Suaveness and sophistication took El Nogal to the top. ‘Lovely, big, intense, rich red fruit flavours,’ enthused Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, concluding: ‘Follows through on the palate. A big wine, needs big food, but delish!’ Gustavo Medina of Rex Whistler Restaurant also found: ‘Fresh herb notes, silky tannins, red fruit and thyme notes, with chocolate on the finish.’ 'Complex. Depth, savouriness, sweet jamon, espresso and very dark chocolate. Duero at its best,' said Athila Roos of The Arts Club.

£36.49 Enotria&Coe

A delightful blend, this shows notable food-matching versatility, resulting in a worthy Gold. The nose of honey and flowers is encased in a little oak, with dry, candied lemon peel and some yellow apple flavours. ‘Very clean and fresh, showing some restraint on the fruit for a well-made, easy wine,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, with Gustavo Medina of Rex Whistler Restaurant highlighting: ‘Delicate nose, good concentration of lime and lemon fruit, good value white.’

£6.95 Boutinot

Showing it's no one-grape winery, Abadía Retuerta scores its first Gold for a rich, complex Syrah winner. ‘Sweet spices, blueberry, cassis and pepper characters with dried figs and almond notes, tight but good length,’ said Neil Alexander of L’Enclume, with team leader Angela Reddin agreeing: ‘Sawn wood nose, malty forest berry aromas with a succulent, dark, juicy palate, very fine tannins and plenty of oak. Very intense.'
Still young, it is pleasurable now, and will evolve. Match with woodcock.

£46.78 Enotria&Coe

Once more, Larchago takes to the Gold podium, this time with a fresh, herbaceous Verdejo offering remarkable value, hence it garnering one of the Perfect Pub Quartet spots. ‘Rich fruits with a touch of fresh grape juice,’ began Carlos Ferreira of New Street Wine Shop, adding: ‘Aromatic, fresh style with a good finish.’ ‘Uncomplicated white with rich fruits on the nose and a fresh palate, good for all meals,’ agreed Sarah Riddle of Sketch.

£5.60 Copestick Murray, Greene King

The one they swooned over. ‘Has an attractive intensity of flavours, a cracking wine,’ said an impressed Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, with team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW agreeing: ‘Gloriously long, with a nicely wed balance of black plums with vanilla and green herbs.’ 'Very Ribera del Duero,' said Hakkasan Group's Christine Parkinson.

'Best to decant, or let it age,' recommended The Harrow at Little Bedwyn's Roger Jones, suggesting a juicy fillet of venison with truffles.

£82.52 Enotria&Coe

A red Gold to match Vinoteca's Gold for its white Rioja, this had immediate appeal. ‘A juicy, inviting nose leads to fresh red fruit and cedar wood notes, followed by a warm and spicy palate with an elegant finish,’ said Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott, adding: 'Savoury, edged with black plum fruit, this is deep and dark with vanilla, fruit and a juicy finish.'

£12.90 Georges Barbier of London

‘Coconut oak on the nose, with rich spices, dark fruits and creamy cherry notes on the palate, with a spicy finish,’ began team leader Tom Forrest, with Carlos Ferreira of New Street Wine Shop agreeing: ‘Tobacco, spicy nose with black fruits and good acidity.’

£9.70 Boutinot

‘Dense and deep colour with a meaty nose of black fruit compote and lots of spicy, savoury elements,’ began team leader Angela Reddin, concluding: ‘Juicy, rich, concentrated palate, and very long.’ ‘Pepper and Tabasco on the nose, very rich palate with soft, creamy texture and good length,’ agreed Alejandro Icart of Fera at Claridge’s.

£29.21 Enotria&Coe

‘Soft fresh fruit, cherries and vanilla, with some spice and warmth,’ began Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott, with Carlos Ferreira of New Street Wine Shop noting: ‘Black fruit and plum on a spicy, smoky nose, very good balance of acidity and tannin.’ Match with wild boar or venison.

£29.70 Bodegas Príncipe de Viana

‘Full and rich, with intense black and red fruits complementing the spices,’ began Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel, continuing: ‘Full body with a long finish and the structure to age well.’ ‘Rich wine, with nice, peppery fruit on the nose and good complexity,’ added Alejandro Icart of Fera at Claridge’s.

£18.72 The Haciendas Company

‘Intense and fruit-driven, with vibrant, juicy, long, clean fruit on the palate and a polished, clean finish,’ said a satisfied Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison, with Nigel Sutcliffe of Truffle Hunting also noting: ‘Most characterful nose, clean citrus and green grass palate.’

£9.79 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Dark fruit aplenty, with raisins, plums and dark spices on the nose, and plums on the palate.

'There's a lovely depth of oranges, spice, toast and black fruits,' said Studio Alto's Neil Bruce, continuing: 'Lovely tannins, weight and balance. Very good.'
Match with lamb.

£25.78 The Haciendas Company

‘Big and ripe on the nose, with a fresh, focused palate,’ began Joris Beijn of Marcus, with team leader Tom Forrest finding: ‘Rich coconut oak, warm red and black fruits, soft, stewy blackcurrant notes and big tannins.’ With its richness and grippy finish, one for the steak house, was the verdict.

£22.35 Bibendum

Team leader Angela Reddin said: ‘Opaque crimson red, brooding complex nose, intense and animal. Huge power here.'
‘Tobacco, leather and cocoa, with spirity notes and good balance,’ noted Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth. Very concentrated and layered, too young to add to a list now, but a welcome visitor. We hope it returns.

£100.00 Matthew Clark

’Young, fresh, fruit-driven nose with juicy red fruits on the palate, holds together well for a fruity finish,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, with Gustavo Medina of Rex Whistler Restaurant adding: ‘Modern style, red and black fruit with a good tannic core and freshness.’

£6.92 Majestic Commercial

‘Fresh, green vegetal notes with roasted cocoa on the nose, dry tannin with spice on the finish and a sweet chocolate note at the back,’ said Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth, with Alejandro Icart of Fera at Claridge’s finding: ‘Floral, minty nose with lots of red fruit character on the palate and soft tannins, with good, chocolatey intensity.’ Match with pork.

£10.70 Laytons

‘Very good nose of black fruits and smoky mushrooms, notes of wet leaves and grass, leather and meat on the palate, very well balanced with a long finish,’ said an impressed Carlos Ferreira of New Street Wine Shop of Abadía's Cabernet Sauvignon. ‘Beautiful bouquet of spiced fruit and chocolate, with a rustic finish of black fruit and apple skin, still young but very good,’ added Sarah Riddle of Sketch.

£46.78 Enotria&Coe

£11.90 Boutinot

£9.85 Boutinot

£8.42 Majestic Commercial

£8.85 Berkmann Wine Cellars

£17.08 Enotria&Coe

£5.65 Copestick Murray

Demoted to Commended in Round 2 due to bottle variation - Bottle 1 corked, Bottle 2, 'better than previous, but still not medal worthy - 'lactic elements'; at price should be better.

£16.30 Justerini & Brooks

£17.61 Enotria&Coe

£7.75 Enotria&Coe

£6.79 Bibendum