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France

Delas Châteauneuf du Pape Haute-Pierre, Rhône, France

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Delas Haute Pierre

The vineyards are planted on alluvial reddish clay that lies on terraced slopes of sun-scorched rounded quartz stones.

Winemaking: After destemming and crushing, the grapes are put into concrete vats for alcoholic fermentation. This lasts approximately 10 days and is followed by an 8 to 10 days maceration to complete the extraction. After devatting and pressing, malolactic fermentation is carried out in vats.

The wine is drawn off under aeration, to enable natural stabilisation of the components to take place. It then goes into 60 hectolitre oak tuns for a period of 8 to 14 months.

Tasting notes: The colour is a deep garnet red. To the nose, the “Haute Pierre” cuvée is characterised by strong spicy aromas, which show a rich, powerful body wrapped around with a more delicate yet tightly knit tannic framework. Rich and unctuous on the palate, the finish reveals some intense, liquorice like flavours.

France

Delas Saint-Espirit Côtes du Rhône Rouge, Rhône, France

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Delas St. Espirit Rouge

Grape Varieties: Syrah (majority) and Grenache.

Winemaking: The entire crop is destemmed. Fermentation and maceration take place in closed vats for approximately 15 days. Daily pumping over ensures the proper extraction. Fermentation temperature is controlled, and kept at between 82°F and 86°F (28°C and 30°C). After devatting, pressing and racking, malolactic fermentation is carried out in stainless steel vats.

The wines are kept in vats to preserve fruit aromas. They are racked regularly in order to allow their components to stabilise naturally. The “Saint Esprit” cuvée is bottled after 8 months of ageing.

Tasting notes: Its deep colour has a dark, plum-like hue. The nose is classically Syrah, with berry fruit, violet, liquorice. It has a full, rounded palate with delicate tannins, making it unique in the “Côtes-du-Rhône” category.

France

Delas Saint-Espirit Côtes du Rhône Blanc, Rhône, France

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Delas St. Espirit White

The “Saint-Esprit” is a blend of wines whose fruits mainly come from the right bank of the Rhône. Average production: 15,000 bottles (75 cl.) per year.

Grape variety: Grenache blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Viognier are the main varieties of the blend.

Winemaking: After pressing and cold settling for a period of 24 hours, the musts are racked and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks at maximum temperature of 64°F (18°C).

Malolactic fermentation is avoided, in order to preserve natural balance and freshness in the wine, so to enhance its finesse. The wine is then stored in stainless steel tanks until bottling. Prior to bottling, the wine is lightly fined and filtered, in order to provide it with the perfect stability.

Tasting notes: The colour has a golden straw hue with green tinges. The main aromas are reminiscent of white flowers and yellow fruit, enhanced by touches of exotic and citrus fruit. On the palate, the wine is alert, seductively suave and fresh.

France

Domaine Faiveley Pommard “Les Vaumuriens”, Burgundy, France

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Domaine Faiveley Pommard

The village of Pommard neighbours Beaune and is one of the most reputed winemaking villages in the Côte de Beaune. The vineyards are steeped in history and have long enjoyed a reputation for outstanding quality.

Grape Variety

Pinot Noir

WINEMAKING

The grapes are cut harvested and sorted by hand. The proportion of de-stemmed grapes and whole clusters varies depending on the vintage. The wines are punched down daily in order to extract colour, tannins and aromas from the skin of the grapes. After a 19 day vatting period, the alcoholic fermentation is complete. The free-run wine is run off using a gravity system whilst the marc is pressed slowly and gently in order to extract an exceptionally pure press wine. The wines are aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (20-30% new oak) which have been selected for their fine grain and moderate toast. The wines are left to age in our hygrometry-controlled cellars at consistent, natural temperatures. The wines spend 2 months in vats at the end of the ageing process.

TASTING

This wine reveals an attractive deep ruby red hue. The nose exudes aromas of black fruit and spice combined with oaky notes and a touch of spice. The attack offers a powerful structure with direct tannins underpinned by delicate oaky notes. This wine’s excellent structure and aromatic persistency give it good potential for bottle age.

Serve at 14°C to 16°C

Cellaring Potential 5 to 8 years

France

Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy, France

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Domaine Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin

APPELLATION DESCRIPTION

By royal ordinance from Louis-Philippe, the name “Chambertin” was added to the name of the village and it officially became “Gevrey-Chambertin” in 1847. Our parcel selection of old vines aged over 35 years old produces an exceptionally intense and aromatic wine.

