See below the 10 top wines of 2015 chosen by our panel of three experts for the Decanter 50 star buys series.
Here are the 10 top wines of 2015 based on those that shone best in a blind tasting with a panel of experts for the Decanter star buys 2015 series – first published in the January issue of Decanter magazine.
The tasters were: Peter Richards MW, Sarah Jane Evans MW, Xavier Rousset MS.
All the wines originally scored at least 95 points (rating: ‘outstanding’) in a Decanter tasting in 2015.
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See the wines below
There is a strong showing for Australian wine in the top 10 this year, lending more evidence to those who believe Australia is re-inventing itself as a fine wine force with a broader range of wines.
Two Australian Riesling wines have made the top 10, including Pikes, The Merle 2014, from Polish Hill River in Clare Valley, and Pewsey Vale’s The Contours Museum Reserve Riesling 2009 from Eden Valley.
A Pinot Noir from Adelaide Hills, the Pike & Joyce Lenswood 2012, also made the list. The wines are an example of how Australian winemaking has broadened.
More classic Australian Shiraz and Chardonnay styles are also represented below, although the expert panel praised their refinement and focus on well-balanced oak integration.
‘Australian Chardonnay has often been criticised as too extracted and over-oaked with high alcohol,’ said Xavier Rousset MS. ‘Producers have reacted to that and it’s paying off.’
Chile is the other New World wine country represented in the top 10, with Viu Manent’s Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2013 from Casablanca.
Representing the so-called ‘Old World’ is San Polo’s Brunello di Montalcino 2010 – one of the greatest vintages in recent memory. Priorat in Spain and a Douro white wine also have a space in the top 10 thanks to producers Costers del Priorat and Wine & Soul.
10 top wines of 2015: Decanter star buys
*Please note: Where a score is given, it is that awarded after the original Decanter tasting.
