Sydney Wine Show 2011 results + tasting the winners

Sydney Wine Show 2011 results + tasting the winners

Say what you want about wine shows (and everyone has an opinion, often negative ones at that) the results of them are nothing if not interesting.

In the case of this years Sydney Wine Show, it’s not hard to argue that the results mirror the ongoing evolution in wine style preferences. Of particular note is the continued success of savoury, cool climate Shiraz and the (justified) love for modern Australian Chardonnay.

Perplexingly though, the winners don’t always follow the script, with some wines picking up top gongs even though they seem quite at odds with the style that the judges appear to be aiming for. Witness the Wolf Blass wines that have won trophies this year and last, both of which seem like oddities compared to the rest (the winning Black Label this year is an oaky and old school beast, the Pinot from last year a simple and confected wine).

This year, like every year (I’m a wine show slut apparently), I managed to sample a few of the wines exhibited in this years show – including many of the trophy winners – over lunch and a followup tasting.

I managed to write notes on a solid 80 odd wines all up, but I’m still in the process of transcribing notes from wine stained notebook to computer (so they’ll be following). In this post I’m just looking at the luncheon wines (all of which were drunk – not tasted – with food. Important distinction that).

Leo Buring Leonay Watervale Riesling 2005 (Watervale, SA)
Trophy
Lemony, light, soft and quite generous. It’s just a fraction round and generous, though the acid is entirely sprightly. Pleasant but hardly earth shattering. 17.5/91

Penfolds Bin 09A Chardonnay 2009 (Adelaide Hills)
Trophy
Very fine nose. Perfect oak delivery. Clinical even. Very fine, mealy, lightly buttered nose. Modern, quite perfect and delicious. Palate has coiled power and wonderful citrussy acidity. Stunning modern Chardonnay. I drank this all lunch. My pick for wine of show. 18.7/95

Peter Lehmann Margaret Semillon 2005 (Barossa, SA)

Green, lightly toasty style with that toast/green fruit edge of an adolescent Semillon. Lightly toasty and quite neutral palate. Wonderful acidity. I think the 04 is a more complete wine, but no doubting the citrus/light toast/acidity combo here. Nice wine. 18/93 

Chapman Grove Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (Margaret River, WA)
Trophy, 1 gold
Intensely varietal, grassy passionfruit nose. Perfectly pungent and full nose. Dry and sharpish palate falls away at the finish a smidgen. Like the Sauvignon Blanc power here. 17.2/90

Tamar Ridge Kayena Pinot Noir 2009 (Tasmania)

Lifted, strawberry fruit in a nice and fragrant form. Quite juicy, sweet and direct nose. Stalky edge too. Quite nice nose if a little mono dimensional. Sweet, caramel edged and mildly confected palate. Pleasant and should be a goodun’ with time. 16.7/89+ 

Chapman Grove Dreaming Dog Shiraz 2009 (Western Australia)

Sweaty, light and meaty cool climate nose, in a sweet, one dimensional and simple style. Sweet and broad palate. no tannins. Cheap, tinny finish. Very commercial and rather ordinary. One of the few real failures. 15/83

Phillip Shaw ‘The Idiot’ Shiraz 2009 (Orange, NSW)

Meaty, spicy and quite dense nose, with a suggestion of Viognier in there too.Quite stemmy even. Good richness to the palate really, though the herbal finish on the palate is a little wobbly. Still, it’s a drinkable wine. 17/90 

Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Shiraz 2006 (South Australia)
Trophy, 1 gold
Heavy, moccha oak nose, reinforced by some regional mint. Dense, old fashioned oak driven nose. Palate too is riddled with overt oak, though the fruit is somewhat up to the task. Oak tannins on the finish though distract again. Should be a smart wine with bottle age. 17.7/92 

Rosemount Regional Showcase Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Coonawarra, SA)
Trophy, 1 gold
Jubey, simple juicy fruit nose. Light and direct nose. Simple, hot and jubey palate. Nice rich fruit, but hardly worth more than that. 16/87 

The list of the Trophy winners


THE LIQUORLAND PERPETUAL TROPHY.
Donated by Liquorland, to the Exhibitor of the best Commercial White Wine entered in Classes 1 to 6.

