was awarded a well-deserved Gold medal. For Raphael Thierry of Street XO it was ‘complex and elegant’, while Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair praised it as ‘juicy and fruity, with notes of mint and chocolate’. Team leader Laurent Richet MS, finding notes of ‘cherry, prune and olive’, declared it ‘very versatile, and well suited for pairing with everything from mutton to game birds, and red meat too’.

£14.06 Enotria&Coe

Willunga 100, The Hundred Clarendon, Grenache 2017, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

Judges were taken with this Grenache’s atypical style, finding it to be undoubtedly deserving of Gold. Team leader Andres Ituarte spoke of ‘oyster shell and worn schist’, while Benares Restaurant & Bar’s Filip Viorel noted some ‘earthy, mushroom notes on the nose’. This was joined, for team leader Tom Forrest, by some ‘minty, medicinal and herbal aromas, as well as cherry and raspberry, with more cherry, ripe berry and some herbal, eucalyptus notes on the palate’.

£14.75 Liberty Wines

Dandelion Vineyards, Lionheart of the Barossa, Shiraz 2017, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

As an impressed team of judges awarded this a Gold medal, Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles described it as ‘richly plummy, with dark fruit and menthol aromas’, adding that it was ‘very concentrated, with a full mouthfeel and well-balanced tannin, with a good, spicy finish’. Francisco Macedo of Cliveden House enjoyed ‘black fruits and herbaceous notes, with really good acidity’, while The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi thought it ‘savoury and spiced, with a tapenade note’.

£10.50 Liberty Wines

Willunga 100, The Tithing, Grenache 2016, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

Judges didn’t hesitate in awarding this complex Grenache a Gold medal. Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains described ‘red fruit and blood orange notes, along with maqui berries, blueberries and white chocolate’, while team leader Tom Forrest found ‘eucalyptus, medicinal and herbal aromas’ that led to a ‘soft cherry palate with a herbal, peppery finish’. ‘A very drinkable wine,’ added an impressed Filip Viorel of Benares Restaurant & Bar.

£16.57 Liberty Wines

Dandelion Vineyards, Red Queen of the Eden Valley, Shiraz 2016, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

‘Layers of spice, cigar and tobacco leaf mingle with blackcurrant and cherry. Intense and concentrated with a well-balanced, vibrant acidity,’ said Diana Rollan of D&D, adding: ‘Perfect for roasted meat.’

£29.40 Liberty Wines

Henschke, Tappa Pass, Shiraz 2015, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

Judges were unanimous in their verdict of Gold for this top-end Shiraz, with Maze by Gordon Ramsay’s Gabriele Bertotti describing it as ‘elegant, with good fruit character’, while Elena Serban of Hakkasan found it to have ‘fresh, intense bright fruit with notes of clove and tar’. Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall thought it was ‘soft and juicy, with lots of hibiscus and notes of vanilla, with rich blueberries too, and a long, pleasant aftertaste’.

£48.23 Enotria&Coe

Zonte's Footstep, Lake Doctor, Shiraz 2017, Langhorne Creek, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

‘Bright, ripe raspberry and liquorice aromas. Good concentration on the palate with morello cherries, liquorice, spicy black pepper and hint of smoke. A lovely finish,’ said Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles.

£11.48 Zonte's Footstep

Henschke, Henry's Seven 2016, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

‘Bright, vibrant and fleshy,’ began The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi in praise of this SGV as it took home a well-deserved Gold, adding that it was ‘very juicy, with approachable tannins’. Team leader Jan Konetzki appreciated its notes of ‘honeycomb and milk chocolate’, while Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair described ‘pleasing smoky notes on the nose, leading to a long finish with notes of red and black berries’, praising its ‘great balance between alcohol, tannin and acidity’.

£19.61 Enotria&Coe

St Hallett, Butcher's Cart, Shiraz 2015, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles certainly liked this one: ‘Very pleasant wine with lovely spiced notes and an elegant intensity; this is a well-balanced wine for easy drinking.’

£15.12 Matthew Clark

Paringa Estate, Peninsula, Shiraz 2016, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

Silver medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira thought this wine had ‘a beautiful fruit-driven nose that carries to the palate’ and was ‘very well balanced with a long black fruit aftertaste’. ‘Cigar box and cedar wood notes,’ added Diana Rollan of D&D.

£19.89 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Chateau Tanunda, Newcastle, SGMCC 2015, Barossa, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘Bright red fruit aromas on the nose. This is full bodied, with well-defined red fruit flavours seasoned with salt and spice notes. Nicely put together,’ said team leader Charlie Young.

£11.32 Bibendum

Mount Langi Ghiran, Cliff Edge, Shiraz 2017, Victoria, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘A savoury, mineral, stony nose with prominent tannin and sweet red, fleshy fruit. It has an elegant finish with good ripe, fleshy texture,’ said team leader Charlie Young.

£14.48 Bibendum

Sidewood, Mappinga, Shiraz 2016, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘The nose is smoky with a touch of hemp too,’ thought Rockliffe Hall’s Daniel Jonberger, continuing: ‘A multitude of dark berry and spice blends with the soft oak and an intense, sensual finish. Very good.’

£25.47 Davy's Wine Merchants

Mitolo, GAM, Shiraz 2016, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘This is an intense and full-bodied example of a SGM,’ said Cliveden House’s Sean Arthur ‘Its complex palate shows deep red cherry, with notes of cigar box, wet tobacco and engaging use of oak. A really contemplative wine.’

£19.92 Liberty Wines

Fowles Wine, Ladies who Shoot their Lunch, Shiraz 2016, Victoria, Australia

Silver medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira thought this wine was ‘perfect for charcuterie’, adding: ‘The nose is fresh with blackberries and cherry, there are notes of smoky bacon and leather, too, but the palate is very well balanced with great acidity.’

£18.34 Enotria&Coe

Dandelion Vineyards, Menagerie of the Barossa, Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2017, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘This would work well on many lists,’ said consultant Ian Howard. ‘It has a really nice nose of parma violets and a very Grenache, red fruit palate. It has nicely balanced acid and is good value.’

£11.04 Liberty Wines

McWilliams, 660, Reserve, Shiraz 2015, New South Wales, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘Pronounced meaty nose. Very savoury with good concentration, rich and powerful,’ noted Matteo Cali of Savoy Grill, while for Virginia Fontò of La Trompette there were ‘fragrant notes of plum, raspberry, blueberry, chocolate and vanilla, with a smooth and soft palate’. She also thought it was ‘good value for money’.

£10.61 Enotria&Coe

Dandelion Vineyards, March Hare of the Barossa, Mataro 2016, Barossa, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘This seems very Syrah-heavy – very dense blackcurrant with white pepper,’ said Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair, continuing: ‘It has a beautiful purple colour, fairly high acid and the good structure that would make it great food wine.’

£31.08 Dandelion Vineyards

Heirloom, Shiraz 2017, Barossa, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles said: ‘The wine offers up cassis, leather and coffee on the nose; there’s great complexity here with stewed blackcurrant and eucalyptus on the palate with leathery notes. It’s full bodied and all very well integrated with smooth tannins, lovely fruit and a smoky finish.’

£12.83 Liberty Wines

Zonte's Footstep, Z Force 2016, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche noted: ‘Some lovely, jammy red fruit notes lifted by some good toasty aromas and a hint of mint. It’s very fresh on the palate and the huge body and structure remains clean and fresh on the finish.’

£20.33 Zonte's Footstep

D’Arenberg, The Footbolt, Shiraz 2016, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘Lots of big, rich aromas of cherry, blueberries and cassis on the nose,’ said Sexy Fish’s Julien Sahut, adding: ‘The palate is spicy with lots of clove and bay and the richly fruited, long and spicy finish is carried along by smooth tannins.’

£11.12 Enotria&Coe

Katnook Estate, Founder's Block, Shiraz 2016, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘The nose is spicy blackcurrant with a touch of reduction,’ said team leader Charlie Young, adding: ‘Some sweet and aromatic qualities on the palate and really nice texture, freshness and depth to the finish.’

£10.60 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Magpie Estate, The Black Craft, Shiraz 2017, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘There’s sweet dark fruit and it’s quite smoky, with notes of mint and chocolate,’ said team leader Jan Konetzki, adding: ‘The tannins are nicely polished and this ripe but fresh wine is super value.’

£8.95 Boutinot

Chaffey Bros Wine Co, Pax Aeterna, Barossa Nouveau, Old Vine, Grenache 2017, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘I like this,’ said team leader Jan Konetzki: ‘There’s red, ripe fermented fruit on the nose with hints of dill and fresh herbs. The palate is dry but juicy, fresh and vibrant.’

£12.92 Enotria&Coe

Zonte's Footstep, Baron Von Nemesis 2017, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Foxy, animal aromas,’ thought Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles, ‘it has a powerful and complex palate, again slightly animal with vibrant red fruits, menthol and spice.’

£14.43 Zonte's Footstep

Zonte's Footstep, Hills Are Alive, Shiraz 2017, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Red and black fruits are very well balanced here and this complex wine represents good value for money,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, adding that ‘the finish is long and elegant’.

£14.43 Zonte's Footstep

D’Arenberg, D'Arry's Original, Shiraz/Grenache 2015, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Complex and richly fruited on the nose, this is big and bold; a rich, really great red wine,’ said Sexy Fish’s Julien Sahut.

£10.94 Enotria&Coe

St Hallett, Blackwell, Shiraz 2015, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£20.45 Matthew Clark

St Hallett, Faith, Shiraz 2016, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£10.47 Matthew Clark

St Hallett, Gamekeepers, Shiraz Grenache Touriga 2017, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£8.71 Matthew Clark

Kingston Estate, Echelon, Shiraz 2015, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Langmeil, Hangin' Snakes, Shiraz/Viognier 2016, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Langmeil, Three Gardens, Shiraz/Grenache/Mourvèdre 2017, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Langmeil, Valley Floor, Shiraz 2016, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Chapel Hill, The Parson, Shiraz 2017, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Chapel Hill, Grenache 2017, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Mount Langi Ghiran, Billi Billi, Shiraz 2016, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

£9.47 Bibendum

Robert Oatley, Signature Series, G-18, Grenache 2018, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Robert Oatley, Hancock & Hancock, Shiraz/Grenache 2016, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Robert Oatley, Helmsman, Shiraz 2017, Multi-Region, Australia

Commended medal winner

Jarrah Wood, Shiraz 2017, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Boutinot, Sixty Clicks, Shiraz/Mataro 2018, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

£6.35 Boutinot

Chalk Hill, Luna, Shiraz 2017, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£10.63 Matthew Clark

Sidewood, Shiraz 2016, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Windowrie, David O'Dea, Preservative Free, Shiraz 2018, New South Wales, Australia

Commended medal winner

Windowrie, Pig in the House, Shiraz 2016, New South Wales, Australia

Commended medal winner

Larry Cherubino, Ad Hoc, Middle of Everywhere, Shiraz 2017, Western Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Dandelion Vineyards, Lion's Tooth of McLaren Vale, Shiraz/Riesling 2017, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£9.48 Liberty Wines

Mount Pleasant, Philip, Shiraz 2015, New South Wales, Australia

Commended medal winner

£11.95 Enotria&Coe

Heirloom, Shiraz 2017, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Heirloom, Alcala, Grenache 2018, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Heirloom, King's Garden, Shiraz/Grenache/Mourvédre 2016, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Heirloom, Alambra, Shiraz 2016, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Peter Lehmann, Stonewell, Shiraz 2013, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£29.91 Liberty Wines

RedHeads, Dogs of the Barossa 2016, Barossa, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Zonte's Footstep, Love Symbol, Grenache 2017, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

D’Arenberg, The Laughing Magpie 2014, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£14.24 Enotria&Coe

D’Arenberg, The Love Grass, Shiraz 2016, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£11.12 Enotria&Coe

D’Arenberg, The Ironstone Pressings, GSM 2016, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£26.31 Enotria&Coe

New World: Shiraz/Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre & Rhône Blends, South Africa

Dorrance, Rouge 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Gold medal winner

Happily adding this to the Gold List, team leader Martin Lam praised its ‘bright fresh fruit nose’ and ‘bold palate of spicy red fruits’. For fellow team leader Laurent Richet MS, this spice had ‘a meaty edge and a savoury saline note with hints of salted pork’. Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston enjoyed the ‘raspberry and cherry fruit, with notes of mint and pencil lead’, adding: ‘The good soft fruit and tannins would work well with duck breast and smoked beetroot.’

£9.67 Top Selection

De Trafford, Syrah 393 2014, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Gold medal winner

‘A true gem,’ said Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine as the team gladly awarded this Gold. ‘The nose is amazing,’ he continued, describing ‘French patisserie, sweet spices, vanilla and herbs… and it keeps changing in the glass’. Team leader Laurent Richet MS was also fulsome in his praise: ‘It’s round and complete, with complex dark fruit, spicy vanilla, plums and jam. Plus the structure is here too.’ For Juan Manuel Marcos Perez of The Gilbert Scott, the wine had a ‘perfect mix of red and black fruit with good concentration and a good charred wood, spiced long finish’.

£41.80 Bibendum

Hartenberg, The Stork 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Gold medal winner

Annamaria Juhasz of The Fat Duck was a big advocate of this unanimous Gold Lister, saying: ‘The wine shines with a nose of black fruits and eucalypatus; this feels young, vibrant and very complex with notes of citrus peel and bramble, and with blackberries on the palate. It’s a beautiful example of South Africa – still at the youthful stage but with lots of potential.’ Team leader Angela Reddin was also a fan, praising the ‘lifted, bright, plummy fruit cordial notes; the liquorice spice’, and adding: ‘Still the fruit holds itself; layering over the tannins and riding the acid like a racehorse.’ A wine of ‘subtle and elegant power’ concluded Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine.

£33.50 Bancroft Wines

Kleine Zalze, Family Reserve, Shiraz 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Gold medal winner

‘A grown-up wine,’ announced Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine of this big Gold medal winner, adding: ‘It’s very New World, with lovely balance.’ ‘It’s mouthwatering,’ said Sarah McKenzie of Nut Tree Inn, adding: ‘There’s smoky cassis, luscious fruit and good tannin.’ Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston agreed, also noting ‘chocolate and tobacco notes’ on a palate that was ‘sweet and balanced, with a long, fresh and clean finish’. ‘It’s a monster,’ added team leader Martin Lam, with a smile.

£20.12 Hatch Mansfield

Spier, Creative Block 3 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘Subtle aromas of complex fruit and spice,’ noted Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club. ‘The palate is rich and opulent with a touch of herbaceousness and very well-integrated tannins.’ ‘Will age well, but it’s wonderful now,’ added team leader Angela Reddin.

£17.24 Bibendum , Walker & Wodehouse Wines

Boschendal, Grande, Syrah 2014, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘Wow!’ said team leader Laurent Richet MS. ‘This is big, with tightly held dark fruit and spice; there is an intriguing mix of bitter and sweet acidity and alcohol.’ ‘Very well made and age worthy,’ added Alan Bednarski of Texture.

£30.00 DGB Europe Ltd

Tokara, Reserve Collection, Syrah 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Silver medal winner

Sarah McKenzie of Nut Tree Inn thought this was a ‘well-balanced food wine, with elegant cherry notes, lovely tannin and a long fruit and spice finish’. ‘It’s reminiscent of a eucalyptus-tinged Côte du Rhône with woody herbs notes of sage and thyme,’ added Alan Bednarski of Texture.

£15.27 Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies

Ken Forrester, The Renegade, Shiraz/Grenache 2014, Western Cape, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘Interesting, very delicate texture with Grenache showing very well. Lots of macerated fruit here. I would match it with chicken or roast pork belly,’ said Stefano Barbarino of Chez Bruce Restaurant. ‘Sensational layering of fruit, with tannin in perfect balance,’ added team leader Angela Reddin.

£10.42 Enotria&Coe

Kleine Zalze, Vineyard Selection, Shiraz 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

‘There’s nice plum, pepper and tobacco notes on the nose with good body and structure and silky tannins to finish; good value,’ said Jim Bass of Scarlet Hotel.

£9.48 Hatch Mansfield

De Trafford, Blueprint, Shiraz 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

‘This smells like a Châteauneuf du Pape,’ thought team leader Laurent Richet MS. ‘I imagine there were old large barrels for ageing; the colour is very inky and there is a hint of brett but in a good way – it adds to the seasoning.’

£20.37 Bibendum

Olifantsberg, Silhouette 2014, Breedekloof, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Welgegund Heritage Wines, Grenache Noir 2017, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

Journey's End, Single Vineyard, Shiraz 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£14.03 Bibendum

Hartenberg, The Megan 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£29.50 Bancroft Wines

Hartenberg, Shiraz 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£12.20 Bancroft Wines

Journey's End, The Architect, Syrah Mourvedre Viognier 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£20.33 Bibendum

Spice Route, Chakalaka 2015, Swartland, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£12.02 Liberty Wines

Fram, Shiraz 2017, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£9.36 Enotria&Coe

Thelema, Mountain Red Blend 2015, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£8.25 Enotria&Coe

New World: Shiraz/Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre & Rhône-style Blends, Rest of the New World

Charles Smith, Boom Boom, Syrah 2016, Washington State, USA

Gold medal winner

‘Smashing!’ began New Street Warehouse’s Tanguy Martin, echoing the sentiments of the team of the judges that elevated this to Gold, and further describing ‘dark olive and blackcurrant leaf notes, with some sweet spices and smooth, integrated tannins’. Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn thought it ‘fresh, with a long-lasting smokiness’, while team leader Lionel Periner enjoyed its ‘rich, dark fruit – a full-bodied wine, with the oak in balance’.

£14.56 Bibendum

Errazuriz, Max Reserva, Syrah 2015, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Lovely notes of olive tapenade on the nose with a fresh eucalyptus lift,’ noted Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, adding: ‘There’s a morello cherry palate with a good sense of balance between the rich body and the ripe, chocolatey tannins and good acidity.’

£12.52 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Sutil, Limited Release, Syrah 2017, Limarí Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Sexy,’ said Tim Smith of CuVée VIII, ‘lovely minty nose with a touch of white pepper followed by dense, ripe red fruits on the palate – raspberry, cranberries. There’s a lick of vanilla from the oak on the finish, too.’

£10.73 Castelnau Wine Agencies

Outer Limits by Montes, Zapallar, Syrah 2017, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan noted a ‘very spicy nose with a broad, herbal, leafy appeal with a touch of tomato leaf’. He went on to say: ‘The palate is dense, with dark plum and new oak, but good tannin management.’

£16.02 Liberty Wines

Chateau Ste Michelle, Columbia Valley, Syrah 2016, Washington State, USA

Silver medal winner

‘This has a powerful nose of bright red fruits, herbs and spice, bringing fresh mint and star anise to a rich palate,’ said Francesca Turra of Mondrian London. ‘There’s chocolate, coffee, tobacco and hints of vanilla on the finish.’

£11.76 Enotria&Coe

Lapostolle, Collection, Grenache 2016, Maule Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Notably paler wine,’ said Michael Harrison of CuVée VIII. ‘This is quite pretty, with soft red fruits and a sweeter style. Very acidic on the finish.’

£14.47 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Concha y Toro, Marques de Casa Concha, Syrah 2016, Maipo Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘The nose is smoky and meaty, very concentrated with leafy notes,’ said Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan, adding: ‘The palate is chunky but juicy, with ripe, chocolatey tannins and a nice savoury note.’

£10.50 CyT UK

Cline Cellars, Ancient Vines, Mourvèdre 2016, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£13.95 Boutinot

Belharra, Las Madres, Syrah 2014, Sonoma County, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£23.80 Boutinot

Emiliana, Salvaje, Syrah 2017, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£9.90 Boutinot

Ventisquero, Kalfu Sumpai, Syrah 2016, Leyda Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Valdivieso, Caballo Loco, Grand Cru, Limari 2014, Coquimbo, Chile

Commended medal winner

£20.52 Bibendum

Chateau Ste Michelle, Tenet, The Pundit, Syrah 2015, Washington State, USA

Commended medal winner

£21.10 Enotria&Coe

Via Wines, Oveja Negra, Single Vineyard, Syrah 2014, Maule Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Truchard, Syrah 2016, Napa Valley, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£17.14 Bibendum

New World: Zinfandel

Sebastiani, Zinfandel 2015, Sonoma County, California, USA

Gold medal winner

Elegance with richness assured this wine’s place on the Gold List. ‘An excellent wine,’ said team leader Angela Reddin. For Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection the wine brought a heady mix of ‘plum, date and dark cherries, with earthy notes of leather and sweet cinnamon spice’, while the palate was ‘well balanced and long, finishing with chocolatey smoothness’. There are ‘subtle notes of strawberry jam with clotted cream and scones’, mused Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club, admiring the ‘elegant nuances on the palate’.

£12.68 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Dry Creek Vineyard, Heritage, Zinfandel 2015, Sonoma County, California, USA

Silver medal winner

‘Intense and complex,’ said Paola Giraldo of Wiltons of this ‘very jammy’ wine with ‘rich tannins, ripened fruit, and intensity’.

£16.42 Bibendum Wine

Bogle, Old Vine, Zinfandel 2016, California, USA

Silver medal winner

For team leader Lionel Periner this Silver medallist was notable for its ‘distinctive Mediterranean herbs, spices and fruits’. ‘The coffee bean palate is medium bodied with some ripe tannins and an elegant finish,’ he added.

£12.77 Enotria&Coe

Kautz Winery, Drifting, Old Vine Zinfandel 2016, Lodi, California, USA

Bronze medal winner

This had ‘sweet, ripe, minty spices, with notes of liquorice, blueberries and vanilla,’ according to Paola Giraldo of Wiltons, who also described a ‘jammy mid-palate, with medium tannins on the length’.

£9.12 Matthew Clark

Gnarly Head, Zinfandel 2016, Lodi, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£11.12 Bancroft Wines

Other Fortified Wine

Diren, Mahlep NV, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Gold medal winner

‘So much going on!’ began an impressed Daniel Loughlin of 20 Stories as judges unanimously named this Gold, before going on to describe ‘earthy beetroot, dried roses, cinnamon, salted caramel’ and more, and praising it for its ‘balanced sweetness and fresh acidity’. Team leader Tom Forrest described ‘sweet, herbal fruit notes’ as well as ‘marzipan and toffee’, while Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants found ‘eucalyptus, menthol and sweet spice, with a long finish of cherry and almonds’.

£7.94 Size: 50cl Taste Turkey

Cazes, Ambré de Cazes (37.5cl) 2004, Roussillon, France

Gold medal winner

For team leader Hamish Anderson this earned its spot on the Gold podium for its ‘beautiful purity and smoky depth, with some tangerine fruit, roasted nuts and soft brown sugar notes’, while fellow team leader Nigel Lister found it ‘excellent, with rich toffee, dark fudge and dark chocolate’. Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House added praise for its ‘honey, dried apricot and orange notes, leading to a chewy, rich palate with good texture and acidity’.

£14.53 Size: 37.5cl ADVINI

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal (50cl) 2010, Setúbal, Portugal

Gold medal winner

This earned praise from judges, and a Gold medal, for its ‘elegant, fruity style, yet with nuttiness, caramel, spice and bitter chocolate, as well as lifted acidity’, according to team leader Nigel Lister, while Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection described notes of ‘green tea leaves and exotic fruits, like ripe mango’. An impressed Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles went on to find ‘lovely dried fruits and medicinal herbs, with cooked apple too’.

£29.50 Size: 50cl Atlantico UK

Capezzana, Vin Santo di Carmignano 2011, Tuscany, Italy

Gold medal winner

This was deserving of Gold, according to team leader Hamish Anderson, for its ‘extraordinary depth and sweetness, yet so balanced, with sweet toffee, spice and clove, and that typical uplifting bite of high acidity’. Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts spoke highly of its ‘caramel and apricot notes on both the nose and palate, as well as a petrol note’, while Prestonfield House’s Dave Cushley concluded that it was ‘a lovely wine, rich, herbal and spicy’.

£62.48 Size: 37.5cl Liberty Wines

Albourne Estate, 40 Vermouth NV, West Sussex, England

Gold medal winner

This Gold medal-winning English vermouth featured complex notes of ‘pineapple, lychee, coconut and potpourri’ for Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, while Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants thought its ‘sweetness well balanced, with bruised apples and pears’, describing it as ‘elegant until a punchy finish’. Woodhead 17’s James Fryer went on to praise some ‘herbal and quinine notes, with some grapefruit bitterness’, before declaring it ‘incredibly complex and interesting, and amazing over ice with fresh lemon’.

£14.38 Size: 75cl Sheridan Coopers / The Winehouse, South Downs Cellars

Morris of Rutherglen, Classic Liqueur, Muscat (50cl) NV, Victoria, Australia

Gold medal winner

‘A dark, richly seductive wine, with an intense, fragrant nose,’ began Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House as this was awarded a well-deserved Gold medal. Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group found ‘coffee on both the nose and palate, with flavours of mocha and chocolate, dried figs and dates, with a long finish’, while Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston appreciated its ‘fresh palate and warm, toffee finish, with toasted nuts’.

£18.66 Size: 50cl Liberty Wines

Casa Mariol, Vermut Blanco (1L) NV, Catalonia, Spain

Silver medal winner

For Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant this had ‘a clean taste, with mint and menthol, balanced by sweetness, like French bonbons’. Team leader Tom Forrest, meanwhile, appreciated its ‘floral, herbal and sweet spice aromas, with sweet orange peel and ginger on the palate’.

£15.45 Size: 75cl Top Selection

Casa Mariol, Vermut Negre (1L) NV, Catalonia, Spain

Silver medal winner

Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn found this Spanish vermouth to be ‘alluring, with cinnamon, nutmeg and cola notes’, while team leader Tom Forrest also found ‘some sweet cola’, as well as notes of ‘aniseed and liquorice root’.

£15.45 Size: 75cl Top Selection

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Moscatel de Setúbal NV, Setúbal, Portugal

Silver medal winner

Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection described notes of ‘citrus, hazelnuts and raisins, with a sweet, herbal character on the palate’, while team leader Hamish Anderson found it ‘perfumed and floral, with some cinnamon and Christmas cake notes too’.

£8.60 Size: 75cl Atlantico UK

Morris of Rutherglen, Classic Liqueur, Topaque (50cl) NV, Victoria, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘Expressive notes of coffee beans, ripe fig and caramelised orange zest, with refreshing notes of dry bergamot too,’ began Alan Bednarski of Texture, going on to describe ‘a rich, sweet palate with soy sauce, Christmas spices and a very long finish, with a refreshing citrus aftertaste’.

