4 minute read
Highly commended wines
Australia red wines
Tahbilk Shiraz Nagambie Lakes, Victoria 2017 (£18.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): A bit of spice and packed with bold dark fruit of the berry persuasion.
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Berton Vineyard Durif Winemakers Reserve, Riverina 2021 (£12.99, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Intense black fruit, coffee. Good with red meats. Good value.
Jim Barry Wines Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon The Barry Bros, Clare Valley 2019 (£15.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Classic crowd-pleaser of a Shiraz-Cab.
Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley Shiraz, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, 2019 (£19.99, Fells): Savoury nose. Well balanced; very smooth. Juicy, pure fruits. Enjoyable.
Robert Oatley Signature Series G-20 Grenache, McLaren Vale 2020 (£16.15, Hatch Mansfield): Interesting and distinctive; strawberry freshness.
Bethany First Village Grenache, Barossa Valley 2019 (£18.99, Milestone Wines): Typical strawberry and summer fruits on the nose, very attractive and light.
Willunga 100 Smart Vineyard Clarendon Grenache, McLaren Vale 2021 (£27.99, Liberty Wines): Lovely balance of acid and fruit. Good finish. Really classy.
Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Barossa Bush Vine Grenache, Barossa Valley 2020 (£17.99, Fells): Cherry and violets; light extraction; very quaffable.
Willunga 100 Trott Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache, McLaren Vale 2021 (£27.99, Liberty Wines): Complex, balanced, spicy, nice tannins: good value.
De Bortoli Wines Deen Vat Shiraz, Riverina, New South Wales 2018 (£11.99, North South Wines): Simple but very pleasant fruit; good buy at the price.
Irvine Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Eden Valley 2019 (£19.49, Cachet Wine): Jam, cloves, and blackcurrant leaf on the nose. Fresh acidity; bright and lively.
Scotchmans Hill Shiraz, Geelong, Victoria 2020 (£26.99, Cachet Wine): Warm red and black berry fruit, savoury notes; pepper; good long finish.
Tyrrell’s Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz, Heathcote, Victoria 2019 (£19.99, Fells): Pronounced fruit character; juicy, fresh, good tannins; nice texture.
Paxton Wines Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale 2021 (£16.99, North South Wines): Black cherry, bramble, lifted blackcurrant. Rich and mouthfilling.
Russell & Suitor Alejandro Saperavi, Murray Darling, Victoria 2021 (£14.99, Milestone Wines): If you love Saperavi this delivers. Attractively plush; sappy.
Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz, Canberra, ACT 2021 (£29.99, Liberty Wines): Great poise: black cherry with subtle mint and liquorice. Nice tannins and acidity.
Vasse Felix Premier Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia 2019 (£32.99, Fells): Great freshness, and concentration. Genuine Bordeaux rival.
Torbreck Old Vines GSM, Barossa Valley 2018 (£19.99, Fells): Ripe and juicy take on a Rhône red. Not jammy, though, still with restraint. Versatile; food friendly.
Peccavi Syrah, Margaret River, Western Australia 2020 (£36.49, Top Selection): Delicate, just-ripe berry fruit; gentle tannin; very long, herbaceous finish. A treat.
Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2016 (£55.99 Liberty Wines): Rich, ripe, blackberry, pepper, spiced aromas; good mouthful of fruit and flavour.
Shaw + Smith Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills 2021 (£35.99, Liberty Wines): Perfumed nose. Balanced, moreish and juicy. Fine tannins and acidity; lovely finish.
De Bortoli Regional Reserve Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Victoria 2021 (£13.49, North South Wines): Inviting nose; delicate, elegant, agreeable tannins. Value.
Austria red wines
Seegut Lentsch St Laurent Reserve, Neusiedlersee, Burgenland 2020 (£13.95, Propeller): Good introduction to Austrian reds: spicy and juicy.
Chile red wines
Arboleda Pinot Noir, Aconcagua Costa 2020 (£22.50, Hatch Mansfield): Some savoury edge to bright clean fruit flavours; complex and interesting.
Viña Echeverría GCM Coast, Maule Valley 2019 (£16.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Tobacco, berries, hint of vanilla. A grand quaffing wine at a solid price.
Ventisquero Wine Estates Vertice, Apalta, Colchagua 2019 (£27.99, North South Wines): Pepper; dark chocolate (flavour and texture); savoury; moreish.
De Aguirre Winery Don’t Tell the Kiwis Pinot Noir, Central Valley 2019 (£9.99, Vinfinity): Blueberries, raspberries, spice. Very easy to sell at this price.
Arboleda Carmenère, Aconcagua Valley 2020 (£18.90, Hatch Mansfield): Lovely full flavours, herb and black fruit, plum and tobacco leaf – classic Carmenère.
