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Crumpled. Or at least I was the next day… |
2012 Sydney Wine Show: A few of the winners
As is my want, I spent last Friday and Saturday immersed in all things Sydney Wine Show related, an event that has become something of an annual must-do on my calendar (My 2011 and 2010 calendar for starters).
This year I did unfortunately did a little too much drinking and not enough critical tasting (industrial hazard) on Friday (which also several curtailed my Saturday tasting too) but I did manage to at least road-test a few of the winning wines. I’ve wrapped a few impressions of the trophy wines (as well as listing all the trophy winners) below with more to come when I write up the (rather few in number) notes from Saturday too.
Leasingham Bin 7 Riesling 2011 (Clare Valley, SA)
Trophy
Lots of Clare lemon lime here so at the very least it was varietal. The line though was muddled and the acidity blunt. A heavy handed and awkward wine to my tastes, though I can understand why it won the trophy (it’s still distinctive stuff). Bronze medal wine. 16/87
Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon 2006 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
I’m more than willing to admit that my personal bias – and love of this wine/style – is going to guide my tastes on this wine, but even in the context of Vat 1 this is a cracking wine. From a moderate and quite classic Hunter year this still shows green pea, bean and citrus of young Semillon, the first tempering of bottle age toast just creeping in. The tension between firm acidity and richness is spot on though, if in a moderate style (ala 2004 for those familiar with this wine). I like moderation. I like this wine. I love it even. Yes. 18.5/94+
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Vasse Heytesbury Chardonnay 2010 |
Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2010 (Margaret River, WA)
3 Trophies
Apparently between this wine and the Yabby Lake Chardonnay (which also won a trophy at the Sydney show) there are some 13 trophies in the bag recently. I didn’t get a chance to try the Yabby but if it’s on a par with this wine then it’s entirely worth the excitement. Simply put this is beautiful modern Chardonnay, carrying a milky, struck match sulphide heavy nose with carefully integrated vanilla bean oak over grapefruit, moving on to a long, moderate (again) palate of acid drive and penetration, lingering long with dry, creamed grapefruit flavour. Again the fine line between palate texture and acid drive, still carrying that weight of Margs but without excess. Lovely. 18.6/95
Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz 2010 (Grampians, Vic)
3 Trophies
My struggle to understand the glory of Langi continues. I think I’m the only one however as the whole range continues to pick up medals and trophies at will. Actually one of my gripes with Langi Shiraz – excessive ripeness – appears to be contained here as this ways in at just 13.5% alcohol. I still don’t appreciate this enough though as it looks stewed, skinny and sweet and sour. The nose carries some floral prettiness but it just doesn’t feel genuine or natural. There is clearly some attractive Grampians fruit in there but it also looks skittish and unconvincing. Am I alone here? 16.5/88
Leasingham Classic Clare Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Clare, SA)
1 Trophy
Old school! This couldn’t get anymore old fashioned if it tried. The oak is raw and sticks out from every edge. The palate too is rough, bulky and ridiculously firm. Viewed as a whole this is an aberation of a wine, the veritable antithesis of a slick modern wine. On one hand that could be a good thing (and this will last) yet for drinking now or any time soon I can’t see the appeal of this. Not much of a fan. 16/87+
Leconfield Merlot 2010 (Coonawarra, SA)
1 Trophy
What a surprise this wine was. A varietal, mid weight and perfectly weighted Merlot that stood out not for it’s bulk but instead for it’s form. Lovely herbal cedar aromatics, cassis, blueberry and spice, the palate ripe but intensely varietal, silken but dry and long. Great wine! The very model of a model modern Merlot. 18.3/93
Best’s Bin 0 Shiraz 2010 (Great Western, Vic)