£18.66 Size: 50cl Liberty Wines

Morris of Rutherglen, Old Premium, Rare Liqueur, Muscat (50cl) NV, Victoria, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘Complex layers of cocoa and tonka bean, with hints of burnt vanilla on the nose, with layers of citrus, including ripe orange, underneath,’ began Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn, who found the palate to have ‘more citrus, with hints of candied pears, and a little banana’.

£64.56 Size: 50cl Liberty Wines

Ruffino, Serelle, Vin Santo del Chianti (37.5cl) 2013, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

Team leader Hamish Anderson found this to have ‘a huge nose of walnuts, candied orange and caramel’, while fellow team leader Nigel Lister’s first impression was ‘spicy fruit chocolate compote’, further describing ‘dark chocolate with raspberries, and some very rich prune notes, as well as figs and Christmas cake’.

£13.96 Size: 37.5cl Matthew Clark

Clos Cabriere, Pierre Jourdan, Ratafia 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£12.10 Size: 37.5cl Hard To Find Wines

Madeira Vintners, Malvasia 5 Anos NV, Madeira, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£16.57 Size: 75cl Cooperativa Agrícola do Funchal, CRL

La Pigeade, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2018, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

Port

Poças, 10 Year Old White NV, Douro, Portugal

Gold medal winner

Gymkhana Restaurant’s Valentin Radosav echoed the enthusiasm of his fellow judges for this Gold winner as he praised its ‘superb balance of fruit, alcohol and acidity’, while describing ‘orange zest and nuttiness, along with some white chocolate notes’. Team leader Tom Forrest further described ‘sweet orange peel and spiced fruitcake, with hints of almond, caramel and quince jam membrillo, and some lightly spiced ginger notes, too, in this rich and opulent glass’.

£14.65 Size: 75cl House of Townend

Quinta do Crasto, Late Bottled Vintage 2013, Douro, Portugal

Gold medal winner

Going by the enthusiastic accounts of our judges this was an inevitable Gold, with team leader Carlos Ferreira finding ‘violets, roses and vanilla, as well as some white spices, leading to an elegant palate’, while Gymkhana Restaurant’s Valentin Radosav found it to be ‘precise, with blackcurrant and black cherry notes, as well as some spice and an earthiness too’. ‘Smooth and easy drinking,’ concluded Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam, finding ‘black fruit, minerality and clay’ on the finish.

£13.74 Size: 75cl Enotria&Coe

Barros, White Port NV, Douro, Portugal

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

‘A very complex nose filled with toasted almonds and dried figs, along with some spicy orange and leather notes’ secured this white port’s Gold medal, according to team leader Carlos Ferreira, who found the palate to be ‘fresh and elegant, with a long finish’. Fellow team leader Tom Forrest noted ‘warm, cooked, honeyed apples with orange peel notes over a medium sweet, peppery spiced palate’, adding that its ‘good acidity keeps the toffee apple finish in check’.

£11.39 Size: 75cl Hallgarten & Novum Wines

C. da Silva, Dalva, 20 Year Old Tawny NV, Douro, Portugal

Gold medal winner

‘Intense yet elegant’ summed up this impressive Gold winner for Kahani London’s Ennio Pucciarelli, who thought ‘its gentle oxidation reveals notes of chocolate, caramel and liquorice, while it remains sweet yet fresh, with a lovely long finish’. Street XO’s Raphael Thierry, meanwhile, appreciated its ‘oily texture’, and thought it was ‘showing some savoury development, along with some salinity, sweet spice and dried fruit, all leading to a fresh finish, with well-integrated alcohol’.

£34.20 Size: 75cl Matthew Clark

Poças, 10 Year Old Tawny NV, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London described this as ‘intense and aromatic, with red fruits and a sweet spiciness’, and thought it was ‘medium sweet and fresh’. ‘A young stripling – all apricots and red berries with a hit of alcohol,’ added team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£14.65 Size: 75cl House of Townend

Wiese & Krohn, Krohn, Colheita 2007, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

Kahani London’s Ennio Pucciarelli described this as ‘an elegant and complex wine, with lots of jammy notes and sweet spices’. He thought it had a ‘very rich, yet sweet mouthfeel’ and that the ‘lovely balancing acidity leads to a very long finish’.

£13.55 Size: 75cl Boutinot

Wiese & Krohn, Krohn, Lágrima White NV, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

Le Gavroche’s Rémi Cousin enjoyed this sweeter style with its ‘intense heady and ripe display of quince, apricot and orange marmalade fruits’. He thought that the ‘lovely sweet spices such as clove and cinnamon all combine to create an elegant palate that calls for a second glass’.

£10.00 Size: 75cl Boutinot

Alves de Sousa, Quinta da Gaivosa, Vintage Port 2016, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘Very fresh and juicy fruits on the palate with a spicy, well-balanced finish,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, while fellow team leader Tom Forrest added: ‘Warm tobacco leaf and a perfumed rose and violet nose. Soft red and black fruits make a gentle palate with a long, integrated finish.’

£33.32 Size: 75cl Atlantico UK, Top Selection

Barros, Colheita Port 2005, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘Smoky, roasted notes on the nose – clear signs of ageing – form a backdrop to glorious orange and red fruit aromas,’ said team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW. ‘The palate packs a vintage punch of dried fruit and chocolate, with supple tannins and a salty sign off,’ she continued.

£23.48 Size: 75cl Hallgarten & Novum Wines

C. da Silva, Dalva, 10 Year Old Tawny NV, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘Classically vanilla and red fruit jam flavours blend with appealing savoury notes and a lightly tannic, complex finish,’ said team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, who thought it would be ‘easy to have a second glass’. ‘It’s robust and spicy but has a lovely fresh finish,’ added Timothy Connor of Heddon Street Kitchen.

£18.26 Size: 75cl Matthew Clark

Sogrape, Sandeman, 30 Year Old Tawny NV, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘Strawberry jam, apricot purée and an excellent balance between fruit and acidity, the wine builds to a delightfully elegant, spicy yet smooth finish,’ said consultant Rebecca Coates.

£47.95 Size: 75cl Liberty Wines

Sogrape, Sandeman, 40 Year Old Tawny NV, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘Elegant and delicate, this wine also has an impressive richness with everything in place; I'd happily drink this on its own – a meditative sipper of a wine,’ said Kahani London’s Ennio Pucciarelli.

£102.40 Size: 75cl Liberty Wines

Sogrape, Sandeman, Vintage Port 2016, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘The nose is amazing,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, ‘lots of rich fruit, very concentrated and great balance. Everything is perfectly in place for its age.’

£47.69 Size: 75cl Liberty Wines

Fonseca, Bin 27 NV, Douro, Portugal

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira noted that this had ‘a rich nose of raisin and fig with lots of spice’ and remarked on how ‘red and dense black fruit follow across the palate to a fresh, well-balanced finish’.

£8.76 Size: 75cl Mentzendorff & Co

C. da Silva, Dalva, Late Bottled Vintage 2012, Douro, Portugal

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira found a nose of ‘dry figs and almonds with toasted vanilla and coffee’ and further described the wine as ‘well balanced and aromatic with a complex, beautiful finish’.

£13.30 Size: 75cl Matthew Clark

Warre's, Cavadinha, Vintage Port 2004, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£34.20 Size: 75cl Bibendum

Alves de Sousa, Quinta Da Gaivosa, 10 Years Old Tawny NV, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£17.42 Size: 75cl Atlantico UK, Top Selection

C. da Silva, Dalva, Ruby Reserva NV, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£11.83 Size: 75cl Matthew Clark

Sogrape, Sandeman, Late Bottled Vintage 2014, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£12.04 Size: 75cl Liberty Wines

Portugal

Poças, Branco da Ribeira 2017, Douro, Portugal

Gold medal winner

‘Very impressive,’ began team leader Charlie Young as Poças added a Gold to its pair of port medals, finding it to be ‘mineral on the nose, with spicy oak, and palate that is deep and full, leading to a finish that is long and persistent, with grapefruit-like acidity and a buttery spiced core’. ‘Structure, power and poise’, summarised Grape Times UK’s Harry Crowther, who praised its ‘good focus and finesse’.

£33.00 House of Townend

Casa de Vila Nova, Vila Nova, Alvariñho 2018, Vinho Verde, Portugal

Gold medal winner

Undoubtedly worthy of Gold, this Alvariñho was ‘aromatic and powerful, with creamy, delicate white fruit’, according to Francesca Turra of Mondrian London, while The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones described it as ‘exotic, tropical and stony’. Hakkasan’s Olivier Gasselin found it ‘ripe, bright and zesty, with lovely ripeness and a confected-lemon note, as well as some salty minerality’. Consultant Emanuel Pesqueira, meanwhile, added praise for its ‘great value for money’.

£7.95 Boutinot

Quinta das Arcas, Conde Villar, Alvarinho 2017, Minho, Portugal

Gold medal winner

This Gold Lister was ‘floral and zesty, with white flower blossom notes’, began Francesca Turra of Mondrian London in its praise, while consultant Emanuel Pesqueira thought it ‘dry, balanced and fruit driven’. Team leader Carlos Ferreira found it ‘both mineral and buttery on the nose, with notes of stone fruit and white asparagus, as well as a grassiness’, while fellow team leader Lionel Periner concluded that all of this complexity added up to ‘great food-pairing potential’.

£10.58 Bibendum

Quinta dos Carvalhais, Branco Especial NV, Dão, Portugal

Gold medal winner

This white blend was elevated to Gold for its ‘beautiful, very complex nose, with smooth pear, red apple and oak notes, leading to a smooth palate that’s very fresh, with mint, eucalyptus and pine, and a brilliant, very long finish’, according to team leader Carlos Ferreira. D&D’s Diane Rollan found it to be ‘mineral and citrussy, with an intense nose of grapefruit, and some nice salty minerality on the palate – a vibrant, well-balanced wine’ that would ‘work well with sushi’.

£29.20 Liberty Wines

Ponte da Barca, 500 Loureiro, Alvariñho, Reserva 2017, Vinho Verde, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘Great balance and weight,’ said The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones, adding: ‘There’s exotic fruit notes like lychee and guava and very good length. It would make a lovely match with sea bass.’

£27.48 Adega Ponte da Barca

5 Bagos, Palato do Côa, Reserva Branco 2017, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘Deeply aromatic notes of spicy pear lead to a richly textured palate that is savoury and complex,’ said team leader Charlie Young, with Rockliffe Hall’s Daniel Jonberger adding: ‘Builds to a nice finish of spiced, caramelised orange.’

£12.50 5 BAGOS SOCIEDADE AGRICOLA, LDA

Quinta do Pinto, Vinhas do Lasso, Colheita Seleccionada, Branco 2016, Lisbon, Portugal

Silver medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young liked this wine’s ‘ripe peach and citrus aromas’, and said: ‘With a nice balance of minerality and white fruit on the palate, this is soft and textured yet finishes with decent freshness.’

£8.50 Boutinot

DFJ Vinhos, Jag Alvarinho 2017, Lisbon, Portugal

Bronze medal winner

‘Mineral and lemon aromas lead to a rich, herbaceous flavour profile, with juicy citrus fruits and good phenolic texture,’ said Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles.

£7.28 DFJ Vinhos, S.A.

Herdade Tinto e Branco, Quinta do Paral, Branco 2017, Alentejo, Portugal

Bronze medal winner

‘The palate is very complex and full with aromas: it’s floral and spicy with notes of salted asparagus,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, adding: ‘It would be very good with seafood.’

£11.12 Herdade Tinto e Branco, Unipessoal, Lda

Herdade de Coelheiros, Coelheiros, Branco 2017, Alentejo, Portugal

Bronze medal winner

Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles found a nose of ‘lemon peel and garrigue herbs’ and described the palate as ‘softly textured with citrussy flavours and a lovely herbal finish’.

£9.64 Borough Wines

Churchill's Estates, Douro White 2017, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Casa de Vila Nova, Vila Nova, Loureiro 2018, Vinho Verde, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£7.00 Boutinot

Herdade Tinto e Branco, Quinta do Paral, Colheita Selecionada, Branco 2017, Alentejo, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Terras do Pó Castas, Chardonnay/Viognier 2017, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£9.66 Atlantico UK

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Vinha da Valentina, Premium 2017, Palmela, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Casa de Vila Nova, Vila Nova 2018, Vinho Verde, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£6.50 Boutinot

Esporão Reserva, Branco 2017, Alentejo, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Reguengo de Melgaço, Alvarinho 2018, Vinho Verde, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Dos Lusíadas, Eleivera 2017, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Casa Ferreirinha, Papa Figos 2017, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£8.32 Liberty Wines

Portugal: Alentejo – Red

D Diniz, Dona Vitória, Grande Escolha 2018, Alentejo, Portugal

Gold medal winner

‘Tea-soaked raisins on the nose, with happy balance and warm, dry bramble fruit,’ began team leader Jade Koch of this Gold Lister. She further described it as ‘juicy and refreshing’ and thought it had ‘good regional identity’. Raphael Thierry of Street XO noted: ‘Good fruit concentration, with sweet spice and some savoury notes and chocolate.’ He found it a ‘little sweet on the finish but long and balanced in a fruit-forward style’. Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House, meanwhile, picked up ‘dark brooding fruit’ and thought it ‘tastes like a decent Rhône’.

£8.12 Sociedade Agricola D Diniz SA

Herdade do Peso, Alentejo, Reserva 2015, Alentejo, Portugal

Gold medal winner

A worthy Gold for team leader Jade Koch, who found it ‘round and full’ with ‘lots of blackcurrant’ and ‘very good grip’. For Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House it was ‘refreshing but with real depth’. He described ‘dark stewed fruit’ and found it ‘savoury, balanced and elegant’. Raphael Thierry of Street XO, meanwhile, thought it was a ‘big wine, with high alcohol, but showing good fruit concentration with hints of florality, graphite and chocolate, and a meaty character’, further noting: ‘Tannins are juicy, oak is integrated, finish is long.’

£17.57 Liberty Wines

Azamor, Alentejano, Petit Verdot 2014, Alentejo, Portugal

Silver medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira enjoyed this classic Alentejo red with its ‘complex nose of leather and ripe eucalyptus’. ‘The wine is complex and with intensity,’ he said, ‘yet the finish is fresh and clean.’

£13.17 Liberty Wines

Esporão, Reserva, Tinto 2015, Alentejo, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘Blackberry, savoury and gamey aromas, yet on the palate it is ripe with dark fruits, and a delicate chocolate length,’ said Valentin Radosav of Gymkhana Restaurant.

£9.87 Barwell and Jones

D Diniz, Mocho Galego 2018, Alentejo, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘The nose is very elegant,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, ‘yet the palate is still greenish.’ He summed it up by saying: ‘A bit big, but the fruits are all there in the end and they do the job very well.’

£6.37 Sociedade Agricola D Diniz SA

D Diniz, Roda Manca 2018, Alentejo, Portugal

Silver medal winner

Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan described ‘dark chocolate, dark plums’ and an ‘almost meaty texture to the wine’, with ‘tight, robust and sweet grippy tannins that last through to the finish’.

£6.48 Sociedade Agricola D Diniz SA

Herdade Tinto e Branco, Quinta do Paral, Tinto 2017, Alentejo, Portugal

Commended medal winner

D Diniz, Dona Vitória, Premium 2018, Alentejo, Portugal

Commended medal winner

D Diniz, Monte da Ravasqueira, Clássico 2018, Alentejo, Portugal

Commended medal winner

D Diniz, Dona Vitória, Coleção Privada 2018, Alentejo, Portugal

Commended medal winner

D Diniz, Mocho Galego, Signature 2018, Alentejo, Portugal

Commended medal winner

D Diniz, Vinha da Coutada, Velha 2018, Alentejo, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Portugal: Red, Douro Valley

DFJ Vinhos, Vega 2017, Douro, Portugal

Gold medal winner

‘Deep purple, perfumed with violets and smoky aromatic oak,’ began team leader Tom Forrest of this Gold Lister, going on to describe a ‘ripe, peppery, black fruit palate’ and a ‘spicy finish’, and declaring it ‘very good value’. Oliver Nagy of Hakkasan Hanway Place picked up ‘plum and blackberry’ and thought it was an ‘intense, earthy, dark fruit-driven wine’, while for Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House it was ‘rich, dark and chocolatey with raspberry fruit and velvety tannins’. ‘A seductive wine,’ he concluded.

£6.95 Ellis of Richmond

Quinta do Crasto, Superior, Syrah 2015, Douro, Portugal

Gold medal winner

For team leader Tom Forrest this clear Gold medal winner began with ‘big vanilla and coconut aromas’, leading on to ‘dark berries, coffee and coconut’ as well as ‘jammy vanilla cream’. Overall he found it ‘well balanced and with good length’. Carolina W Seibel of Moio Restaurant, meanwhile, described ‘pure, vibrant dark fruit, high acidity, roasted nuts and floral, grippy tannins’. Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House was both impressed and succinct: ‘It’s smooth and elegant, round and mature.’

£15.28 Enotria&Coe

Alves de Sousa, Quinta da Gaivosa 2015, Douro, Portugal

Gold medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest picked up ‘cedar and cinnamon spice’ and thought this Gold medal winner was ‘extremely elegant’ with ‘fresh fruits and spice, some tobacco, and a balanced finish’. For Carolina W Seibel of Moio Restaurant it had ‘lovely notes of baked pastries and caramel’ as well as ‘dark black cherries’, that were ‘grippy and herbaceous’, while Oliver Nagy of Hakkasan Hanway Place thought the wine showed ‘sweet plum, dark cherry, coconut, milk chocolate and vanilla’. Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House also found elegance, describing ‘teasing hints of smooth supple fruit and soft little tannins’, leading to a wine that overall was ‘pretty; enticing.’

£29.81 Atlantico UK, Top Selection

Quinta do Crasto, Touriga Nacional 2016, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

Guillaume Mahaut of the ETM Group thought this wine has flavours of ‘blackberries and overripe forest fruits, yet has firm tannins and is distinctly herbal on the finish’.

£34.45 Enotria&Coe

Quinta Nova, Unoaked 2017, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘Kipper box smoke!’ was team leader Tom Forrest’s unusual tasting note for this Silver medal-winning wine, although he further described ‘soft red and black fruits with a length that is juicy and ripe’.

£9.00 Oakley Wine Agencies

Esporão, Quinta dos Murcas, Reserva 2012, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘Dark chocolate and plums on the nose, rich and fleshy on the palate,’ thought team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, while Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks found ‘notes of cedar and black tea, violets and sour cherry’, and added that ‘its firm tannins will develop well’.

£22.31 Matthew Clark

Casa Ferreirinha, Vinha Grande 2016, Douro, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘This one has some nice dusty herbaceous notes showing, complementing its dark fruit backdrop,’ said Carolina W Seibel of Moio Restaurant, adding: ‘This is well made, meticulous even, slowly revealing its layers; there’s notes of orange blossom… very good acidity and quite grippy but smooth tannins.’

£9.82 Liberty Wines

5 Bagos, Palato do Côa, Reserva Tinto 2014, Douro, Portugal

Bronze medal winner

‘Very ripe, with deep black fruits and a firm structure,’ said Guillaume Mahaut of the ETM Group, adding that it was ‘inky with fresh acidity with coffee notes’.

£13.00 5 BAGOS SOCIEDADE AGRICOLA, LDA

5 Bagos, Palato do Côa, Tinto 2015, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Poças, Reserva Tinto 2015, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Quinta do Crasto, Red 2017, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£10.51 Enotria&Coe

Restrito, Reserva Tinto 2015, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Alves de Sousa, Caldas 2015, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Dos Lusíadas, Eleivera 2015, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Esporão, Quinta dos Murcas Assobio, Tinto 2016, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£9.71 Matthew Clark

Casa Ferreirinha, Papa Figos 2017, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£8.32 Liberty Wines

Casa Ferreirinha, Callabriga 2016, Douro, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£13.82 Liberty Wines

Portugal: Rest of Portugal excluding Douro & Alentejo

DFJ Vinhos, Alta Corte 2017, Lisbon, Portugal

Gold medal winner

‘Bright berry and cherry fruit, juicy strawberry and mint,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS, summing this Gold Lister up as ‘simple but well made and great value’. Romain de Courcey of Gazelle Mayfair described it as ‘silky smooth’, and noted: ‘Simple easy drinking, serve slightly chilled.’ ‘Great for a gastropub’ thought team leader Lionel Periner, while The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia had in mind matching it with ‘a Mediterranean tomato casserole’.

£6.62 RUDE WINES

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Reserva, Merlot 2016, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Gold medal winner

‘This is good now but also promises more to come,’ thought consultant Leonie Loudon, as she described a ‘rich gamey, sweet spice nose’ and a ‘cherry, sweet spice palate’. Awarding a Gold medal, team leader Nigel Lister enjoyed its ‘deeply oaked nose with clove, coffee, dark chocolate and molasses backed up with richly macerated black fruits... a great match with slow-braised sticky pork ribs,’ he concluded. Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club, meanwhile, described a ‘meaty, savoury feel’ that was lifted with ‘aromas of baked plum tatin and a silky, savoury palate’.

£12.05 Casa Ermelinda Freitas - Vinhos, Lda

Pegões, Adega de Pegões, Selected Harvest Red 2014, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Gold medal winner

For team leader Jan Konetzki this Gold medal winner offered ‘blackberry and sweet smoke’ and was ‘pleasingly dry and robust’. ‘Perfect for a barbeque,’ thought fellow team leader Lionel Periner, adding: ‘It’s also really great value for money.’ Consultant Leonie Loudon enjoyed its ‘rich, ripe fruit’, finding ‘plums with macerated strawberries, lovely lively acidity, soft supple tannin and note of eucalyptus on the end’. She summed it simply and succinctly: ‘Delicious.’

£10.85 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

DFJ Vinhos, Escada 2017, Lisbon, Portugal

Silver medal winner

According to team leader Lionel Periner, this wine is ‘balanced, with some pleasant cooked fruit on a savoury finish, yet elegant with some dry, knitted tannins’.

£7.93 RUDE WINES

DFJ Vinhos, Francos Grande Escolha 2015, Lisbon, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘This is ripe and rich, with jammy fruits, super juicy. The palate is oak driven and the tannins polished,’ thought team leader Laura Rhys MS. Meanwhile Romain de Courcy of Gazelle Mayfair described a wine with ‘smoked wood character, black berries and black cherry notes and a meaty flavour’.

£13.80 Ellis of Richmond

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Reserva, Vinha do Torrão 2016, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Silver medal winner

Team leader Jan Konetzki found ‘red and black fruit aromas, with notes of cocoa, smoke and chocolate’, while consultant Leonie Loudon found it ‘rich, sweet, with supple tannin and elegant mouthfeel’.

£14.70 Casa Ermelinda Freitas - Vinhos, Lda

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Vinha do Torrão 2017, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘Very deep ruby colour’ describes this wine perfectly, according to Paola Giraldo of Wiltons, who found it to be ‘rich and intense with balanced tannins’.

£10.42 Casa Ermelinda Freitas - Vinhos, Lda

Casa da Passarella, Somontes, Colheita 2016, Dão, Portugal

Silver medal winner

Paola Giraldo of Wiltons found this wine to be ‘great, with lovely notes of spice, cacao and lavender; yet on the palate it’s powerful and masculine, but still very young’.

£11.67 Davy's Wine Merchants

Quinta da Espinhosa, Reserva 2016, Dão, Portugal

Silver medal winner

‘The wine is ruby port-like, showing cooked red fruit, with an intense, aromatic palate and robust but well-integrated tannins,’ said Romain de Courcy of Gazelle Mayfair, while team leader Laura Rhys MS thought it was ‘big, with stewed, baked fruits, sweet spice and oaky notes’ with ‘sweet tannins on the palate’.

£11.72 QUINTA DA ESPINHOSA

Juvenal Franco, Boneca de Canudo 2016, Madeira, Portugal

Bronze medal winner

‘This wine is big, bold and well made,’ commented team leader Martin Lam. ‘It has a good fresh character, medium weight on the palate and nice toastiness. Will mature well.’

£17.05 Juvenal Franco

DFJ Vinhos, Jag, Shiraz 2014, Lisbon, Portugal

Bronze medal winner

Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club described this wine as having ‘essences of fresh cherry, light nuances of spice and distinct floral notes’.

£8.58 DFJ Vinhos, S.A.

DFJ Vinhos, Jag, Alicante Bouschet 2014, Lisbon, Portugal

Bronze medal winner

‘Flavours of dark chocolate, plum and smoke’ dominated the aromas for Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection, while ‘chocolate and sweet spice come through on the finish to balance’.

£8.58 DFJ Vinhos, S.A.

DFJ Vinhos, Jag, Touriga Nacional 2014, Lisbon, Portugal

Bronze medal winner

‘Bright ruby in colour, perfumed with ripe cherries, yet a bit rich on the tannins, though with a touch of generous pleasant spices on the finish,’ thought Paola Giraldo of Wiltons.

£8.58 DFJ Vinhos, S.A.

DFJ Vinhos, Paxis 2015, Lisbon, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Vinha do Rosário, Syrah 2016, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Sauvignon Blanc/Verdelho 2017, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£10.83 Atlantico UK

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Vinha do Rosário, Touriga Nacional 2017, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Dona Ermelinda, Reserva 2016, Palmela, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£9.25 Atlantico UK

DFJ Vinhos, Point West Tinto 2016, Lisbon, Portugal

Commended medal winner

DFJ Vinhos, Bigode, Quirky 2017, Lisbon, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Quinta da Mimosa 2016, Palmela, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£9.09 Atlantico UK

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Rocksand, Syrah 2016, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£6.20 Direct Wines

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Vinha da Valentina, Premium 2017, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Carménère, Reserva 2016, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Baía de Tróia, Castelão 2017, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£7.67 Direct Wines

Quinta do Pinto, Vinhas do Lasso, Colheita Seleccionada, Tinto 2014, Lisbon, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£8.25 Boutinot

Casa da Passarella, Abanico, Reserva 2015, Dão, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£11.55 Enotria&Coe

Casa da Passarella, Villa Oliveira, Touriga Nacional 2014, Dão, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£29.46 Enotria&Coe

Pegões, Touriga Nacional 2016, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

Commended medal winner

Red Rhône

Domaine Brusset, Les Travers, Cairanne 2017, Rhône, France

Gold medal winner

Judges had no doubts about handing over a Gold medal to this southern Rhône, the first of two in the category for Domaine Brusset. Team leader Martin Lam appreciated its ‘luscious ripe fruit, yet with some real freshness here’, while Ross Antonelli of Hawksmoor Borough described ‘blackberry, violets, dark plum and liquorice with soft and supple tannins’. ‘Lovely structure,’ added team leader Laurent Richet MS, who praised an ‘extremely juicy palate’.

