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Winner Details

New World: Other Red Varietals & Blends


2015: Gold 3 Silver 17 Bronze 9 Commended 18
2014: Gold 4 Silver 6 Bronze 8 Commended 11


From Barberas to Cabernet/Carmenères and Petite Sirahs to Cab/Shiraz, this flight covers a lot of ground – not least in the way it hoovers up all the weird and wonderful multi-varietal blends that winemakers love to play around with so much.

In the past, this willingness to experiment has seen it get into trouble, with ambition often outstripping ability. But over the past two years, we’ve seen significant improvements here. That huge number of Silvers isn’t a misprint – there really were that many seriously good wines in this category, and the fact that only three made it on to the Gold List is down to reasons of space rather than quality.

The wines aren’t necessarily cheap – but our tasters didn’t mind that. If you’re up for something a bit different and don’t mind hand-selling, these should be on every sommelier’s radar.

From the Tasting Teams


‘My team’s disagreements were more about the alcohol than the oak. There were far fewer bad wines than in the past.’ Laura Rhys MS, team leader

‘There was definitely some intentional rusticity here. It was an inconsistent flight, but they seem to be moving in more of the right direction than 10 years ago.’ Laurent Richet MS, Restaurant Sat Bains

‘There are not necessarily any buzzwords – regions or varieties – on the label that are going to help the wine fly off the list, so the price and quality have to do it all.’ Rebecca Coates, Hakkasan London

‘When you see so much potential with other grapes, it’s a shame that so many people just work with international grape varieties. There are some stunning top-end wines here.’ Jeremie Guiraud, Lords of The Manor

‘If you put slightly unusual varieties on your wine list and they really have quality, you’re going to recommend them because you like them, because they’re obscure and off the beaten track.’ Gergely Barsi Szabó, Bread Street Kitchen

‘There was great character in all of these wines; they really made me think of food. Lots of brambly fruit, very honest, refreshing wines. Quite exciting.’
Jade Koch, team leader

Award winners

Found 47 wines

New World: Other red varietals & blends

Luis Felipe Edwards, Doña Bernarda 2011, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

The ambition of this wine, roughly half Cabernet and about 20% each of Syrah and Carmenère, shone through. ‘Power wine, with good red berry fruit and savoury presence. Plenty of balanced tannins there, but they are not aggressive, and there's good depth,’ said Gergely Barsi Szabó of Bread Street Kitchen, with team leader Natasha Hughes MW adding: ‘Richly oaked, chocolatey with ample dark berries and chewy tannins.’ 'A fireplace wine,' commented fellow team leader Annette Scarfe MW, adding: 'Match with smoky dishes.'

£20.00 North South Wines

Anakena, Ona, Special Reserve, Cabernet/Carmenère/Syrah 2013, Central Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

Congratulations to Anakena on pairing its single variety Carmenère Gold with one for this interesting blend. ‘Some super-ripe, jammy black fruits and fine tannins, with a lovely finish,’ began Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, with team leader Laura Rhys MS noting: ‘Dark fruits, meaty spice, good balance and good value', and Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn continuing: 'Fantastic! A lingering wine that evolves and tastes expensive with its coconut and savoury notes.'

£6.85 Bottle Green

KWV, Roodeberg, Dr Charles Niehaus 2012, Western Cape, South Africa

Gold medal winner

A wine to stun and seduce, this stole a few hearts on the way to the Gold podium. ‘Like an iron fist in a velvet glove,’ began Simon Cassina of Winexponent, continuing: ‘Elegant and fresh, not over-stewed black berries on the nose, with complex blackcurrant and astringent tannins on the palate, with a long, pleasant cassis aftertaste. Good ageing potential.’ 'Lovely balance of violets and soft berries. Amazing!,' said Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, suggesting a match with new season lamb.