Winner 32 PENFOLDS WINES PTY LTD NURIOOTPA SA 5355
PENFOLDS THOMAS HYLAND CHARDONNAY (2009)

THE HANAMINNO PERPETUAL TROPHY.
Donated by Mr Michael Arnott and Family, to the Exhibitor of the best Sweet White Wine in Class 7.

Winner 22 THE YALUMBA WINE COMPANY ANGASTON SA 5353
YALUMBA FSW8B BOTRYTIS VIOGNIER (2009)

THE BERT BEAR MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY.
Donated by the First Thursday Luncheon Club, to the Exhibitor of the best Previous Vintage White Wine entered in Classes 41 to 45.

Winner 26 VASSE FELIX COWARAMUP WA 6284
VASSE FELIX SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLON (2010)

THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SYDNEY PERPETUAL TROPHY.
Donated by the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, to the Exhibitor of the best White Wine exhibited in the Premium Classes, two years and older in Classes 42 to 45, 50 and 54.

Winner 19 PENFOLDS WINES PTY LTD NURIOOTPA SA 5355
PENFOLDS RESERVE BIN A CHARDONNAY (2009)

THE DOUGLAS LAMB PERPETUAL TROPHY.
Donated by the Family and Friends of the late Douglas Lamb, to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Riesling, Dry Style entered in Class 23.

Winner 15 JIM BARRY WINES CLARE SA 5453
THE LODGE HILL RIESLING (2010)

THE RAS OF NSW ANNUAL PRIZE FOR BEST SEMILLON.
Annual Trophy, presented by the RAS of NSW, to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Semillon entered in Class 25.

Winner 31 PETER LEHMANN WINES TANUNDA SA 5352
MARGARET SEMILLON (2005)

THE A P JOHN COOPERS PERENNIAL TROPHY 
Donated by A P John Coopers to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Chardonnay entered in Classes 22, 31 and 35.

Winner 42 WOLF BLASS WINES PTY LTD NURIOOTPA SA 5355
WOLF BLASS WHITE LABEL CHARDONNAY (2009)

THE RAS OF NSW ANNUAL PRIZE FOR BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC. 
Annual Trophy, presented by the RAS of NSW, to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Sauvignon Blanc entered in Class 24.

Winner 52 CHAPMAN GROVE WINES PERTH WA 6153
CHAPMAN GROVE SAUVIGNON BLANC (2010)

THE FIRST ESTATE WINE MERCHANTS PERENNIAL TROPHY.
Donated by First Estate Wine Merchants, to the Exhibitor of the best White Wine of the Show with a wholesale price excluding WET and GST not exceeding $10 per bottle.

Winner 27 GOUNDREY WINERY REYNELLA SA 5161
GOUNDREY HOMESTEAD SEMILLON SAUVIGNON BLANC (2010) 

THE ALBERT CHAN MEMORIAL PRIZE.
Donated by Friends of the late Albert Chan, to the Exhibitor of the best White Wine of the Show.

Winner 31 PETER LEHMANN WINES TANUNDA SA 5352
MARGARET SEMILLON (2005) 

THE DR HENRY JOHN LINDEMAN MEMORIAL PERPETUAL PRIZE. 
Donated by Lindeman (Holdings) Limited, to the Exhibitor of the best White Wine exhibited in the Aged Vintage Classes 66 to 69.

Winner 3 LEASINGHAM REYNELLA SA 5161
LEASINGHAM CLASSIC CLARE RIESLING (2005)

THE WINE COMMUNICATORS OF AUSTRALIA PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
Donated by The Wine Press Club of NSW, to the Exhibitor of the best Dry Red Wine in the Commercial Classes 9 to 14.