£12.92 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Brusset, Gigondas, Tradition Le Grand Montmirail 2017, Rhône, France

Gold medal winner

Domaine Brusset’s second Gold in a row was ‘quintessentially Rhône’, according to Joshua Castle of Noble Rot, who found it ‘nicely savoury with great fruit definition on the nose, leading to a complex palate of black and blue fruit, and a gorgeously mineral core’. A similarly impressed Ross Antonelli of Hawksmoor Borough enjoyed its ‘spicy, full-bodied palate with notes of violets, pepper, clove and lavender to go with the rich, dark plum and blackberry fruit’.

£18.93 Enotria&Coe

Chante Cigale, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016, Rhône, France

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

With judges like The Gilbert Scott’s Juan Manuel Marcos Perez describing this as ‘outstanding and very complex’, it’s no surprise that this took home not only a Gold medal, but a Critic’s Choice award too. Daniel Nuttall of Adam’s Restaurant described it as ‘juicy and floral, with a good backbone of soft tannin’, while Dario Barbato of Individual Restaurants praised its ‘good structure, with fresh dark fruits’. For Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants, this added up to a perfect match for ‘slow-cooked shoulder of lamb with mash, mushroom and red-wine jus’.

£23.24 Enotria&Coe

Domaine de la Janasse, Terre de Bussière, Principauté d'Orange 2016, Rhône, France

Gold medal winner Food Match

This was awarded Gold for its ‘intense flavour, which shows complexity and character’, according to Dario Barbato of Individual Restaurants, who added that it had ‘potential to age’. Gazelle Mayfair’s Romain de Courcy found it to be ‘juicy and aromatic with a gamey note’, while impressed team leader Laura Rhys MS spoke highly of ‘ripe, sweet fruit, like tinned berries, along with some pepper and spice, as well as some dark mineral notes – and good length too’.

£9.86 Enotria&Coe

Domaine de la Janasse, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vieilles Vignes 2013, Rhône, France

Gold medal winner

This was a unanimous Gold according to our judges, who thought it ‘elegant, delicate and complex, with freshly picked raspberry and light, green leafy aromas giving it good freshness’, according to Romain de Courcey of Gazelle Mayfair, who also appreciated its ‘delicate gamey character, and good ageing potential’. Team leader Laura Rhys MS called it ‘intense and complex, with rich, powerful fruit and spicy, velvety tannins’, while fellow team leader Laurent Richet MS thought it an ideal match for ‘roasted lamb with garlic and thyme, and creamed spinach’.

£54.30 Enotria&Coe

Alain Jaume, Haut de Brun, Côtes du Rhône 2016, Rhône, France

Gold medal winner

This had Gold written all over it, with ‘good concentration and intense fruit, as well as smooth, rich tannins and well-integrated alcohol’, according to Gymkhana Restaurant’s Savvas Symeonidis, while consultant Leonie Loudon spoke highly of ‘a spiced palate of pepper and clove, as well as long black cherry fruit, and a soft mouthfeel’. All this, together with some ‘tar notes and a meaty, fleshy texture’ made it ‘ready for a game casserole’, thought Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks.

£10.25 Bibendum

Charles Helfenbein, Brezeme, Côtes du Rhône 2016, Rhône, France

Gold medal winner

This intriguing Côtes du Rhône took home a Gold medal for its ‘good depth and intensity of flavour, with liquorice, forest floor, leather and chocolate notes, and some well-integrated alcohol and tannins’, said Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant, while team leader Andres Ituarte spoke highly of some ‘barnyard notes to balance out the juicy plum and currant notes, leading to some straw and schist notes on the long finish’, before concluding that it was ‘perfect with grouse’.

£13.94 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Brusset, Les Boudalles, Ventoux 2017, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

‘This should be a crowd pleaser,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS, adding: ‘There’s a nice fresh berry fruit character with cranberry and redcurrant, plus it’s nicely spiced too; it is fairly light but the overall feel is an easy, fruit-driven wine.’

£8.41 Enotria&Coe

Domaine de la Janasse, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chaupin 2013, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse seemed happy: ‘This is precise and refined, classy yet full and meaty; it’s satisfyingly savoury as well as fruity. A beautifully blended, very well-made wine; delicious.’

£42.88 Enotria&Coe

Domaine de la Janasse, Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2017, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant liked the, ' earthy, farmyard noses with ripe, crushed blackberry notes; there's a very high concentration of flavour with cherries and sweet black fruits coupled with smooth, ripe tannins, hints of sweet spice and leather and well integrated alcohol.'

£10.12 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Courbis, La Sabarotte, Cornas 2013, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

Noelia Calleja of Hakkasan Hanway Place noted the ‘intense, black fruit aromas mingling with sweet spice and smoke; there are nice tertiary notes like leather and tobacco. The tannins are elegant and the finish complex.’

£45.66 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaine Georges Vernay, Blonde du Seigneur, Côte-Rôtie 2015, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

‘What a big nose,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, ‘stuffed with red and black fruits, it feels very smooth with a toasted almond feel; the palate is dense and perhaps still needs a little time to fully unfurl to its undoubted potential.’

£51.62 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Ferraton, Saint-Joseph, La Source Rouge 2016, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

‘I like the black fruit and gamey aromas,’ said Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche, ‘it follows on to the velvety palate and the finish is persistent with good acidity and spice.’

£16.50 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Ferraton, Côtes-du-Rhône Samorëns Rouge 2017, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

‘Lovely raspberry nose of Grenache fruit with a touch of coco powder,’ said team leader Nigel Lister, adding: ‘There’s raspberry jam, good acidity and some black fruit and soft spice on the finish.’

£8.90 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Dumazet, Cornas Cuvée Charlemagne 2012, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

‘Floral aromatics of dried flowers are backed up with earthy notes and a touch of smoked bacon,’ said team leader Lionel Periner. ‘The ripe palate is stuffed with pepper and a vegetal note and the velvety tannins leave you with a super umami flavour,’ added Woodhead 17’s James Fryer.

£24.78 Bibendum

Domaine des Carabiniers, Lunar Apogé, Lirac 2017, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

Gazelle Mayfair’s Romain de Courcy liked the ‘ripe strawberry and raspberry fruit that has a funky, barnyard note adding complexity’, further saying: ‘There’s good weight and tannic structure that carries a nice, mineral, slate feel.’

£12.47 Davy's Wine Merchants

Cave de Tain, Origine 1933, Crozes-Hermitage 2017, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

‘There’s good crushed raspberry and blueberry aromas,’ noted team leader Lionel Periner,aadding: ‘The wine is medium bodied with some dry tannin but with a juicy, spicy finish; it’s certainly good value for money.’

£12.50 Boutinot

Cave de Tain, Domaine Gambert de Loche, Hermitage (in wooden gift box) 2013, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

James Fryer of Woodhead 17 enjoyed the notes of ‘coffee and earthy mud on the nose and the full broad palate’, adding: ‘There’s dense black fruit, white pepper, sweet spice and a long, purple fruit finish.’ Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche was more concise: ‘Yummy, yummy; intense and refreshing at the same time.’

£60.50 Boutinot

Cave de Tain, Cornas Arenes Sauvages 2015, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

‘Perfect for a Sunday roast,’ thought team leader Carlos Ferreira, ‘the nose has notes of pine, eucalyptus and wet grass, alongside the red and black fruits; the palate is elegant with good acidity and a long and complex finish.’

£30.00 Boutinot

Domaine Yves Cuilleron, St-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2016, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira liked the 'smoky character to the nose with tapenade and dense black olive and garrigue notes; black raspberry and blueberry fruits glide across a delicate palate which remains very fresh and fruity.'
He added: the wine is very well balanced and finishes well too.'

£21.66 Enotria&Coe

La Pigeade, Beaumes de Venise 2015, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

Team leader Martin Lam enjoyed ‘the dark cherry fruit and rounded oak; this has real Rhône character and is good value’. ‘Earthy and plummy,’ agreed Ross Antonelli of Hawksmoor Borough, ‘with clove, iodine, dark chocolate and wild garrigue herbs.’

£9.85 Stone Vine & Sun

Domaine Brusset, Laurent B, Côtes du Rhône 2017, Rhône, France

Bronze medal winner

‘This is pretty, bright and juicy with good length,’ said team leader Jan Konetzki. ‘Nice forest floor and leather aromas with integrated alcohol,’ added Gymkhana Restaurant’s Savvas Symeonidis.

£9.46 Enotria&Coe

Colombo & Fille, Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2017, Rhône, France

Bronze medal winner

Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant found ‘perfumed notes of rose and violet lead to a smooth red berry palate with balanced tannins and decent length’.

£7.63 Hatch Mansfield

Jean-Luc Colombo, Les Collines de Laure, Rouge 2017, Rhône, France

Bronze medal winner

‘This has an intense purple fruit core with purple florals; there’s a nice lift from the fresh acidity and the finish is earthy and meaty with some pepper spice,’ said James Fryer of Woodhead 17.

£10.94 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Domaine des Carabiniers, Lunar Apogé, Côtes du Rhône 2018, Rhône, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Nice charcuterie match’ thought team leader Nigel Lister, adding: ‘It’s nicely aromatic with black cherry, pepper and violets; the tannins are gentle and it makes for a lighter style with a sappy, thirst-quenching finish.’

£8.89 Davy's Wine Merchants

Domaine Combier, Cuvée Laurent, Crozes-Hermitage Organic 2017, Rhône, France

Bronze medal winner

The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki noted: ‘A very peppery nose with fresh forest fruits like blueberry, cassis and blackberry. The palate is smooth with fine-boned tannins and a long and pleasant finish.’

£16.53 Enotria&Coe

Cave de Tain, Crozes-Hermitage Sans Sulfites 2017, Rhône, France

Bronze medal winner

‘The nose is very fresh and fruity,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, ‘with red cherries, smoke and pine; the palate is also aromatic, smooth, elegant and fresh; it finishes beautifully long.’

£11.65 Boutinot

Domaine Yves Cuilleron, Côte Rôtie, La Madinière 2016, Rhône, France

Bronze medal winner

‘I’d ideally like to age this for another two or three years when it would be really very interesting,’ said Le Gavroche’s Rémi Cousin, adding: ‘There are already lovely notes of dark chocolate, and black olive with a juicy, intense mouthfeel.’

£46.54 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Brusset, Gigondas, Les Hauts de Montmirail 2016, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£27.28 Enotria&Coe

Chante Cigale, Réserve des Oliviers, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£20.12 Enotria&Coe

Ogier, Gentilhomme, Côtes du Rhône 2017, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£8.15 Matthew Clark

Ogier, Plan de Dieu, Côtes du Rhône Villages 2017, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£9.74 Matthew Clark

Ogier, Vinolithic, Domaine Notre Dame de Cousignac 2015, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£15.98 ADVINI

Ogier, Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£22.38 Matthew Clark

Alain Jaume, Clos de Sixte, Lirac 2014, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£14.88 Bibendum

Domaine Champ-Long, Tradition, Ventoux 2016, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine de la Solitude, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

Cave de Tain, Origine 1933, Hermitage 2015, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£33.65 Boutinot

Cave de Tain, Esprit de Granit St Joseph 2015, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£19.75 Boutinot

Boutinot, La Ruchette Dorée, Côtes du Rhône Villages 2015, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£6.95 Boutinot

TerraVentoux, Terres de Truffes, Côtes du Ventoux 2014, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£9.53 Bibendum

Charles Helfenbein, La Syrah, Coteaux de l'Ardèche NV, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£9.94 Enotria&Coe

La Pigeade, Ventoux, Les Sables 2017, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

Rest of the Old World countries - Red

Feravino, Miraz, Frankovka 2016, Slavonia, Croatia

Gold medal winner

The ‘interesting, spicy, smoky nose’ of this Gold winner caught the attention of team leader Hamish Anderson, who went on to describe ‘tart cherry and grilled-meat notes, as well as some dark plum, leading to a grippy, savoury finish, making this a great option for barbecues’. Fellow team leader Carlos Ferreira was similarly impressed, describing it as ‘very well made, with black and red fruit joined by notes of spice, leather and pine’.

£15.16 Croatian Wine Club

Karam Wines, Touriga Nacional 2017, Jezzine, Lebanon

Gold medal winner

‘An intense and complex wine,’ began Harry Ballmann of Wiltons as this took its rightful place on the Gold List, before describing ‘earthy dark fruit and notes of cassis, with a grassiness, too’. ‘Intense aromas of black fruit such as blackcurrants’ kicked things off here for Savoy Grill’s Matteo Cali, who went on to praise ‘sweet spices like liquorice and vanilla coming through, with ripe tannins on a very smooth palate’.

£12.90 Karam Wines

Arba, Kyzyl Arba, Cabernet Franc 2013, Assa Valley, Kazakhstan

Silver medal winner

‘Lovely and aromatic, with a lifted nose of fresh herbs,’ began team leader Nigel Lister, going on to describe ‘meaty notes and a great, fleshy texture on the palate, with some firm, grippy tannins, too’.

£44.82 Arba Wine

Domaine de Baccari, Première de Baccari, Rouge 2015, Meknes, Morocco

Silver medal winner

‘A rich, brambly, warm nose, with some cream and jam, too,’ began team leader Hamish Anderson, who described this as having ‘a rich style, under which lies brooding iron, meat and spice notes – a full and sweet wine with earthiness, and some grip on the finish’.

£24.29 Top Selection

Arba, Pino Arba, Pinot Noir 2015, Assa Valley, Kazakhstan

Bronze medal winner

‘Really intriguing and interesting,’ thought team leader Hamish Anderson, who described a ‘floral, lifted nose of violet and rose, leading to a palate that’s sweet yet elegant, with some spicy grip’.

£33.58 Arba Wine

Arba, Pinot Noir/Saperavi 2015, Assa Valley, Kazakhstan

Bronze medal winner

‘Sour cherry fruit, with some chocolate, mocha character too,’ described Raphael Thierry of Street XO, also commenting on the ‘fine oak use’ here.

£29.08 Arba Wine

Karam Wines, Saint John 2014, Jezzine, Lebanon

Bronze medal winner

Harry Ballmann of Wiltons found this to have ‘tertiary mushroom notes, with soft tannins’, while Matteo Cali of Savoy Grill liked its ‘dark cherry character and good body and structure, which needs food’.

£13.50 Astir Food & Wine

Arba, Pino Arba, Reserve, Pinot Noir 2014, Assa Valley, Kazakhstan

Commended medal winner

£88.38 Arba Wine

Puklavec Family, Estate Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2017, Povardarie, Macedonia

Commended medal winner

£9.13 Bibendum

Paolo Basso, Il Rosso di Chiara 2016, Ticino, Switzerland

Commended medal winner

£41.55 Top Selection

Erdutski Vinogradi, Merlot 2017, Slavonia, Croatia

Commended medal winner

Rest of the Old World countries - White

Kozlović, Malvazija 2017, Istria, Croatia

Gold medal winner

‘Wow,’ began team leader Laurent Richet MS as this took its rightful place on the Gold List, describing a fascinating combination of ‘banana, toffee, wheat beer and white chocolate, leading to ripe fruit on the palate, like yellow apple and yellow plum, as well as some vanilla, and lovely, high minerality’. ‘Aromatic and fresh,’ added Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair, who found the palate ‘rich, with lots of citrus and vanilla, elderflower and stone fruits, and a bright finish’.

£10.99 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Jidvei, Traditional, Riesling 2018, Târnave, Romania

Gold medal winner

As this Romanian Riesling was awarded a well-deserved Gold, consultant Emanuel Pesqueira praised it as ‘very aromatic, with rosewater and lychee notes’, while team leader Martin Lam appreciated its ‘fresh white flowers and citrus on the nose, with a palate that’s dry, slatey, crunchy and delicious’. Victoria Sharples of St John Wines, meanwhile, spoke highly of its ‘violets and hawthorn notes on the nose, with a sour and pithy finish’.

£6.95 Transylvania’s Finest Ltd

Jidvei, Grigorescu, Gewürztraminer 2018, Târnave, Romania

Gold medal winner

This Gewürztraminer was deserving of a Gold medal not only for its great value, but for its ‘rose-petal nose, like Turkish delight, with some good persistence, too’, according to Victoria Sharples of St John Wines, while team leader Laura Rhys MS enjoyed its ‘lychee, coconut ice and spice’ notes. Consultant Anja Breit, meanwhile, saw the excellent food-matching potential here, imagining it paired with ‘spicy Asian food or terrine of foie gras’.

£7.95 Transylvania’s Finest Ltd

Jidvei, Feteasca Regala 2009, Târnave, Romania

Gold medal winner

Judges were generous in their praise as they awarded this Gold, with team leader Laurent Richet MS describing it as ‘ripe, round and creamy, with ripe apple and good concentration’, while Guillaume Mahaut of ETM Group thought it was ‘fruity, soft and Muscat-like, with grape, peach and floral notes, and a long, complex finish’. Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair appreciated ‘a hint of vanilla and some green apple on a round and buttery palate, with a long finish’.

£10.95 Transylvania’s Finest Ltd

Paolo Basso, Il Bianco di Chiara 2016, Ticino, Switzerland

Silver medal winner

Team leader Laura Rhys MS found this wine to have ‘aromas of soft fruits’ and ‘a creamy oak edge’, and described it as ‘complex’. Is it worth the price, she wondered? It’s won a Silver medal, so yes.

£35.55 Top Selection

Erdutski Vinogradi, Graševina 2017, Slavonia, Croatia

Silver medal winner

‘Citrus, petrol and oiliness on the nose, yet the palate is fresher with good acidity,’ said Honami Masumoto of House of Sake.

£10.60 Erdutski vinogradi d.o.o.

Feravino, Miraz, Graševina 2017, Slavonia, Croatia

Silver medal winner

The nose on this wine reminded consultant Anja Breit of ‘wax, honey, floral notes and ripe stone fruit’, and she thought the palate had ‘interesting ripe flavours and high acidity on the finish’.

£14.08 Croatian Wine Club

Jako Vino, Cuvee White, Stina 2018, Dalmatia, Croatia

Silver medal winner

Consultant Anja Breit described this Silver medal-winning wine as ‘grassy and chalky on the nose, yet with high acidity, ripe peach, and textured’. She thought it would be ‘a nice wine to list instead of a Sauvignon’.

£11.67 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Jidvei, Mysterium, TR+SB 2018, Târnave, Romania

Silver medal winner

Team leader Laura Rhys MS enjoyed the ‘juicy fruit of citrus, tropical fruits and green pepper’ in this Silver medal-winning wine. Detecting the Sauvignon, she described it as ‘a good example and a classic’.

£10.95 Transylvania’s Finest Ltd

Château Ksara, Cuvée du Pape, Chardonnay, 2016, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

Bronze medal winner

Honami Matsumoto of House of Sake picked up ‘stone fruits, sweet spices and toasty tones’, and described this wine as ‘buttery, creamy, with a textured oaky palate and a distinctly savoury finish’.

£16.52 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Jidvei, Owner's Choice, Maria, Feteasca Alba 2018, Târnave, Romania

Bronze medal winner

‘With a soft and delicate nose of apples, the palate is equally quiet and lighter in style, yet the wine has good acidity and citrussy-ness,’ said Honami Matsumoto of House of Sake.

£12.95 Transylvania’s Finest Ltd

Jidvei, Owner's Choice, Maria, Pinot Gris 2018, Târnave, Romania

Bronze medal winner

‘A bold juicy fruit bomb with spice and excellent length,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS.

£12.95 Transylvania’s Finest Ltd

Jidvei, Traditional, Feteasca Alba 2018, Târnave, Romania

Bronze medal winner

Consultant Anja Breit described the nose as ‘clean and cool’ and the palate as ‘light with bitter aromas’. She summed it up as ‘sound, yet simple enough and great value’.

£6.95 Transylvania’s Finest Ltd

Arba, Ak Arba, Reserve, Riesling 2014, Assa Valley, Kazakhstan

Commended medal winner

£68.70 Arba Wine

Vina Papak, Radosh, Grasevina 2017, Hrvatsko Podunavlje, Croatia

Commended medal winner

Jidvei, Owner's Choice, Ana, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Târnave, Romania

Commended medal winner

Jidvei, Owner's Choice, Ana, Chardonnay 2018, Târnave, Romania

Commended medal winner

Jidvei, Mysterium, RR+SB 2018, Târnave, Romania

Commended medal winner

Jidvei, Traditional, Feteasca Regala 2018, Târnave, Romania

Commended medal winner

Jidvei, Rhin Riesling 2009, Târnave, Romania

Commended medal winner

Jidvei, Pinot Gris 2009, Târnave, Romania

Commended medal winner

Rosé - > £5.50

Soto y Manrique, La Viña de Ayer, Albillo Real 2017, Sierra de Gredos, Spain

Gold medal winner

As this Spanish orange wine earned itself a well-deserved place on the Gold List, team leader Laura Rhys MS remarked on its ‘bruised apple notes’, before praising its ‘good weight and acidity’. Its ‘pronounced intensity, along with mango purée and cooked pineapple’, according to Lucie Kalertova of Caprice Holdings - Sexy Fish, combined with some additional ‘ripe apricot and nectarine notes’ would all help this wine ‘to pair well with strong flavours’.

£9.75 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Lapostolle, Collection Muscat 2016, Itata Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Rosé - > £6

Château Sainte Marguerite, Symphonie Organic Rosé 2018, Provence, France

Gold medal winner

‘This should be available at every restaurant that has seafood on the menu,’ began consultant Cinthia Lozano, echoing the sentiments of the rest of the judges who awarded this Gold. ‘It’s very elegant,’ added team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, who described ‘lifted, aromatic, floral notes of roses and strawberry jam that lead to a clean, limpid palate’. For fellow team leader Martin Lam, ‘red fruit and herbal notes on the nose’ led to a palate that was ‘linear, concentrated and persistent’.

£16.46 Enotria&Coe

Domaine De Baccari, Premiere de Baccari Rosé 2018, Meknes, Morocco

Gold medal winner

Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants found much to admire about this worthy Gold winner, describing its as ‘really enjoyable, fresh and vibrant with complex fruit and floral notes, leading to a lovely, well-balanced finish’. Victoria Sharples of St John Wines, meanwhile, found it ‘attractive, with floral nuances, good concentration and lifted acidity, with good length’. The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki further described ‘rose petals, rhubarb and watermelon notes’, which led to a ‘structured, concentrated palate’ that would be ideal to ‘accompany salmon dishes’.

£20.20 Top Selection

Château Beaulieu, Cuvée Alexandre 2018, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, France

Gold medal winner

As this took its place on the Gold podium, Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn described a fascinating combination of ‘honey blossom, red berries and dandelion on the nose, leading to a complex palate of red fruit, spring buttercups and hedgerow’. Team leader Laura Rhys MS appreciated its ‘aromatic notes of mandarin rind’, further describing it as ‘fresh and fruit driven in quite a rich style, with a lovely acidity’, while Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group enjoyed ‘a lovely bitter aftertaste of fresh almond’.

£12.12 Liberty Wines

Minuty, Rose et Or, Côtes de Provence 2018, Provence, France

Gold medal winner

Judges were convinced of this rosé’s place on the Gold List. It had ‘savoury, crushed seashell aromas, and a fresh palate with good aromatic balance’, according to team leader Martin Lam, while Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn was reminded of ‘a Mediterranean garden’, describing ‘river stones, and a chalkiness, too’. Consultant Cinthia Lozano was similarly impressed, finding it ‘stunning on the nose, with notes of jasmine and peaches’, and adding that it was ‘perfect for summer days and seafood’.

£20.03 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Dandelion Vineyards, Fairytale of the Barossa Rosé 2018, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner

As this was elevated to Gold, team leader Laura Rhys MS described it as ‘ripe and juicy, with elegant fruit’, while Guillaume Mahaut of ETM Group appreciated its ‘forest floor notes, as well as some berries on the nose, leading to fresh, bright acidity on the palate, and a good earthy character, too’, adding that it ‘would work very well with food’. ‘A touch darker than blush, with some good fruit and spice, this is perfect for the couple that can’t decide between red, white and rosé,’ added Heddon Street Kitchen’s Timothy Connor.

£9.37 Liberty Wines

Gérard Bertrand, Château La Sauvageonne, La Villa Rosé, Pays d'Oc 2017, Languedoc, France

Gold medal winner

On encountering this formidable rosé, which took home a well-deserved Gold, impressed team leader Lionel Periner described a nose that was ‘open and complex, with ripe fruit and oak, while the palate is dry and full, with an oaky complexity and a fine buttery, nutty long finish’. The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia found it to be a ‘fresh, approachable style, with jasmine, peach and blanched tomato skin, as well as a creamy, vanilla, toasted note’.

£40.19 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

M/S, Akluj, Sangiovese Rosé 2018, Mahārāshtra, India

Gold medal winner

On tasting this worthy Gold medal recipient, Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club spoke highly of its ‘lovely lifted nose of honeysuckle and cherries, leading to a softly approachable redcurrant and raspberry palate’, before going on to describe ‘lovely minerality, and a delicate acidity on the finish’. ‘Floral notes and cooked red fruit, with good freshness’ led team leader Lionel Periner to picture this alongside ‘light cured meats or fruit salads’.

£9.77 Liberty Wines

Cavit, Terrazze Della Luna, Pinot Grigio Rosato, Vigneti Delle Dolomiti 2018, Trentino, Italy

Gold medal winner By the glassPub & Bar

This impressive ‘aperitif wine, juicy and soft, with red fruits’, according to team leader Laura Rhys MS, took home not only a Gold medal, but a pair of awards, too. Lucie Kalertova of Caprice Holdings - Sexy Fish singled out its ‘candied strawberry notes on the nose’, while Gymkhana Restaurant’s Valentin Radosav also admired its ‘perfumed, strawberry aromas and elegantly pale colour’, which led to some ‘balanced acidity, as well as floral and red fruit flavours, with a lovely texture and a ripe finish’.