£18.00 Bottle Green

Boekenhoutskloof, The Chocolate Block 2013, Western Cape, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘A decent blend, with notes of camphor and dark fruit on the nose, a rich palate with black plum and spice, very peppery,’ said team leader Martin Lam, with Julian Bicknell of Hawksmoor Air Street adding: ‘Crunchy fruit, smoky bacon and black olives.’

£13.50 New Generation Wines

Sophenia, Synthesis, The Blend 2011, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

‘Initial hits of smoke, ash and tar on the nose, followed by fully ripe fruits,’ began Enikő Heidenwolf of Bread Street Kitchen, continuing: ‘Touch of new oak but not overpowered, strong and elegant in New World style.’ ‘Plenty of fruit, juicy, old leathery style,’ added team leader Simon Woods.

£21.55 Ellis of Richmond

Hess, Select, Treo 2011, California, USA

Silver medal winner

With its ripe and opulent fruit, baked almond notes and hints of cherry, team leader Simon Woods said of this blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Merlot and a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon: ‘Ripe, juicy and long, with plump plum and berry fruit and soft geranium floral notes. Gentle and honest, has some violet and spice. Good, and needs food.’

£12.95 Liberty Wines

Casa Silva, Family Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2014, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Ripe raspberry and blueberry aromas followed by strawberry and redcurrant on the palate. Fruit-driven style offering very good value for money,’ said Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels, with team leader Natasha Hughes MW adding: ‘Leafy, slightly herbaceous style, brisk and supple tannins.’

£6.25 Jackson Nugent Vintners

Bisquertt, Q Clay 2011, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Deep, rich cassis and mint with oak and dried fruit on the nose, very fleshy and fresh on the palate with fine-grained tannins in support,’ said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, with Caroline Brangé of 28°-50° Mayfair agreeing: ‘Full but elegant, with sweet spice and fruit aromas, peppery eucalyptus on the palate.’

£13.49 Molson Coors

Siegel, Unique Selection 2011, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Loads of coffee bean oak on the nose, this is a big, ambitious wine with tons of fruit, fresh acidity and lots of complexity at the price,’ enthused team leader Annette Scarfe MW. ‘Interesting, floral notes of violet and roses, with lively length, tobacco and caramel on the finish,’ added Jeremie Guiraud of Lords of the Manor.

£12.50

Alvi's Drift, Drift Fusion 2011, Worcester, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘Baked fruits, with a touch of volatile acidity, smooth tannins, ripe and concentrated texture with a medium-length finish. Needs food,’ said Enikő Heidenwolf of Bread Street Kitchen of this well-balanced wine with notes of flowers, and ripe summer fruits. ‘Earthy aromas with a very soft palate,’ added team leader Tom Forrest.

£11.26 Sogrape UK

MontGras, De Gras, Reserva, Carignan/Syrah 2012, Maipo Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth said: ‘Nice red fruit, fairly dry with balanced acidity and a fruity finish.’ Team leader Annette Scarfe MW noted: ‘Sweet cranberry fruit, slightly sweet on the finish, but very warm, cosy drinking.’

£7.34 Enotria&Coe

Santa Rita, Bougainville, Petite Sirah 2010, Maipo Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Mature blackcurrant and strawberry aromas, sweet-tasting toffee and caramel on the palate, with light tannins,’ began Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth, with team leader Annette Scarfe MW adding: ‘Dark berries and black plums, delicate oak, complex and long.’

£28.55 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Apaltagua, Entre Valles 2012, Maipo/Colchagua/Maule Valleys, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Tobacco and black pepper aromas, starting sweet in the mouth but dry evolution of tannin, followed by toasted nut flavours on the finish,’ said an intrigued Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth, with Jeremie Guiraud of Lords of the Manor adding: ‘Exceptional blend, beautifully balanced and great potential.’

£16.86 Barton, Brownsdon & Sadler

Thelema, Mountain Red 2012, Western Cape, South Africa

Silver medal winner

‘Dark fruits, ripe with spices and a long finish, very good value,’ said Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains, with team leader Angela Reddin adding: ‘Woodsmoke with meaty notes and a fruit coulis, quite subtle with a delicious finish.’