Winner 26 ROSEMOUNT ESTATES PTY LTD NURIOOTPA SA 5355
ROSEMOUNT REGIONAL SHOWCASE CABERNET SAUVIGNON (2009) 

THE JOHN SWANN PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
Donated by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, to the Exhibitor of the best Dry Red Wine, two years and older, exhibited in the Premium Classes 46 to 49, 51 to 53 and 55 to 59.

Winner 3 YABBY LAKE VINEYARD MELBOURNE VIC 3001
YABBY LAKE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR (2009)

THE LESLIE KEMENY MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
 Donated by Kemeny’s Food and Liquor, to the Exhibitor of the best two year old (2008) Red Wine exhibited in the Premium Classes 46 to 49 and 51 to 53.

Winner 3 YABBY LAKE VINEYARD MELBOURNE VIC 3001
YABBY LAKE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR (2009) 

THE RUDY KOMON MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY.
Donated by Mrs Ruth Komon, to the Exhibitor of the best Shiraz/Viognier from Classes 33 and 38.

Winner 12 COLLECTOR WINES PTY LTD COLLECTOR NSW 2581
MARKED TREE RED SHIRAZ (2009)

THE GEOFFREY CRUNDALL PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
Donated by Geoffrey Crundall Cellars, to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Pinot Noir from Class 29.

Winner 21 TAMAR RIDGE ESTATES BEACONSFIELD TAS 7270
TAMAR RIDGE KAYENA VINEYARD PINOT NOIR (2009) 

THE DAN MURPHY’S PERENNIAL TROPHY. 
Donated by Dan Murphy’s, to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon from Classes 34, 39 and 40.

Winner 15 EVANS & TATE BUSSELTON WA 6280
EVANS & TATE REDBROOK CABERNET SAUVIGNON (2008)

THE LIQUOR MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA PERENNIAL TROPHY.
Donated by The Liquor Merchants Association of Australia, to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Shiraz from Classes 32 and 36 to 37.

Winner 33 PHILIP SHAW WINES ORANGE NSW 2800
THE IDIOT BY PHILIP SHAW (2009) 

THE ARTHUR KELMAN PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
Donated by the daughters of the late Arthur Kelman, to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Merlot from Class 28.

Winner 30 EVANS & TATE BUSSELTON WA 6280
EVANS & TATE MARGARET RIVER MERLOT (2008)

THE DR GILBERT PHILLIPS MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
Donated by the Wine Society, to the Exhibitor of the best Red Wine of the Show. 

Winner 33 PHILIP SHAW WINES ORANGE NSW 2800
THE IDIOT BY PHILIP SHAW (2009) 

THE THEO AND HELEN KAREDIS PERPETUAL TROPHY.
Donated by Theo’s Liquor Markets, to the Exhibitor of the best Red Wine in Aged Vintage Classes 70 to 72.

Winner 17 WOLF BLASS WINES PTY LTD NURIOOTPA SA 5355
WOLF BLASS BLACK LABEL (2006) 

THE AUSTRALIAN WINE AND BRANDY CORPORATION PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, to the Exhibitor of the best Red Wine of the Show with a wholesale price excluding WET and GST not exceeding $10 per bottle.

Winner 26 THIRD WHEEL WINES YATALA QLD 4207
THIRD WHEEL RESERVE CABERNET SHIRAZ MERLOT (2009) 

THE RESTAURANT AND CATERING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION PERPETUAL TROPHY.
Donated by the Restaurant and Catering Association of NSW, to the Exhibitor of the best Wine exhibited by a Small Producer in Named Vineyard Classes 73 to 79.

Winner 83 CHAPMAN GROVE WINES PERTH WA 6153
DREAMING DOG SHIRAZ (2009) 

THE LEN EVANS MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
Donated by the Wine Committee of the RAS of NSW and the family and friends of Len Evans, to the Exhibitor of the best Named Vineyard exhibited in Classes 73 to 79.