£6.60 Boutinot

Château Gassier, Esprit Gassier, Côtes de Provence 2018, Provence, France

Silver medal winner

Timothy Connor of Heddon Street Kitchen found some ‘good red fruit with pepper spice over a long finish’, while team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW described the wine as ‘very aromatic, with pineapple and exotica; the palate finishes fat and oily’. For consultant Cinthia Lozano, with its notes of ‘peach and jasmine’, the wine was ‘amazing – just like a day at the beach’.

£10.46 Enotria&Coe

VDA Wine Group, Alma de Chile, Syrah Rosé Reserva 2017, Central Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Team leader Andres Ituarte noted the ‘zippy acids with grapefruit pith and orange rind’ and found it ‘easy drinking and very enjoyable’. For Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles it would be ‘a perfect summer wine or a great first glass – soft and easy drinking with a pleasing acidity; rather elegant’.

£7.09 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Minuty, M de Minuty, Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2018, Provence, France

Silver medal winner

‘Good with seafood or light pasta dishes,’ began Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London, ‘the light savoury finish along with the wild fresh berries would match the food well.’ Team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW felt the wine, with its ‘herbaceous, gently leafy aromatics and notes of roses’, had ‘a real sense of place’.

£12.33 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Tenuta Ammiraglia, Rosé Alie, Frescobaldi 2018, Tuscany, Italy

Silver medal winner

Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles noted ‘delicate and elegant red fruit aromas leading to an interesting minerality and an intense, dry and vibrant palate of herbs and crushed red berry fruits, leading to a long finish’.

£14.43 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

San Marzano, Tramari, Primitivo Rosé 2018, Puglia, Italy

Silver medal winner

Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair found this wine to be ‘light and fresh with a good balance between an unripe apple acidity and a red fruit and cherry palate’, and adding that ‘with aromas of orange peel and peach the wine finishes long and dry’.

£8.87 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Karam, Arc en Ciel 2018, Jezzine, Lebanon

Silver medal winner

James Fryer of Woodhead 17 picked out elements of ‘rose water, orange juice and rose petal with a banana and peach palate of excellent persistence’, while team leader Nigel Lister admired the ‘pretty nose of sherbet, rose and crushed raspberries’ and ‘well-rounded red fruits in a gentle, easy style’.

£11.35 Astir Food & Wine

Willunga 100, Grenache Rosé 2018, McLaren Vale, Australia

Silver medal winner

Corina Stanila of La Dame de Pic at Ten Trinity Square liked the ‘nose of wild cherry and delicate white flowers’ and ‘the crisp acidity and beautiful minerality with lovely strawberry fruit’.

£9.37 Liberty Wines

Dalton Winery, Dalton Estate Rosé 2018, Galilee, Israel

Bronze medal winner

Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants described this as ‘crisp, clean and fresh wine with a good balance’, finding ‘hints of cranberry and raspberry and a touch of warm herbs’.

£10.00 Kedem Europe

Groot Constantia, Rosé 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

‘Attractive pink colour. Nice aromas of fresh flowers, red fruits and a hint of bell pepper. Palate is dry with some elegant acidity,’ said team leader Lionel Periner.

£9.17 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Les Costières de Pomerols, Délicat Rosé, Côtes de Thau 2018, Languedoc, France

Bronze medal winner

James Fryer of Woodhead 17 found ‘rose petals on the nose with a touch of redcurrant’, adding that ‘the palate offers blackcurrants and leafy notes and the overall effect is rather delicate’.

£6.93 Matthew Clark

Château de Campuget, Le Campuget, Syrah Grenache Rosé, Vin de Pays du Gard 2018, Languedoc, France

Bronze medal winner

‘A pretty nose,’ said Guillaume Mahaut of ETM Group, ‘a light and delicate wine, perhaps lacking a little acidity but certainly having some nice round and soft berry fruits.’

£6.86 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Badet Clément, La Promenade, Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2018, Provence, France

Bronze medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group noted the ‘floral bouquet on the nose, fresh with gooseberry, delicate strawberry and banana notes’, adding that the wine ‘finishes with a lively acidity’.

£8.24 Molson Coors

Jidvei, Mysterium Cs+Pn+Sy 2018, Târnave, Romania

Bronze medal winner

‘A pale, dry restrained style with subtle red fruits,’ said team leader Martin Lam. ‘Not a big wine but with a lovely zest and minerality through the palate,’ he added.

£10.95 ROEXPORT LIMITED

Château du Donjon, Rosé 2017, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£8.71 Enotria&Coe

Château Gassier, Le Pas du Moine, Rosé Organic, Côtes de Provence 2017, Provence, France

Commended medal winner

£12.51 Enotria&Coe

Château Gassier, 946 Rosé, Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire 2017, Provence, France

Commended medal winner

£26.00 Enotria&Coe

Louis Jadot, Coteaux Bourguignons, Rosé 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

Normandie Est. 1693, Karen 2015, Franschhoek, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£14.00 Wine Source UK

Lavenham Brook, Suffolk Pinot Noir Rosé 2017, Suffolk, England

Commended medal winner

Domaine des Carabiniers, Lunar Apogé, Tavel Rosé, 2018, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

Jeanjean, Mas Neuf, Le Rosé 2018, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£9.47 ADVINI

Jeanjean, Domaine Le Pive 2018, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£8.62 ADVINI

Ravoire & Fils, Chateau Saint Hippolyte, Rosé 2018, Provence, France

Commended medal winner

Cantina di Custoza, Bardolino Chiaretto Classico, Val dei Molini 2018, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£7.15 Eurowines

Costaripa, RosaMara Valtènesi 2018, Lombardy, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.92 Alivini

Minuty, Prestige, Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2018, Provence, France

Commended medal winner

Rioja Vega, Colección, Tempranillo Rosado 2018, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£10.53 Rioja Vega

The Wine Group, Monterey Bay, Zinfandel Rosé 2016, California, USA

Commended medal winner

Dunleavy, Pinot Noir Rosé 2017, Somerset, England

Commended medal winner

Jarrah Wood, Shiraz Rosé 2017, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

Ontañón, Clarete 2018, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£7.75 Boutinot

Boutinot, La Ruchette Dorée, Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2017, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£6.95 Boutinot

Chaffey Bros, Not Your Grandma's Rosé 2017, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£9.92 Enotria&Coe

Quinta do Pinto, Vinhas do Lasso, Posh Pink, Colheita Seleccionada 2017, Lisbon, Portugal

Commended medal winner

£8.75 Boutinot

Toppesfield Vineyard, Pinot Rosé 2017, East Anglia, England

Commended medal winner

Aldwick Estate, Mary's Rose 2017, Somerset, England

Commended medal winner

Domaine Grauzan, Syrah Rosé, Pays d'Oc 2018, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£7.00 Eurowines

Zonte's Footstep, Scarlet Ladybird 2018, Fleurieu Peninsula, Australia

Commended medal winner

Laporte, Les Grandmontains, Sancerre Rosé 2017, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

£16.46 Enotria&Coe

Leone de Castris, Five Roses, Rosato 2018, Puglia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.20 Eurowines

Les Celliers de Cérès, Le Petit Broux, Sancerre Rosé NV, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

£12.68 Enotria&Coe

Avantis Estate, Falcon's Hill Rosé 2018, Evia, Greece

Commended medal winner

£10.04 Amathus

Alpha Estate, Hedgehog Single Vineyard, Rosé 2018, Amyndeon, Greece

Commended medal winner

Cave de Saumur, La Cabriole, Saumur Rosé 2017, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

£8.33 Enotria&Coe

Sherry

Fernando de Castilla, Antique, Oloroso (50cl) NV, Jerez, Spain

Gold medal winner

‘So refined!’ began an admiring Beatrice Bessi of 67 Pall Mall as this took its place on the Gold List, while team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW described ‘a gloriously powerful nose of roasted walnuts and mahogany, leading to rich, baked jam notes on a very intense, driving palate with a punchy, long finish’. Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants added praise for its ‘complex long-aged rancio elements, an explosive palate, and a gentle finish’.

£22.15 Size: 50cl Boutinot

Fernando de Castilla, Classic, Fino NV, Jerez, Spain

Gold medal winner

With its ‘great typicity that jumps out of the glass’, according to team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, it’s no surprise that this took home a Gold medal. ‘Salty, floral, herbaceous and nutty,’ added Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles, going on to find ‘delicate saline flavours of almonds, garrigue and petals, leading to a vibrant, balanced, refreshing finish’. This all led Nelio Pinto of Candlesticks to declare it ‘perfect with Iberico ham’.

£9.65 Size: 75cl Boutinot

Fernando de Castilla, Antique, Pedro Ximénez (50cl) NV, Jerez, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘The very essence of Christmas,’ said team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW. ‘With its velvety texture, melted chocolate and spicy silkiness this wine is astonishingly drinkable,’ she added, further describing it as ‘treacly but with such freshness it’s brilliantly balanced. Miraculous!’.

£24.50 Size: 50cl Boutinot

Bodegas Yuste, Aurora, Amontillado NV, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain

Silver medal winner

Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles found aromatic notes of ‘toffee, burnt caramel and toasted almond’, and thought they mingled with the ‘rich treacle, orange marmalade and bitter lemon flavours’, summing it up as ‘rich, full and long lasting’.

£20.09 Size: 50cl Top Selection

Bodegas Yuste, Aurora, Manzanilla NV, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Soft salted butter and toasted almond aromas, with rich caramel and almondy, woody flavours,’ said Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles, praising it for its ‘lovely complexity and refreshing acidity’.

£16.58 Size: 50cl Top Selection

Bodegas Yuste, La Kika, Manzanilla NV, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain

Commended medal winner

£34.50 Size: 37.5cl Top Selection

Slovenia

Puklavec Family, Seven Numbers, Furmint 2016, Podravje, Slovenia

Gold medal winner

As this Furmint took home a well-deserved Gold, tasters described an intriguing wine with ‘a richly intense nose of mature fruits, honey and white flowers’, according to Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles, who found it ‘well balanced with lovely acidity and minerality’. Team leader Andres Ituarte, meanwhile, enjoyed notes of ‘oolong tea and jasmine, as well as green apple and bruised peach, with enormous length of stone fruit and white tea’.

£12.00 Wood Winters

Puklavec Family, Puklavec, Pinot Blanc 1971, Podravje, Slovenia

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

‘Very special. A beautiful wine,’ began Corina Stanila of La Dame de Pic at Ten Trinity Square as this Slovenian Pinot Blanc was awarded a Critics’ Choice award to go with its Gold medal. Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club described an ‘unctuous nose of quince, pear and caramelised puff pastry, and a palate that explodes with layer upon layer of mango, iced tea and more, and with superb length’, while team leader Andres Ituarte found it ‘super-interesting, with apricot pie, cinnamon, clove and herbaceous menthol’.

£82.32 Puklavec Family Wines d.o.o.

Klet Brda, Križno, Sauvignon Blanc/Rebula 2018, Primorska, Slovenia

Gold medal winner

This ‘great value, and great by-the-glass’ Slovenian white took Gold with its ‘lovely exotic fruits, peach and apricot, with an intense palate and a touch of minerality’, according to Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles, while team leader Andres Ituarte found it ‘light and floral, with some pear skin, and a bit of spritz’, declaring it ‘super-fresh’. Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn agreed, describing it as ‘bright, with tropical pineapple and passion fruit, with some pastry notes, too’.

£6.67 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Klet Brda, Quercus, Cabernet/Merlot 2017, Primorska, Slovenia

Gold medal winner

This great-value Slovenian red took Gold for its ‘light, perfumed style, with bramble fruit and hawthorn, leading to a juicy palate of crunchy red berries and firm oak tannins’, said team leader Angela Reddin, while Gymkhana Restaurant’s Valentin Radosav found some additional complexity from ‘delicate coffee bean notes, and an earthiness’. Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam, meanwhile, enjoyed ‘lively strawberry fruit’, adding that this was ‘a good match for duck’.

£7.40 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Puklavec Family, Seven Numbers, Pinot Grigio 2017, Podravje, Slovenia

Silver medal winner

Michael Fiducia of the The Royal Automobile Club found the wine ‘deeply coloured, showing signs of volcanic minerality and skin contact’. He said it was ‘lovely and fresh on the palate, with gorgeous texture and nice stone fruit flavours’, while team leader Andres Ituarte thought it had ‘good body and warm structure, showing peach skin, orange rind and good acidity’.

£11.75 Wood Winters

Puklavec Family, Estate Selection, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Podravje, Slovenia

Silver medal winner

‘On the nose I find it grapey, with some lemon and lime notes. Very fresh, perfect for summer,’ said team leader Andres Ituarte. Meanwhile Corina Stanila of La Dame de Pic at Ten Trinity Square described it as ‘very elegant, with white flowers, lime and lemon zest, and jasmine. On the palate it shows flavours of peach, pear and citrus fruit and has a beautiful long finish.’

£10.62 Bibendum

Klet Brda, Quercus, Pinot Bianco 2018, Primorska, Slovenia

Bronze medal winner

‘The nose shows fresh herbs and white flowers,’ said Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles. ‘On the palate there’s a vibrant, herbaceous character and an amazing minerality. It’s refreshing, perfect to go with salads. The ideal summer wine.’

£7.20 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Puklavec Family, Seven Numbers, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Podravje, Slovenia

Commended medal winner

£12.00 Wood Winters

Klet Brda, Quercus, Pinot Grigio 2018, Primorska, Slovenia

Commended medal winner

Puklavec Family, Estate Selection, Furmint/Pinot Blanc 2018, Podravje, Slovenia

Commended medal winner

£8.29 Bibendum

Puklavec Family, Estate Selection, Sauvignon Blanc/Furmint 2017, Podravje, Slovenia

Commended medal winner

£9.39 Bibendum

Spain: Catalonia, including Priorat

Oliveda, Furot del Monestir 2014, Catalonia, Spain

Gold medal winner

‘Bravo!’ said Tatiana Mann of The Vine Eno Gastropub, ‘this is extremely gastronomical’, before going on to describe this clear Gold medal winner as ‘such a clever wine – it’s a big, warm-climate wine but so fresh and juicy, with minty notes and tobacco’. Team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW described it as ‘rich’ and ‘plump’ and thought it was ‘balanced by bright vibrant acidity’. She summed it up as ‘long, young and lovely’. For Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles it had ‘lifted, lovely dark fruit aromas’ with ‘lovely fruit complexity on the palate veering toward red cherry’ and ‘lovely oak integration with silky tannins’.

£17.05 Oliveda S.A

Casa Mariol, Garnatxa Negra, Terra Alta 2017, Catalonia, Spain

Silver medal winner

Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn found ‘an expressive nose’ with ‘honeyed sweet spice’, while the palate was full with ‘warming primary fruits, a good spicy mouthfeel and a nice sense of balance’.

£9.10 Top Selection

Casa Mariol, Syrah Reserva, Terra Alta 2013, Catalonia, Spain

Silver medal winner

Finding much to enjoy here, team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW noted: ‘Rich, fleshy palate with green herbs and some grassiness; it’s well balanced and on the elegant spectrum; this feels fresh, juicy and lifted.’

£11.42 Top Selection

Raventos de Alella, Pansa Blanca 2017, Catalonia, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Very citric, full of lime and grapefruit – nicely easy drinking,’ said Sexy Fish’s Roberto Sanchez. ‘Zesty and fresh and good value for money. A lovely match for fish or oysters and mussels,’ said La Trompette’s Virginia Fontò.

£9.20 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Gratavinum, 2πr 2016, Priorat, Spain

Bronze medal winner

Juan Manuel Marcos Perez of The Gilbert Scott noted ‘mature, farmyard aromas’ that mingle with ‘notes of baked fruit’ and lead to a ‘tannic, powerful, black fruit palate’.

£21.37 Top Selection

Ca N'Estruc, Xarel-lo 2018, Catalonia, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘Good value for money and a nice aperitif’ was the verdict of La Trompette’s Virginia Fontò, while team leader Carlos Ferreira thought it had ‘quite a tropical palate with notes of melon, pineapple and peach’.

£8.95 Boutinot

Franck Massard, Humilitat 2015, Priorat, Spain

Bronze medal winner

This brought an intriguing ‘medicinal note to the nose with herbal hints of dried rosemary’, said Juan Manuel Marcos Perez of The Gilbert Scott, adding: ‘The red fruit character has fairly high alcohol but it’s integrated and has a good long finish.’

£16.16 Enotria&Coe

Parés Baltà, Indigena Negre 2017, Penedès, Spain

Commended medal winner

£13.27 Top Selection

Oliveda, Joana Rigau Ros 2017, Catalonia, Spain

Commended medal winner

£17.05 Oliveda S.A

Spain: Duero Valley, including Rueda

Valdubón, Reserva 2014, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Gold medal winner

This Gold medallist was both ‘pretty and powerful’, according to team leader Jade Koch, who described it as ‘vibrant, with good concentration and tight bramble fruit, as well as some violet notes’. ‘Dark and chewy, with sweet plums and coffee notes, and fruit balanced well with oak influence – there’s ageing potential here,’ added Scarlet Hotel’s Jim Bass, while team leader Nigel Lister considered it to be ‘versatile with all roast meats, and fillet steak too’.

£15.65 Matthew Clark

Familia Chavarri, Valle de Oron 2015, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Gold medal winner

As this was led to the Gold podium, Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse described it as ‘a very modern style of wine from the Duero Valley, with lots of dark fruit’, while team leader Jade Koch was impressed by ‘liquorice spice and vanilla, together with balanced tannins’. Finding some additional ‘toasted oak notes’, Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants thought it would ‘go very well with dishes containing duck or bacon’.

£7.89 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Pago de los Capellanes, Reserva 2014, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Gold medal winner

‘Very complex,’ began team leader Carlos Ferreira on encountering this clear Gold-medal candidate, going on to describe ‘lots of plum, floral and leather notes, followed by freshness on the palate’. James Fryer of Woodhead 17 further identified ‘coffee, leather and dried black fruits on the nose, followed by dried plums, coconut husk and some velvet tannins on the palate’, while team leader Nigel Lister summed it up as ‘elegant and concentrated’.

£30.76 Enotria&Coe

Diez Siglos, Nekora, Verdejo 2018, Rueda, Spain

Gold medal winner

Awarding a Gold medal, team leader Jan Konetzki said ‘this is clearly a really good bottle at this price point’. ‘It’s refreshing, concentrated and full of fruit,’ added Claire Love of Loves Consultancy, while Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn described it as having ‘fresh, lemony and tropical fruit aromatics with a steely length’, going on to add: ‘The palate is ripe with pink grapefruit and minerals.’ ‘Calls out for oysters by the sea,’ added consultant Emanuel Pesqueira.

£6.70 Boutinot

Protos, Crianza 2015, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Silver medal winner

Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse liked this wine’s ‘ripe black fruit character, with cassis and blackberry, as well as some toast, smoke and tar, and additional vanilla and clove spice. A classic wine from the region, with a lot of expression.’

£19.60 Bibendum

Protos, Reserva 2013, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Silver medal winner

Tatiana Mann of The Vine Eno Gastropub described ‘forest fruits on the nose, as well as some eucalyptus, and an earthiness too, leading to a subtle structure with velvet tannins – and ready to drink now’.

£23.87 Bibendum

Abadía Retuerta, Pago Negralada Tempranillo 2015, Castilla y León, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Ripe and well crafted,’ began team leader Laurent Richet MS, who found ‘blackberry, cassis, dates and figs, as well as some vanilla notes’, while Tatiana Mann of The Vine Eno Gastropub liked its ‘very good texture, with well-balanced tannins and acidity, and some good fruit concentration’.

£54.39 Enotria&Coe

Torreduero, Peñamonte, Crianza 2016, Toro, Spain

Silver medal winner

This was, according to Scarlet Hotel’s Jim Bass, ‘fruit forward, with some delicate plum jam notes, leading to silky tannins, good depth and weight for food’, while Woodhead 17’s James Fryer remarked on its ‘dry cherry and white pepper aromas, balanced acidity, clay and subtle pepper’.

£8.85 Hayward Bros (Wines) Ltd

Marqués de Cáceres, Verdejo 2018, Rueda, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Aromatic, herbaceous notes of green vegetables, and cut grass lift to a citrussy palate, where lemon and lime notes blend with pear and green apple to a nice fresh finish.’

£7.64 Halewood International

Protos, Roble 2017, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘A dynamic, powerful and intense wine, with vanilla, cassis and blackcurrant on the nose, and juicy plum, meaty notes and some mint on the palate,’ thought team leader Laurent Richet MS.

£11.10 Bibendum

Valdubón, Verdejo 2017, Rueda, Spain

Bronze medal winner

The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones noted: ‘Minerally notes of wet stones mingle with more exotic notes of mango and passion fruit. Elegant and balanced this would work well with food.’

£8.33 Matthew Clark

Valdemar, Fincas Valdemacuco 2017, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘Some green and spicy aromas here are followed by a fruity palate that’s well balanced, with some big tannins,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira.

£11.00 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Familia Chavarri, Valle de Oron, Verdejo 2017, Rueda, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘Creamy, quite tropical notes of mango and pineapple blend with a nice minerality,’ said Mondrian London’s Francesca Turra, while The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones suggested it would be a ‘good seafood, lobster wine’.

£7.93 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Pagos del Rey, El Púgil, Tempranillo 2017, Toro, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘Black cherry, leather and spice aromas, with more black fruit on the spicy palate, along with some black pepper and paprika. Good balance and a long finish,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira.

£7.31 Matthew Clark

Valdubón, Crianza 2016, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Commended medal winner

£10.88 Matthew Clark

Abadía Retuerta, Selección Especial 2015, Castilla y León, Spain

Commended medal winner

£20.47 Enotria&Coe

Bodegas Comenge, Biberius Roble 2017, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Commended medal winner

£9.25 Eurowines

Diez Siglos, Momento Diez 2017, Rueda, Spain

Commended medal winner

£12.00 Boutinot

Pinna Fidelis, Roble 2017, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Commended medal winner

£8.50 Boutinot

Pagos del Rey, Analivia, Verdejo 2018, Rueda, Spain

Commended medal winner

£7.05 Matthew Clark

Bodegas Castillejo de Robledo, Altos de Valdoso Roble 2017, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Commended medal winner

£11.83 Bodegas Olarra

Diez Siglos, Verdejo 2018, Rueda, Spain

Commended medal winner

£6.70 Boutinot

Pagos del Rey, Sentero, Tinta de Toro Roble 2017, Toro, Spain

Commended medal winner

£7.29 Matthew Clark

Spain: North West, including Albarino

Madai, Origen, Mencia 2017, Bierzo, Spain

Gold medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest identified ‘creamy vanilla and cedar spice’ and ‘dark berry fruit with a spicy and smoky finish’ in this Gold medallist. Meanwhile Carolina W Seibel of Moio Restaurant thought it had ‘a dark profile of fruit with a touch of hazelnut’ and enjoyed its ‘notes of chorizo and roasted corn, ginger and dark cherry’, and for Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine the Gold was ultimately awarded for its ‘voluptuous, soft mouthfeel, delicate oak spice and lovely summer pudding fruit’.

£9.70 Boutinot

Paco & Lola, Lolo, Albariño 2018, Rías Baixas, Spain

Gold medal winner

Awarding a Gold medal, Claire Love of Loves Consultancy remarked on the ‘delicious lemon curd and salted caramel texture, with an intense and refreshing crab apple fruit’. ‘A foodie wine,’ was how team leader Jade Koch described this Albariño, adding that it was ‘cherry bright, grippy and had ‘quite a lot going on’. Alonso Abed of Hide Above thought it had ‘crisp aromas’ and ‘fine and lingering mineral notes’ with ‘citrus oils that envelop the wine’.

£9.87 Matthew Clark

Godelia, Mencía 2015, Bierzo, Spain

Silver medal winner

Moio Restaurant’s Carolina W Seibel noted: ‘Slightly more dusty character with dark fruits, there’s dark cherries, well-integrated oak and an airy, floral touch; the drying tannins and refreshing acidity lead to violets and strawberry on the finish.’

£10.48 Moreno Wines

Pago de los Capellanes, O Luar do Sil, Godello 2017, Galicia, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Ripe, leesy aromatics, and there’s a nutty minerality here too. Yum!’ said Tim Smith of CuVée VIII, adding: ‘The lovely complex palate of melon and ripe green apples leads to a crisp finish with good brisk acidity.’

£11.75 Enotria&Coe

Félix Solis, Medusa, Albariño 2018, Rías Baixas, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Fresh citrus such as clementine make a lively, fragrant nose and a lovely fresh palate. A wine to open with friends to start a good night,’ said Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche.

£6.95 Adnams

Finca Os Cobatos, Godello, Monterrei 2018, Galicia, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Cold fermentation gives the wine a lifted, aromatic profile of mandarin and apricot – very tropical. There is a waxy, vegetal and banana leaf palate, which is very juicy and leads to a finish with a fresh, crisp acidity,’ said Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan.

£9.52 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Xosé Lois Sebio, O Con, Albariño 2017, Galicia, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘This is quite a big, rich style,’ said Julien Sahut of Sexy Fish, continuing: ‘The nose is very intense with pronounced notes of cooked pear, apricot and confit lemon. The palate is rich and full bodied, with baked apple and pears and also a floral note. The long acidity on the finish and oily texture make this a very food-friendly Albariño – a “sommeliers’ Albariño”.’

£18.94 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Xosé Lois Sebio, Coios, Mencia 2015, Galicia, Spain

Silver medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest noted: ‘Creamy oak and vanilla aromas leading to a palate of soft ripe black fruits with a nice cedar spice twist; there’s a hint of leafiness and balancing acidity to temper the tannins.’

£18.94 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Paco & Lola, Paco, Mencía 2016, Galicia, Spain

Silver medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest enjoyed the ‘lifted, supple aromas of cherry and redcurrant with a leafy note’ and said: ‘The palate follows on with complex crunchy cherry and cranberry fruit to a good chalky finish.’

£12.43 Matthew Clark

Pago de los Capellanes, O Luar do Sil, Sobre Lías 2015, Galicia, Spain

Bronze medal winner

Melania Bellesini of The Fat Duck noted: ‘A complex, ripe tropical fruit nose leads to rich full-bodied wine with a waxy texture, a peppery minerality and a long finish.’