£8.91 Enotria&Coe

Bogle, Petite Sirah 2012, California, USA

Silver medal winner

‘Soft, ripe and plummy, this is a good example for mid-list character with depth, complexity and great length,’ said Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners, with team leader Angela Reddin adding: ‘Lovely juicy nose, hedgerow fruit with delicious vanilla oak and fruit compote flavours.’

£10.20 Enotria&Coe

Emiliana, Coyam 2011, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Bright, juicy dark fruits, nice acidity and freshness with some savoury notes. Fun and full bodied,’ said team leader Laura Rhys MS, with Neil Bruce of Studio Alto adding: ‘Big, brash black fruits, chunky and very drinkable.’ 'Bloody and meaty, with a long, fresh finish. Match with roast veal and olive jus,' said Matthieu Longuere MS of Le Cordon Bleu.

£13.00 Boutinot

Vistamar, Enki, Carmenère/Carignan 2009, Central Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

Almost Pinotage in its flavour profile, with hints of smoke on the nose, plus juicy fruit. Team leader Tom Forrest said: ‘Rich, concentrated nose showing red and black fruits, a little confected and reduced, but good wine for the price. Soft and squishy red and black fruit palate, with an alternative, spicy style.’

£5.00 Bottle Green

Moss Wood, Amy's 2012, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘A great combination of ripe berry, cassis fruit with a smooth finish and eucalyptus,’ said Gergely Barsi Szabó of Bread Street Kitchen, with team leader Natasha Hughes MW finding: ‘Bendicks Bittermints, black berries and cherries with fresh acidity.'
Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn noted: 'Deep, long and lingering, with lovely balance.'

£11.10 Laytons

Chalk Hill, Barbera 2012, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

Silver medal winner

‘Rich, strong and bold, with plenty of cassis and black fruit,’ began Rebecca Coates of Hakkasan London, with team leader Laura Rhys MS noting: ‘Super-ripe, with complex blackcurrant, berry, blackcurrant leafy herbaceous character, black olives and spice.’

£15.68 Matthew Clark

Valdivieso, Caballo Loco, No 15 NV, Central Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Full, spicy and herbal style with great structure and length, notes of dried figs, prune, plum, vanilla and mint, with eucalyptus,’ said a satisfied Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains. ‘Good balance of dark fruit and tannins, acidity is noticeable but not overbearing,’ added Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners.

£22.77 Bibendum

Luis Felipe Edwards, 100, Cien, Carignan 2011, Maule Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Big, big, big,’ began Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, adding: ‘Attractive plummy fruit with plenty of drying tannin.’ ‘Youthful, but quite fresh acidity with lots of fruit and tannins to match,’ agreed team leader Martin Lam.

£28.00 North South Wines

Trefethen, Dragon's Tooth 2012, Napa Valley, California, USA

Bronze medal winner

‘Bright, fruity nose, smooth, rich and elegant palate with very smooth, chocolatey tannins and long, fine length,’ said team leader Angela Reddin, with Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners highlighting: ‘A classically structured wine, vanilla oak coupled with a good rich length.’

£17.95 Dudley Craig Wines

Aresti, Trisquel, Assemblage 2012, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Cassis fruit on the nose, plenty of tannin but nice fruit to go with a lot of oak at this stage of its development,’ said team leader Martin Lam of this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot, with Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering adding: ‘Rather lean fruit with an earthy touch, but a big wine that could develop.’

£8.95 Eurowines

Brown Brothers, Explorer Series, Tarrango 2014, Victoria, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Nice and approachable, with soft red fruit, floral notes and fresh acidity for a summery wine – could be served chilled,’ said Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott, with Simon Cassina of Winexponent noting: ‘Fruity cherry, some vanilla, perfect by the glass.’

