Washington gsm blends

Fruit quality and clarity was a central theme of this tasting, which underscored Grenache’s journey into the limelight

After two intense weeks of blind tasting by top wine professionals from around the world, all 137 Platinum medal winners were re-examined by the five DWWA Co-Chairs. This resulted in the following 50 wines being promoted to the prized status of DWWA Best in Show for 2025

The first week of judging this year produced an impressive 920 Gold medal winners. Of these, 187 were elevated to a Platinum award (see p49), of which 50 then became Best in Show winners (p29). That left us with a pleasingly high return of 733 Golds – which we present in the following pages

These intrepid South American winemakers have all looked beyond the horizons in their native lands, and have struck out into the world to forge maverick projects on other continents

A wine that receives a Platinum medal in the DWWA has triumphed in multiple stages of judging by different panels, and reassessment by our Co-Chairs. In 2025, this status was achieved by 137 wines of impeccable quality, introduced in the pages that follow

Which vintages to open, and which to lay down, of these gutsy, full-bodied, classic reds? Our resident Rhône expert comes to the rescue, picking three great years to cellar and three to enjoy now – and recommends 10 names to know