Whether you’re a wine geek, adventurer or casual wine lover, chances are there’s a bottle which left a lasting impression – and you would love to drink again and again.
A style of wine, so gorgeously good it was gone in a flash… and you kicked yourself for not picking up a couple of bottles when you had the chance.
As the year draws to a close, we look back on some favourite labels of 2024…tried, tested, top-notch and worth going back for….
1. Chassaux et Fils Sainte Victoire Provence Rosé 2023, Côtes de Provence, France, £10.99, Aldi, in-store
The buzz word on the grapevine is this posh-looking pink with its embossed coat of arms is the closest thing to Whispering Angel – undoubtedly the most fashionable rosé in the world. Brilliantly drinkable, it more than delivers with its ‘whispers of floral notes’ on the palette and smooth, creamy texture with lovely depth. Sure to be a big hit, we’re delighted it’s still in bloom.
2. Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Central Coast Californian Chardonnay 2021, USA, £12, Sainsbury’s
If only more supermarkets produced an own-label Californian that tasted this good. Utterly delicious and deftly blended, it’s chardonnay-dominant with a splash of viognier, grenache blanc and picpoul. A wowza white if you like a richer style of chardonnay with rounded, creamy flavours of tropical fruits backed by balanced acidity. Excellent with rich seafood such as monkfish.
3. Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Viognier 2023, France, £11.99, Majestic
A viognier which dazzles with its creamy, concentrated palate and rounded ripeness, this southern French belle is beautifully aromatic with a honeyed richness, notes of ripe apricot, peaches and cream; balanced acidity keeps everything wonderfully fresh and on point. One for pan-fried scallops with a squeeze of lime.
4. Mar De Frades Albariño 2023, Rias Baixas, Spain, £17, Tesco
(Mar de Frades/PA)
Spain’s trendy white grape, albariño, produces crisp, saline whites with typical Atlantic minerality and freshness. Championing these vibrant wines, this producer offers an elegance and purity few albariños pull off; with its white florals, ripe stone fruits, hints of melon, Galician salinity and wash of acidity, this seafood-loving wine is a winner with Cornish crab.
5. Amandla Shiraz Zinfandel 2022, Western Cape, South Africa, £9.50, Tesco
With a wealth of female winemaking talent to be discovered, we’ve plucked this standout label by Praisy Dlamini – a brilliantly blended shiraz zinfandel which pushes all the right buttons. With its smooth, silky palate, delicious concentration and beautifully expressive, ripe blackberry fruits, soft spice and juicy, fresh finish. Amandla translates to power, and this wine over-delivers for its price.
6. Robert Oatley Semaphore Series Shiraz 2021, McLaren Vale, Australia, £10.50, Co-op in-store
A beautifully expressive red with intense brambly fruits, think plush blueberry flavours laced with spice bursting onto the palate, with plummy notes coming into play; backed up by savoury notes and a juicy, dense finish. Really impressive from word go… it’s one for a well-seasoned rib-eye steak.
7. Terrazas De Los Andes Malbec 2021, Mendoza, Argentina, £18, Sainsbury’s
South American reds have ‘drink me’ written all over them and this one’s a real beauty. Think a bouquet of richly scented fruit and fragrant florals, it’s packed with a refreshing combination of plummy, blackberry and lavender fruit, with an enticing spicy note radiating on the plush, persistent finish.
8. Vasse Felix Premier Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Margaret River, Australia, £34.99, (£26.24 Mix Six), Majestic
A showy red from this famous region where cabernet sauvignon is king… world-class producer, Vasse Felix, crafts structured, elegant reds with great purity and plush, black fruit character. Richly perfumed with violet aromas, nuances of sandalwood and vanilla, it’s so sumptuous with smooth, refined tannins, notes of cassis and dried herbs on the lasting finish. A wine to swoon over and worth splashing out for.
