Australia's finest wines revealed
After tasting and critiquing their way through 2,283 entries, the judges at the 2011 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show have chosen their top drops of 2011, with chardonnay the stand-out favourite.
Peter Lehmann Wines from Tanunda in South Australia led the way, taking out the coveted Macquarie Group Perpetual Trophy for its 2005 Margaret Semillon - as well as prizes for Best Semillon and Best White Wine.
The Barossa-based winery was delighted to accept another accolade for a product that has already shone on the wine show circuit, with the latest awards bring their total of trophies to 21.
“This is a great result for Semillon, Peter Lehmann and the Barossa. Semillon has been growing in our valley for 150 years or so and many of our grower’s plantings are quite ancient," Andrew Wigan, the company's Chief Winemaker said. "It makes delicious, refreshing young wines as well as complex bottle aged examples such as the 2005 Margaret that is released as a 5 year old and represents our Best Semillon of vintage."
An expert panel of 31 judges assessed the nation's finest, awarding medals to 43 per cent of entries in what they considered to be an impressive year.
“Peter Lehmann Wines was exceptional this year, picking up three trophies, four Gold, three Silver and six Bronze medals in total and in the process made a bold claim for Barossa semillon,” Chairman of Judges Iain Riggs said.
“At the other end of the production scale, Chapman Grove Wines from the Margaret River region also had an outstanding Show with two trophies from its four Gold medals across four different varieties.”
2011 saw the Sydney Royal Wine Show become the first capital city wine show to implement a regional grouping judging system, based on the geographical indicators (GI) set out by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation.
“This innovation was trialed to assess its suitability in the judging process,” Mr Riggs said. “It allows smaller entry numbers per class and importantly less palate fatigue among the judges, but the main purpose is to judge like with like. The six judges involved in the class judged by GI were positive in their comments."
Wine Show Committee Chair Lyndey Milan praised the standard of Australia’s chardonnay, although shiraz still made its presence felt.
“It was pleasing to see the depth of quality of Australia’s chardonnay with Gold medals being awarded to wineries stretching from Tasmania to Western Australia," she noted. "However, the ever-reliable shiraz topped the medal tally."
The 2011 Show saw the introduction of a new trophy. Formally the RAS of NSW Annual Prize for Chardonnay, the AP John Coopers Perennial Trophy for Best Varietal Wine Chardonnay was awarded to Wolf Blass’ 2009 White Label Chardonnay.
“Wolf Blass, while part of a much larger entity, is always a standout as a premium producer,” Mr Riggs advised. “Their work with chardonnay – now going back more than 20 years – is paying dividends. Wolf Blass had a super Show with six Gold, three Sliver and 12 Bronze medals.”
McWilliam’s Wines once again retained the McCarthy Shield for the Most Successful Exhibitor in the wines and brandy section for the fourth year in a row.
The Len Evans Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Named Vineyard was awarded to Chapman Grove Wines for its 2009 Dreaming Dog Shiraz.
Thirty-six trophies and 982 medals were awarded to entries representing Australia’s top wine regions. A complete list of trophy winners can be found here.