£5.66 Bibendum

African Wines, Just Nuisance, Merlot/Pinotage 2014, Paarl, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

Team leader Martin Lam highlighted this wine’s ‘sweet fruit and liquorice notes and medium weight, doing a good job at this price’, while Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering added: ‘Really juicy, zingy wine with lots of flavours and warmth.’

£5.84 Enotria&Coe

Salton, Intenso, Tannat 2012, Campanha Gaúcha, Brazil, Other

Bronze medal winner

‘Rich, ripe and warming fruit with soft tannins on the palate, some notes of bitter cherry and soft, plump, juicy fruit. Good value,’ noted team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Jeremie Guiraud of Lords of the Manor adding: ‘Easy, balanced, fruity red.’

£5.96 Kingsland, Ravensbourne Wines

Undurraga, Aliwen, Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2013, Rapel Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Good, rich, ripe nose of bramble fruit with a pleasant funky note, a bit animal,’ began team leader Angela Reddin, continuing: ‘Hints of hot stones, a touch of leather, and a well-tamed palate that delivers for the price-point.’ ‘Intensity, power, fruit, body, lovely wine,’ added Laurent Richet MS of Restaurant Sat Bains.

£8.00 González Byass

Elephant Hill, Merlot/Malbec 2013, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Bronze medal winner

‘Vibrant vanilla on the nose, followed by a deep liquorice note on the palate with very elegant tannins,’ began Mirco Giannoccaro of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa, with team leader Natasha Hughes MW noting: ‘Menthol, dark cherry, capsicum, cedar with sweet oak support.’

£9.68 Barwell & Jones

Valdivieso, Caballo Loco, Grand Cru, Sagrada Familia 2008, Curicó Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Bright mulberry and plum fruit with some notes of eucalyptus. Oaky, but reasonably well-balanced acidity too, this still seems young; benefits from decanting now, but has fresh acidity,’ said team leader Natasha Hughes MW.

£16.88 Bibendum

Willunga 100, Cabernet/Shiraz 2013, McLaren Vale, South Australia , Australia

Commended medal winner

£8.65 Liberty Wines

Delicato, Gnarly Head, Petite Sirah 2013, California, USA

Commended medal winner

£10.63 Bibendum

Montes, Outer Limits, Cinsault 2014, Itata Valley/Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£11.00 Liberty Wines

Antiyal, Kuyen, Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2011, Maipo Valley , Chile

Commended medal winner

Peace Wine Estate, Swan Hill, Shiraz/Malbec 2013, Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia

Commended medal winner

£5.40 Bottle Green

Volcanes de Chile, Parinacota, Limited Edition, Syrah/Carignan 2011, Maule Valley , Chile

Commended medal winner

Sijnn, Low Profile 2012, Malagas, Breede River, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£11.35 Bibendum

Kaiken, Terroir Series, Malbec/Bonarda/Petit Verdot 2012, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£7.55 Liberty Wines

Vuurberg, Red 2010, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£13.65 Boutinot

Esk Valley, Winemakers Reserve, Merlot/Malbec /Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Commended medal winner

£14.06 Hatch Mansfield

Aresti, Family Collection, Assemblage 2010, Curicó Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£12.85 Eurowines

Alto de Casablanca, Primus, The Blend 2012, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£11.35 Matthew Clark

Zuccardi, Serie A, Bonarda 2013, Santa Rosa, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£8.40 Alliance Wine

Emma Zuccardi, Bonarda 2013, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£17.28 Alliance Wine

Falernia, Reserva, Carmenère/Syrah 2012, Elqui Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

£8.12 Enotria&Coe

Heartland, Spice Trader 2013, Langhorne Creek, South Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£9.25 Enotria&Coe

TerraMater, Vineyard Reserve, Zinfandel/Shiraz 2013, Maipo Valley, Chile

Commended medal winner

Argento, Bonarda 2014, Mendoza, Argentina

Commended medal winner

£7.02 Bibendum