Decanter has introduced a ‘Value’ category this year for wines that score above 95 (out of 100). A wine is considered ‘Value’ if it’s priced at £14.99 or below. In 2023, the wines in the Value category made up 13.48% of the 705 Gold medals given out. The criteria for these wines include exceptional fruit qualities, a vibrant regional style and overall tastiness. It’s important to view these scores in relation to the entire group of entries, especially given that only 3.86% of Gold medals were awarded.
Lacrima Baccus, Summum Reserva Cava Brut, Penedès, Spain 2018
Supplier: lacrimabaccus.com
Description: Complex, focused nose displaying scents of green apple, white tea and anise. Lively on the palate with some attractive yeastiness to balance the fruit, crisp acidity and well-integrated bubbles. Rounded yet clean and fresh on the finish. Alcohol 12%.
Domaine de la Potardière, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie, Loire, France 2022
Supplier: domainepotardiere.fr
Description: Musky floral, citrus and grapey nose with a pleasing salinity on the palate, which is fresh and concentrated but also attractively elegant. Very long, stony, marine finish, with a cleansing bitter note. Weighty enough for fish dishes. Alcohol 12%.
Förthof, Stein Grüner Veltliner, Kremstal, Austria 2021
Supplier: derfoerthof.at
Description: Refined, elegant, honeyed aromas of ripe pear and yellow stone fruit, with spice, white flowers and aromatic herbs. Crisp acidity with some mineral notes apparent on a long finish. Ample easy-sipping pleasure here. Alcohol 13%.
Paul Mas, Languedoc Blanc, Southern France 2022
Supplier: Tesco
Description: Aromas suggestive of sweet honey, lemon thyme and white peach. The palate is plump and peachy, too, deliciously balanced and expressive, low in acidity (as befits the style), but impressively rich and textured. Alcohol 13%.
Vernice, Glam Rock, Fiano di Avellino, Campania, Italy 2022
Supplier: vinivernice.it
Description: Pretty apple, pear, pineapple and lemon scents with touches of jasmine and wet stones. The palate is balanced and clean with more jasmine perfume infusing the summer stone-fruit flavours. Long, supple and refreshing at the end. Alcohol 13.5%.
Producta Vignobles, Code M, Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2022
Supplier: producta.com
Description: Exuberantly ripe fruit scents: pristine, aromatic blueberry and blackberry. The palate is exciting with fresh, round-contoured acidity and dense but well-integrated, yielding Médocain tannins; a concentrated and stylish finish. Alcohol 14%.
San Gregorio, El Vergal Tempranillo, Calatayud, Spain 2021
Supplier: administracion@bodegasangregorio.com
Description: Enticing red-fruit aromas with a touch of gentle spice. The palate is velvety and soft with sweet tannins. Attractively juicy Tempranillo in midweight style: ripe and rounded to the last drop. Alcohol 14.5%.
Wilhelm Walch, Lagrein, Alto Adige, Italy 2022
Supplier: The Maidenhead Wine Co
Description: Alluring plum, blackberry and violet perfume. The palate is juicy, round and ripe with vivacious acidity and layers of red fruits and light spice; some sinewy vinosity, too. A brisk, fresh finish, good and crunchy. Alcohol 13%.
Zuccardi, Brazos de los Andes Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2022
Supplier: Hatch Mansfield
Description: A skilfully crafted wine with beguilingly aromatic blueberry fruit, violet perfumes and some peppery spice. The palate has more plum and blueberry fruits with an attractive, spicy core and palpable yet refined tannins. Alcohol 14%.
Marks & Spencer, Collection Late Bottled Vintage Port, Douro, Portugal 2017
Supplier: Marks & Spencer, Ocado
Description: A belter for the price, with immense concentration of black fruit and ripe, bold tannins. Rich and unashamed in its firm, extractive, meaty-minty style, with a long, spicy finish. Alcohol 20%.
