The judges of the CCL Label Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show have agreed that the 2014 Hunter Shiraz vintage is one of the region’s best.
“The Shiraz classes of entry were tremendous and have set new levels of benchmark for the Hunter,” said PJ Charteris, the chairman of judges.
More than 50% of the 2014 Hunter Shiraz wines entered into the 2015 show were awarded medals.
Tim Murray, the show president, said the 2014 vintage promised a great deal “and it did not disappoint”.
“The current 2015 Semillon was hotly contested by many of the region’s great winemakers while the longevity and quality of the variety was validated again with the ‘white of show’ being awarded to a 2006 vintage which is out of this world,” said Murray.
In addition to the 23 trophies, a total 69 gold, 120 silver and 208 bronze medals were awarded.
Murray also commended the work of PJ Charteris, the incoming chairman of judges, who guided 21 judges through more than 700 locally grown and made wines from 69 exhibitors entered across 35 classes.
“Charteris assembled an impressive group that included the chairs of the Perth, Sydney, Cowra and National wine shows together with international wine detective, Sarah Ahmed,” said Murray.
Charteris said the wines entered lived up to the quality expectations from the pat three vintages. “Lots of brightness, fine acidity, fruit lift that has produced classic Hunter white styles,” he said.
The judging panel also included Peter Nixon, from the Dan Murphy’s Wine Panel, who praised the “organisation, selection of judges, comradery, dedication and sheer love of craft”.
“As one of the country’s oldest and most advanced winemaking areas, the Hunter has long produced unique and outstanding regional wines,” said Nixon.
“Hunter Valley Semillon is one of the most drinkable and cellar-worthy white wine styles on the planet. Hunter Valley Chardonnay is increasingly sophisticated, with many winemakers showing great skill in producing modern, elegant expressions.
“In terms of the other great regional style Hunter Valley Shiraz, this could be Australia’s finest example of medium-bodied Shiraz, a style becoming ever more popular with our customers.
“The show was a great opportunity for brand Hunter Valley. A region that is not only worthy of its place in Australian wine history, but is confidently forging a place in its future.”
Trophy results:
Marshall – Flannery Trophy: Best Current Semillon
First Creek Wines 2015 Premium Semillon
George Wyndham Memorial Trophy: Best Current and One-Year-Old Chardonnay
First Creek Wines 2014 Winemaker’s Reserve Chardonnay
J.Y. (Jay) Tulloch Trophy: Best Verdelho
Briar Ridge Vineyard 2015 The Dam Verdelho
Best Other White Trophy
Bimbadgen Estate 2015 Vermentino
Henry John Lindeman Memorial Trophy: Best Two Year-Old and Older Chardonnay
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2013 Belford Chardonnay
Alexander Munro Memorial Trophy: Best Current and One-Year-Old Shiraz
Brokenwood Wines 2014 Graveyard Shiraz
Ed Jouault Memorial Trophy: Best One-Year-Old Dry Semillon
Brokenwood Wines 2014 Trevena Vineyard Semillon
Elliott Family Trophy: Best Two-Year-Old Shiraz
Briar Ridge Vineyard 2013 Dairy Hill Single Vineyard Shiraz
Best Other Red Trophy
Agnew Wines Audrey Wilkinson 2014 Winemaker’s Tempranillo
James Busby Memorial Trophy: Best Mature Three-Year-Old and Older Shiraz
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Single Vineyard Shiraz
McGuigan Family Trophy: Best Mature Two-Year–Old and older Semillon
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon
John Lewis Newcastle Herald Trophy: Best Museum Red
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2007 Stevens Shiraz
Graham Gregory Memorial Trophy: Best Museum White
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2005 Belford Semillon
Hector Tulloch Memorial Trophy: Best Shiraz
Brokenwood Wines 2014 Graveyard Shiraz
Innovative Red Wine Trophy
Margan Family Wines 2014 Breaking Ground Shiraz Mourvedre
Maurice O’Shea Memorial Trophy: Best Semillon
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon
Murray Tyrrell Chardonnay Trophy: Best Chardonnay
First Creek Wines 2014 Winemaker’s Reserve Chardonnay
Drayton Family Trophy: Best Named Vineyard Red Wine
Brokenwood Wines 2014 Graveyard Shiraz
Tyrrell Family Trophy: Best Named Vineyard White Wine
McLeish Estate 2007 Semillon
Len Evans Trophy: Best Named Vineyard Wine
Brokenwood Wines 2014 Graveyard Shiraz
Petrie-Drinan Trophy: Best White Wine of the Show
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon
Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy: Best Red Wine of the Show
Brokenwood Wines 2014 Graveyard Shiraz
Iain Riggs Wine of Provenance
Tyrrell’s Vineyards Johnno’s Shiraz – 2004, 2009, 2013
Achnowledgement:
The Hunter Valley Wine Show is made possible because of the generous support of CCL Label Clear Image, which for the past eight years has been the major partner. CCL is joined by Atkinson Vinden Lawyers, Commonwealth Bank, Spicers Vineyards, Vincor Worldwide Direct, Adhesif Labels, Pokolbin Vineyard Estate, Collotype Labels, Global Packaging Australia, The Vintage Golf Club, First Creek Wines, Jennings Print, Jurd’s Real Estate, Kirkwood Produce Co Pty Ltd, Newcastle Herald, O’Connor Harvesting Co, Rover Wine Country Coaches, Singleton Council, Mercurey Australia, Drayton’s Family Wines, Elliott Family, Meerea Park Wines, Robyn Drayton Wines, Tulloch Wines, McGuigan Family Wines and Tyrrell’s Vineyards.