£18.65 Enotria&Coe

Veiga Naúm, Albariño 2018, Rías Baixas, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘Juicy, taut, bright and crunchy, happy fruit; this has a lovely crisp apple freshness that finishes on a high,’ said team leader Jade Koch.

£9.25 EWGA, Hayward Bros (Wines) Ltd

Angel Sequeiros, Quinta Gavineira, Albariño 2014, Rías Baixas, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘The wine has rich notes of honeydew melon, with a grassy herbaceousness too,’ said team leader Jade Koch, ‘and there’s quite a chewy grip from the new oak.’

£13.89 Top Selection

Martín Códax, El Cante, Albariño 2017, Rías Baixas, Spain

Commended medal winner

Godelia, Godello 2017, Bierzo, Spain

Commended medal winner

£9.45 Moreno Wines

Belarmino, O Mouro, Mencia 2017, Galicia, Spain

Commended medal winner

Marques del Atrio, Faustino Rivero Ulecia, Albariño 2017, Rías Baixas, Spain

Commended medal winner

La Osa, Pardo, Mencia 2015, Bierzo, Spain

Commended medal winner

£15.50 Enotria&Coe

Pagos del Rey, Pulpo, Albariño 2018, Rías Baixas, Spain

Commended medal winner

£10.48 Matthew Clark

La Báscula, Atlantic Way, Albariño 2018, Rías Baixas, Spain

Commended medal winner

£9.60 Boutinot

Terra de Asorei, Pazo Torrado, Albariño 2017, Rías Baixas, Spain

Commended medal winner

Paco & Lola, Prime, Albariño 2016, Rías Baixas, Spain

Commended medal winner

£13.53 PACO & LOLA

Spain: North, including Navarra

Hiruzta, Txakoli 2018, Geteriako Txakolina, Spain

Gold medal winner

‘An engaging wine,’ began Prestonfield House’s Dave Cushley in praise of this Gold winner, before describing it as ‘dry and zippy, with slight petillance, and some sweet pear and intense green fruit notes’, while team leader Carlos Ferreira found notes of ‘fresh green apple and lime juice’. ‘A classic style of Txakoli, light bodied, vibrant and refreshing,’ agreed D&D’s Diana Rollan, who found it ‘grassy and mineral with intense citrus notes’, making it ‘great with oysters’.

£11.86 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Boutinot, Brisa de Verano, Garnacha Tinta 2017, Aragón, Spain

Gold medal winner Pub & Bar

For team leader Angela Reddin this Gold medal winner offered ‘lots of soft squashy summer berries, refreshing acidity and a very soft, gentle finish’. Fellow team leader Christopher Cooper described it as ‘juicy, light and quaffable, with cherry, plum and chocolate’ and equally impressed Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection simply called out for ‘grilled pork chops please’.

£6.55 Boutinot

Chivite, Colección 125, Reserva 2012, Navarra, Spain

Silver medal winner

Marco Marcuzzo of Aster Restaurant noted: ‘Complex fruit notes of red plum and blackberry mix with finely judged oak intensity, bringing sweet clove and spice. The broad tannic structure is in balance with the alcohol and the finish is nicely balanced with acidity.’

£18.27 Enotria&Coe

Ochoa, Lla Foto de 1938, Crianza 2014, Navarra, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Dark cherry and plum with chalky tannins, across a herbaceous palate of dense fruit, with notes of earth and leather and bright acidity,’ noted Marco Marcuzzo of Aster Restaurant.

£9.31 Davy's Wine Merchants

Gorka Izagirre, Txakolí 2017, Bizkaiko Txakolina, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Beautiful nose,’ said team leader Carlos Ferreira, ‘very aromatic and fresh.’ La Trompette’s Virginia Fontò added: ‘Citrus notes and very floral too. Expressive white peach aromas leaded to a concentrated peach palate with balancing acidity. Very good value for money.’

£10.50 Boutinot

Bodega de Sarría, Señorio de Sarría, Reserva 2012, Navarra, Spain

Silver medal winner

With notes of ‘capsicum pepper, plums, liquorice and coffee beans’, Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection suggested this ‘chocolatey, juicy and smoky wine’ would match well with ‘grilled steak’.

£9.20 Boutinot

Chivite, Colección 125, Chardonnay 2015, Navarra, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘Creamy and intense with quince, butter and toasty notes,’ began D&D’s Diana Rollan, adding: ‘A big, opulent style with good concentration and balance. Finishes with a nice minerality to the creaminess. Could work well with green curry.’

£27.06 Enotria&Coe

Finca Albret, El Balcón 2015, Navarra, Spain

Bronze medal winner

For team leader Angela Reddin this had notes of ‘raspberry and kirsch’, and ‘a nice crunchy bite of fruit with decent tannins held in check, and a refreshingly light, fruity finish’.

£8.99 Alejandro´s Wines

Finca Albret, La Viña de mi Madre 2014, Navarra, Spain

Bronze medal winner

This was clearly a winner for team leader Angela Reddin, who noted: ‘A lifted nose, perfumed with violet and peony; the crushed blueberry, plum and black cherry fruit flows beautifully across the palate, sustained and very long. The finish is excellent with pinpoint precision.’

£13.99 Alejandro´s Wines

Chivite, Finca de Legardeta, Chardonnay 2017, Navarra, Spain

Commended medal winner

£11.53 Enotria&Coe

Chivite, Finca Legardeta, Selección Especial 2015, Navarra, Spain

Commended medal winner

£11.62 Enotria&Coe

Príncipe de Viana, 1423, Reserva 2014, Navarra, Spain

Commended medal winner

Príncipe de Viana, Edición Limitada 2015, Navarra, Spain

Commended medal winner

£7.72 Moreno Wines

Finca Albret, Lastra 2014, Navarra, Spain

Commended medal winner

Pago Calzadilla, Calzadilla Classic 2011, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Commended medal winner

Pagos del Moncayo, Prados, Colección, Garnacha 2016, Aragón, Spain

Commended medal winner

Spain: Rest of Spain

Casa del Valle, Antina 2017, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Gold medal winner

Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse described this worthy Gold medal winner as being ‘bright, with raspberries, blueberries and cassis, with a lovely violet nose and a plush texture; it finishes long and has a pleasant aftertaste. It’s also great for the price’. Meanwhile James Fryer of Woodhead 17 described its ‘purple dusty fruits’ and ‘bright, blueberry-juiced, velvety palate’, and Le Gavroche’s Rémi Cousin summed it all up succinctly: ‘Velvety texture, easy drinking, good with food.’

£6.36 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Macià Batle, 1856 2015, Mallorca, Spain

Gold medal winner

Team leader Laurent Richet MS enjoyed this Gold medal winner’s ‘structure, intensity and body’, admiring its ‘dark fruit spice and length’, and describing at as ‘ripe and well balanced’. ‘Gamey, volcanic, with iron and lead,’ added Sonal Clare of Purnell’s Restaurant, who found it ‘youthful but approachable’ and thought it was ‘Bordeauxesque’. Meanwhile Timothy Connor of Heddon Street Kitchen thought it was worthy of a Gold medal for its value and point of difference: ‘For the price, this would be a really great example to show off just how much else Spain has to offer.’

£12.70 Boutinot

Viñátigo, Vijariego Blanco 2017, Tenerife, Spain

Gold medal winner

This intriguing Gold winner reminded team leader Angela Reddin of ‘churches, with incense, candle wax and dried flowers, leading to a dollop of honey on the finish’, adding that it was ‘ageing gracefully’. Manor House Hotel’s Anita Vighova, meanwhile, enjoyed the ‘elegant oiliness of the mid-palate, and a long finish’, while Annamaria Juhasz of The Fat Duck appreciated its ‘lemon curd and apricot notes’, calling this a ‘complex food wine’.

£18.20 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Dominio de Fontana, Sauvignon Blanc/Verdejo 2018, Central Castile, Spain

Gold medal winner

‘A juicy, fresh, apricot quaffer,’ summarised team leader Angela Reddin as this took a well-deserved Gold, further describing ‘green crab-apple jelly with a slight spritz on the tongue’. An impressed Annamaria Juhasz of The Fat Duck found ‘white pepper on the nose, with stony minerality, fresh lemon and peach blossom – pithy, with good concentration and balance’. Anita Vighova of Manor House Hotel added ‘notes of pine and grass, and some lively acidity with gooseberry notes’, while praising its ‘good value for money’.

£7.99 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Vegalfaro, Pago de los Balagueses, Garnacha Tintorera 2016, Valencia, Spain

Gold medal winner

‘Deeply concentrated plum fruit, with a peppery edge, lovely structure and hints of black tea’ was how team leader Laurent Richet MS described this Gold medallist. Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group found ‘rich aromas of coffee, black fruit and herbs, a peppery palate and a long finish’, while Sonal Clare of Purnell’s Restaurant noted: ‘Gamey, feral and intense; spiced black fruit with a hint of tea.’ For Heddon Street Kitchen’s Timothy Connor this wine’s qualities were more simply put: ‘It’s a hidden gem, designed for you to show off.’

£14.25 Vintage Roots

El Tesoro, Monastrell Shiraz 2017, Jumilla, Spain

Silver medal winner

Lucie Kalertova of Sexy Fish picked up ‘hints of tomato leaf and a light touch of forest floor’ on this fresh-tasting Silver medal winner, ‘and there’s some juicy, cooked blueberry fruit and notes of hibiscus tea to finish,’ she added.

£5.40 Boutinot

Félix Solis, Casa Albali, Crianza 2015, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Concentrated fruit and a long finish, this has all the meaty notes you want from a Spanish wine,’ said Heddon Street Kitchen’s Timothy Connor. ‘And there are nice hints of cedar and liquorice,’ added Lucie Kalertova of Sexy Fish.

£6.37 Matthew Clark

Illana, Expression, Petit Verdot 2015, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Very fruity and spicy in an easy-drinking style,’ said team leader Laurent Richet MS, adding: ‘With its brightly intense cherry, vanilla and plum, this would be good by the glass or to have with cheese.’

£4.69 Barwell & Jones

Dominio de Fontana, Tempranillo/Syrah, Roble 2016, Central Castile, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘This has great fruit that’s perfectly in balance with the acidity,’ thought Timothy Connor of Heddon Street Kitchen, adding: ‘A great wine to chill slightly and serve with duck leg or breast.’ ‘Tuna sashimi or game,’ suggested Lucie Kalertova of Sexy Fish.

£7.99 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Dominio de Fontana, Garnacha/Syrah 2017, Central Castile, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘This has a nice musky, earthy and darkly fruited nose,’ said Woodhead 17’s James Fryer, ‘and there’s also good structure and lovely tannins.’ ‘It has a good balance of raspberry and strawberry fruit, with herbal elegance, too,’ added team leader Lionel Periner.

£7.99 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Casa del Valle, El Tidón 2017, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘A great tapas wine,’ thought Timothy Connor of Heddon Street Kitchen, ‘with fairly light but vibrant red cherry fruit and nicely controlled tannins.’

£6.25 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Juan Gil, Yellow Label, Monastrell 2017, Jumilla, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘This has a nice spicy, red apple nose with hints of smoke and clay,’ said James Fryer of Woodhead 17, ‘there’s a red fruit palate with a touch of forest floor.’

£7.50 Boutinot

CVA, Vara y Pulgar 2014, Vino de la Tierra de Cadiz, Spain

Commended medal winner

£15.77 Top Selection

Casa del Valle, Hacienda, Syrah 2017, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Commended medal winner

Casa del Valle, Finca Valdelagua 2015, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Commended medal winner

Casa del Valle, Hacienda, Selección Especial 2017, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Commended medal winner

Casa del Valle, Orquestal Reserva 2015, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Commended medal winner

Sierra Norte, Pasión de Bobal 2016, Utiel-Requena, Spain

Commended medal winner

£8.40 Boutinot

Bodega Biniagual, Memóries de Biniagual, Blanc 2017, Majorca, Spain

Commended medal winner

El Grifo, Malvasia, Seco Colección 2017, Lanzarote, Spain

Commended medal winner

Vinicola de Tomelloso, Finca Cerrada, Viura 2018, La Mancha, Spain

Commended medal winner

£7.25 Amathus

Quinta de Quercus, Uclés 2016, Central Castile, Spain

Commended medal winner

Spain: Rioja: Reserva & Gran Reserva

Tarón, Reserva 2008, Rioja, Spain

Gold medal winner

For Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club this had ‘fermented cassis with sweet spice and vanilla aromas’ as well as ‘firm round tannin with more developed notes of leather, cedar and spice’. Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan detected ‘peppery spicy plum and dark bitter chocolate’ and found it ‘forward and appealing, dense and muscular’, summing it up as ‘very fine and complex with a lovely, savoury character’. Team leader Charlie Young summed up its Gold medal stature by describing a wine with simply everything in place: ‘Lifted aromatics with great structure and tertiary flavours alongside fresh fruit; classic.’

£12.35 Ellis of Richmond

Tarón, Pantocrator 2005, Rioja, Spain

Gold medal winner

‘Classic Rioja nose and palate,’ began team leader Andres Ituarte, going on to identify ‘worn wood, butter, cocoa, soft dried fruits and tobacco’ and a ‘bit of herbaceous character’. Corina Stanila of La Dame de Pic at Ten Trinity Square thought it was ‘beautiful wine’ with ‘great balance’, while Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club described it as ‘cherry pie with shortcrust pastry’ with ‘a creaminess that remains fresh’.

£18.75 Ellis of Richmond

Riojanas, Monte Real, Gran Reserva 2011, Rioja, Spain

Gold medal winner

‘Glorious Gran Reserva-style aromas,’ began team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW, adding that this clear Gold lister was ‘backed up by supple red cherry fruits, that are maturing nicely with tertiary development’. Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London agreed and picked up on its ‘intense cinnamon, mocha nose’ and thought it had a ‘balanced palate, good complexity and a smooth finish’. Woodhead 17’s James Fryer, meanwhile, was impressed by its ‘dense, black cherry fruit – it’s a powerful wine’.

£15.95 EWGA

CVNE, Viña Real, Reserva 2014, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Nicely understated,’ said team leader Charlie Young, ‘with savoury, dark berry aromas, decent tannin and blackberry fruit and good oak integration.’ ‘A harmonious palate with a long finish,’ thought fellow team leader Lionel Periner.

£12.29 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Altos de Rioja, Altos R Reserva 2015, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Black fruits and spice on the nose, with a floral note too,’ began team leader Carlos Ferreira, while fellow team leader Martin Lam remarked on its ‘juicy dark plum fruit and well-balanced oak regime’.

£19.00 Direct Wines

Valenciso, Reserva 2011, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

This was another impressive Rioja for team leader Hamish Anderson, who noted: ‘A lovely nose, lifted and fresh with perhaps a touch of volatile acidity; the delicious oak feels French and classy, with subtle spice, dark plum and a stony grip. Everything is beautifully integrated.’

£15.85 Boutinot

Bodegas Olarra, Laztana, Reserva 2015, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

A worth medal winner, this was an impressive wine for Hakkasan’s Olivier Gasselin, who noted: ‘A peppery, smoky nose with dark plum and blackcurrant; this has a fine texture and fine oak treatment; the palate is savoury, with lovely balance and a fine finish.’

£12.50 Bodegas Olarra

Bodegas Olarra, La Catedral 2015, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young found much to admire in this, with its ‘clean, pure, berry-laden aromas and ripe, upfront sweet and lightly poached, fleshy fruit’. He also found ‘good length and freshness, and a nice dollop of cream to soften the crunchy tannins’.

£12.50 Bodegas Olarra

Bodegas Forcada, Rioja Reserva 2014, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Definite notes of farmyard and leather,’ noted James Fryer of Woodhead 17. ‘Perhaps a little moody on the nose,’ said team leader Charlie Young, adding that it was, however, ‘ripe and structured with integrated oak and full-bodied, nice fruit’.

£8.50 Frederic Robinson

Bodegas Olarra, Añares, Gran Reserva 2010, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

James Fryer of Woodhead 17 found an aromatic nose of ‘mud, earth and dried coconut’ in this powerful Silver medal winner. The palate was ‘dense, verging on impenetrable, but with juicy black fruit and vanilla notes, big tannins and a full fruit finish’.

£15.75 Bodegas Olarra

Bodegas Olarra, Otoñal, Gran Reserva 2010, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young was quite taken with this worthy Silver medal-winning Rioja. ‘This is savoury, with almost stony aromas,’ he said, adding: ‘There’s juicy red fruit, subtle use of oak and a cracking finish with cherries and tannin.’ ‘Would work well with ragu,’ suggested Daniel Loughlin of 20 Stories.

£15.75 Bodegas Olarra

Valdemar, Conde Valdemar, Reserva 2011, Rioja, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘Evolved, ripe nose with plenty of aged, tertiary aromas of autumn leaves and dried fruit. The sweet palate is silky with fine tannins, and the finish is long with grainy, spicy oak,’ said Tobias Gorn of Boisdale Restaurants.

£13.06 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Bodegas Olarra, Añares, Reserva 2015, Rioja, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘There’s plenty of sweet vanilla and coconut notes from the oak and that carries through to the palate; but there’s creamy red fruits underneath,’ said team leader Charlie Young.

£8.09 C&D Wines

Ondarre, Quasar, Reserva 2015, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Ondarre, Mayor de Ondarre, Reserva 2015, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Finca Valpiedra, Reserva 2012, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Bodegas de la Marquesa, Valserrano, Reserva 2014, Rioja , Spain

Commended medal winner

Riojanas, Viña Albina, Vendimia Seleccionada, Reserva 2015, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Riojanas, Viña Albina, Gran Reserva 2011, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Ondarre, Reserva 2015, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

El Coto, Coto de Imaz, Gran Reserva 2012, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£16.82 Liberty Wines

El Coto, Coto de Imaz, Reserva 2014, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£11.07 Liberty Wines

Ondarre, Era Costana, Reserva 2015, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Bodegas Olarra, Cerro Añón, Reserva 2015, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£8.73 C&D Wines

Bodegas Olarra, Sagasta, Reserva 2015, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£11.83 Bodegas Olarra

Bodegas Olarra, Otoñal, Reserva 2015, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£13.15 Bodegas Olarra

Bodegas Olarra, Olarra Clásico 2015, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£12.50 Bodegas Olarra

Spain: White Rioja

Ontañón, Artesa, Organic 2017, Rioja, Spain

Gold medal winner

‘Dark, ripe but bright fruits,’ began team leader Laurent Richet MS of this deserving Gold Lister, going on to describe ‘lovely bright acidity tempered by tannin with a hint of smoke towards the end’ and concluding: ‘A food wine.’ Guillaume Mahaut of ETM Group found it ‘restrained, with a pretty nose of rose and balanced animal hints’ and described a ‘firm but balanced acidity, and chalky, red fruit palate with cherry and plum’.

£7.35 Boutinot

La Báscula, The Charge, Tempranillo/Garnacha 2016, Rioja, Spain

Gold medal winner

Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles was impressed, calling this ‘great, well-made wine’. He remarked on its ‘rich aroma of plum, cherry and tobacco’ and noted that it ‘remains fresh’. Corina Stanila of La Dame de Pic at Ten Trinity Square, meanwhile, thought it had a ‘beautiful nose’ and ‘elegant palate’, and found it ‘smooth’, with a ‘beautiful long finish’.

£8.30 Boutinot

Bodegas Olarra, Laztana, Crianza 2017, Rioja, Spain

Gold medal winner

‘Cherry, peppery, chocolatey texture with red fruits evoking rich plum’ thought Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group of this Gold winner, adding that it was ‘great value for money’. Aurore Anguenot of Aviary noted that it had ‘very good balance’, while for team leader Laura Rhys MS it was notable for its ‘dark berry, cherry, smoky oak notes and tomato leaf’. ‘Decadent and rich,’ added Claire Love of Loves Consultancy.

£7.93 Bodegas Olarra

Ondarre, 7 Parcelas, Crianza 2016, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

This aromatic Silver medal-winner brought notes of ‘plum, prune, clove, cinnamon and leather’ to the nose of team leader Jan Konetzski. ‘It’s dry, lively and full bodied,’ he added, ‘with grippy, woody tannins to the finish.’

£10.53 Bodegas Ondarre, S.A.

Vintae, Palacio del Camino Real, Blanco 2017, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

Team leader Laurent Richet MS described ‘a lovely intensity to the nose with vanilla, citrus, melted butter and orange peel notes with hints of cedar wood’, and Sarah McKenzie of Nut Tree Inn added: ‘This is really quite rich with buttery stone fruit notes and a bready, nutty finish.’

£6.51 Majestic Commercial

Valdemar, Conde Valdemar, Edición Limitada 2015, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

For Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains this wine brought notes of ‘saffron, black garlic, cured ham and soy sauce’, and he described it as ‘a generous wine that is firm but kind and would be great for pairing’. ‘Beautiful,’ said Corina Stanila of La Dame de Pic at Ten Trinity Square, admiring of both its ‘complex red fruit and magnificent balance’.

£29.21 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Altos de Rioja, Altos R Pigeage 2015, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Dark fruits and vanilla’ on the nose led, according to team leader Laurent Richet MS, to ‘a palate that’s powerful and intense, with some ripe fruit and a balanced structure, along with some high tannins’.

£23.00 Direct Wines

Vega del Rayo, Vendimia Seleccionada 2016, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

Clément Loubeyre of The Cross Kenilworth found this wine to be ‘very fruity with a touch of spiced walnut and good value for money’, while Michael Moore of The London Cookhouse described it as a ‘nicely balanced wine with its hints of cocoa and crème brûlée on the finish’.

£6.75 Boutinot

Ondarre, Rivallana, Crianza 2017, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘Sweet and vibrant vanilla and black fruit aromas,’ noted Claire Love of Loves Consultancy, with ‘a dry, cherry chocolate and liquorice finish’. ‘Nice freshness and good complexity for the price,’ added Raphael Thierry of Street XO.

£8.70 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Aldonia, 100 2015, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

For Corina Stanila of La Dame de Pic at Ten Trinity Square, this wine had ‘a beautiful nose of plum and cherry with meaty notes and hints of cassis’, and she thought ‘the complex palate offers more ripe fruit and great balance’.

£17.27 Top Selection

Bodegas Olarra, Sagasta, Crianza 2017, Rioja, Spain

Silver medal winner

‘This shows notes of fig on the nose with herbal notes, fresh dill,’ said Street XO’s Raphael Thierry, adding: ‘The palate shows good red fruit with a little chocolate note, while the tannins are juicy, savoury and long.’

£7.50 C&D Wines

Bodegas Corral, Don Jacobo, Crianza 2017, Rioja, Spain

Bronze medal winner

This was a wine of ‘rustic nostalgia’ for Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains, which conjured memories of ‘preserved cherries, stracciatella and dark chocolate, with leathery notes and brilliant acid’. Proustian indeed.

£9.97 Matthew Clark

Bodegas Corral, Vine Roots, Garnacha 2015, Rioja, Spain

Bronze medal winner

With notes of ‘black peppercorn, nutmeg and clove’, this had ‘good racy acid and serious tannin’, said team leader Andres Ituarte, adding: ‘There are good notes of coca, plum skin and tobacco and a good length.’

£13.33 Matthew Clark

Finca Valpiedra, Cantos de Valpiedra 2015, Rioja, Spain

Bronze medal winner

With its ‘spicy, clove and black pepper nose’ and a palate of ‘red and black fruits’, team leader Laura Rhys MS felt this Rioja had both ‘elegance and weight’.

£11.91 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Valdemar, Conde Valdemar, Finca Alto Cantabria 2017, Rioja, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘This is bright and clean with savoury notes of pastry and custard, yet there’s also a nice Granny Smith apple crunch and a sappy, new oak finish,’ said team leader Laurent Richet MS.

£11.22 Berkmann Wine Cellars

CVNE, Viña Lobera 2015, Rioja, Spain

Bronze medal winner

For Claire Love of Loves Consultancy this was showing ‘a cassis and blackcurrant nose, with black olive notes on the palate, leading to a concentrated, cherry finish’.

£8.00 Hatch Mansfield

Ondarre, Graciano 2016, Rioja, Spain

Bronze medal winner

For Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains this wine seemed to strike an autumnal note. ‘There’s dry leaves and forest floor, with mushrooms and a foxy note,’ he said.

£10.04 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Marqués de Cáceres, Crianza 2015, Rioja, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘This is quite a heavy bottle,’ said Claire Love of Loves Consultancy, but inside she found ‘fresh blackcurrant and cassis notes, with sweet ripe fruit, and notes of orange peel with lemon curd, and a touch of vanilla’.

£8.66 Halewood International

Bodegas Forcada, Alma de Forcada, Garnacha 2017, Rioja, Spain

Bronze medal winner

With its ‘bramble and apple notes and mild charcoal finish’, Michael Moore of The London Cookhouse fancied matching this with some ‘spicy lamb cutlets with olive pesto’.

£8.50 Frederic Robinson

Ondarre, Valdebarón 2016, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Bodegas Corral, Don Jacobo, Crianza 2014, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£9.55 Matthew Clark

Valdemar, Conde Valdemar, Crianza 2016, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Rioja Vega, Crianza 2018, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Ugalde, Viña Cerrada, Crianza 2015, Rioja , Spain

Commended medal winner

£9.99 LWC Drinks

Bodegas de la Marquesa, Valserrano, Blanco 2017, Rioja , Spain

Commended medal winner

Bodegas de la Marquesa, Valserrano, Crianza 2015, Rioja , Spain

Commended medal winner

Ugalde, Crianza 2015, Rioja , Spain

Commended medal winner

CVNE, Viña Real, Barrel Fermented Blanco 2017, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

CVNE, Contino, Garnacha 2017, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£15.55 Hatch Mansfield

CVNE, Viña Real, Crianza 2015, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

CVNE, Monopole, Unoaked Blanco 2018, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Ontañón, Ecológico 2017, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£7.75 Boutinot

Pagos del Rey, Marques de Altillo, Tinto 2018, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£5.65 Adnams

Pagos del Rey, Marques de Altillo, Blanco 2018, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

£5.65 Adnams

Ondarre, Quasar, Crianza 2017, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Marques del Postulado, Rioja NV, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Bodegas Olarra, Nucerro 2016, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Bodegas Forcada, Crianza 2016, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Bodegas Forcada, Rioja Joven 2017, Rioja, Spain

Commended medal winner

Sparkling: Champagne – NV

Taittinger, Brut Réserve NV, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

For The Gilbert Scott’s Juan Manuel Marcos Perez this earned its Gold medal with ‘floral notes of acacia and iris, combined with some peaches and nectarines, orange peel and a biscuit, cereal note’, while team leader Lionel Periner enjoyed its ‘green apple and a hint of pear, leading to a dry palate with good structure, and more ripe pear flavours’. Fellow team leader Martin Lam added praise for its ‘good citrus balance and taut finish’.

