Platinum medals have also been awarded to the Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano 2014, Sandeman 40-Year-Old Tawny Port NV and Valdespino Oloroso `Su Majestad` NV, while a further 19 wines from Amalaya, Chateau Los Boldos, Colomé, Dandelion Vineyards, Dawson James, El Coto, Finca Flichman, Inniskillin, Outer Limits by Montes, Piper-Heidsieck, Rare Champagne, Sandeman, San Polo and Trinity Hill have received a Gold medal.
Please see full details of our Best in Show, Platinum and Gold medal-winning wines below, including availability and the DWWA judges’ tasting notes. For the full results and more information on the Decanter World Wine Awards, please visit the competition website.
BEST IN SHOW
Château Laville, Sauternes 2019, France Best in Show / Platinum Medal 97 points This is the first appearance by a Sauternes in our Best In Show selection. Our judges were impressed by the generosity of this wine and by its fine value for money, and comparisons with other dessert-wine categories underscored the perennial appeal of this misty spot near the Garonne. It's a mid to full gold in colour, with ample luscious sweetness lent unction by botrytis complexities and lanolin oak. The wine is generous, creamy and long on the palate, with a creme anglaise and chantilly richness and just a faint perfume of lemon; the oak on the palate proves restrained, and it has relatively low acidity. It's not a Sauternes to keep for a decade or more, but this generous and accessible sweet wine will offer huge pleasure in the short term. Best with desserts – or as a dessert itself – rather than in aperitif mode. <u>Current vintage: 2016</u>
Mandrarossa, `Ciaca Bianca` Fiano 2021, Italy Best in Show / Platinum Medal 97 points Drunk as long ago as the thirteenth century (by Emperor Frederic II) yet abandoned and almost extinct by the 1970s, the Campanian variety Fiano's story prefigures that of the Northern Rhone's Viognier. There's a similarity in profile, too, notably the variety's captivating scent, which is much in evidence in the irresistibly floral aromas of this Value Best in Show from Siciliy. In the mouth, though, Fiano often has an acidic poise and freshness all of its own, combined with haunting flavours of citrus, nougat and grenadine -- and more of those fresh aromatic flowers. All of those notes are packed exuberantly into this energetic young wine. Submissive and shy it isn't -- but there's Italian class here too.
PLATINUM MEDAL
Sandeman, 40-Year-Old Tawny Port NV, Portugal Platinum Medal 97 points Perfumed nose, sweet and inviting. Rich Crêpes Suzette oranges on the palate with an exquisite balance and a mellifluous palate which not only delivers layer after layer while in the mouth but delivers even more complexity on the finish. Expresses the wisdom and joy of age. Intense and profound.
Capezzana, Vin Santo di Carmignano 2014, Italy Platinum Medal 97 points Very dense, but with pinpoint freshness and cohesion. Extremely rich layers of apricot jam, dried apricots, and honey with a lovely texture and intensity on the refreshing finish. (Available from mid-June 2022)
Valdespino, Oloroso de su Majestad VORS NV, Spain Platinum Medal 97 points Beguiling hay, bruised apple, wood polish and leathery scents. It's extremely old, almost maderised, and a little bitter like old age, sage but also warm-hearted like one's senectitude. Roasted walnuts and dates add complexity to this empyreal, heady wine, which is so liberal in its flavour delivery and persistent, complex finish.
GOLD MEDAL
Château Los Boldos, Grand Clos Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Chile Gold Medal 96 points Lifted scents of red and blackberry fruits with notes of roasted red pepper. Classy, with fine grippy tannins and a linear, solid structure that makes this such a perfect gastronomic wine. Some nice incipient maturity - hints of tobacco, resolving tannin, but still a way to go. (Available from September 2022)
Dawson James, Tasmania Chardonnay 2018, Australia Gold Medal 96 points A smoky, lemony style. Freshly buttered popcorn, soft uplift of citrus curd flavours lead to a tight salty palate, layered with some gun flint, that's highly linear, taut and intense. A genuinely classy palate that's long and refined. Top stuff.
Dawson James, Tasmania Chardonnay 2020, Australia Gold Medal 96 points A gorgeous nose of mellow beeswax, buttercups and honey. Lemon/lime and peach fruit, pineapple chunks, honeycomb, fresh cashew and ginger spice flavours line the palate. A wonderful chalky texture and a dose of malo complexity, complete a delicious wine which has good persistence. Current vintage: 2018
Inniskillin, `Gold` Niagara Vidal Icewine 2018, Canada Gold Medal 96 points Gorgeous, inviting nose of apricot compote, bright apple, lifted white floral notes, a touch of mint and plush white nectarine, while the succulent palate is laced with candied citrus peel, sweet Christmas spice, nutmeg and a vibrant acidity.
