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PREMIUM

Spanish Garnacha: Panel tasting results

Is Spanish Garnacha good? Yes it is. So concluded our happy band of ‘garnachista’ judges, with nine wines rated Outstanding and more than half at 90pts or above.

Beth Willard, Valentin Radosav and Diana Rollan tasted 69 wines, with 9 Outstanding and 28 Highly Recommended.

Spanish Garnacha: Panel tasting scores

69 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 9

Highly recommended 28

Recommended 32


Entry criteria: Producers and UK agents were invited to submit current-release, still red wines in which Garnacha makes up at least 85% of the blend, from any Spanish protected denomination or geographical indication, priced in the domestic market at a minimum of €8 retail, or equivalent in export markets


There are days when you approach a tasting with trepidation, not because the quality might be questionable, but because you have high expectations and desperately don’t want to be disappointed. This was one of those tastings, and with committed ‘garnachistas’ on the panel, the wines had a lot to live up to.

Garnachas from Spain… such a broad remit, but gee, did it deliver!


Scroll down to see notes and scores of the top-scoring wines from our Spanish Garnacha tasting



Spanish Garnacha panel tasting scores

Wines were tasted blind


The judges

Beth Willard writes about and promotes Spanish wines in a number of markets globally, having formerly worked for many years in senior wine buying roles in the UK. She is a member of Spain’s Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino, and is one of the five Co-Chairs of the DWWA

Valentin Radosav is learning and development manager for 5-star hotels in London. A qualified Advanced Sommelier and a DWWA judge, he was formerly head sommelier at Michelin-starred Gymkhana restaurant in Mayfair, having also previously worked at other top venues

Diana Rollan is group head of beverage for D&D London restaurants group. A DWWA judge for Spain, she formerly managed training and wine buying at Hakkasan Group as its UK head of wine


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