The following are some of the wines I’ve enjoyed most this year. They’re not definitive lists of ‘best wines’, but all the wines, regions and producers mentioned here are on an exciting roll in terms of quality. Some are easy to find; others are very rare or expensive – but if you get the chance to try them, grab it! You can find out more about them in the A–Z here: the cross-references in small capitals will guide you to the relevant entries.
• Quinta do CRASTO, Reserva Old Vines, Portugal
• CVNE, Rioja Imperial Reserva, Spain
• Hatzidakis, VINSANTO, Santorini, Greece
• JAMSHEED, Garden Gully Shiraz, Victoria, Australia
• Dom. de Marcoux, CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE, France
• Moreau-Naudet, CHABLIS, France
• MUGA, Rioja Reserva, Spain
• Muhr-van der Niepoort, Spitzerberg Blaufränkisch, CARNUNTUM, Austria
• Ossian, RUEDA, Spain
• F X PICHLER, Smaragd ‘M’, WACHAU, Austria
• Giovanni ROSSO, Barolo, Italy
• Eben SADIE, single-vineyard releases, South Africa
• Le Soula, CÔTES CATALANES, France
• Te Whare Ra, Gewurztraminer, MARLBOROUGH, New Zealand
• Dom. Tempier, BANDOL, France
• TORRES, Priorat Salmos, Spain
• Viñalba Gran Reservado/Bodegas FABRE, Argentina
Bordeaux-style red wines
• CATENA, Alta Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina
• Le Riche, Cabernet Sauvignon, STELLENBOSCH, South Africa
• OPUS ONE, California
• Southbrook Vineyards, Poetica Red, NIAGARA PENINSULA, Canada
Burgundy-style white wines
• CULLEN, Kevin John, Australia
• HAMILTON RUSSELL, Chardonnay, South Africa
• Norman Hardie, County Chardonnay Unfiltered, PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, Canada
• LEEUWIN ESTATE, Art Series Chardonnay, Australia
• LITTORAI, Charles Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, California
• TE MATA, Elston, New Zealand
Champagne-style wines
• Jansz (Vintage)/YALUMBA, Australia
• NYETIMBER, Classic Cuvée, England
• ROEDERER ESTATE, L’Ermitage, California
• SCHRAMSBERG Blanc de Blancs, California
• ALENTEJO and VINHO VERDE, Portugal
• CAMPANIA and SICILY whites, Italy
• CORBIÈRES, France
• CÔTES DE GASCOGNE whites, France
• ENTRE-DEUX-MERS and GRAVES whites, France
• Old-vines Garnacha reds, CALATAYUD, CAMPO DE BORJA and CARIÑENA, Spain
• Hungarian whites
• Leyda whites and reds, SAN ANTONIO, Chile
• White RIOJA, Spain
• Romanian reds and whites
• SICILY reds, Italy
• ACONCAGUA Costa, Chile
• Brazil, for sparkling wine
• DOURO, Portugal
• Dorset, Hampshire, Kent, Sussex, England
• ELIM and SWARTLAND, South Africa
• LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON, for whites such as PICPOUL DE PINET, France
• Leithaberg/Neusiedlersee-Hügelland, BURGENLAND, Austria
• LODI, California, USA
• MAULE (in particular, Cauquenes), Chile
• OKANAGAN VALLEY and Similkameen Valley, Canada
• Ribeiro and Valdeorras, GALICIA, Spain
• TASMANIA, Australia
• Tupungato and Gualtallary, UCO VALLEY, Argentina
• VIRGINIA, USA
• Alheit, HEMEL-EN-AARDE, South Africa
• Andeluna, UCO VALLEY, Argentina
• ASTROLABE, Marlborough, New Zealand
• BARBOURSVILLE, Virginia, USA
