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Winner Details

Pinot Noir - Chile

OK. So if you went out looking for great value Pinot and didn’t get it in New Zealand, on this evidence, Chile is where you should come. The pricing here was fantastic – particularly given that our teams also found higher quality.

Chile has often struggled a bit with Pinot in SWA, but this was a strong performance: three Golds and ten medals made it the company’s best year ever – all the more impressive since only one of our medal-winners was over £12.

The key to the change in heart from our tasters was a change in style in the wineries. Perhaps it was the 2018 vintage (which most of these were) or perhaps it was the growing presence of Leyda, but all our tasting teams picked up a much fresher, lighter style. To put it bluntly, these wines tasted like Pinot Noir, not an over-sweet, over-oaked Cabernet-Lite.

So very well done, Chile. Keep it up next year!

From The Tasting Teams

‘Chilean Pinot Noir has made a lot of improvements. They used to be intense, rich and high in alcohol, not typical of Pinot Noir generally. Now they are much fresher, red fruits, more elegant - and they pair better with food because of it.’ Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine

‘Leyda was a very pleasant flight. Before, it was more extracted fruits, oaky and high alcohol. But it’s more balanced now, with nice acidity and value for money.’ Lionel Periner, team leader

‘It would be hard for the higher-priced ones to compete with comparable wines at this same price from other parts of the world, but the quality of Chile’s wines is improving. There’s definitely a place for them on the wine list.’ Mikolaj Harmider, Cava Spiliadis Collection and Simpsons Restaurant

‘They were showing great complexity. In the past the oak was too aggressive, but now they’re keeping the fruit as clean as possible.’ Gaetano Giangaspero, C&C

‘We found some wines here where the price to quality ratio was absolutely fantastic, expressing different terroirs and areas. There’s freshness, drinkability and versatility here.’ Filippo Pastorini, consultant

‘The Leyda wines had lovely fruit expression throughout the line-up, with lots of good value for money.’ Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns

‘They were not over-extracted like they have been in the past. There was more purity, more elegance, more fruit – and they were lighter.’ Victor Amaro, Quarter Bar at London Bridge Hotel

‘Some really stood out here, and they weren’t necessarily the most expensive ones.’ Sue Jones, The Harrow at Little Bedwyn

Award winners

Found 19 wines

New World: Pinot Noir, Chile

Apaltagua, Zapallares, Pinot Noir, Reserva 2018, San Antonio, Chile

Gold medal winner

'A juicy, fruity, easy-drinking Pinot that nevertheless has its own identity, with a rich, spicy aftertaste.' Bianca Potenza, 212 Amsterdam. 'A very savoury wine, balanced with some lively acidity.' Oliver Zelenczuk, London Shell Co. 'Notes of cherry, wet leaves and a touch of cocoa, with very soft tannins and a savoury, long finish - a pigeon terrine would be a good match.' Filippo Pastorini, consultant.

£7.08 Davy's Wine Merchants

Mayu , Reserva, Pinot Noir 2018, Coquimbo, Chile

Gold medal winner

'Very different, with green herbs and a sappiness.' Martin Lam, team leader. 'Elegant herbaceousness on the nose, with some pleasing minerality and spice.' Oliver Zelenczuk, London Shell Co. 'This has a rustic nose, with some farmyard notes, but is elegant and perfumed, with oak-smoked char too.' Luís Martins, team leader. 'A mouth-watering Pinot with tertiary notes and an earthiness.' Bianca Potenza, 212 Amsterdam.

£11.95 Viña Mayu Ltda

Luis Felipe Edwards, Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir 2018, Leyda Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner Food Match

'An elegant Pinot that's rounded and nicely balanced, with floral, violet notes and red and black fruits, leading to subtle oak with a spicy, refreshing aftertaste.' Bianca Potenza, 212 Amsterdam. 'Intense rich red fruits and spice, leading to light, sweet red fruit, some green tobacco leaves and an elegant finish.' Luís Martins, team leader. 'With its ripe red fruit and balanced acidity, this is good value for money.' Lionel Periner, team leader.

£9.03 Matthew Clark

Mancura, Mito, Pinot Noir 2016, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

'A juicy, rich Pinot that's quite oaky but made in a fresh style, with a subtle finish. Well balanced.' Bianca Potenza, 212 Amsterdam. 'Peppery, herbaceous and slightly floral, this has good weight.' Filippo Pastorini, consultant. 'A very rich character, but with a herbal note and delicate spices to give complexity.' Gaetano Giangaspero, C&C.

£8.48 Morandé

Luis Felipe Edwards, Olas del Sur, Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir 2018, Leyda Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

'Rich and ripe cherry and strawberry lead to well-integrated oak with some big sweet spices like vanilla and cinnamon, accompanied by some savoury notes too. This has a lovely soft texture, leading to a wonderful lingering finish.' Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns. 'A ripe, fresh style with a concentrated character.' Luís Martins, team leader.

£10.07 Bibendum

Leyda, Lot 21, Pinot Noir 2016, Leyda Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

'Wonderful structure, with great ripe fruit, balanced acidity and an integrated oak and mineral backbone.' Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns. 'This is showing well, with some great aromas of fruit and some gentle oak ageing, leading to an elegant palate with great structure and a long finish.' Lionel Periner, team leader.

£22.55 Enotria&Coe

Ventisquero, Grey, Pinot Noir 2017, Leyda Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

'A lovely juicy wine with some elegant berry and cherry characters coming through on a palate that's balanced with gentle acidity.' Lionel Periner, team leader. 'There's some delicate fresh red berry fruit here, showing some elegant balance and length.' Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine.

£8.90 Kingsland

Emiliana, Novas, Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir, Organic 2018, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

'On the nose there are notes of blueberries, forest floor and black tea here, leading to some good depth and weight, and an oak-driven finish. This would be a good match for duck breast with a blueberry sauce.' Filippo Pastorini, consultant. 'Redcurrants and raspberry fruit with some oak notes too.' Martin Lam, team leader.

£7.70 Boutinot

Boutinot , El Infiernillo, Single Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2018, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

'Bursting with black fruit, this is great value for money.' Gary Newborough, The Aristologist. 'An opulent nose for the price, yet well balanced.' Oliver Zelenczuk, London Shell Co. 'Well balanced and with good intensity, this would be good for pubs and brasseries, or even as a house wine for fine dining.' Anja Breit, abWINEconsulting.

£6.95 Boutinot

Leyda, Single Vineyard, Las Brisas, Pinot Noir 2018, Leyda Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£12.75 Enotria&Coe

Mancura, Guardian, Pinot Noir 2019, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£7.33 Morandé

Chocalan, Vitrum, Pinot Noir 2016, San Antonio, Chile

Commended medal winner

£14.45 Viña Chocalan

La Playa, Block 16, Pinot Noir 2018, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Kupal Wines, Tacora, Reserva, Pinot Noir 2016, Leyda Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£8.90 Jeroboams

Falernia, Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir 2017, Coquimbo, Chile

Commended medal winner

£14.37 Viña Falernia

Undurraga, Sibaris, Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir 2017, Leyda Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Echeverría, Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir 2017, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Luis Felipe Edwards, Reserva, Pinot Noir 2018, Leyda Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£7.38 Matthew Clark

Boutinot , El Viejo del Valle, Pinot Noir 2018, Central Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£6.75 Boutinot