Whilst the Bin 1 of the same vintage was good this really ramps up the intensity and regional character. What I most like about this is that hint of animale – an edge of earthen, musky, old vine richness that brings you back every time, an extra slice of Great Western to push it home. The palate too is drier, meatier, more briary and less flashy than the (still good) Bin 1. Cracking Bin 1 this in the mode of the 04 (if anything). Great stuff. 18.5/94
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This is how decisions are made at the WCA Sydney Wine Show Lunch. Pictured here is the Qwoff Boys, crowned as the 2012 WCA Digital Communicators of the Year |
THE LIQUORLAND PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by Liquorland, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Commercial White Wine entered in Classes 1 to 6. |
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Winner | 13 | DEVIL’S LAIR NURIOOTPA SA 5355 MARGARET RIVER HIDDEN CAVE CHARDONNAY (2011) |
THE HANAMINNO PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by Mr Michael Arnott and Family, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Sweet White Wine in Class 7. |
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Winner | 7 | HEGGIES VINEYARD ANGASTON SA 5353 BOTRYTIS RIESLING (2011) |
THE BERT BEAR MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by the First Thursday Luncheon Club, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Premium Previous Vintage White Wine entered in Classes 41 to 45. |
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Winner | 10 | LEASINGHAM REYNELLA SA 5161 BIN 7 RIESLING (2011) |
THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SYDNEY PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Premium White Wine, two years and older, entered in Classes 42 to 45, 50 and 54. |
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Winner | 11 | VASSE FELIX COWARAMUP WA 6284 HEYTESBURY CHARDONNAY (2010) Website: www.vassefelix.com.au |
THE DOUGLAS LAMB PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by the Family and Friends of the late Douglas Lamb, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Riesling entered in Class 23. |
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Winner | 15 | RHYTHM STICK WINES CLARE SA 5453 RED ROBIN RIESLING (2011) Website: www.rhythmstickwines.com.au |
THE DAVID CLARKE MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by Jane, Timothy and Angus Clarke and Maxine Cooley, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Semillon entered in Class 25. |
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Winner | 31 | MCLEISH ESTATE POKOLBIN NSW 2320 SEMILLON (2007) |
THE A P JOHN COOPERS PERENNIAL TROPHY. Donated by A P John Coopers, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Chardonnay entered in Classes 22, 31 and 35. |
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Winner | 49 | YABBY LAKE VINEYARD PRAHRAN VIC 3181 SINGLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY (2010) |
THE RAS OF NSW ANNUAL PRIZE FOR BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC. Presented by the RAS of NSW, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Sauvignon Blanc entered in Class 24. |
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Winner | 7 | BAY OF FIRES REYNELLA SA 5161 SAUVIGNON BLANC (2011) |
THE DAN MURPHY’S VALUE PERENNIAL TROPHY. Donated by First Estate Wine Merchants, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best White Wine of the Show with a wholesale price excluding WET and GST not exceeding $10 per bottle. |
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Winner | 68 | RHYTHM STICK WINES CLARE SA 5453 RED ROBIN RIESLING (2009) Website: www.rhythmstickwines.com.au |
THE ALBERT CHAN MEMORIAL PRIZE. Donated by Friends of the late Albert Chan, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best White Wine of the Show. |
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Winner | 11 | VASSE FELIX COWARAMUP WA 6284 HEYTESBURY CHARDONNAY (2010) Website: www.vassefelix.com.au |
THE DR HENRY JOHN LINDEMAN MEMORIAL PERPETUAL PRIZE. Donated by Lindeman (Holdings) Limited, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Aged Vintage White Wine entered in Classes 66 to 69. |
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Winner | 7 | AUDREY WILKINSON VINEYARD POKOLBIN NSW 2320 AUDREY WILKINSON MUSEUM RESERVE SEMILLON (2006) |
THE WINE COMMUNICATORS OF AUSTRALIA PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by The Wine Press Club of NSW, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Commercial Dry Red Wine entered in Classes 9 to 14. |