• BENEGAS, Mendoza, Argentina
• Bressia, MENDOZA, Argentina
• CHAMONIX, Franschhoek, South Africa
• Collector, CANBERRA, Australia
• DE MARTINO, Maipo, Chile
• EDEN ROAD, Canberra, Australia
• ELEPHANT HILL, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
• FURLEIGH ESTATE, Dorset, England
• K Vintners/Charles SMITH, Walla Walla Valley, Washington State, USA
• LOMA LARGA, Casablanca, Chile
• Maycas del LIMARÍ, Chile
• MONTES (Outer Limits), Aconcagua, Chile
• Quinta da PELLADA, Dão, Portugal
• Tolpuddle/SHAW & SMITH, Tasmania, Australia
• WISTON, West Sussex, England
• BROKENWOOD, Semillon and Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, Hunter Valley
• CLONAKILLA, Shiraz-Viognier, Canberra
• EDEN ROAD, The Long Road Chardonnay, Tumbarumba, New South Wales
• HENSCHKE, Hill of Grace Shiraz and Louis Semillon, Eden Valley
• Peter LEHMANN, Wigan Riesling, Eden Valley
• McLean’s Farm, barr-Eden red, Eden Valley (BAROSSA)
• MCWILLIAM’S, Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon, Hunter Valley
• Charles MELTON, Nine Popes, Barossa
• MOSS WOOD, Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River
• S C PANNELL, Nebbiolo, Adelaide Hills
• PENFOLDS, St Henri Shiraz, Barossa
• PRIMO ESTATE, Moda Cabernet-Merlot, McLaren Vale
• ROCKFORD, Basket Press Shiraz, Barossa
• ROSEMOUNT, Graciano-Mataro-Grenache, McLaren Vale
• Tolpuddle/SHAW & SMITH, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Tasmania
• TYRRELL’S, Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley
• YABBY LAKE, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula
• YALUMBA, Bush Vine Grenache, Barossa
• BLUEBELL, Hindleap Blanc de Blancs
• BREAKY BOTTOM, Cuvée Réservée
• CAMEL VALLEY, White Pinot
• COATES & SEELY, Blanc de Blancs
• FURLEIGH ESTATE, Blanc de Blancs
• GUSBOURNE, Brut Reserve
• HATTINGLEY VALLEY, Rosé
• Hush Heath, BALFOUR Brut Rosé
• Meonhill, Chardonnay
• NYETIMBER, Classic Cuvée
• RIDGEVIEW, Blanc de Blancs
• WISTON, Rosé
• WYFOLD, Brut
• Ch. ANGÉLUS
• Ch. AUSONE
• Ch. BRANAIRE-DUCRU
• Dom. de CHEVALIER
• Ch. COS LABORY
• Ch. Feytit-Clinet, POMEROL
• Ch. FIGEAC
• Les Forts de LATOUR
• Ch. GRAND-PUY-LACOSTE
• Ch. LÉOVILLE-BARTON
• Ch. LÉOVILLE-POYFERRÉ
• Ch. LYNCH-BAGES
• Ch. la MISSION-HAUT-BRION
• Ch. MONTROSE
• Ch. PETIT-VILLAGE
• Ch. PICHON-BARON
• Ch. PICHON-LONGUEVILLE-LALANDE
• Ch. PONTET-CANET
• Ch. du TERTRE
• TERTRE-RÔTEBOEUF
• Blain-Gagnard, PULIGNY-MONTRACHET (white)
• Jean-Claude BOISSET, Clos de la Roche (red)
• Sylvain CATHIARD, Nuits-St-Georges Aux Murgers (red)
• CHEVILLON, Nuits-St-Georges Les Pruliers (red)
• CLOS DES LAMBRAYS, Grand Cru, Morey-St-Denis (red)
• Confuron-Cotetidot, VOSNE-ROMANÉE Les Suchots (red)
• B Dugat-Py, Charmes-CHAMBERTIN (red)
• Duroché, Latricières-CHAMBERTIN (red)
• William FÈVRE, Chablis Grand Cru (white)
• Ch. Gris, NUITS-ST-GEORGES (red and white)
• Comte LIGER-BELAIR, Échezeaux (red)
• MÉO-CAMUZET, Clos de Vougeot (red)
• de MONTILLE, Beaune Les Grèves (red)
• J-F MUGNIER, Nuits-St-Georges Clos de la Maréchale (red)
• Pernot-Belicard, MEURSAULT Les Perrières (white)