Winner 83 CHAPMAN GROVE WINES PERTH WA 6153
DREAMING DOG SHIRAZ (2009) 

THE THORP ANNUAL TROPHY. 
Donated by the late Mr G M Thorp, to the Exhibitor of the best Sparkling White Wine of the Show from Classes 15 and 60. 

Winner 10 STARVEDOG LANE REYNELLA SA 5161
STARVEDOG LANE CHARDONNAY PINOT NOIR PINOT MEUNIER BRUT (2004) 

THE J C M FORNACHON MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
Donated by the late Rudy Komon, to the Exhibitor of the best Sherry, Muscat and Dessert White, exhibited in Classes 17 to 21 and 62 to 65.

Winner 5 MORRIS WINES ROWLAND FLAT SA 5352
MORRIS OLD PREMIUM LIQUEUR MUSCAT (NV)

THE JOURNALISTS’ CLUB TROPHY 
Donated by the Journalists’ Club, to the Exhibitor of the best Port exhibited in the Commercial Class 21 and the Premium Classes 64 and 65.

Winner 1 SALTRAM WINE ESTATE NURIOOTPA SA 5355
SALTRAMS SHOW TAWNY (NV) 

THE JJ MCWILLIAM MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
Donated by McWilliam’s Wines Pty Ltd, to the Exhibitor of the best Brandy exhibited in Classes 80 and 81. 

Winner 1 HARDYS WINERY REYNELLA SA 5161
HARDY SHOW BRANDY (NV)

THE JONES, STEAINS AND WALLER PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
Donated by A W & A Pardey, to the Exhibitor gaining the highest number of points in the Varietal Wine Classes 22 to 40.

Winner 28 WOLF BLASS WINES PTY LTD NURIOOTPA SA 5355 

THE LEO BURING MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
Established by the RAS of NSW from a sum bequeathed to the RAS by the late Leo Buring, to the Exhibitor gaining the highest number of points in Premium White Wine Classes, Current Vintage Classes 41 to 45. 

Winner 17 LEO BURING PTY LTD NURIOOTPA SA 5355 

THE HARRY DAVIES MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
Donated by the late Mrs D C Davies in memory of her husband, to the Exhibitor gaining the highest number of points in the Aged Vintage Wine Classes 66 to 72. 

Winner 28 WOLF BLASS WINES PTY LTD NURIOOTPA SA 5355 

THE MCCARTHY PERPETUAL SHIELD. 
Donated by J McCarthy and Co Pty Ltd, to the Most Successful Exhibitor in the Wines and Brandy Section from Classes 1 to 21, 41 to 72, 80 and 81. 

Winner 3 MC WILLIAMS WINES HANWOOD NSW 2680 

THE JAMES BUSBY ANNUAL PRIZE 
Supported by Industry & Investment NSW, presented to the maker of the Best Wine or Brandy entered by an Exhibitor from New South Wales in any class. 

Winner 33 PHILIP SHAW WINES ORANGE NSW 2800
THE IDIOT BY PHILIP SHAW (2009) 

MACQUARIE GROUP PERPETUAL TROPHY. 
Donated by Macquarie Group, to the Exhibitor of the best Wine of the Show. 

Winner 31 PETER LEHMANN WINES TANUNDA SA 5352
MARGARET SEMILLON (2005) 

THE FINE WINE PARTNERS PERPETUAL TROPHY.
Donated by Fine Wine Partners, a joint venture between Tucker Seabrook & Lion Nathan Wine Group, to the Exhibitor of the Best Show Wine exhibited at major State Wine Shows in the 12 months preceding judging. 

Winner 0 LEO BURING (2010 ROYAL QUEENSLAND WINE SHOW)
LEO BURING LEONAY MATURATION RELEASE RIESLING (2005)