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Winner | 18 | AMBERLEY WINES REYNELLA SA 5161 AMBERLEY SECRET LANE CABERNET MERLOT (2010) |
THE JOHN SWANN PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Premium Dry Red Wine, two years and older, entered in Classes 46 to 49, 51 to 53 and 55 to 59. |
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Winner | 29 | BEST’S WINES PTY LTD GREAT WESTERN VIC 3377 BESTS GREAT WESTERN SHIRAZ BIN 0 (2010) |
THE LESLIE KEMENY MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by Kemeny’s Food and Liquor, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best two year old Premium Red Wine entered in Classes 46 to 49 and 51 to 53. |
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Winner | 29 | BEST’S WINES PTY LTD GREAT WESTERN VIC 3377 BESTS GREAT WESTERN SHIRAZ BIN 0 (2010) |
THE RUDY KOMON MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by Mrs Ruth Komon, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Shiraz Viognier entered in Classes 33 and 38. |
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Winner | 5 | SHINGLEBACK MC LAREN VALE SA 5171 HAYCUTTERS MC LAREN VALE SHIRAZ (2010) Website: www.shingleback.com.au |
THE GEOFFREY CRUNDALL PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by Geoffrey Crundall Cellars, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Pinot Noir entered in Class 29. |
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Winner | 8 | COLDSTREAM HILLS NURIOOTPA SA 5355 PINOT NOIR (2010) |
THE DAN MURPHY’S PERENNIAL TROPHY. Donated by Dan Murphy’s, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon entered in Classes 34, 39 and 40. |
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Winner | 15 | NANNUP RIDGE WEMBLEY WA 6913 CABERNET SAUVIGNON (2010) |
THE LIQUOR MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA PERENNIAL TROPHY. Donated by The Liquor Merchants Association of Australia, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Shiraz entered in Classes 32 and 36 to 37. |
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Winner | 4 | MOUNT LANGI GHIRAN ARARAT VIC 3377 CLIFF EDGE SHIRAZ (2010) Website: www.langi.com.au |
THE ARTHUR KELMAN PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by the daughters of the late Arthur Kelman, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Varietal Wine, Merlot entered in Class 28. |
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Winner | 18 | LECONFIELD WINES COONAWARRA SA 5263 LECONFIELD MERLOT (2010) Website: www.leconfieldwines.com |
THE DR GILBERT PHILLIPS MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by the Wine Society, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Red Wine of the Show. |
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Winner | 4 | MOUNT LANGI GHIRAN ARARAT VIC 3377 CLIFF EDGE SHIRAZ (2010) Website: www.langi.com.au |
THE THEO AND HELEN KAREDIS PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by Theo’s Liquor Markets, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Aged Vintage Red Wine entered in Classes 70 to 72. |
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Winner | 11 | LEASINGHAM REYNELLA SA 5161 CLASSIC CLARE CABERNET SAUVIGNON (2006) |
THE AUSTRALIAN WINE AND BRANDY CORPORATION PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Red Wine of the Show with a wholesale price excluding WET and GST not exceeding $10 per bottle. |
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Winner | 11 | HOUGHTON REYNELLA SA 5161 MARGARET RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON (2010) |
THE RESTAURANT AND CATERING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by the Restaurant and Catering Association of NSW, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Wine exhibited by a Small Producer in Named Vineyard Classes 73 to 77. |
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Winner | 62 | COOLANGATTA ESTATE SHOALHAVEN HEADS NSW 2535 SEMILLON (2006) Website: www.coolangattaestate.com.au |
THE LEN EVANS MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by the Wine Committee of the RAS of NSW and the family and friends of Len Evans, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Wine in Named Vineyard Classes 73 to 77. |
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Winner | 62 | COOLANGATTA ESTATE SHOALHAVEN HEADS NSW 2535 SEMILLON (2006) Website: www.coolangattaestate.com.au |
THE THORP ANNUAL TROPHY. Donated by the late Mr G M Thorp, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Sparkling White Wine of the Show. |