• Chantal Remy, CHAMBERTIN (red)
• de Villaine, La Digoine BOURGOGNE-CÔTE CHALONNAISE (red)
• de VOGÜÉ, Bonnes-Mares (red)
• La VOUGERAIE, Clos Blanc de Vougeot (white)
• Gilles Barge, CÔTE-RÔTIE
• Jean-Louis CHAVE, Hermitage (white)
• A CLAPE, Cornas
• Clos du Caillou, CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
• Dom. du Colombier, CROZES-HERMITAGE and HERMITAGE (red and white)
• Combier, CROZES-HERMITAGE
• CUILLERON, Condrieu and St-Joseph
• DELAS FRÈRES, Grignan-les-Adhémar (red)
• JAMET, Côte-Rotie
• Dom. de Marcoux, CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE (red and white)
• Dom. de la Mordorée, CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU PAPE
• Dom. du Mortier, ST-JOSEPH Soulane
• Niéro, CONDRIEU
• André PERRET, Condrieu and St-Joseph
• Raspail-Ay, GIGONDAS
• Gilles Robin, CROZES-HERMITAGE
• Santa Duc, GIGONDAS
• Marc Sorrel, HERMITAGE (red and white)
• Cave de TAIN, Hermitage (white) and Vin de Paille
• ALLEGRINI, Amarone della Valpolicella and La Poja
• BELLAVISTA, Vigna Convento SS Annunciata, Curtefranca Bianco
• Benanti, Rovittello, ETNA
• Marco DE BARTOLI, Passito di Pantelleria
• Fenocchio, BAROLO
• GIACOSA, Barolo Falletto
• Nunzio Ghiraldi, Il Gruccione, LUGANA
• Illuminati, Zanna, MONTEPULCIANO d’Abruzzo
• ISOLE E OLENA, Cepparello
• Luigi Maffini, Kleos Aglianico, CAMPANIA
• Masseto/ORNELLAIA
• Giovanni Montisci, Barrosu, Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva Franzisca, SARDINIA
• Musella, AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA
• Quintodecimo, CAMPANIA
• Riecine, CHIANTI CLASSICO
• Francesco Rinaldi, BAROLO
• Luigi TECCE, Poliphemo, Taurasi
• Tedeschi, La Fabriseria, AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA
• Terre Nere, ETNA, Sicily
• G D Vajra, DOLCETTO and BARBERA
• Viviani, AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA
• ASTROLABE, Chenin Blanc, Marlborough
• Bilancia, Syrah, HAWKES BAY
• Dog Point, Sauvignon Blanc, MARLBOROUGH
• ELEPHANT HILL, Syrah, Hawkes Bay
• Escarpment, Kupe Pinot Noir, MARTINBOROUGH
• Esk Valley/VILLA MARIA, The Terraces, Hawkes Bay
• FELTON ROAD, Block 2 Chardonnay, Central Otago
• FRAMINGHAM, Gewurztraminer, Marlborough
• GIESEN, The Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay, Marlborough
• Greywacke, Wild Sauvignon, MARLBOROUGH
• KUMEU RIVER, Maté’s Chardonnay, Auckland
• Kusuda, Pinot Noir, MARTINBOROUGH
• NEUDORF, Home Vineyard Pinot Noir, Nelson
• Ostler, Caroline’s Pinot Noir, WAITAKI, Otago
• PEGASUS BAY, Prima Donna Pinot Noir, Waipara
• QUARTZ REEF, Méthode Traditionelle, Central Otago
• Rippon, Emma’s Block Pinot Noir, CENTRAL OTAGO
• TE KAIRANGA, John Martin Pinot Noir, Martinborough
• TerraVin, Te Ahu Sauvignon Blanc, MARLBOROUGH
• Altano, DOURO (red)
• ESPORÃO, Quinta dos Murças Red Reserve, Douro
• Casa Ferreirinha/FERREIRA, Reserve Especial, Douro (red)
• Quinta da Manoella, Vinhas Velhas, DOURO
• Anselmo Mendes, Muros Antigos Escolha, Loureiro, VINHO VERDE
• NIEPOORT, Redoma Reserva Branco, Douro
• Luís PATO, White Vinhas Velhas, Beiras
• Quinta da Romaneira, Syrah, Vinho Regional Duriense (DOURO)
