Find five top quality wines from Alsace, Cahors, Rioja, California and Australia, featured in Decanter magazine's '50 Star Buys of 2015'.
*Originally published in the January 2016 issue.
Decanter star buys of 2015 - May Day special
Wines
Château de Chambert, Grand Vin, Cahors, France 2009
Creamy high toned blue fruit, carrying its years really well. Dense and plummy, with a fine rasp of tannin and a lift of citrus acidity. Lively, long, and penetrating; complex and full of interest.
Baron de Ley, Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2010
Evocative scents of woodsmoke, coconut, dark cherry and strawberry. Displays punch of citrus acidity and a fine rasp of tannin on the long, classic finish. Very well balanced with firm structure.
Joseph Phelps, Insignia, Napa Valley, California, USA 2011
Controlled and restrained yet with intense dark fruit, well-managed tannins and a beautiful structure. Boldly oaked with a long finish; well-made.
Clonakilla, Shiraz-Viognier, Murrumbateman, Canberra District, Australia 2013
Textbook Syrah on the nose; vivid cracked black pepper and dark fruit aromas. The palate has clear, bright fruit with a toasty overlay with violets to boot. Tight structure, crunchy, savoury and wonderful.
Hugel & Fils, Gewurztraminer, Vendanges Tardives, Alsace, France 2007
Exotic honeyed lychee and red apple aromas; textbook Gewurztraminer. Good extract and texture, and the sweetness is balanced by good acidity. Expansive on the finish, and spicy too; pure harmony.