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Winner | 23 | HOUSE OF ARRAS REYNELLA SA 5161 ARRAS BRUT ELITE CUVÉE 401 (2004) |
THE J C M FORNACHON MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by the late Rudy Komon, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Fortified Wine entered in Classes 17 to 21 and 62 to 65. |
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Winner | 6 | MORRIS WINES ROWLAND FLAT SA 5352 OLD PREMIUM LIQUEUR MUSCAT (NV) Website: www.morriswines.com |
THE JOURNALISTS’ CLUB TROPHY. Donated by the Journalists’ Club, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Commercial or Premium Port entered in Classes 21, 64 and 65. |
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Winner | 1 | GRANT BURGE WINES TANUNDA SA 5352 20 Y O TAWNY (NV) |
THE JJ MCWILLIAM MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by McWilliam’s Wines Pty Ltd, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Brandy entered in Classes 78 and 79. |
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Winner | 2 | ANGOVE FAMILY WINEMAKERS RENMARK SA 5341 ST AGNES X O (NV) Website: www.angove.com.au |
THE JONES, STEAINS AND WALLER PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by A W & A Pardey, awarded to the Exhibitor gaining the highest number of points in the Varietal Wine Classes 22 to 40. |
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Winner | 7 | BAY OF FIRES REYNELLA SA 5161 |
THE LEO BURING MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. Established by the RAS of NSW from a sum bequeathed to the RAS by the late Leo Buring, awarded to the Exhibitor gaining the highest number of points in Premium White Wine Current Vintage Classes 41 to 45. |
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Winner | 12 | PETER LEHMANN WINES TANUNDA SA 5352 Website: www.peterlehmannwines.com |
THE HARRY DAVIES MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by the late Mrs D C Davies in memory of her husband, awarded to the Exhibitor gaining the highest number of points in the Aged Vintage Wine Classes 66 to 72. |
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Winner | 15 | CASELLA WINES PTY LTD YENDA NSW 2681 |
THE MCCARTHY PERPETUAL SHIELD. Donated by J McCarthy and Co Pty Ltd, awarded to the Most Successful Exhibitor in the Wines and Brandy Section from Classes 1 to 21, 41 to 72, 78 and 79. |
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Winner | 5 | MCWILLIAM’S WINES GROUP LTD HANWOOD NSW 2680 Website: www.mcwilliams.com.au |
THE JAMES BUSBY ANNUAL PRIZE. Supported by the Department of Primary Industries, awarded to the Exhibitor of the Best Wine or Brandy entered by an Exhibitor from New South Wales in any Class. |
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Winner | 45 | TYRRELL’S VINEYARDS PTY LTD POKOLBIN NSW 2320 VAT 1 SEMILLON (2006) |
THE MACQUARIE GROUP PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by Macquarie Group, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Wine of the Show. |
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Winner | 4 | MOUNT LANGI GHIRAN ARARAT VIC 3377 CLIFF EDGE SHIRAZ (2010) Website: www.langi.com.au |
THE FINE WINE PARTNERS PERPETUAL TROPHY. Donated by Tucker Seabrook (Aust) P/L, awarded to the Exhibitor of the Best Show Wine exhibited at major State Wine Shows within the 12 months preceding judging. |
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Winner | 0 | VASSE FELIX (ROYAL ADELAIDE WINE SHOW) HEYTESBURY CHARDONNAY (2010) |
2 Comments
THE JOURNALISTS' CLUB TROPHY. Donated by the Journalists' Club, awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Commercial or Premium Port entered in Classes 21, 64 and 65
I'm suprised it is still considered legitimate to used the word "Port" in this class.
I can't argue that about the worthiness of the winner though. It's a fine tawny
Just saw your post on the Sydney Wine Show winners, Andrew. Appreciate your insights – I don't get the excitement about Mount Langi either, and I thought Leasingham had been asset stripped. Mind you, I constantly shake my head at some of the trophies the wine system throws up. I wrote a post on the subject after I saw Rick Kinzbrunner telling Decanter that our wine show system produced boring wines – http://briard.typepad.com/get_the_picture/2012/02/whats-wrong-with-our-wine-show-system.html.
Great blog, keep it up mate
Kim