• Quinta dos ROQUES, Reserva, Dão
• Quinta Vale Doña Maria, Vinha do Rio, DOURO
• Alheit Vineyards, Cartology, Western Cape
• The Apprentice, Chenin-Grenache, Western Cape
• Ataraxia, Chardonnay, HEMEL-EN-AARDE Ridge
• A A BADENHORST, White, Coastal Region
• CRYSTALLUM, Bona Fide Pinot Noir, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
• DeMorgenzon, Maestro White, STELLENBOSCH
• The Foundry, Roussanne, STELLENBOSCH
• JORDAN, Nine Yards Chardonnay, Stellenbosch
• KANONKOP, Pinotage, Stellenbosch
• Keermont, Syrah, STELLENBOSCH
• MULLINEUX & LEEU, White Blend, Swartland
• Raats, Chenin Old Vines, STELLENBOSCH
• Rall, Grenache Noir, SWARTLAND
• REYNEKE, Syrah, Stellenbosch
• RUSTENBERG, Peter Barlow, Stellenbosch
• SADIE FAMILY, ‘T Voetpad white, Swartland
• VERGELEGEN, V, Stellenbosch
• ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS, Malbec Terroir, Uco Valley, Argentina
• Andeluna, Cabernet Franc, UCO VALLEY, Argentina
• BENEGAS, Lynch Malbec, Uco Valley, Argentina
• Viña CARMEN, Gold Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alto Maipo Valley, Chile
• CASA SILVA, Edición Limitada Petit Verdot, Colchagua, Chile
• Chakana, Ayni Malbec, UCO VALLEY, Argentina
• Cheval des Andes/TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES, Mendoza, Argentina
• COLOMÉ, Torrontés, Salta, Argentina
• Domaine Bousquet, Gaia Red Blend, UCO VALLEY, Argentina
• DOÑA PAULA, Parcel Alluvia Malbec, Uco Valley, Argentina
• Viña Lauca, R Old Vineyard Selection Carignan, MAULE, Chile
• Viña LEYDA, Reserva Syrah, Leyda, Chile
• Maycas del Limarí, Reserva Especial Pinot Noir, LIMARÍ, Chile
• MONTES, Outer Limits Sauvignon Blanc, Zapallar, Aconcagua, Chile
• Renacer, Punto Final Malbec Reserve, UCO VALLEY, Argentina
• SANTA RITA, Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley, Chile
• SUSANA BALBO, Signature Torrontés, Uco Valley, Argentina
• UNDURRAGA, T. H. Syrah, Leyda, Chile
• VENTISQUERO/Kalfu Sumpai, Sauvignon Blanc, Huasco Valley, Chile
• AALTO, PS (Pagos Seleccionados), Ribera del Duero
• Artazuri, Pasos de San Martín Garnacha, NAVARRA
• Berroja, Aquirrebeko Txakoli, Basque Country
• CVNE, Imperial Gran Reserva, Rioja
• Fernando de Castilla, Antique Oloroso, SHERRY
• Guimaro, Mencía, Ribeira Sacra, GALICIA
• Mas Martinet, Escurçons, PRIORAT
• Ossian, RUEDA, Castilla y León
• Palacio de Fefiñanes, Albariño de Fefiñanes, RÍAS BAIXAS
• Viña Pedrosa, Reserva, RIBERA DEL DUERO
• Dominio de PINGUS, Pingus, Ribera del Duero
• Tocat de L’Ala, Garnataxa Serà, Emporda, CATALUÑA
• TORRES, Fransola, Penedès
• BONNY DOON, Kristy & Jesperson Ranch Albariño, Central Coast
• Cline, Bridgehead ZINFANDEL, Contra Costa County
• COPAIN, Les Voisins Syrah, Yorkville Highlands
• Donelan Syrah, Obsidian and Richards Family Vineyard, SONOMA COUNTY
• Lioco, Indica Carignan, MENDOCINO COUNTY
• LITTORAI, Sonoma Coast
• MARIMAR ESTATE, Don Miguel Vineyard Albariño, Russian River Valley
• RAMEY, Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
• Rubissow, MOUNT VEEDER
• Rudd, Samantha’s Cabernet Sauvignon, NAPA VALLEY