Exposition: East, South-east

SoilClay marls with a high iron content

Grape Variety

Pinot Noir

WINEMAKING

The grapes are harvested and sorted by hand. The proportion of de-stemmed grapes and whole clusters varies depending on the vintage. The wines are punched down daily in order to extract colour, tannins and aromas from the skin of the grapes. After a 19 day vatting period, the alcoholic fermentation is complete. The free-run wine is run off using a gravity system whilst the marc is pressed slowly and gently in order to extract an exceptionally pure press wine. The wines are aged for 14 months in French oak barrels (20-30% new oak) which have been selected for their fine grain and moderate toast. The wines are left to age in our hygrometry-controlled cellars at consistent, natural temperatures.The wines are aged in vats for 2 months at the end of the ageing process.

TASTING

Our old vines are over 35 years old and produce an exceptionally intense and aromatic wine  that reflects the unique character of its terroir. With its deep, clear ruby red hue, it reveals notes of black fruits and excellent strength and concentration. As with all Gevrey-Chambertin, it requires a few years of patience before reaching its full potential.

Serve at 14°C to 16°C

Cellaring Potential 4 to 6 years

 

France

Domaine Hamelin Chablis, Burgundy, France

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Domaine Hamelin Chablis

This wine is made from grapes from the plots next to the ‘premier crus’. It has the same elegance and bouquet as the premier crus, but to a lesser degree. Dry and fruity, this is a clear and light wine with aromas and flavour that develop rapidly.

It can easily be kept for 5 to 8 years.

Tasting notes:

Colour: vivid yellow with a hint of green.

Nose: still discreet with a touch of hawthorn blossom and freshness.

Palate: round, fresh and mineral. It has good length and a powerful finish.

The Chablis is served chilled (10 to 12°C) with oysters, seafood, charcuterie pâtés and deli meats, pork dishes or snails. It also goes well with goats’ cheeses and gruyere cheese.

France

Château d’Esclans Rock Angel Provence Rosé, Provence, France

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Rock Angel provence rose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grapes : grown from Château d’Esclans vineyards, consisting primarily of Grenache and Rolle.

Vinification: Harvesting at sunrise to noon

Grapes are sorted by optical eye electronically and manually three times.

No maceration, free run and pressed juice partially vinified in demi-muids and stainless steel, both temperature controlled.

Tasting notes: Open-knit, featuring a fun ball of white cherry and peach fruit flavours, lined with a subtle verbena note. Breezy finish.

France

Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel Provence Rosé, Provence, France

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Whispering angel provence rose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grapes: grown on choice land in surrounding region of La Motte en Provence, consisting primarily of Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle, Syrah, and Tibouren.

Vinification: Harvesting at sunrise to noon.

Optical Grape sorting

Destemming and slight crushing at 7-8 degrees Celsius to avoid oxidation.

Both, free run juice and pressed juices are vinified in stainless steel.

Tasting notes: A fresh, juicy, and flattering rosé, offering white cherry and raspberry fruit laced with bright acidity and backed by a streak of talc detail on the finish for spine.

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Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2017 – Winners of Asia’s most trusted wine competition announced

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Winners of Asia’s most trusted wine competition announced

decanter

The list of results is complete with full wine details, stockist information and tasting notes – a trusted source of wine recommendations for wine consumers in Asia.

A total of 3,235 wines were tasted in the Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2017 (DAWA 2017), the most since the competition launched in 2012. Fifteen wines have been awarded the Platinum Best in Show medal – the highest accolade.

“The sole purpose of the DAWA is to recognise and award quality. Originality and terroir are the most important for a wine to win an award.”, said Steven Spurrier, DAWA 2017 Chair. A majority of judges are based in Asia and include top sommeliers and Masters of Wine from 11 countries.

The Results

Australia continued its success from last year’s competition by taking the lead with two Platinum Best in Show medals for the Best Single White-Varietal and Best Chardonnay, both won by McGuigan. Australia has won Best Chardonnay for the second year, plus seven Platinum Best in Category and 26 Gold medals.

Argentina performed extremely well this year with three Platinum Best in Show, including one for the Best Red Bordeaux Varietals, one Best in Category and four Gold medals.

China performed well too, with Shanxi’s Grace Vineyard winning the Best Red Single-Varietal

China won 142 medals in total at DAWA 2016, compared to 12 medals two years ago.

France remained a strong winner with Bordeaux, Champagne, and Rhône winning a Best in Show medal each.