£27.59 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Cour Des Lys, Premier Delice, Blanc de Noirs NV, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

An impressed team of judges elevated this to Gold, with Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants remarking on its ‘bready notes, with some nice complexity, and signs of autolysis’, while team leader Tom Forrest praised its ‘smoky, mineral and toasty aromas, with red fruit, lemon and cooking apple, too’. ‘Lemon verbena, cooked ginger and red apple, as well as some salty notes’ made it the perfect partner for oysters and caviar for team leader Jan Konetzki.

£36.02 Cour Des Lys

Laurent-Perrier, La Cuvée, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

‘Elegant, sophisticated and punchy,’ began Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine in praise of this Gold Lister, finding ‘a complex nose with apples and pears complemented by warm citrus and balanced by salinity, with earthy but delicate flavours, good length and perfect dosage’. Impressed team leader Laurent Richet MS described it as ‘a well-crafted, rich wine, with a hint of pastry and biscuit, golden apple, and a chalkiness, too’.

£41.50 Bibendum

Laurent-Perrier, Grand Siècle NV, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

This striking addition to the Gold List was praised by The Gilbert Scott’s Juan Manuel Marcos Perez for its ‘complex layers and good integration of fruit, along with some green walnuts and herbal notes’, while The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi was struck by its ‘complex, aged brioche notes, with tarte tatin, almonds and candied lemon peel’. Team leader Martin Lam thought it ‘very nutty, with subtle floral notes and good citrus attack – a fresh and balanced wine’.

£146.15 Bibendum

Charles Heidsieck, Blanc de Blancs NV, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

‘Excellent winemaking’ was team leader Martin Lam’s first impression of this Gold medallist, speaking highly of its ‘floral and brioche notes’ and describing it as ‘a complex, rich style, and very vinous’. Rockliffe Hall’s Daniel Jonberger, meanwhile, encountered ‘apricot, pear and a touch of musk on the nose, leading to touches of pear and elderflower on the palate, with a supple finish’, and Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn succinctly described ‘beautiful elegance’.

£48.60 Liberty Wines

Castelnau, Brut Réserve NV, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

As judges awarded this champagne a well-deserved Gold medal, James Fryer of Woodhead 17 was impressed by ‘green apple skin on the nose, leading to some nuttiness on the palate, along with taut acidity and Granny Smith notes, leading to a slightly oxidative character on the finish’, while team leader Jan Konetzki enjoyed its ‘lemon yoghurt and white almond notes, as well as some sea salt, with fine, creamy perlage’.

£25.49 Castelnau Wine Agencies

Angel, Brut NV NV, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

Judges were generous in their praise of this Gold winner, with Hakkasan’s Elena Serban admiring its ‘complex and intense nose, with stone fruit, some nuttiness and toast’, before going on to describe ‘an elegant, long-lasting palate, with good balance of acidity – a wine that can definitely age and develop’. Street XO’s Raphael Thierry spoke highly of its ‘creamy texture, with minerality and a nutty, savoury complexity’, before concluding that it was ‘elegant yet refreshing, with a complex, long finish’. Please contact the winery for further information.

£75.13 Angel Champagne

Drappier, 1er Cru NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

‘A fleshy, mushroom nose, leading to a palate that’s elegant and intense, with strong citrus and tart strawberry notes, with some very good tension and chalkiness, and a clean finish,’ described Mattia Mazzi of The River Cafe.

£25.35 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Devaux, Cuvée D NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

‘Complex, elegant and balanced’, thought Hakkasan’s Elena Serban, who described ‘stone fruit and a nutty character, as well as some elderflower, and a salty, mineral note, too’. ‘Bright, with an apple-core finish,’ concluded team leader Laurent Richet MS.

£32.50 Liberty Wines

Devaux, Ultra D NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

Antoin UaRuairc of UK Midland Sommelier noted some ‘brioche on the nose, along with green-skinned fruit, leading to a lively mousse and a long aftertaste’. ‘Mineral, crisp and dry, with green apple and stony minerality,’ added team leader Tom Forrest.

£33.90 Liberty Wines

Duval-Leroy, Pur Chardonnay, Blanc de Blancs NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

‘Yeast aromas lead to a complex palate that gives both green fruit and a touch of biscuit, leading to a long finish,’ said Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall, while The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia liked its ‘honeysuckle nuances and some added citrus-peel freshness on the palate’.

£28.06 Amathus

Palmer & Co, Blanc de Blancs NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

‘Prickly white peach and green apple on the nose’ was followed by ‘crisp malic acidity, some brown pear and the slightest bread note’, according to Woodhead 17’s James Fryer, while team leader Carlos Ferreira concluded that this was ‘a very well-balanced champagne’.

£36.13 Bibendum

Lallier, Grande Réserve, Grand Cru, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

‘Elegant, balanced and juicy, with hints of golden apple and pineapple,’ began team leader Laurent Richet MS, while The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki described ‘ripe lemon, yellow grapefruit and pomelo notes, as well as a chalky, saline palate – a food-friendly wine’.

£22.00 Boutinot

Duménil, Grande Reserve Brut NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

Rockliffe Hall’s Daniel Jonberger described notes of ‘peach and fresh grass, with a light touch of oak in the background’. ‘Minty, with some ripe stone fruits and apple notes – a good aperitif wine,’ said Tomasz Kuszneruk of Pavilion Wine.

£22.93 Davy's Wine Merchants

JM Gobillard, Baron de Marck, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

‘Rounded, citrus and creamy, with a nice brioche feel,’ said team leader Martin Lam, while Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall described notes of ‘green apples and lime, leading to a dry palate, with fresh pear notes’.

£21.85 Enotria&Coe

Palmer & Co, Brut Reserve NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

The Royal Automobile Club’s Michael Fiducia described ‘lifted aromas of stone fruit cobbler, along with some balanced freshness, depth and length’, while team leader Martin Lam appreciated its ‘floral, creamy notes, with a biscuity edge, and a generous, citrus palate’.

£25.64 Bibendum

Collet, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

‘A dry, savoury wine that’s smooth on the palate, with some vanilla and lime peel notes,’ said Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair, while The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi described it as having ‘weight, balanced by zingy acidity’.

£25.70 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Lanson, Paul Drouet, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

‘Honey, stone fruit and autolytic notes on the nose, with golden fruit and guava on the palate, as well as some broad acidity and a breadiness, too,’ said James Fryer of Woodhead 17. ‘An easy-drinking champagne, and well balanced, with creaminess and good acidity,’ added Clément Loubeyre of The Cross Kenilworth.

£18.09 Majestic Commercial

Alfred Gratien, Brut Classique NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

‘Singing fruit and delicate brioche notes on the nose, followed by a balanced, creamy, rich palate with fine bubbles,’ said Scarlet Hotel’s Jim Bass, while team leader Carlos Ferreira thought it would be ‘perfect for cured salmon with avocado’.

£31.88 Enotria&Coe

Veuve Clicquot, Yellow Label NV, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Some oak on the nose, along with red apple, lemon and bread notes, leading to a dry palate with some big acidity’ was how team leader Carlos Ferreira summed up this champagne.

£47.08 Matthew Clark

Taittinger, Nocturne, Sec NV, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Fresh yet elegant, this has lovely balance of flavours, with baked apple and toffee notes,’ said The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones. Team leader Tom Forrest described ‘light, sweet notes of honeyed apple, some minerality, and a bit of caramel, too’.

£27.59 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Irroy, Carte d'Or, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

‘A pretty wine, with delicate fruit, some honeysuckle and fine bubbles on a refreshing, clean palate with good citrus and a slight sweetness – great value,’ said Scarlet Hotel’s Jim Bass.

£20.63 Hatch Mansfield

Gardet, Brut Reserve NV, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

This showed ‘very good balance, with apple jam and toasted bread on the nose, leading to some citrus fruit and pineapple on the palate’, according to team leader Carlos Ferreira.

£22.08 Alexander Wines, House of Townend, Connolly's Wine Merchants

Duménil, Amour de Cuvée, Blanc de Noirs, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Juicy apple and orange zest, along with some lemon curd and white flowers on a delicate palate,’ said team leader Laurent Richet MS.

£31.10 Davy's Wine Merchants

Charles Heidsieck, Brut Réserve NV, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Warm digestive biscuit and lightly caramelised peaches lead to a fresh, warmingly rich palate, with good length and a mineral finish,’ said Michael Fiducia of The Royal Automobile Club.

£34.20 Liberty Wines

Serge Mathieu, Brut Cuvée Prestige NV, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Elegant, with some good lemon and floral aromas, and a hint of nuttiness, followed by a palate that’s dry, with good balance of acidity and flavour, and a great finish,’ said team leader Lionel Periner.

£32.50 Bibendum

Le Chapitre, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£23.75 Wine Source UK

Alexandre Bonnet, Blanc de Noirs NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£27.02 Matthew Clark

Alexandre Bonnet, Noir, Extra Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£30.44 Matthew Clark

Duval-Leroy, Brut Réserve NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£25.68 Amathus

Drappier, Brut Nature, Zéro Dosage NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

Taittinger, Prélude, Grands Crus, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

Taittinger, Les Folies de la Marquetterie, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

Lacourte-Godbillon, Mi Pentes, Premier Cru NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£32.09 Bibendum

Lacourte-Godbillon, Terroirs d'Ecueil, Premier Cru, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£27.88 Bibendum

Guy Laforge, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£18.95 Boutinot

Gardet, Blanc de Noirs, Brut Premier Cru, NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

Duval-Leroy, Brut Organic NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£31.22 Amathus

Joseph Perrier, Cuvée Royale, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

Janisson, Blanc de Noirs, Grand Cru NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

JM Gobillard, Grande Réserve Premier Cru, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£28.26 Enotria&Coe

JM Gobillard, Tradition, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£26.63 Enotria&Coe

Forget-Chemin, Carte Blanche NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

André Jacquart, Expérience, Premier Cru, Blanc de Blancs NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£30.43 Top Selection

Castelnau, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

Joseph Perrier, Cuvée Royale, Blanc de Blancs NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

Deutz, Extra Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£34.00 González Byass

Gremillet, Blanc De Noirs, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

Gremillet, Sélection, Brut NV, Champagne , France

Commended medal winner

Sparkling: Champagne – Vintage

Taittinger, Brut 2013, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

Decidedly Gold-worthy, this had, according to team leader Hamish Anderson, ‘a bright, floral nose that’s lifted, appealing and fresh, leading to warm bread, yeast and umami on the palate’, while Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan found it ‘honeyed, with fresh almonds, acacia and a pepperiness, too, leading to ginger and star anise notes’. For Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London, this came with ‘a rich structure, yet still fresh, leading to a savoury finish’.

£37.84 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs, Brut 2007, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

This clear Gold winner was ‘toasty, nutty, rich and complex on the nose, with a brioche-like character on the palate’, according to 67 Pall Mall’s Terry Kandylis, while Anita Vighova of Manor House Hotel appreciated its ‘great depth and fine mousse, with orange peel and almond notes’. An impressed Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London described it as ‘intense, with ripe apple and stone fruit, but with delicate floral notes too, and a mineral finish’.

£96.28 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Charles Heidsieck, Blanc des Millénaires 2004, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

‘Broad and concentrated, with some floral notes, and some tense acidity’, according to Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan, this was never going to be anything less than Gold. Flat Three Restaurant’s Heesoo Kang appreciated that it was ‘complex on the nose, and fleshy and full-bodied on the palate, with a creamy mousse’, while team leader Hamish Anderson found it ‘rich and developed, with yeast and creamy notes, and an earthiness, too’.

£109.20 Liberty Wines

Angel, Brut 2004, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

An ‘opulent’ addition to the Gold List, according to Kahani London’s Ennio Pucciarelli, who found ‘cooked apple and vanilla’, describing it as ‘fresh and well-balanced, too, with a mineral finish’, while 67 Pall Mall’s Terry Kandylis thought it was ‘elegant, with white floral notes and a palate that has a delicate nature, with fine bubbles’. ‘Lovely and enticing, with texture and depth,’ added team leader Hamish Anderson, who appreciated its ‘balance of fresh fruit, like pear and peach, with age in the form of brioche, nuts and spice’.

£111.00 Angel Champagne

Moët & Chandon, Grand Vintage 2012, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

‘Fresh fruit aromas followed by a creamy, mouth-filling texture, with mineral and savoury notes,’ began Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant, concluding that this was ‘a complex, well-developed wine, with a long, vibrant finish’.

£56.51 Matthew Clark

Collet, Collection Privée, Brut 2008, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

‘An impressive wine that’s quite broad on the nose, with fresh almonds leading to intense marzipan notes and some minerality,’ said Hakkasan’s Olivier Gasselin, while Flat Three Restaurant’s Heesoo Kang found notes of ‘brioche, honey and lots of apple, combined with minerality’.

£43.74 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Joseph Perrier, Blanc de Noirs, Brut Nature 2010, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

‘White peaches, grapes and white flowers on the nose, as well as some savoury notes,’ said Manor House Hotel’s Anita Vighova, going on to describe ‘a mid-weight palate, with lemon peel, more white peach notes and hints of melon, with a toasty, nutty finish’.

£46.00 Bancroft Wines, Wine Importers, Tanners Wine Merchants

Ayala, Blancs de Blancs 2012, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

‘A rich and savoury nose, leading to a deep palate with loads of red and savoury flavours, and some natural sweetness,’ said team leader Charlie Young.

£32.79 Mentzendorff & Co

Drappier, Millésimé Exception 2013, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Fresh citrus, apple and pear, with some pastry and honey, too, leading to a creamy palate with beautiful acidity,’ said Flat Three Restaurant’s Heesoo Kang.

£37.26 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Alfred Gratien, Brut 2005, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Complex aromas of fruit and yeast, with a deep, full palate that keeps on going,’ said team leader Charlie Young. ‘Refreshing on the finish, with some quince, orange and almond notes,’ added Anita Vighova of Manor House Hotel.

£52.69 Enotria&Coe

Veuve Clicquot, Vintage 2008, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£62.34 Moët & Chandon

Le Chapitre, Brut 2006, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£42.00 Wine Source UK

Drappier, Millésimé Exception 2012, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

Devaux, D, Millésimé 2008, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£48.50 Liberty Wines

Lallier, R014, Brut 2014, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£22.95 Boutinot

Gobillard, Cuvée Prestige 2011, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£28.95 Enotria&Coe

R. Pouillon & Fils, Les Blanchiens, Premier Cru, Brut Nature 2011, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£60.58 Bibendum

Alfred Gratien, Blanc de Blancs 2009, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£47.63 Enotria&Coe

Sparkling: England

Gusbourne, Blanc de Blancs 2013, Kent, England

Gold medal winner

This Gold winner was impressive both for its ‘delicate nose and more complex palate’, according to Savoy Grill’s Matteo Cali, who also described its ‘nutty character, some toast, and well-integrated acidity’, while team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW considered it to be ‘lifted and floral’ and ‘a zesty, mouthwatering wine – and ideal by the glass’. ‘Fresh citrus and minerality’ made this, for Paola Giraldo of Wiltons, ‘great as an aperitif, or with oysters’.

£31.00 Gusbourne Estate

Jenkyn Place, Classic Cuvée, Brut 2013, Hampshire, England

Gold medal winner

‘Elegant and balanced’ were just some of the characteristics that elevated this to Gold, according to Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, who described ‘a classic champagne nose, with baking bread and baked apples’. Team leader Tom Forrest enjoyed its ‘toasty brioche, apples and pears, and some floral notes, too’, going on to describe ‘a creamy mousse, with strawberry, raspberry and red apple, and a lemon finish’.

£19.00 New Generation Wines

Enborne Vineyards, All Angels, Classic Cuvée 2014, Berkshire, England

Gold medal winner

‘Elegant on the nose and perfumed, rich and intense on the palate’ was how Paola Giraldo of Wiltons described this Gold winner, while Street XO’s Raphael Thierry liked its ‘toasted almonds on the nose, and a creamy palate with melon, peach, ripe citrus and some autolytic complexity’. Roberto Sanchez of Sexy Fish, meanwhile, thought that ‘pear and apple on the nose, leading to a really well-balanced palate that’s intense, fresh and vibrant’ made this ‘a good match for either salads or sushi’.

£19.50 All Angels Vineyard

Fox & Fox, Tradition, Brut, Blanc de Noirs 2014, East Sussex, England

Gold medal winner

As this was elevated to Gold, Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club spoke glowingly of its ‘nectarine aromas, with some gentle rosemary, too, leading to some elegant freshness and some peppery notes, and all culminating in a charming, complex finish’, while Savoy Grill’s Matteo Cali found it ‘rich and fragrant, with hints of toast and spice, and some red apple on the creamy palate’. ‘A true expression of English sparkling,’ added Heddon Street Kitchen’s Timothy Connor.

£27.65 Amathus Drinks Plc

Hattingley Valley, Classic Reserve NV, Hampshire, England

Gold medal winner

‘The perfect way to start a meal,’ began an impressed Timothy Connor of Heddon Street Kitchen as this took its place on the Gold podium, while Matteo Cali of Savoy Grill praised its ‘pronounced citrus and apple notes on the nose, with acidity well balanced by the creaminess of the mousse’. For team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW it was ‘appealing and balanced, with a fresh, herbal and floral nose’.

£19.20 Enotria&Coe

Camel Valley, Cornwall, Brut 2015, Cornwall, England

Silver medal winner

This opened with ‘a bright and inviting nose’, according to team leader Angela Reddin, who thought that it ‘presents beautifully across the palate, with crème anglaise, raspberry, stone fruit and pastry notes – lots going on here’.

£20.79 Matthew Clark, Camel Valley, St Austell Brewery

Harrow & Hope, Blanc de Blancs 2014, Buckinghamshire, England

Silver medal winner

‘A big hitter, with style and pizzazz,’ began team leader Angela Reddin, going on to describe ‘a powerful palate of red fruit, red apple, lemon verbena and meadowsweet’. ‘A very appealing, spring day wine that’s very nicely balanced,’ added The London Cookhouse’s Michael Moore.

£21.54 Jascots Wine Merchants

Gusbourne, Blanc de Blancs 2014, Kent, England

Silver medal winner

This blanc de blancs had ‘a lovely brioche and biscuit nose’, according to Raphael Thierry of Street XO, who went on to describe ‘a refreshing mousse with ripe fruit, some honeysuckle and autolytic complexity, topped by a long, fresh finish’.

£31.00 Gusbourne Estate

Three Choirs, Classic Cuvée NV, Gloucestershire, England

Silver medal winner

Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn found this to be ‘a fruit salad, with lemon and pear notes – a fresh, vibrant and clean wine, with some baked bread, too. Fantastic value.’ Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants, meanwhile, noted its ‘clean, steely nose, with a crisp and mineral palate’.

£10.74 Jascots Wine Merchants, Three Choirs Vineyards Ltd

Lyme Bay, Classic Cuvée 2015, Devon, England

Silver medal winner

‘A lovely biscuit nose, with some blossom honey, leading to a fleshy, warm, toasty palate, with marmalade and violet, too,’ said team leader Jade Koch, while Alan Bednarski of Texture remarked on its ‘delicate floral character, with iris, cherry blossom and a mix of ripe stone fruits’.

£19.74 Lyme Bay Winery

Blackdown Ridge, Primordia 2014, West Sussex, England

Silver medal winner

For Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club this opened with ‘fresh green apple on the nose, along with some gentle rosemary notes, leading to a very elegant mousse with some white spices, and a refreshing finish’.

£15.00 The English Wine Centre, The Haslemere Cellar, Corkage

Westwell, Pelegrim NV, Kent, England

Silver medal winner

‘A well-balanced and easy-drinking wine’, according Roberto Sanchez of Sexy Fish, who went on to describe ‘lots of apple and pear notes, with some good acidity and freshness coming through on the palate’.

£16.50 Uncharted Wines

Greyfriars, Blanc de Blancs, Brut 2014, Surrey, England

Bronze medal winner

For Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston, this was ‘tropical, with lemon notes too, leading to a light palate with green apple notes on the fresh finish’. Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn noted some ‘biscuit on the nose and Granny Smith apple on the palate, with a slight greenness that brings complexity’.

£17.00 Matthew Clark, Greyfriars Vineyard

Nutbourne Vineyards, Nutty, Brut 2015, West Sussex, England

Bronze medal winner

For Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, this had ‘candied lemon peel, brioche and some cinnamon notes on the nose, leading to a fine mousse, with ripe apple, and good acidity that is well integrated into the structure’. ‘Fruity and charming, with green apple, and a sweet red-apple skin finish,’ added Texture’s Alan Bednarski.

£14.00 Top Selection

Albourne Estate, Multi Vintage NV, West Sussex, England

Bronze medal winner

‘Pears and English garden on the nose, with some hints of bakery,’ began Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine, going on to describe the palate as ‘extremely balanced, with subtle fruit and good mouthfeel’. Team leader Jade Koch found it to have ‘lots of flavour, with honey-toasted autolytic character, and a slight coconut note, too’.

£15.00 Sheridan Coopers / The Winehouse, South Downs Cellars

Ridgeview, Cavendish, Brut 2014, East Sussex, England

Bronze medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group found this to be ‘elegant, with some brioche notes alongside lovely apple and pear notes, with fine bubbles on the palate, and a persistent, buttery finish’. The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston’s Giuseppe Longobardi also noted ‘baked pastry notes, with elegant perlage and a soft finish, with complexity developing on the aftertaste – highly food friendly'.

£25.63 Bibendum

Greyfriars, Cuvée, Brut NV, Surrey, England

Commended medal winner

Greyfriars, Classic Cuvée, Brut 2013, Surrey, England

Commended medal winner

Greyfriars, Cuvée Royale 2015, Surrey, England

Commended medal winner

Gusbourne, Brut Reserve 2014, Kent, England

Commended medal winner

Grange Estate, The Grange, Classic NV, Hampshire, England

Commended medal winner

Greyfriars, Blanc de Noirs NV, Surrey, England

Commended medal winner

Henners, Reserve 2014, East Sussex, England

Commended medal winner

£22.75 Boutinot

Wyfold Vineyard, Wyfold Brut 2014, Oxfordshire, England

Commended medal winner

Langham, Classic Cuvée, Brut NV, Dorset, England

Commended medal winner

High Clandon, Halcyon Cuvée 2014, Surrey, England

Commended medal winner

Albourne Estate, Blanc de Noirs 2013, West Sussex, England

Commended medal winner

Danebury Vineyards, Cossack Brut 2014, Hampshire, England

Commended medal winner

Divergent Drinks, Fitz, Sparkling Wine 2017, West Sussex, England

Commended medal winner

Bluestone, Classic Cuvée 2015, Wiltshire, England

Commended medal winner

Roebuck Estates, Classic Cuvée 2013, West Sussex, England

Commended medal winner

Sparkling: New World countries

Peter Lehmann, Black Queen, Sparkling Shiraz 2013, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

‘A gorgeous wine!’ was Jim Bass of Scarlet Hotel’s first reaction on encountering this impressive Gold winner. He went on to speak highly of its ‘balsamic sweetness with singing black cherry fruit – a richer, interesting style with incredible spicy, peppery fruit’. ‘An interesting style that would need some food,’ echoed Manor House Hotel’s Anita Vighova, describing ‘an intense nose with rosemary and basil, with a eucalyptus and tar element that follows on to the palate, and with some plum notes, too’.

£18.04 Liberty Wines

Clos Cabriere, Pierre Jourdan, Brut 2017, Western Cape, South Africa

Gold medal winner Pub & Bar

This great-value Gold medal-winning South African fizz stood out for our judges, with ‘baked spicy apple, pear and cinnamon on the soft nose, leading to some balanced acidity’, according to team leader Nigel Lister. Markus Dilger of Dilger Sommelier Selection added praise for its ‘fresh aroma of citrus and pineapple, with a spiciness too’, while Maze by Gordon Ramsay’s Gabriele Bertotti appreciated its ‘good texture, with some herbal notes, and a long finish’.

£8.87 Hard To Find Wines

Luis Felipe Edwards, Vado de Nilahue, Brut NV, Colchagua Costa, Chile

Gold medal winner

A well-deserved Gold medal for a wine praised by Julien Sahut of Sexy Fish for its ‘floral, fruity nose, leading to quite a delicate mousse, with well-balanced fruity acidity, and notes of pear, citrus and a hint of yeast’. An impressed Mattia Mazzi of The River Cafe described it as ‘an elegant aperitif, with savoury notes on the nose, and some tension on the palate, with gentle, chalky grip’.

£10.90 LFE Wine Group

Familia Schroeder, Deseado 2018, Patagonia, Argentina

Gold medal winner

‘Refreshing, with a floral bouquet, pear drop and some honey, leading to a creamy, vanilla palate,’ began an impressed Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group as this Patagonian sparkling wine took Gold, while Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles complimented its ‘fine and delicate aromas of grapes, peaches and white flowers’. Suave Wine’s Joseph Lunn commented on its ‘lemon and lime notes, along with some nicely balanced sweetness’, describing it as ‘one for light meringue dishes’.

£10.95 Ellis of Richmond

Graham Beck, Brut NV, Robertson, South Africa

Gold medal winner

As this sparkling wine took its rightful place on the Gold List, Sexy Fish’s Julien Sahut spoke highly of its ‘pear, apple and citrus aromas, leading to a fresh and mineral palate with good acidity, some apricot notes and a hint of vanilla’. Meanwhile, team leader Hamish Anderson added praise for its ‘open and appealing style, with a soft, creamy and elegant palate, following some pretty floral and gentle spice aromas’.

