Peter Morrell recommends some of the best for your drinking pleasure

The recent Sommelier Wine Awards 2018 saw the wines below capture a clutch of honours for their quality. These are some of the worthy winners selected by a team of wine professionals from an entry list of 3000

Jean Luc Colombo Les Collines de Laure Rouge 2016 – Silver Award

The judges commented ‘Crunchy red fruit aromas of raspberry and cranberry‘. This is an approachable, but sensual red, produced in the Rhône from youthful Syrah vines. Its structure makes for ‘easy’ drinking with impressive fruit flavours in the mouth and the well balanced acidity is bright and lively making it a good wine to enjoy with charcuterie and slow roast shoulder of lamb.

Stockists: Appellation Nation, Whole Foods, Harrods and Luvians Bottleshop with an RRP of £14.29

Cleefs Reserve Collection Chardonnay, Kleine Zalze 2017 – Gold SWA and SWA by the glass Awards

The judges viewed this wine as ‘Honeyed, soft, creamy and appealing‘ This perfectly balanced Chardonnay from South Africa’s Western Cape has attractive aromas of lime, pear and orange peel. There is a citrus mineral character with a flinty finish which makes it deliciously mouth-watering. Drink on its own or pair with fish and seafood.

Stockist: Lamorbey Wines with an RRP of £12.85

Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 – Silver Award

The judges described this wine as having ‘Great balance and tannin structure,’ A fine Cabernet from Stellenbosch in South Africa has classic blackcurrant aromas and a smooth richly fruity palate, well integrated cinnamon oak and a velvety texture.  Black cherry and sandalwood aromas in the bouquet morph into a plethora of fruit on the palate. Well structured tannins make this wine smooth and powerful. Match with roast beef, steaks and strong cheeses.

Stockist: Sissinghurst Wines and Dulwich Vintners with an RRP of £16.35