Emiliana Salvaje Syrah, Casablanca Valley 2021 (£15.49, Boutinot): Inviting nose; good black fruit; nice intensity; fresh – vivid.
Morandé Terroir Cinsault/País, Maule Valley 2020 (£12, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Dark cherries, chocolate, hint of anise. Fresh, easy-drinking red.
Santa Luz Gran Reserva Carmenère, Colchagua Valley 2020 (£11.99, Cachet Wine): Green pepper, raspberry, chocolate. Very typical and very well made.
Outer Limits by Montes Apalta Vineyard Carignan/ Grenache/Mourvèdre, Apalta, Colchagua Valley 2021 (£23.99, Liberty Wines): Rich; superb complexity.
Caliterra Petreo Carmenère, Colchagua Valley 2020 (£16.70, Hatch Mansfield): Excellent, fruit-forward style of Carmenère with big commercial appeal.
Ventisquero Wine Estates Grey Cabernet Sauvignon La Trinidad, Maipo Valley 2020 (£18.99, North South Wines): Lots of classic minty Maipo cassis. Appealing.
Miguel Torres Chile Cordillera Carmènere, Puemo, Cachapoal Valley 2018 (£16.99. Fells): Lovely mix of savoury-soy, herbal and spicy notes and black fruit.
Tabalí Vetas Blancas Pinot Noir, Limarí Valley, 2020 (£15.99 Boutinot): Delicate, elegant; strawberry, redcurrant, smokiness. A very good wine for the price.
Helfrich Family Las Ninas Ella Carmenère Organic, Colchagua Valley, 2022 (£11.99, GCF Exclusive): Very drinkable with notes of cassis and aniseed.
Odfjell Carignan, Maule Valley 2020 (£22.99, Alliance Wine): Deep, dark colour. Red berry fruit aromas. Smooth polished mouth feel. Quality and lots of fun.
Casas del Bosque Reserva Carmenère, Rapel Valley 2021 (£13.15, Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies): Bright fruit, green pepper, subtle spice – lovely!
Santa Luz Gran Reserva Merlot, Colchagua Valley 2020 (£11.99, Cachet Wine): Lovely savoury and juicy Merlot with a pronounced food-friendliness.
Emiliana Adobe Carmenère Organic, Colchagua Valley 2021 (£9.99, Boutinot): Good typicity. Fresh with grippy tannins. Good quality and price.
Undurraga Syrah TH, Leyda Valley 2020 (£22.99, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Deep purple; smells serious. Meaty, umami, chewy tannins, tasty fruit, spicy.
Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve, Aconcagua Valley 2018 (£70, Hatch Mansfield): Very smart, intense Cabernet; stylish acidity and tannins.
China red wines
Ningxia Xige Estate Xige N28 Malbec, Dove Mountains, Ningxia Helan Mountains 2020 (£24.95, Propeller): Floral, black fruit, smoke: complex.
Ningxia Xige Estate Xige N50, Dove Mountains, Ningxia Helan Mountains 2019 (£29.95, Propeller): A unique and full-bodied style of Cabernet.
Ningxia Xige Estate Jade Dove Red, Dove Mountains, Ningxia Helan Mountains 2019 (£22.95, Propeller): A beautiful expression of Cabernet with dark fruit.
Ningxia Xige Estate Jade Dove Single Vineyard Cabernet Gernischt, Dove Mountains, Ningxia Helan Mountains 2018 (£37.95, Propeller): Expressive, voluminous, original – excellent quality.
France red wines
Château Paul Mas Clos des Mures, Languedoc 2022 (£13.99, Domaines Paul Mas): Blackberries, garden mint, peppers, perfumed aromas; big, ripe and rich.
Domaine de Peras La Guerre des Bouchons Rouge, IGP Pays d’Oc 2021 (£12.99, Top Selection): Well put together; very good foil for hearty dishes. Enjoyable.
Helfrich Family Château des Jaumes Infusion Sans Sulfites, Côtes du Roussillon 2021 (£13.79, GCF Exclusive): Fresh blackcurrants and bakewell tart.
Les Tannes en Occitanie Merlot, IGP Pays d’Oc 2022 (£7.99, Domaines Paul Mas): Just incredible to get this quaity at this price: perfect easy-sipping.
Louis Jadot Château des Jacques, Morgon, Beaujolais 2020 (£21, Hatch Mansfield): Top-flight Cru Beaujolais with a serious side: lovely supple tannins.
Louis Jadot Domaine Prieur-Brunet Santenay 1er Cru Maladière Rouge, Burgundy 2017 (£38.75, Hatch Mansfield): Very expressive Pinot; nice evolution.