£13.07 Bibendum

Peller, Ice Cuvée, Sparkling NV, Ontario, Canada

Gold medal winner

‘Fantastic, with great acidity and citrus fruit notes, as well as hints of elderflower, and a buttery note too,’ according to Cliveden House’s Francisco Macedo, was just some of the high praise that won this wine a place on the Gold List. ‘Floral and perfumed on the nose, leading to some residual sugar intensity, but it finishes dry and savoury, making this a great option for Asian food,’ concluded team leader Hamish Anderson.

£20.64 Enotria&Coe

Emiliana, Organic Sparkling NV, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Team leader Hamish Anderson appreciated this wine’s ‘attractive, warm nose of toast and butter’, going on to describe a palate that ‘kicks in with lemon zest and brioche, and finishes fresh. Lovely for the price.’

£10.90 Boutinot

Graham Beck, Blanc de Blancs 2014, Robertson, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘Broad and rich, but poised’ was team leader Hamish Anderson’s summary, describing ‘an interesting nose of hazelnuts, cream and fig, leading to a delicious and beautifully textured palate that’s savoury, with warm bread, and some lemon curd, too’.

£15.38 Bibendum

Valdivieso, Brut NV, Curicó Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£9.66 Bibendum

Akarua, Brut NV, Central Otago, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£17.84 Liberty Wines

Ken Forrester, Sparklehorse 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£15.32 Enotria&Coe

Sparkling: Other European Sparkling Wine

Félix Solís, Comte de Chamberi, Brut NV, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Gold medal winner

As judges elevated this Spanish sparkler to Gold, Melania Bellesini of The Fat Duck spoke highly of its ‘golden apple, fresh Williams pear and lovely white flowers', as well as its 'good length, with persistent flavour and a rounded mouthfeel'. Meanwhile, Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant enjoyed the ‘intensity of fresh fruit aromas', while describing it as 'well concentrated and balanced, finishing with a lovely grapefruit and citrus peel tang'.

£6.98 Matthew Clark

Arthur Metz, Perle Noire, Crémant d'Alsace NV, Alsace, France

Silver medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group enjoyed this wine’s ‘elegant, delicate brioche and roasted nut hints with a long finish’. Team leader Nigel Lister noted: ‘Inviting apple aromatics with a touch of saffron. The vibrant, bright fruit carries through the palate to a long finish.’

£12.67 Les Grands Chais de France

Ca' del Bosco, Franciacorta, Cuvée Prestige NV, Lombardy, Italy

Silver medal winner

A wine with ‘stewed apple and vibrant acidity’, according to Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, while Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston identified ‘citrus and baked notes, leading to good, persistent perlage on a dry palate’. ‘Elegant, clean and juicy,’ summarised team leader Jade Koch.

£26.50 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Villa Cialdini, Pignoletto, Sparkling Brut 2018, Emilia Romagna, Italy

Silver medal winner

Team leader Jade Koch admired the ‘pretty fruit' adding, 'the wine has notes of fresh peach and is quite textural, while the brisk acidity balances the creamy mouthfeel and rich finish.'

£10.49 Liberty Wines

Bottega, White Gold, Spumante Venezia, Brut 2018, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Rémi Cousin of Le Gavroche admired ‘the lovely lifted, fresh fruit character of fresh pear and apple with a white blossom, jasmine note. This dry and elegant wine finishes with a pleasant touch of bitterness.’

£17.75 Matthew Clark

Canei, Frizzante Originale Bianco Fresco (25cl) NV, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group identified ‘apples, liquorice and beeswax’, while Joseph Lunn of Suave Wine thought this was ‘perfumed and delicate, showing white blossom on the nose, leading to some bitter sherbet on the palate, overall making this wine very good quality for the money’.

£3.42 Myliko Wines

Adria Vini, Palladiano, Durello, Spumante Brut NV, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Team leader Jade Koch enjoyed the ‘bright, vibrant refreshing acidity and fresh, clear pear drop fruit’, describing this wine as ‘moreish’.

£6.85 Boutinot

Villa Cialdini, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro 2018, Emilia Romagna, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Angela Reddin described ‘sweet, fresh, strawberry baked custard pie; the refreshing acidity is sustained throughout. Manages to be both fun and serious.’

£10.56 Liberty Wines

Félix Solís, Pigalle, Vin Mousseaux, Brut NV, Central Spain, Spain

Bronze medal winner

Immacolata Cannavo of Hakkasan Mayfair noted: ‘Dry, light, refreshing stone fruit – peach and apricot – with a hint of green apple. Very light bubbles with just a touch of sulphur, but great value for money.’

£6.22 Matthew Clark

Feudi di San Gregorio, Dubl, Falanghina Spumante NV, Campania, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Alonso Abed of Hide Above found ‘an expressive nose of fine pastry and elegant citrus fruits’, while team leader Jade Koch noted: ‘A good use of lees character: bright and rich fruit with a long finish; thoroughly grown-up and elegant.’

£14.18 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Winterling, Riesling Brut, Sekt 2017, Pfalz, Germany

Bronze medal winner

Filip Viorel of Benares Restaurant & Bar fancied ‘drinking this on a hot summer’s day: fresh green apple and citrus peel, it has a decent finish with nice mineral notes’.

£12.40 The Wine Rascals

Veuve Ambal, Grande Cuvée, Crémant de Bourgogne, NV, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan found this ‘subtle, honeyed and floral, with fine, fresh and crisp citrus fruit and a delicate finish’.

£11.96 Enotria&Coe

Ceci, Terre Verdiane, Lambrusco Emilia, Amabile NV, Emilia Romagna, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Anita Vighova of Manor House Hotel found a ‘Gamay-like nose, floral and with dried herbs. A surprisingly sweet but light palate of candied roses, violets and blackberries: good length and a fresh palate – a proper ladies night bottle of wine.’

£9.85 Eurowines

Rotari, Cuvee 28+, Brut NV, Trentino, Italy

Commended medal winner

Mezzacorona, Mezza Di Mezzacorona NV, Trentino, Italy

Commended medal winner

Tomaso Gianolio, Moscato d'Asti 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.20 Top Selection

Contero, Brachetto d'Acqui 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.85 Liberty Wines

Félix Solís, La Madeleine, Brut NV, Multi-region, Spain

Commended medal winner

£7.26 Bibendum

Feravino, Grasecco, Brut 2017, Slavonia, Croatia

Commended medal winner

Winterling, Pinot Rosé Brut, Cremant 2016, Pfalz, Germany

Commended medal winner

Ceci, Otello 1813, NerodiLambrusco, Lambrusco Emilia NV, Emilia Romagna, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.20 Eurowines

Ferrari, Maximum Brut NV, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£20.82 Enotria&Coe

Ceci, Terre Verdiane 1813, Lambrusco Emilia NV, Emilia Romagna, Italy

Commended medal winner

£10.20 Eurowines

Sparkling: Prosecco

Soligo, Col de Mez, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Extra Dry NV, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner By the glass

Javier Alonso Cardoso of Hakkasan Mayfair described this deserving Gold medal winner as ‘gastronomic, with good minerality’, which complemented notes of ‘almonds, apricot, citrus and apple’. Team leader Tom Forrest praised its ‘soft pear and peach style, with a creamy mousse’, while Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse found it ‘an enjoyable wine with a gentle approach and a soft palate’.

£10.35 Eurowines

Soligo, Rive di Soligo, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Dry 2018, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

As this was led to the Gold podium, team leader Tom Forrest spoke highly of its ‘perfume and green apple notes, as well as some floral blossom aromas’ on the nose, going on to describe ‘ripe pear and apple flavours, with a tropical pineapple element, too’. Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts found ‘tropical notes, like mango, on the palate’, following ‘soft yellow peaches on the nose’.

£13.25 Eurowines

Taste Hub, Serenello, Prosecco, Extra Dry NV, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam was the first of many judges with praise for this ‘beautiful, aromatic and exciting’ Gold winner. ‘A very expressive palate,’ added The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki, describing it as ‘lemony, citrus and floral, with an elegant gentleness – and great value, too’. Team leader Carlos Ferreira agreed, describing it as ‘very fruity on the nose, with a citrusy and red apple palate, an appealing freshness and a long finish’.

£7.89 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Paolo Zucchetto, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Extra Dry 2018, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

This was deserving of its Gold, according to Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse, for its ‘freshly pressed apple juice with a hint of pear, and with some delicate blossom notes to complete the aromatic profile’. He further praised its ‘soft and delicate palate, with a persistent aftertaste’, while Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts was impressed by ‘some green pineapple notes coming through on the palate, with some refreshing acidity’, and team leader Tom Forrest appreciated its ‘creamy mousse and minerality’.

£12.91 Winetraders (UK) Ltd

Fantinel, One & Only, Prosecco Spumante, Brut 2018, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Gold medal winner

‘A complex nose of white pear, apple, white flowers and fresh melon’ were among the qualities that elevated this to Gold, according to Ross Antonelli of Hawksmoor Borough, who further praised its ‘creamy-mid palate with a balancing, lemony acidity, and sweetness kept in check to maintain freshness’. New Street Warehouse’s Tanguy Martin, meanwhile, appreciated its ‘expressive apple and pear nose, a distinct savoury note, delicate mousse and intense aftertaste’.

£13.77 Matthew Clark

Cavit, Lunetta, Prosecco NV, Veneto, Italy

Gold medal winner

This prosecco had Gold-worthy characteristics of ‘ripe, crunchy pear, and a perfumed nose, with lifted aromatics’, according to team leader Martin Lam, while Joshua Castle of Noble Rot appreciated its ‘subtle and complex nose, which is delicately floral, leading to a soft texture and a refreshingly light touch’. Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam thought its ‘super-fresh nectarine, apricot and gentle sparkle’ made it ‘good for pairing with light seafood’.

£8.25 Boutinot

C&C, Zimor, Organic Prosecco, Extra Dry 2018, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

New Street Warehouse’s Tanguy Martin found ‘a light, delicate, peach and apricot nose, with a soft and creamy texture that led to a balanced and harmonious wine’.

£10.28 C&C SRL

Ruggeri, Quartese, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore NV, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Daniel Nuttall of Adam’s Restaurant remarked on ‘a lighter style, with notes of fresh green apple and fairly high, fresh acidity’, while team leader Laura Rhys MS noted: ‘A dry, citrus-driven style, with bright fruit and a mineral finish.’

£12.76 Enotria&Coe

Ruggeri, Giustino B, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2017, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant described this as ‘a dry style of prosecco with medium concentration and a candied lemon, appealing green apple fizz’, adding: ‘Rich intensity of flavour and fairly long aftertaste.’

£17.70 Enotria&Coe

Soligo, Col de Mez, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Brut NV, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Consultant Leonie Loudon found ‘a very approachable style, food friendly with notes of elderflower and acacia’, while Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant noted a ‘medium sweet, green apple palate, with citrus fruit and yellow flowers’.

£10.35 Eurowines

Soligo, Prosecco Treviso, Extra Dry 2017, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Team Leader Martin Lam found this wine ‘very correct, with notes of fresh pear with a good balance of sweetness and fruit’, while Noble Rot’s Joshua Castle detected a ‘nicely bright lemon peel nose and a squeezed lime juice flavour’.

£8.55 Eurowines

Giacomo Montresor, Ca' de Riva, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Spumante NV, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Romain de Courcy of Gazelle Mayfair found notes of ‘golden apple, white peach, fresh white flowers and almond’, and added: ‘Round and lush with a light fizz, this great value wine is a real crowd pleaser.’ Meanwhile Daniel Nuttall of Adam’s Restaurant identified a ‘buttery quality with a yeasty lees character’.

£9.45 Boutinot

Colucci's, White Label, Prosecco, Extra Dry 2017, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse enjoyed this ‘ripe style with peaches, pears, melon and pomelo. Very expressive with nice complexity and a more yeasty, biscuity character.’ Team leader Carlos Ferreira, meanwhile, thought it would ‘make a nice start to the evening: very elegant and aromatic with a lovely fresh finish’.

£10.45 Colucci's

Toffoli, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco, Brut 2017, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant felt this wine had a ‘delicate, floral note, with green apples and a citrus palate, leading to a honeyed finish’, while consultant Leonie Louden noted an ‘appealing bitter sweet note’.

£11.10 Davy's Wine Merchants

Bottega, Il Vino dei Poeti, Prosecco Bio 2017, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira found this wine ‘very expressive’, describing ‘stone fruits on the nose with floral hints and notes of mango and peach; the palate is smooth and well balanced while the finish is long with a refreshing acidity’.

£13.82 Matthew Clark

Vinicola Tombacco, Vigneto de Fiori, Prosecco Spumante NV, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira found ‘lots of pear on the nose, with a stone fruit palate that stays fresh; very floral with asparagus and tropical notes on the finish’. The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki felt it would make ‘a great aperitif, with notes of lemon, lime, green apple and a lovely fresh texture’.

£8.42 R D Wines

Vinicola Serena, Mimesis, Prosecco NV, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Noelia Calleja of Hakkasan Hanway Place, noted, 'Bright citrus aromas, with crisp green apple, lemons and lime; there is a good texture here with intense flavour and a long finish.'

£10.90 Top Selection

Bolla, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Brut NV, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Consultant Leonie Louden noted: ‘A white pepper nose with a lifted, herbaceous freshness that spoke of aniseed and fennel.’

£12.76 Matthew Clark

Adria Vini, Fontessa, Prosecco Spumante Brut NV, Venezie, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse thought this wine had ‘a very perfumed nose of pleasant orchard and stone fruit notes’, and described the palate as ‘refreshing with persistent notes of pear and apple’.

£7.95 Boutinot

Da Luca, Prosecco NV, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

For Adam Michocki of The Glasshouse, this wine showed ‘a classic style of peaches, pears and apricots, with white blossom and acacia notes. A good balance of residual sugar and a surprisingly long finish.’

£9.71 Matthew Clark

Montelvini, Asolo, Prosecco Superiore, Brut NV, Veneto, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Noelia Calleja of Hakkasan Hanway Place felt this wine to be ‘quite aromatic with white flowers and a nutty character that followed on to a bready, leesy and ripe apple palate’.

£9.25 Frederic Robinson

Ruggeri, Argeo, Prosecco, Brut NV, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.50 Enotria&Coe

Botter, Imperativo, Prosecco NV, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£9.32 Matthew Clark

Soligo, Prosecco Treviso, Brut NV, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.55 Eurowines

Canevel, Valdobbiadene Prosecco, Extra Dry NV, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

Rocco, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Brut NV, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£13.61 Matthew Clark

Rocco, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Extra Dry NV, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£13.61 Matthew Clark

Adria Vini, Italia, Prosecco Spumante Brut NV, Venezie, Italy

Commended medal winner

£7.95 Boutinot

Giacomo Montresor, Contessa Giulia, Prosecco Spumante, Extra Dry NV, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.50 Boutinot

Paolo Zucchetto, Cartizze Superiore, Brut 2018, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

Botter, Vivoli, Prosecco NV, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£7.57 Molson Coors

Cielo e Terra, Primi Soli, Prosecco NV, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

Bisol, Jeio, Valdobbiadene Prosecco, Brut NV, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.17 Bibendum

Bottega, Gold, Prosecco Spumante, Brut 2018, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£19.87 Matthew Clark

Sacchetto, Fili, Prosecco, Brut 2018, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

San Simone, Il Concerto, Prosecco Spumante, Brut NV, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£10.60 Eurowines

Adria Vini, Versetto, Prosecco Extra Dry NV, Venezie, Italy

Commended medal winner

£7.95 Boutinot

Sparkling: Rosé - Champagne

Charles Heidsieck, Rosé Réserve NV, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

‘Good stuff!’ began team leader Jan Konetzki, pointing out notes of ‘rhubarb, lemon sherbet, red apples and raspberry’ and finding it to be ‘dry and crisp, with fine bubbles and good length’. Fellow team leader Andres Ituarte described ‘peach and apricot, and a nuttiness, too’. ‘Refined, delicate and definitely gastronomic, this deserves to be drunk attentively,’ said Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains.

£43.90 Liberty Wines

Taittinger, Nocturne Rosé, Sec NV, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

This remarkable rosé took Gold for its ‘richness and creaminess, with good weight and balance’, according to an impressed Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, while Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains praised its ‘great depth, with violet notes and lots of ripe red fruit, along with some candied blueberries’. Raphael Thierry of Street XO felt that its ‘savoury and sweet complexity’ led to ‘a fresh, clean finish’, while consultant Ian Howard concluded that it was ‘very well made!’.

£32.59 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne, Brut Rosé 2006, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

Carolina W Seibel of Moio Restaurant was taken with this Gold winner’s ‘nose of cranberry, with a light touch of vanilla and tonka bean, leading to complex layers of dense red fruit on the palate, with the tonka bean carrying through, as well as layers of brazil nuts’, while Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn admired its ‘weight and strength, with developed berry notes and brioche’. ‘Really amazing and super well made’ concluded team leader Andres Ituarte.

£147.23 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Laurent-Perrier, Alexandra Rosé 2004, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

The judges didn’t hold back with their praise as this wine was elevated to Gold. ‘What an amazing champagne,’ began The Cross Kenilworth’s Clément Loubeyre, before describing it as ‘so elegant, and very well balanced’. Team leader Andres Ituarte thought it ‘pretty and feminine, with some sweet fruits’, while fellow team leader Jan Konetzki described ‘smoky salt and rich, ripe fruit’. ‘So complex, yet so delicate – definitely a connoisseur’s choice, and a great appetiser,’ concluded Quentin Loisel of Restaurant Sat Bains.

£286.59 Bibendum

Angel, Rosé NV NV, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

Team leader Jan Konetzki described this as ‘monolithic’, as it was awarded a Gold medal, and spoke highly of its ‘complex notes of strawberry and raspberry mixed with sea salt’, adding that ‘it’s the structure that makes this ageworthy’. Consultant Ian Howard agreed, speaking of its ‘good age and a long life ahead’, and praising its ‘beautiful, buttery red-fruit nose, leading to very well-balanced fruit and acidity, along with lovely autolytic flavours that have great length and elegance’.

£97.95 Angel Champagne

Veuve Clicquot, Rosé 2008, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

Team leader Martin Lam noted the ‘rounded, yeasty nose, the complex, raspberry-edged, bready palate and the long and persistent finish’, while Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club found ‘fresh cassis, perfumed aromas; ripe raspberry candy and seaweed complexity on the palate and gentle hints of wild berry tea’.

£71.00 Matthew Clark

Duval-Leroy, Prestige Rosé, Premier Cru NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

Raphael Thierry of Street XO noted the ‘good foam, intense flavour of cherry and a really refreshing profile from the acidity. Forget a Negroni and have this champagne for an aperitif!’ Meanwhile Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair found ‘yeasty notes on the nose’ and ‘fresh, crisp strawberry fruit’ and said the fact that it’s ‘ever so slightly bitter on the finish makes it so nice!’

£35.01 Amathus

Duménil , Rosé Vieilles Vignes, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

Team leader Jan Konetzki noted ‘a savoury, saline, peachy nose with red berries and yeast. A dry, saline, layered palate; this is good value.’ Meanwhile Raphael Thierry of Street XO found an ‘elegant mousse, charming fresh fruits of peach, strawberry and white cherry, and a fresh finish’.

£25.01 Davy's Wine Merchants

Devaux, D, Rosé NV, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

Moio Restaurant’s Carolina W Seibel noted ‘red berry, lightly floral aromatics; the wine opens to a wild strawberry, complex palate with a fine bead’, while Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club admired the ‘gentle strawberry and pink apple fruit, the refreshing mouthfeel and delicate nectarine aromas with a long finish’.

£42.95 Liberty Wines

Veuve Clicquot, Rosé NV, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

Raphael Thierry of Street XO admired the ‘beautiful fruit coming on the nose and confirmed on the palate’, adding: ‘Refreshing bubbles with a touch of sweetness, but the clean finish makes for a charming wine.’

£56.94 Matthew Clark

Palmer & Co, Rosé Reserve, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Martin Lam noted: ‘A big mousse, with a very floral, lifted nose; with nicely balanced berry fruit and yeasty palate.’

£31.26 Bibendum

Le Chapitre, Rosé Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£27.00 Wine Source UK

Moët & Chandon, Rosé Impérial NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£50.73 Matthew Clark

Moët & Chandon, Grand Vintage Rosé 2009, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£70.00 Moët & Chandon

Taittinger, Prestige, Brut Rosé NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

Laurent-Perrier, Cuvée Rosé, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£63.67 Bibendum

Gobillard, Brut Rosé NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£27.86 Enotria&Coe

Lallier, Grand Rosé, Grand Cru, Brut NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£24.35 Boutinot

Alfred Gratien, Brut Rosé NV, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£39.70 Enotria&Coe

Sparkling: Rosé England

Greyfriars, Rosé NV, Surrey, England

Gold medal winner

This fresh English rosé took Gold amid praise from an impressed panel of judges. Diana Rollan of D&D described a ‘vibrant wine with red berries, raspberries and a creamy strawberry nose, leading to a dry palate with fine bubbles, nice concentration and good length’, while team leader Carlos Ferreira admired its ‘beautiful salmon pink colour, fine acidity and hints of roses, with a toasty long finish’. ‘Perfect as an aperitif, or by the glass, and good value, too,’ concluded 67 Pall Mall’s Terry Kandylis.

£14.00 Matthew Clark, Greyfriars Vineyard

Harrow & Hope, Brut Rosé 2015, Buckinghamshire, England

Gold medal winner

An inevitable Gold winner, this was described by team leader Charlie Young as ‘moreish, with great balance on the nose between red berries and yeast notes, leading to a very well-judged palate with pure, ripe fruit’. Virginia Fontò of La Trompette enjoyed its ‘pronounced, complex nose of red fruit, citrus and floral notes, and a creamy palate of biscuit, vanilla and brown sugar’, before praising ‘a long finish that completes a wine that is amazing value for money’.

£22.08 Jascots Wine Merchants

Goring Estate, Goring Rosé NV, West Sussex, England

Gold medal winner

This earned abundant praise – and a Gold medal – for its ‘complex, elegant notes of toasted bread, cranberry and violet, with a refreshing, vibrant, creamy mousse’, according to D&D’s Diana Rollan. Team leader Carlos Ferreira spoke highly of its ‘beautiful floral nose with toasted nuts and stone fruit, with a palate that is very persistent, with good acidity and a long finish’, which led him to declare this ‘perfect with a starter of oysters or cured salmon’.

£28.88 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Grange Estate, The Grange, Pink NV, Hampshire, England

Silver medal winner

D&D’s Diana Rollan described an ‘attractive nose of strawberries and cream, which was floral, complex and aromatic. Dry, with fine bubbles and great texture, a creamy finish and good balance overall.’

£18.96 Grange Estate Wines

Black Chalk, Wild Rosé 2016, Hampshire, England

Silver medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young described this as ‘super-light in colour with gently perfumed red fruit. Nice and dry with good complexity; there’s lots of interest here. The finish is fresh, elegantly berry-like and moreish.’ ‘A great bottle,’ added Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse.

£24.50 Red Squirrel Wine

Langham, Brut Rosé NV, Dorset, England

Silver medal winner

Team leader Carlos Ferreira found ‘some tropical notes on the nose along with cherry, strawberries and green apple. The plate is complex with beautiful bubbles and well-balanced acidity.’ Roberto Sanchez of Sexy Fish called for some ‘fois gras to match or some fresh crab and prawns’.

£20.90 Christopher Piper Wines, Theatre of Wine , Langham Wine Estate, Lea & Sandeman

Fox & Fox, Mosaic, Brut Rosé 2015, East Sussex, England

Silver medal winner

Matteo Cali of Savoy Grill described an ‘intense and rich sparkling wine with a rounded palate and well-integrated acidity that would be a good food wine’. Meanwhile team leader Carlos Ferreira found ‘roses and toasted brioche, with cherry and plum on a palate that finishes long’.

£22.86 Amathus Drinks Plc

Blackdown Ridge, Rosé 2015, West Sussex, England

Silver medal winner

Charlie Carter of Ten Green Bottles noted: ‘Creamy, red fruit aromas, a good balance between acid, autolysis and fruit.’ Gian Giacomo Stella of Simpsons Restaurant, meanwhile, enjoyed a ‘nice bouquet of red fruit, baked bread and brioche’.

£15.00 The English Wine Centre, The Haslemere Cellar, Corkage

Camel Valley, Pinot Noir, Brut Rosé 2016, Cornwall, England

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young found ‘attractive soft, scented berry fruit and a ripe, sweet fruit palate. A touch sweet perhaps but happily we’re talking fruit sweetness, not gobfuls of granulated sugar.’

£22.45 Matthew Clark, Camel Valley, St Austell Brewery

Gusbourne, Brut Rosé 2015, Kent, England

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Charlie Young found ‘yeast, gentle spice and plum’ and further noted: ‘Layered red fruit flanked with peel, spice and herbs. Impressive, complex and highly drinkable.’

£30.00 Gusbourne Estate

Oastbrook, Rosé 2014, East Sussex, England

Bronze medal winner

Tanguy Martin of New Street Warehouse noted: ‘A vibrant and intense fresh strawberry and raspberry nose; a delicate palate with a creamy texture; nicely balanced acidity and easy to sip.’

£21.00 Oastbrook Estates Limited

Greyfriars, Rosé Reserve, Brut 2014, Surrey, England

Commended medal winner

Jenkyn Place, Rosé 2014, Hampshire, England

Commended medal winner

Bluebell Vineyard Estates, Hindleap, Rosé 2014, East Sussex, England

Commended medal winner

Enborne Vineyards, Sparkling Rosé 2014, Berkshire, England

Commended medal winner

Redfold Vineyards, Ambriel, Rosé 2014, West Sussex, England

Commended medal winner

Sparkling: Rosé, excluding Champagne

Clos Cabriere, Pierre Jourdan, Belle Rose 2017, Western Cape, South Africa

Gold medal winner

Team leader Laurent Richet MS was taken with this Gold winner’s ‘lovely light pink colour, with rich flavours of peach, tangerine and the red berries and blossoms of summer on an elegant palate’, while Gymkhana Restaurant’s Valentin Radosav found notes of ‘delicate citrus, green apple and tarragon’. Finding it ‘fresh and crisp, with nice acidity and a gentle sparkle’, Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam imagined it would be ‘a good pairing with salmon’.