Rare Champagne, Millésime 2008, France Gold Medal 96 points Beautiful and complex classic Vintage nose. It's all about the bread and pastries, honeysuckle and lemon. Crisp and super fresh palate with a pure vein of acidity running through it. Fine bubbles. Simply gorgeous wine, it has everything. Drinking beautifully now but should age well.
Amalaya, Calchaquí Valley Malbec 2021, Argentina Gold Medal 95 points Opulent and inviting aromatics, with pretty rose petal, heady sandalwood and plush blueberry on the nose, while the palate is laced with lush plum, a zippy acidity and velvety smooth tannins.
Bodega Colomé `Estate Series`, Salta Torrontés 2021, Argentina Gold Medal 95 points Pretty and attractive, with hints of lime leaf and seductive lavender on the lifted, floral nose, while the palate is braced with lemon sherbet, lean, well defined fruit and a subtle acidity.
Dandelion Vineyards, `Wonderland of the Eden Valley` Riesling 2021, Australia Gold Medal 95 points Ripe green apple, floral, talc and mineral aromas are followed by a tight and delicate palate. The palate has broad, open, yellow ripe and intensely flavoured fruit, smoky, flinty notes, good length and a clean, appetising finish. Current vintage: 2017
El Coto, `Coto de Imaz` Rioja Gran Reserva 2016, Spain Gold Medal 95 points This is an immensely satisfying mouthful of wine with sweet vanilla oak, black/red cherry fruit, cassis and blackberry scents. The palate has polished black fruit appeal, sleek oak layering, sandy-grained tannins and a pulsating refined finish. A magnificent wine that will doubtlessly develop slowly and surely. Current vintage: 2015
Finca Flichman Dedicado, `Gran Malbec` Uco Valley 2019, Argentina Gold Medal 95 points Beautiful and lifted with a pretty floral nose of violet, blue fruit and soft spice, while the palate is laced with a bright vibrant acidity, eucalyptus, rosemary and heady herb. (Available from July 2022)
Inniskillin, Niagara Cabernet Franc Icewine 2019, Canada Gold Medal 95 points Opulent aromas of intense, lush strawberry jam on the attractive nose, then on to a super concentrated palate of plush, rounded rich red fruit. Very attractive!
Outer Limits by Montes, Apalta Vineyard Carignan/Grenache/Mourvèdre 2020, Chile Gold Medal 95 points Aromatic, youthful, and vivid, with high-toned ripe blue fruit aromas with accents of violets, bergamot, and thyme. The palate is elegant, youthful, and dense, with a creaminess alongside flavours of sour cherry, spiced fruit, and dried flowers. Well judged, and nicely rendered. Current vintage: 2021
Outer Limits by Montes, Zapallar Syrah 2021, Chile Gold Medal 95 points Displays really vivid blue and black fruit with delicate black pepper notes. The palate is juicy, upbeat, and vibrant with some charred oak character and fine, firm tannins. A really good, savoury, upbeat, vibrant coastal Syrah style.
Piper-Heidsieck, Vintage 2014, France Gold Medal 95 points Mid plus gold in colour, with an active broad mousse. Big and rich style, with ripe and developed aromas, red apple, meyer lemon and some autolytic character. The acidity is fresh, very long and precise palate with lovely froth and a touch of stem ginger notes.
San Polo, Brunello di Montalcino 2017, Italy Gold Medal 95 points A classic, earthy wine, with forest floor and tea leaf savoury elegance. The palate shows outstanding texture, with smooth and complex red fruits with accents of mineral and smoke. The wine is intense, with lovely equilibrium, and offers a very elegant tannin finish.
Sandeman, `Quinta do Seixo` Port 2019, Portugal Gold Medal 95 points A distinguished, dense and concentrated beauty with expressive blueberry and bramble characters. Flirtatious violet and rose emerge in the middle with a fine line of acidity contributing freshness and appeal. The tannins are ripe and fine, the fruit pure and delicious. Long finish built around dark chocolate tannins. Really beautiful.
Sandeman, 30-Year-Old Tawny Port NV, Portugal Gold Medal 95 points Such a treat, such pleasure and such indulgence! A cornucopia of layers abounds in this wine. It's gloriously soft, nutty and open with sublime delicacy and refinement on the palate and a delicious drying savoury-nutty finish. Bright acidity keeps it noble and tempting to relish with abandon. Sublime. On its way to perfection.
Sandeman, 20-Year-Old Tawny Port NV, Portugal Gold Medal 95 points Seductive milk chocolate and rum raisin ice cream aromas. Beautiful silky palate, extremely refined with finesse with the perfect balance of sweetness and alcohol. In tiptop shape from every angle. A great example of its style and a delightful interpretation of the possibilities of this age category. Really spot-on!
Trinity Hill, Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2020, New Zealand Gold Medal 95 points Delicate, elegant smoky black fruits with delicious dark cherry, baked plums and layers of oak spice, smoke and leather. Youthful and quite powerful, excellent. (Available from August 2022)