The Wine Merchant Top 100 competition is now in its ninth year, and is judged by a panel of independent wine merchants across the UK. This year saw more than 1,000 entries, covering a wide range of varieties, styles and price points.
Judges' comments on their Top 100 selections will follow soon. For the full results, please visit the competition website.
TOP 100 WINES
Sandeman `Quinta do Seixo` Port 2019 Sandeman Port, one of the great names of fortified wine, has been enjoying a renaissance under the ownership of Sogrape. The spiritual home of the brand is the beautiful 108ha Quinta do Seixo near Pinhão, with the terraces of very old (up to 100 years old) vines forming the backbone of the Sandeman Vintage Port - and, in 2019, producing a "fabulous" single-quinta wine. "This is so elegant," the judges said. "Floral, mineral, pure blackcurrant...just wonderful on the nose. The palate is fresh, elegant, concentrated: such delightful balance. Quite a polished style, it's young but the tannins are ripe and melded in, with a long finish".
Henschke `Johann’s Garden` Barossa Valley Grenache/Mataro/Shiraz 2019 From one of Australia's "first growths", the name Johann's Garden is a tribute to the original Silesian winemaking pioneers in the Barossa Valley, many of whom were named Johann. The wine itself also pays homage to the long history of Barossa wine, drawing as it does on vines with a minimum age of 70 years. "Complex white truffle and a hint of white pepper on the nose: this is a real step up in quality," the judges said. "There's a palate of summer fruits, cassis, and warm fruit (prune), all the while staying fresh with great length". "The alcohol is high but perfectly balanced. This is a great wine".
Casa Ferreirinha `Castas Escondidas` Douro Tinto 2018 Recent years have seen a boom in table wine in the Duoro, but Casa Ferreirinha long pre-dates current fashions: it became the first Duoro producer to concentrate exclusively on table wines, rather than Port, way back in 1952. This cuvée shows off all the skill of winemaker Luis Sottomayor, and showcases the "Castas Escondidas" ("hidden varieties") of Touriga Fêmea: Tina Francisca, Marufo and Bastardo. "Initially elegant if a little subdued on the nose, the wine soon opens up you find dried flowers, minerals and a saline note," the judges said. "On the palate there's epic concentration, and very fine, beautiful tannins. Really long, coiled - one for the decanter or the cellar."
Mitolo `Jester` McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Another Top 100 wine touched by the golden winemaking hand of Ben Glaetzer, who has been a partner at the Mitolo family's consistently impressive McLaren Vale producer since 2001. The Jester Cabernet uses fruit sourced from 20-year old vines in the southern part of McLaren Vale, where the moderating influence of dry summer winds and breezes blowing in off the nearby ocean helps bring brightness and definition. "A ripe and elegant nose, with sweet dark and red fruits," the judges said. "It's very ripe on the palate, big and bold, with hints of pepper/spice, and a long sweet finish. A very good glass of wine at sensible money".
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Alpha Zeta `V` Valpolicella 2021 Appealing red fruit. A very good example of the style; glorious for the asking price.
Ferreira `Dona Antónia` 20-Year-Old Tawny Port NV Dried fruits and spice; loads of walnuts! Very complex and intriguing.
Peter Lehmann Masters `Wigan` Eden Valley Riesling 2015 Wonderful aged Riesling nose. Not heavy but complex and elegant.
Henschke `Peggy’s Hill` Eden Valley Riesling 2021 Apple, pear, ozone aromas. Satisfying mouth feel. Clean and very good.
Valdespino Amontillado `Tio Diego` Pago de Macharnudo NV Dark, rich and full of umami. A truly wonderful drop.
Antonella Corda Vermentino di Sardegna 2021 Super saline and bracing: like a sea breeze! Mineral; serious.
Tinpot Hut `Turner Vineyard` Marlborough Riesling 2021 Easy-drinking style, great balance of fruit, acid, alcohol. More please!
Kaiken Aventura Valle de Canota Malbec 2019 Rich with chewy dried fruits; winter spice. Lovely tannins.
Outer Limits by Montes Zapallar Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Good fruit; slightly herbal note on the palate. Lovely acidity. Exciting!
San Polo Rosso di Montalcino 2019 Leather, balsamic, game; well balanced mid-weight palate. Fresh. Slight hint of fig on finish.
Curatolo Arini Marsala Superiore Riserva NV Incredible umami flavours; dried fruit and nuts; delicious freshness.
Willunga 100 McLaren Vale Grenache 2020 Sappy juicy fruits; complex, creamy palate; dark cherries and cinnamon.
Akarua Rosé Brut NV Rich, very dry, herbaceous edge: lovely acidity that leaves you wanting more. A good glass of wine.
Cuevas de Arom `Arom` Calatayud Garnacha 2018 Bright, light, clean and fresh; fruity and approachable.
Framingham Marlborough Classic Riesling 2021 Crisp, dry, elegant style. Lovely acidity and a powerful finish.
Fantini Farnese Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane 2015 Cherry, blood orange, dry tannins: a great food wine.
Devaux `Coeur de Nature` Organic NV Pale strawberry hues with bitter apricot aromas. Good minerality.
Outer Limits by Montes Apalta Vineyard Carignan/Grenache/Mourvèdre 2019 Intense and deep, with ripe fruit and spice.
Alpha Zeta `R` Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2019 Good structure. Balanced, lots of primary black fruit. Food-friendly.
Ferreira `Dona Antónia` 10-Year-Old White Port NV Baking spices, nuts, marmalade ice-cream. Well-rounded, long. Very nice.
Gabriëlskloof Bot River Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Elegant, creamy but zippy: an example of Cape winemaking at its best.