£11.43 Hard To Find Wines

Akarua, Brut Rosé NV, Central Otago, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

‘Classic rosé,’ began consultant Emanuel Pesqueira, who spoke highly of this Gold Lister’s ‘great balance and fine intensity’, before declaring it ‘a great food wine’. Team leader Lionel Periner, meanwhile, described it as ‘elegant and aromatic, with cooked red fruit crumble notes and a spring flower element too, with a good body and a long finish’. The combination meant it would be ‘good with new season lamb’, suggested The Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s Sue Jones.

£17.84 Liberty Wines

Graham Beck, Brut Rosé 2012, Robertson, South Africa

Gold medal winner

Team leader Laurent Richet MS admired this Gold-winning brut rosé’s ‘lovely onion skin colour, with ripe fruit and orange zest’, before adding that ‘the palate brings tangerine and raspberry to a bright, clean and long finish’. Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston found ‘marzipan, sourdough and dried grapes on the nose, with good perlage and a lovely intensity’, while Grape Times UK’s Harry Crowther appreciated its ‘clean finish with almond and marzipan’.

£15.51 Bibendum

Rotari, Brut Cuvee 28+, Trentodoc Rosé NV, Trentino, Italy

Silver medal winner

Francesca Turra of Mondrian London noted: ‘A clear, elegant pink colour; aromatic notes of orange and lemon lead to a more baked stone fruit palate with pleasant yeasty and toasted brioche notes. Nice perlage and a refreshing acidity keeps the finish fresh and bright.’

£11.64 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Taste Hub, Serenello, Spumante, Rosé NV, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston found ‘stone fruit notes with good complexity and some ripe pear’. He further noted: ‘The palate is long with a floral, peach blossom, fruity and honeyed finish.’

£7.35 LWC Drinks Ltd (Merchant and Shippers)

Colucci's, Rosé Spumante 2017, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

Team leader Lionel Periner noted: ‘Pale pink colour, aromas are open with red berry fruit and a floral character. The palate is creamy, fresh and dry with bright berries and strawberry flavours while the finish is fresh with a nice acidity.’

£10.45 Colucci's

Ca' del Bosco, Franciacorta, Rosé Cuvée Prestige NV, Lombardy, Italy

Bronze medal winner

Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross Kenilworth, Simpsons & Edgbaston described a ‘deep rose colour with baked red fruits and pear’, and found it ‘well balanced with a buttery finish’.

£36.00 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Félix Solís, Comte de Chamberi, Rosé Sec NV, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Laurent Richet MS noted: ‘A lovely pink colour, with a clean fruit-forward style. Almost off-dry but with lovely candied fruit and a strawberry candyfloss appeal.’

£6.22 Matthew Clark

Costaripa, Mattia Vezzola, Brut Rosé NV, Lombardy, Italy

Commended medal winner

£18.55 Alivini

Bisol, Jeio, Valdobbiadene Prosecco, Brut Rosé NV, Veneto, Italy

Commended medal winner

£11.87 Bibendum

Graham Beck, Brut Rosé NV, Robertson, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£13.13 Bibendum

Peller, Ice Cuvée, Rosé NV, Ontario, Canada

Commended medal winner

£21.75 Enotria&Coe

Sweet Wines

Szepsy, Szamorodni (50cl) 2013, Tokaj, Hungary

Gold medal winner

A variety of tasting notes from our judges underlined the complexity of this Gold winner. ‘Layered with orange marmalade peel, mango, honey and sweet, ripe saffron pear, this wine has great length,’ wrote team leader Jan Konetzki, while Street XO’s Raphael Thierry picked out a ‘lemon curd and coriander nose with apricot and quince on the palate’. All of which made it, according to team leader Laurent Richet MS, an ideal match for ‘apricot and almond tart with lime sorbet’.

£38.09 Size: 50cl Top Selection

Silvio Carta, Vernaccia di Oristano, Riserva 1968, Sardinia, Italy

Gold medal winner

This remarkable 1968 Vernaccia di Oristano, aged in chestnut barrels, was led to the Gold podium as judges painted an intriguing picture of a wine ‘with a sherry nose’, according to team Leader Martin Lam, who also praised its ‘delightful acidity’. Shane McHugh of Adam Handling went on to describe notes of ‘coffee, nuts and chocolate’, while team leader Jade Koch described it as ‘crunchy’, and commented on its ‘deep brown colour’.

£246.35 Size: 75cl Eurowines

Framingham, Marlborough Noble Riesling (37.5cl) 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

Gold medal winner

As judges unanimously proclaimed this Gold, Street XO’s Raphael Thierry spoke highly of its ‘lemon curd nose with a rich, sweet and complex palate showing quince, lemon tart and Asian pear, leading to a long, balanced finish’. The Gilbert Scott’s Juan Manuel Marcos Perez found ‘ripe mango and lychee, with a beeswax finish’, while for Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants, its ‘luscious, opulent tropical fruit’ made it ideal for serving with ‘mango and passion fruit pavlova’.

£12.99 Size: 37.5cl Liberty Wines

Fairview, La Beryl Blanc (50cl) 2017, Coastal Region, South Africa

Gold medal winner

As judges handed over a well-deserved Gold medal, Bianca Potenza of Bluespoon Andaz Hotel - Amsterdam spoke highly of this South African sweet wine’s ‘beautiful sweetness, but not too much, with elderflower and honey, and a slight nuttiness, too’. Team leader Jade Koch was impressed by its ‘great concentration of fruit, and really good balance’, while Cavalry & Guards Club’s Andre Luis Martins further described ‘perfumed tropical notes with gentle mango aromas, leading to a full-bodied palate and a long finish’.

£13.95 Size: 50cl Liberty Wines

Inniskillin, Riesling, Icewine (37.5cl) 2017, Ontario, Canada

Gold medal winner

A hit with our judges and undoubtedly a candidate for Gold, this had, according to Hakkasan’s Olivier Gasselin, ‘very bright, floral and crystalline notes of lemon balm’ and was ‘juicy, pure and zesty, and not too cloying at all’. For Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, meanwhile, it had ‘a nose of pure orange marmalade and maple flowers’ that led to a palate that featured ‘richly dried apricot and dates’.

£41.34 Size: 37.5cl Liberty Wines

Disznókö, Late Harvest (50cl) 2017, Tokaj, Hungary

Gold medal winner

‘Quality!’ began team leader Jan Konetzki, echoing the sentiments of the judging panel as this was awarded Gold, and going on to describe ‘tropical fruit salad notes, smokiness, a honeyed sweetness and rich texture’. ‘Quince jam, orange skin and camomile,’ added Street XO’s Raphael Thierry, who found it ‘very luscious, but with good freshness, too’. The Gilbert Scott’s Juan Manuel Marcos Perez described ‘apricots and marmalade’, and remarked on the ‘balance between sugar and acidity’ here.

£10.59 Size: 50cl González Byass

Errazuriz, Late Harvest, Sauvignon Blanc (37.5cl) 2017, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Team leader Jan Konetzki described ‘peach, ripe pineapple and candied lemon’, adding that ‘the honeyed sweetness is tempered by good acidity and decent length’. ‘Vibrant with good acidity,’ echoed Kai Mayfair’s Elisa Soggia, who detected notes of ‘green apple, dried apricot with vanilla and white pepper’.

£6.98 Size: 37.5cl Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Château de Fesles, Bonnezeaux (50cl) 2014, Loire, France

Silver medal winner

Elisa Soggia of Kai Mayfair noted that the ‘high acidity really balances this complex wine’, and thought that the ‘baked apricot, orange marmalade, vanilla and honey mix throughout the palate with twist of white pepper on the finish’.

£23.52 Size: 50cl Les Grands Chais de France

Leduc-Piedimonte, Ice Cider (37.5cl) 2011, Quebec, Canada

Silver medal winner

‘A very rich, bruised apple nose, reminiscent of Calvados,’ began team leader Nigel Lister. He described ‘roasted pear and apple flavours with dried fruit, raisin and fig and a distinct truffle note’ and said he ‘would love to try it with good pork crackling’.

£18.03 Size: 37.5cl Top Selection

Saint Clair, Godfrey's Creek, Noble Riesling (37.5cl) 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

Consultant Ian Howard thought this had ‘a delicate style with good length and acidity’, and added that ‘the wine shows candied lime, honeycomb with a lovely stone fruit palate of nectarine’. ‘Lemon peel candy,’ said team leader Jan Konetzski, ‘with caramel, pastry and a ripe, grapey palate.’

£15.16 Size: 37.5cl Hallgarten & Novum Wines

De Trafford, Straw Wine 37.5cl NV, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘Orange peel, honey and marmalade, spice,’ said Adam Handling’s Shane McHugh. ‘Perfumed with ripe nectarine fruit, a complex, rich body and a refreshing finish,’ added Cavalry & Guards Club’s Andre Luis Martins.

£26.53 Size: 37.5cl Bibendum

Michele Chiarlo, Nivole, Moscato d'Asti (37.5 cl) 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Lightly spritzy peach and apricots flavours with hints of beeswax,’ said team leader Angela Reddin, with ‘sweet mouth entry and a long, expressive apple pip finish’.

£7.38 Size: 37.5cl Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Inniskillin, Cabernet Franc, Icewine (37.5cl) 2016, Ontario, Canada

Silver medal winner

Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group loved ‘the amazing colour’ of this Cabernet Franc. With its ‘amazing nose of chestnuts and honey with a long buttery finish’, she described it as ‘a treat’. ‘Strawberries stewed in a red wine syrup’ offered team leader Nigel Lister, while fellow team leader Tom Forrest came up with ‘toffeed raspberries’.

£46.59 Size: 37.5cl Liberty Wines

Negro, Birbet Brachetto 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Pink, ruby and frothy – delightful-looking in the glass,’ remarked team leader Angela Reddin, describing it as ‘brimming over with notes of strawberry, pomegranate and cherry’, before concluding that ‘this is good wine’. ‘Perfect with chocolate and cherry mousse,’ offered Scarlet Hotel’s Jim Bass.

£11.90 Size: 75cl Enotria&Coe

Château d'Aydie, Pacherenc du Vic-Bihl Moelleux (50cl) 2017, South West France, France

Silver medal winner

‘Honeyed, sweet apricot, with hints of gooseberry and a white flower fragrance,’ began team leader Jan Konetzki, further describing it as ‘very ripe with good acidity and freshness’.

£11.99 Size: 50cl Enotria&Coe

Cline Cellars, Late Harvest Mourvèdre (37.5cl) 2016, Contra Costa Valley, California, USA

Bronze medal winner

Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club thought that ‘the palate is complex with bramble sweetness and a herbaceous note: mint, rosemary and thyme’. He further described it as ‘meditation wine with intensity and personality’.

£12.95 Size: 37.5cl Boutinot

Príncipe de Viana, Vendimia Tardía (50cl) 2017, Navarra, Spain

Bronze medal winner

‘Refreshing acidity lifts this floral, structured wine to a refreshing finish with a medicinal note,’ said Carolina W Seibel of Moio Restaurant.

£13.02 Size: 50cl Bodegas Príncipe de Viana

Château La Sabatière, Monbazillac 2015, South West France, France

Commended medal winner

£10.43 Size: 75cl Enotria&Coe

Silvio Carta, Vernaccia di Oristano, Riserva 2001, Sardinia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£63.55 Size: 75cl Eurowines

Lenz Moser, Prestige Beerenauslese 2015, Burgenland, Austria

Commended medal winner

£22.06 Size: 37.5cl Inverarity Morton

Gizella Pince, Szamorodni 2017, Tokaj, Hungary

Commended medal winner

£43.32 Size: 50cl The Wine Rascals

Stratus, Riesling, Icewine (37.5cl) 2016, Ontario, Canada

Commended medal winner

£21.84 Size: 37.5cl Bibendum

Peter Lehmann, Botrytis Semillon 2016, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£16.68 Size: 37.5cl Liberty Wines

Perdeberg, Dry Land Collection, Longevity, Natural Sweet Chenin Blanc 2017, Paarl, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£7.60 Size: 75cl Boutinot

Inniskillin, Gold Vidal, Icewine 2017, Ontario, Canada

Commended medal winner

£69.08 Size: 37.5cl Liberty Wines

Il Cascinone, Palazzina Moscato Passito (37.5cl) 2014, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£5.95 Size: 37.5cl Boutinot

Peller, Vidal, Icewine 2016, Ontario, Canada

Commended medal winner

£57.32 Size: 37.5cl Enotria&Coe

Béres, Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2008, Tokaj, Hungary

Commended medal winner

£31.05 Size: 50cl Matthew Clark

Peller, Riesling, Icewine 2015, Ontario, Canada

Commended medal winner

£65.22 Size: 37.5cl Enotria&Coe

Peller, Cabernet Franc, Icewine 2016, Ontario, Canada

Commended medal winner

£77.88 Size: 37.5cl Enotria&Coe

Pithon Paille, Les 4 Vents Coteau du Layon 2016, Loire, France

Commended medal winner

£22.75 Enotria&Coe

Francesco Candido, Aleatico di Puglia 2012, Puglia, Italy

Commended medal winner

£22.26 Size: 50cl Enotria&Coe

Turkey

Doluca, Tugra, Boğazkere 2016, Aegean, Turkey

Gold medal winner Food Match

Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants appreciated this Gold Lister’s ‘juicy black fruits, ripe tannins, balanced alcohol and integrated oak’, adding further praise for its ‘good value for money’. ETM Group’s Guillaume Mahaut found it to have ‘a perfumed, pretty nose, with some rose notes, leading to some plum on the palate’, while team leader Tom Forrest described it as ‘Beaujolais in style, with red cherry, some spice, and a rounded, soft palate’.

£8.10 TEES Ltd.

Kavaklıdere, Ancyra, Narince 2018, Central Anatolia, Turkey

Gold medal winner

As this earned its place on the Gold list, Ennio Pucciarelli of Kahani London praised its ‘beautiful bouquet of floral and stone fruits, and hints of honey on the palate, with lovely acidity’, adding that it was ‘quite rich with a long finish’. Team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW thought it ‘individual, with charming aromatics, and a rich and oily palate’, while consultant Rebecca Coates added that it was ‘super-juicy, and great on its own!’

£6.50 Tees

Diren, Collection, Kalecik Karası 2016, Tokat, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Gold medal winner

This ‘perfect summer wine’, according to Janusz Sasiadek of Bottles & Battles, took Gold for its ‘intense spice, with cherries and blueberries, and some great acidity’. Ieva Markaityte of Portuguese Concepts enjoyed ‘a slight medicinal character, as well as some chalky tannins, and good length’, while Savoy Grill’s Matteo Cali described it as ‘easy-drinking and juicy, with herbal garrigue notes’, and team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW concluded: ‘Light, juicy and plummy, and at a great price.’

£5.49 Taste Turkey

Sevilen, Premium, Chardonnay 2016, Aegean, Turkey

Gold medal winner

This ‘intense, punchy wine’, according to Prestonfield House’s Dave Cushley, had ‘toasted notes on the nose, with rich, buttery melon fruit and persistent acidity on the palate’, while team leader Laura Rhys MS found it ‘full bodied, with rich, ripe fruit and rounded oak’. Chiara Sieni of Bottles Group, meanwhile, thought that ‘cherry, chestnut honey, ripe pineapple and a nutty texture, as well as long acidity, make this wine excellent’.

£12.50 Try Wines

Sevilen, Plato, Syrah/Öküzgözü 2016, Güney-Denizli, Aegean, Turkey

Silver medal winner

Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall found this to have ‘a soft nose towards dark cherry notes, with a long palate of more cherries and a touch of mature berries, too, all leading to a long finish’.

£13.00 Try Wines

Doluca, Signium, Chardonnay/Viognier/Narince 2017, Central Anatolia, Turkey

Silver medal winner

‘This wine is delightfully aromatic,’ commented team leader Jan Konetzki. ‘The nose is of tropical fruit, with some kiwi and bay leaf aromas. There’s plenty of ripe fruit on the palate and great length.’

£15.50 Tees

Doluca, Signium, Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot 2016, Thrace, Turkey

Silver medal winner

‘A floral, spicy nose with cooked red fruit, too, leading to a smooth, well-structured palate with ripe, dark fruit and a smoky finish,’ said team leader Lionel Periner, while The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi described a wine with ‘balance, good fruit concentration and firm tannins’.

£15.50 Doluca

Kavaklıdere, Côtes d'Avanos, Chardonnay/Narince 2017, Cappadocia, Turkey

Silver medal winner

‘The wine has soft melon notes. It’s delicate and fresh, with good texture and acidity. The ideal summery bottle,’ thought Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House, while team leader Jan Konetzki identified a ‘lemon and toast character, beautiful fragrance and great length’.

£18.13 Kavaklidere Saraplari

Kavaklıdere, Prestige, Kalecik Karası 2016, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Silver medal winner

‘A perfumed nose, with gentle raspberry and some sweet spice notes,’ began Andre Luis Martins of Cavalry & Guards Club, further describing ‘an elegant body, with polished tannins and a fresh finish’. ‘A good option for charcuterie and cheese,’ added Savoy Grill’s Matteo Cali.

£13.30 Tees

Kavaklıdere, Prestige, Öküzgözü 2012, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Silver medal winner

‘Light smoked oak aromas, with ripe fruits and some creaminess too,’ said team leader Tom Forrest, while Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn identified notes of ‘goji berries and cranberries, as well as plums, leading to a pleasant finish’.

£14.40 Tees

Lucien Arkas Bağlari, Consensus, Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2015, Aegean, Turkey

Bronze medal winner

‘Leafy aromas, along with blackberry and blackcurrant notes, and well-integrated tannins,’ said Elena Serban of Hakkasan, while Tatiana Mann of The Vine Eno Gastropub described ‘ripe forest fruits, good tannin structure, and pine needles on the finish’.

£14.50 Lucien Arkas Baglari

Kocabağ, Leo's 2016, Cappadocia, Turkey

Bronze medal winner

‘A big and bold wine,’ began Savvas Symeonidis of Gymkhana Restaurant, who described ‘intense black fruit and berries, along with some forest floor, ink and a hint of mushroom, all with some smooth tannins’. Sunaina Sethi of JKS Restaurants found it to be ‘balanced, with elegant fruit, and oak that’s prevalent but integrated’.

£19.00 Kocabağ Bağcılık ve Şarapçılık

Doluca, Karma, Cabernet Sauvignon/Oküzgözü 2016, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Bronze medal winner

‘Aromatic and vibrant aromas of cassis and blackberry, leading to a soft, elegant and juicy palate, with tannins well balanced by fruit. A chewy, meaty wine,’ said team leader Laurent Richet MS.

£8.00 Doluca

Suvla, Reserve, Roussanne/Marsanne 2016, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey

Bronze medal winner

‘The wine shows subtle aromas of garrigue and fennel. It has a plump, fleshy palate, mineral stony and lemon curd notes,’ said team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW.

£15.68 Suvla Wines

Kavaklıdere, Egeo, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Aegean, Turkey

Bronze medal winner

‘A bright, red fruit-led nose, leading to sweet but well-defined fruit on the palate, along with some meaty tannins,’ thought Mattia Mazzi of The River Cafe.

£12.38 Kavaklidere Saraplari

Sevilen, 900, Fumé Blanc 2017, Güney-Denizli, Aegean, Turkey

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Jan Konetzki thought this wine was ‘layered, delicately aromatic, with a pleasant pyrazine character’. He further described it as ‘delectable’, with ‘good structure and length’.

£17.83 Try Wines

Sevilen, Centum, Syrah 2014, Güney-Denizli, Aegean, Turkey

Bronze medal winner

‘A smoky nose, with a hint of lavender, leading to big, savoury oak on the palate, with some red cherries, too, and a hint of tobacco,’ said Daniel Jonberger of Rockliffe Hall.

£17.95 Try Wines

Sevilen, Nativus, Narince 2017, Anatolia, Turkey

Bronze medal winner

Dave Cushley of Prestonfield House judged this wine to be ‘delicately perfumed, with a mellow palate and a refreshing finish’, and described ‘nice notes of melon, caramel and orange’.

£8.89 Matthew Clark

Diren, Collection, Oküzgözü 2016, Tokat, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£5.49 Taste Turkey

Lucien Arkas Bağlari, Meandros, Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Marselan/Merlot 2016, Aegean, Turkey

Commended medal winner

Lucien Arkas Bağlari, Antre, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Aegean, Turkey

Commended medal winner

Sevilen, Parcel 1, Syrah 2015, Izmir, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£9.50 Try Wines

Doluca, DLC, Shiraz 2016, Aegean, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£6.80 TEES Ltd.

Doluca, DLC, Grenache 2017, Thrace, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£6.80 TEES Ltd.

Doluca, DLC, Moskado 2017, Aegean, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£6.80 TEES Ltd.

Doluca, Kav, Narince 2017, Central Anatolia, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£10.98 Bibendum

Doluca, Sarafin Shiraz 2016, Thrace, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£10.50 TEES Ltd.

Doluca, Karma, Merlot/Boğazkere 2016, Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£9.60 TEES Ltd.

Doluca, Kizilcaterzi, Merlot 2014, Thrace, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£23.63 Doluca

Mey Içkı, Kayra, Versus, Öküzgözü 2016, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Commended medal winner

Mey Içkı, Kayra, Narince 2017, Black Sea Coast, Turkey

Commended medal winner

Mey Içkı, Imperial, Merlot/Cabernet Franc 2014, Thrace, Turkey

Commended medal winner

Suvla, Reserve, Syrah 2014, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£15.68 Suvla Wines

Suvla, Reserve, Karasakiz 2016, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£14.38 Suvla Wines

Kavaklıdere, Egeo, Cabernet Sauvignon-merlot 2016, Aegean, Turkey

Commended medal winner

Kavaklıdere, Egeo, Syrah 2016, Aegean, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£9.50 Tees

Kavaklıdere, Côtes d'Avanos, Narince 2017, Cappadocia, Turkey

Commended medal winner

Kavaklıdere, Côtes d'Avanos, Tempranillo 2015, Cappadocia, Turkey

Commended medal winner

Sevilen, 900, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Güney-Denizli, Aegean, Turkey

Commended medal winner

£17.50 Try Wines

White Rhône

Jean-Luc Colombo, La Belle de Mai, St-Péray 2017, Rhône, France

Gold medal winner

This ‘fresh and elegant’ white Rhône, with its ‘bright pear fruit and delicate spice’, according to team leader Laura Rhys MS, was ‘a great food-matching wine’, and a clear candidate for Gold, too. Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant described ‘citrus and green apples on the nose, leading to a palate that’s rich and ripe, with a hint of brioche and nuts’, while The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki thought its ‘peach, apricot and honeysuckle notes’ made it a great match for ‘turbot with cauliflower purée’.

£14.81 Hatch Mansfield

Domaine Georges Vernay, Terrasses de L'Empire, Condrieu 2016, Rhône, France

Gold medal winner

‘I love the purity of fruit on the palate,’ began Valentin Radosav of Gymkhana Restaurant as this was elevated to Gold, going on to describe ‘gentle floral notes at the start, then apples, nuts and a touch of ginger’. Sommelier Wine Awards competition director Chris Losh appreciated its ‘attractively pure fruit with a gentle pithiness on the finish’, while team leader Martin Lam added that it was ‘such a great food wine – you can do so much with it’.

£51.62 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaine Yves Cuilleron, Condrieu La Petite Côte 2017, Rhône, France

Gold medal winner

This took home Gold for its ‘charming fruit profile with pronounced intensity of apricot, tangerine, honeysuckle, honey and marzipan’, according to The Glasshouse’s Adam Michocki, who thought it ‘well-structured, with a round and creamy texture, as well as some spice’. Alonso Abed of Hide Above enjoyed its ‘fresh peach skin notes with camomile flower and fresh honeydew aromas’, while Sexy Fish’s Lucie Kalertova thought this all added up to a perfect partner for ‘aromatic Indian dishes’.

£36.88 Enotria&Coe

Ogier, Clos de l'Oratoire Blanc 2017, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

‘Delicate aromas of yellow flowers with chestnut and stone fruit fill the nose. The palate has a touch of creamy yoghurt with peach, apple and melon. Very easy to drink with a rich fruit profile and good length,’ said Heesoo Kang of Flat Three Restaurant.

£29.43 Matthew Clark

Ferraton, Côtes-du-Rhône Samorëns Blanc 2017, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest noted: ‘A pale lemon-coloured wine, with russet apple and mineral notes on the nose and a touch of cooked ham. The palate is nicely oily, with flavours of lemon and apples and a good steely finish.’

£8.90 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Domaine Yves Cuilleron, Condrieu Les Chaillets, Vieilles Vignes 2016, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

Team leader Tom Forrest found a ‘complex, aromatic wine with notes of peach, violets, honey and orange blossom’. He described the palate as ‘weighty and rich with beeswax, honey and ginger, and soft, ripe peachy fruit’.

£49.48 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Yves Cuilleron, Viognier 2017, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

‘Smoky, oily and dry with a lemon zesty finish,’ noted team leader Jade Koch, with competition director Chris Losh adding: ‘Bright, with melon and pineapple fruit that tightens into a nice spicy finish.’

£17.37 Enotria&Coe

M Chapoutier, La Combe Pilate 2017, Rhône, France

Silver medal winner

Team leader Jade Koch found ‘a honeyed, juicy, slightly effervescent wine with notes of tea and honey; overall very pretty wine’.

£11.60 Mentzendorff & Co

Domaine de la Janasse, Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2017, Rhône, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Aromatic notes of grapefruit, mandarin, apricot yoghurt and a touch of lychee follow through to a nicely textured palate; good acidity keeps everything well balanced,’ said 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen’s Melania Battiston.

£12.53 Enotria&Coe

Dumazet, Condrieu Rouelle Midi 2015, Rhône, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Intense golden colour, with pronounced aromatics,’ said Sexy Fish’s Julien Sahut, adding: ‘Stone fruit and tropical notes of orange peel plus a smoky note of toasted almonds. The plate is rich and oily with cooked apricot and a spicy finish that would be great with food.’

£29.49 Bibendum

Domaine Brusset, Les Travers Blanc, Cairanne 2017, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£12.92 Enotria&Coe

Jean-Luc Colombo, Les Collines de Laure, Blanc 2017, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine de la Janasse, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2017, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£33.54 Enotria&Coe

Domaine de la Janasse, Viognier, Principauté d'Orange 2018, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

£14.65 Enotria&Coe

Ferraton, Saint-Joseph, La Source Blanc 2017, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine Andre Brunel, La Bécassonne, Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2017, Rhône, France

Commended medal winner