• SHAFER, Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• SPOTTSWOODE Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• TABLAS CREEK, Esprit, Paso Robles
• Sean THACKREY, Sonoma Coast
• VIADER, Napa Valley
• Wilde Farm, Heritage Bedrock Vineyard Zinfandel, SONOMA VALLEY
• WIND GAP, Trousseau Gris, Russian River Valley
• Alexandria Nicole, Shepherds Mark White, Horse Heaven Hills, WASHINGTON STATE
• ANDREW WILL, Champoux, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington State
• BERGSTRÖM, Temperance Hill Pinot Noir, Oregon
• BETHEL HEIGHTS, Casteel Chardonnay, Oregon
• Callaghan, Zinfandel, Arizona
• Canyon Wind, Cabernet Sauvignon, COLORADO
• CHEHALEM, Three Vineyard Riesling, Oregon
• Col Solare, RED MOUNTAIN, Washington State
• DOMAINE DROUHIN, Laurène Pinot Noir, Oregon
• HEDGES FAMILY ESTATE, DLD Syrah, Washington State
• L’ECOLE NO 41, Luminesce White, Seven Hills Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley, Washington State
• LONG SHADOWS, Poet’s Leap Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington State
• OWEN ROE, Chapel Block Syrah, Red Willow Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington State
• Stoller Family Estate, Reserve Pinot Noir, DUNDEE HILLS, Oregon
• Tero Estates, Windrow Field Blend, WALLA WALLA VALLEY, Washington State
• BARBOURSVILLE, Malvaxia, Virginia
• BLACK ANKLE, Albariño, Maryland
• BOXWOOD ESTATE, Boxwood, Virginia
• Breaux, Viognier, VIRGINIA
• Chateau Lafayette Reneau, Dry Riesling, NEW YORK STATE
• Grace Estate, Viognier, VIRGINIA
• KING FAMILY, Meritage, Virginia
• Palmer, Albariño, NEW YORK STATE
• Paumanok, Tuthills Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, NEW YORK STATE
• RdV, Lost Mountain, Virginia
• VERITAS, Petit Verdot, Virginia
• WÖLFFER ESTATE, Claletto Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon, New York State
• Alvear, Pedro Ximénez 1927 MONTILLA
• Argüeso, Manzanilla Las Medallas SHERRY
• CHAMBERS, Rutherglen Muscat, Australia
• Cossart Gordon, Vintage Bual, MADEIRA WINE COMPANY
• Fernando de Castilla, Antique sherries
• GONZÁLEZ BYASS, Noé Pedro Ximénez
• GRAHAM’S, 20-year-old Tawny Port
• HENRIQUES & HENRIQUES, 15-year-old Madeira
• PENFOLDS, Grandfather Rare Tawny, Australia
• Pla del Fount, MAURY, France
• ARGYLE, Blanc de Blancs, Oregon, USA
• Baud, CRÉMANT DU JURA, France
• Benjamin Bridge, Brut Reserve, NOVA SCOTIA, Canada
• CA’DEL BOSCO, Franciacorta Cuvée Annamaria Clementi, Italy
• Deviation Road, ADELAIDE HILLS, Australia
• Encry, CHAMPAGNE, France
• Geisse, Brut Rosé, BRAZIL
• Charles HEIDSIECK, Champagne, France
• Legras, CHAMPAGNE, France
• QUARTZ REEF, Vintage, New Zealand
• SYNCLINE, Scintillation Blanc de Blancs, Washington State, USA
If we have any interest in wine and in flavours, we have to be interested in the grape variety itself. Many of these grape varieties feature in the previous pages, under regional or national entries. But I think that these grape varieties are important enough for me to give you some more examples which show the grape variety shining through at its best.
