Food

John Wilson's Wines of the Year

From the thousands of wines tasted and tested for this column, here are the 12 that made the biggest impression in 2013

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John Wilson
Sat Dec 28 2013 - 01:00

WHITE

Domaine de Pellehaut 2012, Harmonie de Gascogne, Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne, 12%, €11.49. Fresh, succulent, light green fruits with a rounded finish. Stockists: Mitchell & Son, CHQ Building, IFSC, Dublin 1 and Glasthule, Co Dublin, mitchellandson.com; Anderson's Cafe & Food Hall, Glasnevin, Dublin 9; Thyme Out, Dalkey, Co Dublin; The Old Stand, Mullingar, Co Westmeath; Cashel Wine Cellar, Co Tipperary

Sartarelli Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2012, 13%, £8.53/€12.69. The latest vintage of an old favourite; delicious pure textured pear and peach fruits with a nice kick on the finish. Stockist: James Nicholson, Crossgar, Co Down, jnwine.com

John wilson

L du Château Lavergne Dulong 2012, Bordeaux Sauvignon, 12.5%, €14.95. A perfect balance of crisp and soft, with delicious rich peach fruits. Great value. Stockist: Terroirs, Donnybrook Dublin 4, terroirs.ie

Eira dos Mouros 2011, Ribeiro, Spain, 13%, €17.25. A beautifully scented nose, with luscious exotic fruits kept in check by a bracing acidity, finishing bone dry. Stockist: Searsons Wine Merchants, Monkstown, Co Dublin

Ribolla Gialla 2012 I Clivi, Friuli Colli Orientali, 11.5%, €20.95. Clean, pristine and precious – a delightful sophisticated subtle dry white. Stockists: Clontarf Wines; 64wine, Glasthule; Michael's, Deerpark; Ennis's South Circular Road.

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RED

El Castro de Valtuille Mencia Joven 2011 Bierzo, 14%, €13.50. Lovely smooth, savoury, dark fruits and liquorice. A wonderful complex wine at an amazingly cheap price. Stockists: The Black Pig, Donnybrook; Baggot Street Wines; Red Island, Skerries; Lilac Wines: Blackrock Cellar

Côtes du Rhône Les Grandes Vignes 2012 Les Vignerons d'Estézargues, 13.5%, €14.95. Delicious piquant, fruit-filled wine with tangy cherries and a lovely freshness throughout. Stockists: Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Donnybrook Fair; The Drink Store, Manor Street, Dublin; thewinestore.ie

Fürst Spätburgunder Tradition 2011, Franken, 13%, €27.99. The 2010 vintage was sublime; the 2011 is a worthy successor. Fragrant and soft with delicate, pure, sweet Pinot fruit. Stockists: On the Grapevine, Dalkey; Cabot & Co, Westport; One Pery Square, Limerick; 64wine, Glasthule

Bodega Colomé Malbec 2010, Salta, Argentina, 14.5%, €24.99. Arguably the highest vineyard in the world produces a wonderful ripe yet muscular Malbec with a delightful solid, dry finish. Stockists: Mitchell & Son; Donnybrook Fair; Clontarf Wines

Proprieta Sperino Lessona 2008, 13.5%, €59.99. Expensive but superior to most Barolo; exquisite gentle sweet sour Nebbiolo fruits and a long smooth finish. Stockists: 64wine, Glasthule; Corkscrew, Chatham Street, Dublin; Blackrock Cellars; World Wine Wines, Waterford; Fallon & Byrne, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2.

SPARKLING

Christophe Extra Brut Pinot Meunier Champagne, 12%, €49.50. A wonderful bone dry Champagne with delicate ripe red and yellow fruits, lingering beautifully. Stockist: Terroirs, Donnybrook, terroirs.ie

FORTIFIED

Equipo Navajos Fino Macharnudo Alto Bota 35, 15%, €30.99. Possibly the best €30 you could spend on a bottle of wine. Quite deeply coloured and not as yeasty as some finos, but deliciously crisp, dry and complex. Stockists: Wines on the Green, Dawson Street, Dublin; The Black Pig, Donnybrook; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Baggot Street Wines; McCabes, Blackrock