The most exciting dry wines of 2016 - Decanter (Part I)

Decanter experts around the world named the five bottles under £55 that impressed them most this year. After tasting and rating the nominated wines, and assessing them on harmony, complexity and wow factor, our three judges compiled the ultimate top 50 dry wines. Find 15 of them for your weekend.

Tasters: Sarah Jane Evans MW, Christelle Guibert and Andy Howard MW

Wines

Albert Boxler, Grand Cru Sommerburg, Alsace, France 2014 Albert Boxler, Grand Cru Sommerburg, Alsace, France 2014

Albert Boxler, Grand Cru Sommerburg, Alsace, France 2014

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

This is very precise with a great purity as well as being vivid and punchy. It is all about limes, kumquats and tinned peaches with a hint of honey too. Fresh and appealing with lemon and crisp apple characters. Toasty, savoury and mineral on the finish, this has the ability and the class to age many years because the high acid backbone will carry it right on through.

McGuigan, Shortlist Semillon, Hunter Valley, Australia 2007 McGuigan, Shortlist Semillon, Hunter Valley, Australia 2007

McGuigan, Shortlist Semillon, Hunter Valley, Australia 2007

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

Glorious. THIS is what wine is all about! It is amazingly fresh considering its age, with a jab of lime juice and beeswax. The piercing acidity, elegance and lower alcohol bottling is a classic example of the unique characters of this region. There are delicate apple characters with gunflint too; still in the early stages of its development at 9 years old!

Domaine Agapé, Grand Cru Rosacker Riesling, Alsace, France 2013 Domaine Agapé, Grand Cru Rosacker Riesling, Alsace, France 2013

Domaine Agapé, Grand Cru Rosacker Riesling, Alsace, France 2013

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

This is starting to show some real Riesling development on the nose and palate with that classic petrol aroma and zesty confit lemon. A dazzling explosion of lime acidity comes in adding great intensity and depth. It speaks of its origins with floral, white peach and apricot characters giving a finesse and vibrancy that means this Riesling will age very well.

De Martino, Viejas Tinajas Muscat, Itata Valley, Chile 2015 De Martino, Viejas Tinajas Muscat, Itata Valley, Chile 2015

De Martino, Viejas Tinajas Muscat, Itata Valley, Chile 2015

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

A remarkable ochre hue in the glass gives way to vibrant grapey aromas, floral notes and hints of honey. There is an impressive weight and body here. In the mouth the Muscat character comes through tantalisingly followed by a touch of earthiness on the finish. So expressive and inviting with a nice tannin structure, this has real potential as an alternative aperitif or cheese accompaniment.

Famille Hugel, Riesling Grossi Laüe, Alsace, France 2010 Famille Hugel, Riesling Grossi Laüe, Alsace, France 2010

Famille Hugel, Riesling Grossi Laüe, Alsace, France 2010

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

A classic example of a beautiful Riesling; roasted peach and lime on the nose translate smoothly onto the palate. The touch of residual sugar is the perfect balance to the mineral acidity and the ripe apricot fruit, providing it with great precision and tension. There is a plump fleshy charm here that is refreshing, likeable and long, finishing on a pleasing honeyed tone.

Vincent Caillé Domaine le Fay d'Homme, Monnières-Saint Fiacre, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Loire, France 2010 Vincent Caillé Domaine le Fay d'Homme, Monnières-Saint Fiacre, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Loire, France 2010

Vincent Caillé Domaine le Fay d'Homme, Monnières-Saint Fiacre, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Loire, France 2010

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

There is some superb complexity here with great freshness and depth of flavour. Dried herbs exude from the nose with crisp apple, lemon and fennel underneath Amazingly fresh for a 2010 vintage; the creamy mouthfeel from the lees and the luxurious lingering texture make for a wonderful experience.

Wein-und Sektgut Barth, Schönhell Riesling, Rheingau, Grosses Gewächs, Germany 2014 Wein-und Sektgut Barth, Schönhell Riesling, Rheingau, Grosses Gewächs, Germany 2014

Wein-und Sektgut Barth, Schönhell Riesling, Rheingau, Grosses Gewächs, Germany 2014

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

A stunner of a Riesling. Lots of ripe apple fruit on top of dried apricot, lemon curd bees wax and honey. The crisp acidity and lemon zest character gives a silky, mouth-watering palate and a pure, elegant, long finish.

