I’m giving scores of above 90 like I’ve never given before!’ exclaimed fellow panel taster Dirceu Vianna Junior MW, as we were getting to the end of a long, but delicious day of tasting. ‘I have been involved with Decanter for more than 10 years and I cannot remember such a success rate.’
Vianna was not alone in his enthusiasm. Together we tasted 75 wines, and 72% of those wines scored 90 points or above. At Decanter, that means it is a wine that has complexity and precision – abenchmark wine. Anything that touches, or even nearly touches, Gold at 95pts is not only exemplary but thrilling. And we tasted some thrilling wines.
Chardonnay, the great terroir interpreter, is certainly serving as testimony to the increasing mastery of South America’s winemakers. ‘Clearly Chardonnay is finding its feet in terms of terroir, viticulture and winemaking in South America to produce wines that can now proudly sit among the world’s most delectable,’ commented Ben Gubbins. ‘Limarí, Aconcagua Costa and Gualtallary are producing Chardonnays of real elegance and personality, and while stylistically nodding