Italy also received a top medal for Best Red Italian Varietals for a red wine from Campania.

Spain won a Platinum Best in Show for Best Red Spanish Varietals, while Germany won one for Best Dry Riesling.

South Africa shone amongst Old World contestants by winning a Platinum Best in Category for Best South African Red Bordeaux Varietals.

The USA also scooped two medals for Best USA Red Bordeaux Varietals and Best USA Sweet in Platinum Best in Category.

Decanter’s tasting director, Christelle Guibert, said: “We gather some of the best and most influential wine experts across Asia to join our judging panel to find the very best wines for consumers.”

Where to taste the DAWA winners

New winners will be promoted at both trade and consumer events this year.

Wine lovers will have the opportunity to taste a selection of 2017 winning wines in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul this winter, including the Decanter Shanghai Fine Wine Encounter on Saturday 18 November. DAWA wines will also be featured at retail stores, restaurants and hotels across Asia.

About DAWA Judging Week

Over 50 top wine experts from across Asia joined our judging panel this year, led by Chair Steven Spurrier, Decanter’s consultant editor, and vice-chairs Ch’ng Poh Tiong, Shinya Tasaki, Gerard Basset MW MS OBE, Michael Hill Smith MW, Andrew Jefford and DecanterChina.com columnist Li Demei.

Joining this year’s line-up is Sonal Holland, India’s first Master of Wine; Tan Ying Hsien, Singapore’s first Master of Wine; and Adrian Zhang, Director of Wine at the Park Hyatt Shanghai. Most judges work at top establishments in Asia.

Judges gathered together in Hong Kong on 5-8 September to blind taste wines through organised flights.

How the wines are tasted

Decanter gives every single wine tasted an individual score.

Wines that meet the required quality are given a seal of approval (commended), or a bronze, silver, or gold medal. All gold medal-winning wines within each category are re-tasted and a platinum medal is awarded to the best wine in each category.

Each platinum medal winner from around the world is then pitted against each other to win the Platinum

 

About the DAWA

  • Launched in 2012 by Decanter magazine, 2017 is the sixth edition of the competition
  • All wines are judged blind in the best possible tasting environment and each wine is discussed on an individual basis by the panel
  • Find and taste DAWA winning wines
  • Kindly sponsored by Riedel glasses and San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna water

 

DAWA 2017 Results

  • 15 Platinum Best in Show medals
  • 41 Platinum Best in Category medals
  • 55 Gold medals
  • 609 Silver medals
  • 1,656 Bronze medals

DAWA 2017 Platinum Best in Show winners:

  • Best Dry Aromatic: El Esteco, Don David Reserve Torrontés, Calchaquíes, Salta, Argentina 2017
  • Best Red Bordeaux Varietals: Bodega Norton, Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina 2015
  • Best Red Blend: Miguel Escorihuela Gascón, 1884 The President’s Blend, Mendoza, Argentina 2015
  • Best Chardonnay: McGuigan, The Shortlist Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia 2016
  • Best White Single-Varietal: McGuigan, Bin 9000, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 2007
  • Best Red Single-Varietal: Shanxi Grace Vineyard, Tasya’s Reserve Marselan, Shanxi, China 2015
  • Best Sweet: Château d’Arche, , Sauternes, Bordeaux, France 2010
  • Best Red Rhône Varietals: Grandes Serres , Carius , Cairanne, Rhône, France 2016
  • Best Sparkling: Piper-Heidsieck, Rare Brut, Champagne, Champagne, France 2002
  • Best Dry Riesling: Hans Wirsching, Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg Riesling, Grosses Gewächs, Franken, Germany 2015
  • Best Red Italian Varietals: Rossovermiglio, Aglianico, Sannio, Campania, Italy 2015
  • Best Sauvignon Blanc: Yealands Family Wines, Babydoll Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2017
  • Best Pinot Noir: Craggy Range, Te Muna Road Vineyard Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand 2015
  • Best Sweet Fortified: Henriques & Henriques, Single Harvest Boal, Madeira, Portugal 2000
  • Best Red Spanish Varietals: Bodegas Olarra, Erudito, Rioja, Mainland Spain, Spain 2015

DAWA 2016 Platinum (Best in Category) winners:

  • Best Chilean Red Bordeaux Varietals: Viña Casablanca, Nimbus Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipó Valley, Chile 2015
  • Best Chilean Red Rhône Varietals : MontGras, ANTU Syrah, Colchagua, Chile 2015
  • Best Chilean Red Blend : Santa Alba, Grand Reserve Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon, Curicó, Chile 2014
  • Best Chilean Red Single-Varietal: Apaltagua, Envero Grand Reserva Carmenere, Apalta, Colchagua, Chile 2015
  • Best USA Red Bordeaux Varietals: Rocca Family Vineyards, Grigsby Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville, California, USA 2013
  • Best South African Red Bordeaux Varietals : Leopard’s Leap, Culinaria Collection Grand Vin, Western Cape, South Africa 2015
  • Best New Zealand White: Paddy Borthwick, Pinot Gris, Wairarapa, New Zealand 2016
  • Best Australian Sparkling : House of Arras, EJ Carr Late Disgorged, Tasmania, Australia 2003
  • Best Australian Red Blend : Tyrrell’s Wines, Vat 8 Shiraz-Cabernet, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 2014
  • Best Bordeaux Right Bank: Château Cantenac, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France 2015
  • Best Bordeaux Left Bank: Excellence de Belliard, Margaux, Bordeaux, France 2015
  • Best Australian Red Rhône Varietals: Ulithorne , Frux Frugis Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia 2014
  • Best Australian Red Bordeaux Varietals: Wolf Blass, Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia 2015
  • Best Barolo: Casa Vinicola Fratelli Casetta, Nicolello, Barolo Riserva, Piedmont, Italy 2009
  • Best Sweet Regional Italy: Gemma di Luna, Moscato, Vino Spumante di Qualità di Tipo Aromatico, Italy NV
  • Best White Languedoc-Roussillon : Bernard Magrez, Passion Blanche, IGP Côtes Catalanes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2013
  • Best Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Domaine de Nalys, , Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France 2015
  • Best Northern Rhône Red: Delas, Domaine des Tourettes, Hermitage, Rhône, France 2015
  • Best Argentinian Red Blend: Bodega Norton, Privada, Mendoza, Argentina 2015
  • Best Central & Eastern Europe Red: Georgian Wines, Saperavi, Kindzmarauli, Kakheti, Georgia 2015
  • Best Central & Eastern Europe White: Vaziani Company, Makashvili Wine Cellar Khikhvi, Kakheti, Georgia 2016
  • Best German Sweet : Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof, Goldtröpfchen Riesling, Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel, Germany 2013
  • Best Central & Eastern Europe Sweet : Szent Tamás, Aszú, Tokaj, Hungary 2013
  • Best Fortified Portugal : Bacalhôa, 10 Anos, Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal, Setúbal, Portugal 2003
  • Best Red Rioja Reserva : Bodegas Ondarre, , Rioja Reserva, Mainland Spain, Spain 2014
  • Best Red Rioja Gran Reserva : Bodegas Corral, Don Jacobo, Rioja Gran Reserva, Mainland Spain, Spain 2004
  • Best Ribera del Duero : Condado de Haza, Alenza , Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva, Mainland Spain, Spain 2006
  • Best Red Portugal : Fundação Eugénio de Almeida, Cartuxa EA Reserva, Alentejano, Portugal 2015
  • Best Sweet Loire : Château La Variere, Les Guerches, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru, Loire, France 2015
  • Best Red Languedoc-Roussillon: Château de Lascaux, Les Nobles Pierres, Languedoc Pic Saint Loup, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2013
  • Best Regional Italian White: La Canosa, Servator Passerina, Offida, Le Marche, Italy 2016
  • Best Southern Italian White: Quintodecimo, Exultet, Fiano di Avellino, Campania, Italy 2016
  • Best Chianti : Rocca di Castagnoli, Poggio a’Frati, Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy 2013
  • Best Red Tuscany : Caccia Al Piano 1868, Ruit Hora, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy 2014
  • Best Amarone: Cesari, Il Bosco, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy 2011
  • Best Sweet Southern Italy : Ferruccio Deiana, Oirad, Isola dei Nuraghi, Sardinia, Italy 2015
  • Best Australian Riesling: McGuigan, The Shortlist Riesling, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia 2009
  • Best Barbera: Poderi Elia, Vi Veje, Barbera d’ Alba Superiore, Piedmont, Italy 2012
  • Best Australian Pinot Noir: Curly Flat, Pinot Noir, Macedon Ranges, Victoria, Australia 2014
  • Best Australian Sweet: De Bortoli, Black Noble, Cross-Regional Blend, Australia NV
  • Best USA Sweet: Dr. Loosen, Riesling Ice Wine, Washington State, USA 2013