Eggo, Tinto de Tiza, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 Eggo, Tinto de Tiza, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Argentina 2014

Eggo, Tinto de Tiza, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Argentina 2014

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

A very complex and beautifully balanced blend with vibrant dark currant fruits combined with dark plum and a mineral, lean finish. The fruit character is extremely rich, but it is bright and bouncy and exudes freshness. Refined and with lovely purity, this has great sweetness on the finish and a lifted hint of violets. Grown up and very well done.

Domaine Cazes, Hommage, Côtes du Roussillon, France 2014 Domaine Cazes, Hommage, Côtes du Roussillon, France 2014

Domaine Cazes, Hommage, Côtes du Roussillon, France 2014

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

This elegant Côtes du Roussillon has pure red cherry aromas with hints of herbs. It is stylish with great finesse allied to its concentration; this black fruit dominated Syrah is drinking well now but will evolve further given another 2-3 years. The hints of black olive on the finish add even more complexity, and it is fresh and lively. A great wine.

Jean Foillard, Cote du Py, Morgon, Beaujolais, France 2013 Jean Foillard, Cote du Py, Morgon, Beaujolais, France 2013

Jean Foillard, Cote du Py, Morgon, Beaujolais, France 2013

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

A very natural style for this lovely Gamay, in a positive way. Heaps of complexity, interest and purity, along with that farmyard character and sweet and sour red and black cherry. The fruit is plump and juicy, and there is a great balance between acidity and minerality so this will age very well. What an interesting style!

Descendientes de Palacios, Villa de Corullón, Bierzo, Spain 2012 Descendientes de Palacios, Villa de Corullón, Bierzo, Spain 2012

Descendientes de Palacios, Villa de Corullón, Bierzo, Spain 2012

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

The weight and concentration of this wine is evident even from the first glance. A very complex and individual style with a dense palate bursting with crunchy red plums, black fruit and notes of cedar. The penetrating acidity of the Mencia variety is very well controlled by the fruit flavours, the rasp of tannins and oak. Finishing with a lovely dark, sour cherry note, it is long and memorable sip!

Zuccardi, Emma Zuccardi Bonarda, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2013 Zuccardi, Emma Zuccardi Bonarda, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2013

Zuccardi, Emma Zuccardi Bonarda, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2013

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

Evidently very well made with complexity, depth and concentration. There is a lovely note of violet on the nose and palate, along with sweet fruit, vivid acidity, crunchy tannins and integrated oak. The purity of fruit is electrifying. This is a chewy teenager full of energy and character, an excellent example of an often challenging variety. It's a Beaujolais on steroids!

Susana Balbo, Signature Malbec, Uco Valley, Altamira, Argentina 2014 Susana Balbo, Signature Malbec, Uco Valley, Altamira, Argentina 2014

Susana Balbo, Signature Malbec, Uco Valley, Altamira, Argentina 2014

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

A refreshing example of an Uco Valley Malbec; dark plum fruits, a hint of violets and crisp acidity with raspy, leafy tannins to balance. Refined, classy and drinkable with a long aftertaste tinged with spices and floral notes. It is lively and vivid so it will certainly age gracefully.

Two Paddocks, Proprietor's Reserve The Fusilier Pinot Noir, Bannockburn, Central Otago, New Zealand 2014 Two Paddocks, Proprietor's Reserve The Fusilier Pinot Noir, Bannockburn, Central Otago, New Zealand 2014

Two Paddocks, Proprietor's Reserve The Fusilier Pinot Noir, Bannockburn, Central Otago, New Zealand 2014

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

This wine has a wild strawberry and raspberry fruit profile complimented by savoury, restrained oak. The tannins are delicately chewy and the alcohol is finely balanced. Bramble fruit and autumn leaves give a complex and vibrant structure; just what one wants from a Pinot Noir.

Family Vayron, Château Bourgneuf, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France 2012 Family Vayron, Château Bourgneuf, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France 2012

Family Vayron, Château Bourgneuf, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France 2012

DC Recommended

Recommended by
Decanter China

Concentration and complexity are evident in this classy Merlot dominated blend. Herbaceous with lots of plummy characters. Green pepper and a touch of leafiness is also on show which gives a fresh and clean edge to this refined wine. Well integrated oak and glossy tannins characterise this Old World style wine.