Argentinian Reds chosen by Marina Gayan MW
Santa Ana, Unánime, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2007
Expressive nose and rich palate. Perfectly structured, round and ready, showing off pencil shavings, sour cherries and leafiness. 19pts/20 (96/100pts)
Price £14.99 Tesco
Drink 2013–2016
Alc 14.5%
Achaval Ferrer, Malbec, Mendoza 2011
Packed with violets, blackberries and spice. The palate is all juicy fruit and curvy tannins, ending with a lift from acidity. 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Price £14.95 Corney & Barrow, James Nicholson, Slurp, Solent Cellar
Drink 2013–2015
Alc 14.5%
Andeluna, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tupungato, Uco Valley 2010
Old World’s cigar box and capsicum aomas meld with New World’s luscious blackberries. Elegantly structured and concentrated. 17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £11.35 Great Wine Direct, Slurp
Drink 2013–2016
Alc 14%
Chakana, Bonarda Reserve, Mendoza 2011
A round, vibrant palate follows alluring aromas of black cherries and chocolate. Fleshy and punching above its price. 17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £11.49 Roberts & Speight, Raisin Fine Wine
Drink 2013–2015
Alc 14%
Viña Cobos, Felino, Malbec, Mendoza 2011
Oozes blackcurrants, prunes and marzipan. Lingers on the palate, opening up to gorgeous seductive fruit. 17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £12.99–£13.95 Amps, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Hennings, Sipp, Solent Cellar, The Sampler, Winedirect
Drink 2013–2016
Alc 14.5%
Chilean reds chosen by Peter Richards MW
Viña Leyda, Reserva Syrah, Leyda Valley 2010
This beautifully spicy, savoury Syrah is taut, toasty and irresistibly moreish. Snap up before the price heads north. 19pts/20 (96/100pts)
Price £6.50–£7.99 Majestic, The Wine Society
Drink 2013–2014
Alc 14%
Viña Mayu, Syrah Reserva, Elqui Valley 2009
The meaty, dried violet and creamy notes have evolved beautifully in bottle. 18.5pts/20 (95/100pts)
Price £8.48–£9.99 Asda, Guy Anderson, Sainsbury’s
Drink 2013–2014
Alc 14%
Undurraga, TH Pinot Noir, Leyda 2010
Red-fruit aromas give way to a sensuous mouthfeel. An utterly sexy Pinot. Fine, chalky tannin, elegantly layered, tangy and harmonious acidity. 18.5pts/20 (95/100pts)
Price £12.50–£15 Moreno, The Wine Society
Drink 2013–2015
Alc 13.5%
Don’t miss the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter – Saturday 16th March at The Lancaster, London
Viña Mayu, Sangiovese, Elqui Valley 2011
Aromas of elegantly dried cherries and herbs lead into a juicy, refreshing, gently spicy flavour profile with a hint of bitter chocolate. 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Price £6.98 Asda, Guy Anderson
Drink 2013
Alc 14.5%
De Martino, Viejas Tinajas Cinsault, Itata 2011
Made with minimal intervention in large earthenware jars, the juicy cherry, fresh herbs and elegantly grainy palate makes for a lissom experience. 17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £8.95 Les Caves de Pyrène, The Wine Society
Drink 2013
Alc 13%
New Zealand reds chosen by Peter McCombie MW
Te Mata Estate, Woodthorpe Syrah, Hawke’s Bay 2010
Restrained yet fruity and floral; red-black fruit, subtle pepper and spice, fresh and firm yet fine and relatively forward. 17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £14.20 Berry Bros & Rudd, Flagship Wines, Oxford Wine Co, Selfridges, Slurp, Swig
Drink 2013–2017
Alc 13.5%
South African reds chosen by Fiona McDonald
Adoro, Western Cape 2006
Texture defines this blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz and Mourvedre – even the nose is velvety! Elegant with rich, ripe black berry flavours with a stroke of cocoa and cigar box. 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Price £14.99 Handford, Private Cellar
Drink 2013–2015
Alc 14.5%
Bellingham, The Bernard Series, Bush Vine Pinotage, Coastal Region 2010
A 2012 DWWA International Trophy winner. Black pepper and fynbos aromas vie with violets. Herbal undertone, plum and black cherry on the palate. Savoury meat extract and inky depth. 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Price £14.99 DGB Europe, Marston’s Pub Co
Drink 2013–2018
Alc 14%
Waterkloof, Circle of Life, Stellenbosch 2009
Black fruit compote bouquet with an inky nuance below. Good concentration and succulence. Dry, fine, cedary tannins add grip and structure. 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Price £14.99 All About Wine, Amps, D Byrne & Co, Regency Wines, Slurp, Swig, Woodwinters
Drink 2013–2018
Alc 14%
Bosman Family Vineyards, De Bos Cabernet Sauvignon, Wellington 2011
Blackberry and mulberry ripeness on the nose. Elegant in the mouth with cassis and raspberry. A light graphite note adds interest. 17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £12.95 Thierrys
Drink 2013–2017
Alc 14%
Dombeya, Altus, Stellenbosch 2007
Fruit pastille and cassis aromas. The same on the palate, as well as black cherry and plum, dark chocolate, cocoa and freshly turned earth. 17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £12.95 Lea & Sandeman
Drink 2013–2017
Alc 14.5%
Don’t miss the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter – Saturday 16th March at The Lancaster, London
Fleur du Cap, Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2010
Voluptuous nose and soft mouth full of blackberry, plum, cinnamon and clove spice. Juicy ripeness and dry, toned tannins. Long-fruited finish. 17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £11.50 SA Wines Online
Drink 2013–2018
Alc 14.5%
( Fonte Decanter )
Giudice degustatore ai Concorsi Enologici Mondiali più prestigiosi tra i quali:
» Il Concours Mondial de Bruxelles che ad oggi ha raggiunto un numero di campioni esaminati di circa n. 9.080, dove partecipo da 13 edizioni ( da 9 in qualità di Presidente );
>>Commissario al Berliner Wine Trophy di Berlino
>>Presidente di Giuria al Concorso Excellence Awards di Bucarest
>>Giudice accreditato al Shanghai International Wine Challenge
ed ai maggiori concorsi italiani.