• BALNAVES, Coonawarra, Australia
• CATENA, Alta, Mendoza, Argentina
• Col Solare/CHATEAU STE MICHELLE, Washington State
• CORISON, Kronos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California
• DIAMOND CREEK, Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley, California
• GROSSET, Gaia, Clare Valley, Australia
• HEDGES FAMILY ESTATE, Red Mountain, Washington State
• Le Riche, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, STELLENBOSCH, South Africa
• RIDGE, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, California
• SANTA RITA, Casa Real, Maipo, Chile
• STAG’S LEAP WINE CELLARS, Fay, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
• VASSE FELIX, Margaret River, Australia
• VERGELEGEN, Stellenbosch, South Africa
• BERGSTRÖM, Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Dog Point, MARLBOROUGH, New Zealand
• FELTON ROAD, Central Otago, New Zealand
• FLOWERS, Camp Meeting Ridge, Sonoma Coast, California
• Norman Hardie, PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, Canada
• HAMILTON RUSSELL, Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa
• HdV, Carneros, California
• MARIMAR ESTATE, Sonoma County, California
• NEUDORF, Nelson, New Zealand
• NEWTON JOHNSON, Chardonnay, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa
• Ocean Eight, MORNINGTON PENINSULA, Australia
• Payten & Jones, Paul’s Range, YARRA VALLEY, Australia
• PENFOLDS, Yattarna, South Australia
• PIERRO, Margaret River, Australia
• RAMEY, Hyde Vineyard, Carneros, California
• Rijckaert, Vignes des Voises, CÔTES DU JURA, France
• YABBY LAKE, Mornington Peninsula, Australia
• Castello di Ama, L’Apparita, Toscana, TUSCANY, Italy
• Buccella, NAPA VALLEY, California
• CONO SUR, 20 Barrels, Chile
• CRAGGY RANGE, Sophia, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
• Fermoy Estate, MARGARET RIVER, Australia
• LAPOSTOLLE, Cuvée Alexandre, Chile
• LONG SHADOWS, Pedestal, Washington State
• Le MACCHIOLE, Messorio, Bolgheri, Italy
• Masseto/ORNELLAIA, Toscana, TUSCANY, Italy
• Sacred Hill, Broken Stone, HAWKES BAY, New Zealand
• TAPANAPPA, Whalebone Vineyard, Wrattonbully, South Australia
• WOODWARD CANYON, Walla Walla Valley, Washington State
• ATA RANGI, Martinborough, New Zealand
• BETHEL HEIGHTS, Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Burn Cottage, CENTRAL OTAGO, New Zealand
• CLOUDY BAY, Marlborough, New Zealand
• CRYSTALLUM, Bona Fide, Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa
• FELTON ROAD, Central Otago, New Zealand
• Viña LEYDA, Cahuil, San Antonio, Chile
• FLOWERS, Camp Meeting Ridge, Sonoma Coast, California
• Moorooduc, MORNINGTON PENINSULA, Australia
• Rippon, Tinker’s Field, CENTRAL OTAGO, New Zealand
• TEN MINUTES BY TRACTOR, Mornington Peninsula, Australia
• Valli, WAITAKI, New Zealand
