Valdespino Collection

Oloroso Don Gonzalo VOS Sherry

JEREZ, SPAIN NV

Valdespino’s credentials as a wine producer are as old as they come: the bodega has roots going back to the 13th century. For the past quarter-century, stewardship has been in the hands of the Estévez family, who have ensured Valdespino’s position at the top of the Jerez hierarchy.

With access to extensive vineyard holdings of 750ha, Valdespino is a rare sherry producer able to control quality from grape to glass, with the wines in this VOS blend having an average age of more than 20 years, after oxidative ageing in 600-litre American oak barrels.

“With orange, coffee and clove on the nose, the ageing adds real complexity to this deeply impressive Oloroso,” the judges said.

“On the palate there is a lovely plump, suave feel with flavours of dark chocolate-covered hazelnuts, orange rind, clove and bitter almond. Simply delicious: a very special wine with appeal that goes way beyond sherry enthusiasts.”

Liberty Wines

RRP £46.99 ABV 21%

Best Value Red Wine Trophy

Zuccardi Los Olivos Malbec

MENDOZA, ARGENTINA 2020

Zuccardi may be a giant of Argentinian wine, a key player in the country’s emergence on the international stage since the 1980s, and a bestseller in markets all over the world. But it is still at heart a family firm, with the eponymous proprietors very much hands-on in the vineyard and winery.

It helps that the latest generation to run the business, Sebastían Zuccardi, is one of Argentina’s most talented winemakers, able to turn his hand to single-vineyard “fine” wines and everyday bottlings that over-deliver on the bang-for-buck scale, such as the Best Value Red Wine Trophy-winning Los Olivos Malbec.

Sourced from selected vineyards throughout the Uco Valley, 50% of the blend is aged in French oak for 10 months.

“It’s a bold but juicy red with a nose of cherries, marzipan and liquorice, and a palate of black cherries and blackcurrants,” the judges said.

“Supple, easy to drink but full of flavour, it is simply excellent value.”

Hatch Mansfield

RRP £12.90 ABV 14.5%