and the winner is...
It is the time of year when the majority of the wine trade gongs are announced and we have some stellar results to share with you.
In the Sommelier Wine Awards, our Lisbon based DFJ Vinhos collected a gold for their Vega Tinto 2017 from the Douro Valley whilst they also received silver medals for their Coreto Tinto 2017 and Francos Grande Escolha 2015. Bodegas Taron in the Rioja Alta won golds for their beautifully mature Reserva 2008 and blockbuster Pantocrator 2005 whilst South America was represented by Familia Schroeder and Chono; the former with their beguiling Deseado NV sparkler and the latter their benchmark Sauvignon Blanc 2018.
Decanter’s notoriously tough ‘World Wine Awards’ saw two remarkable results for Neil and Alison Paulett with their Polish Hill Aged Rieslings from Clare Valley. The 2012 scored 97 points, enough to be declared a ‘Platinum’ winner while the 2013 vintage was right behind with 96 points and a gold medal. The reputation of Pauletts’ Rieslings is no longer such a well-kept secret as they continue to win awards alongside their more illustrious (and expensive!) neighbours. We are also particularly pleased that one of our newest additions to the Ellis portfolio has also been recognised. Strandveld’s First Sighting Sauvignon Blanc 2018 also picked up a well-deserved gold medal here.
Our friends at Familia Schroeder and Bodegas Taron were at it again at the International Wine Challenge. The aforementioned Pantocrator 2005 which is a special release Reserva picked up not only a Gold medal and Rioja Reserva Trophy but also the overall Rioja Trophy. Not to be outdone, Familia Schroeder’s Saurus Select Malbec 2017 won Gold, the Patagonian Malbec Trophy and the coveted Argentinian Malbec Trophy as well.
More parochial but no less deserving, we also had two wines in the Sud de France Top 100 this year. Our new Blanquette de Limoux from Domaine Rosier and the ever reliable and delicious Cabernet Franc from Lorgeril were included and featured in a tasting line-up at the recent London Wine Fair.
Finally, the results of The Eighth Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification have been announced with Mt Difficulty being amongst just seven wineries to be placed in the top ‘5 Stars’ category. With the classification being a rolling average of the five most recent vintages from 512 producers, this is a reflection of consistent excellence.