• WILLIAMS SELYEM, Westside Road Neighbors, Russian River Valley, California
• Tim ADAMS, Clare Valley, Australia
• Ch. Belá/Egon Müller, SLOVAKIA
• Paul Blanck, Furstentum Vieilles Vignes, ALSACE, France
• BRÜNDLMAYER, Zöbinger Heiligenstein, Kamptal, Austria
• Larry CHERUBINO, Western Australia
• DÖNNHOFF, Oberhäuser Brücke, Nahe, Germany
• Fielding Estate, NIAGARA PENINSULA, Canada
• GROSSET, Polish Hill, Clare Valley, Australia
• JACOB’S CREEK, Steingarten, Barossa Valley, Australia
• Toni JOST, Bacharacher Hahn, Mittelrhein, Germany
• LEITZ, Rüdesheimer Rosengarten, Rheingau, Germany
• Dr LOOSEN, Erdener Treppchen, Mosel, Germany
• Horst SAUER, Escherndorfer Lump, Franken, Germany
• WEINBACH, Schlossberg Cuvée Ste Catherine, Alsace, France
• Alpha Estate, Amyndeon, Greece
• ASTROLABE, Kekerengu Coast, Marlborough, New Zealand
• BRANCOTT, Late Harvest, New Zealand
• CASA MARÍN, Cipreses, San Antonio, Chile
• CEDERBERG, David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner, Elim, South Africa
• CONCHA Y TORO, Terryuno, Casablanca, Chile
• Ch. Couhins-Lurton, BORDEAUX, France
• Gladstone Vineyard, Sophie’s Choice, MARTINBOROUGH/WAIRARAPA, New Zealand
• Greywacke, MARLBOROUGH, New Zealand
• Ch. MALARTIC-LAGRAVIÈRE, Bordeaux, France
• MONTES, Outer Limits, Aconcagua, Chile
• Ch. SMITH-HAUT-LAFITTE, Bordeaux, France
• TE MATA, Cape Crest, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
• TerraVin, MARLBOROUGH, New Zealand
• Jim BARRY, The Armagh, Clare Valley, Australia
• Bilancia, La Collina, HAWKES BAY, New Zealand
• CLONAKILLA, Canberra, Australia
• FROMM, Marlborough, New Zealand
• JAMSHEED, Garden Gully, Victoria, Australia
• KONGSGAARD, Napa Valley, California
• Viña LEYDA, Reserva, San Antonio, Chile
• MAN O’WAR, Dreadnought, Waiheke Island, New Zealand
• MATETIC EQ, San Antonio, Chile
• Moon Curser, Contraband, OKANAGAN VALLEY, Canada
• MULLINEUX & LEEU, Schist and Granite, Swartland, South Africa
• PENFOLDS, RWT, Barossa Valley, Australia
• Porseleinberg, SWARTLAND, South Africa
• TRINITY HILL, Homage, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
My wine-tasting year isn’t just an endless round of Bordeaux and Burgundy, Rioja and Chianti, Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and the rest. There’s been such a revolution in the wine world in the last decade or so that I am finding thrilling wines from places I’d never considered special and from grape varieties I hadn’t always even heard of. The willingness of people like the Australians, Californians, New Zealanders and South Africans to experiment more widely with grape varieties is enormously important, but so is the revival of ancient varieties in ancient winelands. It all makes the world of wine a far more fascinating place than before, and these are some of the unexpected delights I’ve unearthed this year.
• Alpha Estate, Xinomavro Reserve Old Vines, Amyndeon, GREECE
• Castagna, Adam’s Rib, ‘The Red’, BEECHWORTH, Australia
• Château Marsyas, Red, LEBANON
• Filliatreau, SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY, Loire Valley, France
• Francuska Vinarija, Obecanje, Serbia
• Garzón, Tannat, Maldonado, URUGUAY
• GEMTREE, Luna Roja Tempranillo, McLaren Vale, Australia
• Giroud Vins, Cornalin de Chamoson, VALAIS, Switzerland
• Kozlovic, Teran, Istria, CROATIA
• Dom. des Muses, Humagne Rouge, VALAIS, Switzerland
• Paumanok, Apollo Drive Petit Verdot, LONG ISLAND, New York State
• Prince Stirbey, Negru de Dragasani, Dragasani, ROMANIA
• Rinaldini, Vecchio Moro, LAMBRUSCO, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• Telmo RODRÍGUEZ, Al-muvedre, Alicante, Valencia, Spain
• Dom. Sérol, Vieilles Vignes, CÔTE ROANNAISE, France
• Suertes del Marqués, La Solana, Tenerife, CANARY ISLANDS
• Tsantali, Cabernet Sauvignon (organic), Halkidiki, GREECE
• Dom. de Viranel, Arômes Sauvages Bouschet Alicante, Languedoc, France
• WÖLFFER ESTATE, Brau Red, Mallorca, Spain
• Arba, Sary Arba Rkatsiteli, Almaty, Kazakhstan
• Jim BARRY, Assyrtiko, Clare Valley, Australia
• BOLNEY, Pinot Gris, West Sussex, England
• Ch. Burgozone, Viognier, Danube Plain, BULGARIA
• Camin Larredya, JURANÇON Sec, South-West France
• Château Mercian, Niitsuru Chardonnay, Katsunuma, JAPAN
• COOPERS CREEK, Albariño ‘Bell Ringer’, New Zealand
• Dveri-Pax, 1139 (Furmint-Pinot Gris-Traminer-Riesling), Stajerska-Slovenija, SLOVENIA
• Daniel Dugois, ARBOIS Vin Jaune, Jura, France
• Vignerons d’Estézargues, CÔTES DU RHÔNE Blanc ‘Plein Sud’, France
• Fox Gordon, ‘Princess’ Fiano, ADELAIDE HILLS, Australia
• GEMTREE, Moonstone Savagnin, McLaren Vale, Australia
• Ilocki Podrumi, Graševina, Ilock, CROATIA
• Dom. Jones, Les Perles de Jones, Carignan Gris, CÔTES CATALANES, France
• Leventhorpe, Madeleine Angevine, Yorkshire, England
• Barone Macri, Terre di Gerace Bianco, CALABRIA, Italy
• Edoardo Miroglio, Soli White, Thracian Valley, BULGARIA
• Dom. de Montbourgeau, l’ETOILE Savagnin, Jura, France
• Dom. des Muses, Petite Arvine, VALAIS, Switzerland
• NIEPOORT, Vinho Verde Dócil, Portugal
• Dom. du Prieuré/Jean-Marc Gallou, Arbois Blanc La Pieuse, TOURAINE, Loire Valley, France
• Puklavec & Friends, Sauvignon Blanc-Furmint, SLOVENIA
• SCHOFFIT, Chasselas, Alsace, France
• Tatomer, Grüner Veltliner Meeresboden, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, California
• Tbilvino, Qvevris, Kakheti, GEORGIA
• Tetramythos, Malagousia, Achaia, GREECE
• G D Vajra, Riesling, LANGHE, Italy
• Peter LEHMANN, Black Queen Sparkling Shiraz, Barossa, Australia
• RIDGEVIEW, Pimlico Sparkling Red, West Sussex, England
• ULITHORNE, Flamma Sparkling Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia
• A A BADENHORST, Caperitivo, South Africa
• GONZALEZ BYASS, Palmas ‘en rama’ Amontillado, Spain
• Pfeiffer, Seriously Nutty Apera, RUTHERGLEN, Australia
• Sánchez Romate, Cayetano del Pino, Palo Cortado, SHERRY, Spain
• SHOBBROOK, Sabia Nebbiolo Amontillado ‘Sherry’, Barossa, Australia
