Close to 400 locals, winemakers and out-of-town guests attended the awards which were held at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley on Friday afternoon.
Some 20 trophies were awarded throughout the afternoon. The Best Dry White Wine of the Show was awarded to Tyrrells’ 2006 Vat 1 Semillon, while the Best Dry Red Wine of the Show went to Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz.
Two new trophies where added to the awards this year including the Innovation Trophy, which was awarded to De Luliis Shlraz Touriga Nacional for pushing the boundaries of traditional Hunter Valley winemaking.
The Siler Bullet was second newly inducted trophy which created to recognise a wine of a truly international standard, and Draytons 1978 Tawny Port stood above the crowd to win the award.
Jim Chatto served as Chair of Judges for the third year running. Chatto together with a team of highly respected wine show judges including international guest judge Fongyee Walker from Beijing, China, visiting judges Mike Bennie and Russell Cody, Panel Chairs Tom Carson, Corinna Wright and Nick Stock together with Hunter Judges Chris Tyrrell, Scott Comyns and Andrew Thomas, all came together to immerse themselves in 738 Hunter Valley wines from 73 producers over the week.
“The judges were very impressed by the sheer quality and unique personality of our truly regional wines. With two thirds of our judging panel being visitors, it wasn’t just the local judges impressed with the quality. It seemed that all the judges were equally enamoured with what we are doing here in the Hunter Valley. It’s an exciting era in our long and proud history,” said Chatto.
“Personally I thought the strength of the Shiraz classes were a standout for me. I believe the Hunter is making our best reds since the 1960’s. The quality of the 2011 and 2013 vintages in particular adds greatly to this argument.”
“This year 54 Gold, 131 Silver and 249 Bronze medals were awarded, up on 2013 with 20 Trophies being shared between just 9 companies,” said Mike De Iuliis, vice president of Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association. “The range of wines, varietals and styles awarded today truly represents all the great things that we as a region are collectively doing. This show provides a real benchmark for the region. Congratulations to all winners.”
Full list of trophy winners:
Marshall Flannery Trophy, Current Vintage – Semillon
Briar Ridge Vineyard 2014 Dairy Hill Single Vineyard Semillon
Current Vintage and One Year Old – Chardonnay, George Wyndham Memorial Trophy
Tyrrell’s Vineyard 2013 Belford Chardonnay
Jay Tulloch Trophy, Best Verdelho: No trophy awarded
Current Vintage – Dry White Wine – Other White Varietals & Blends:No Trophy Awarded
Henry John Lindeman Memorial Trophy, Best Two Year Old and Older Chardonnay
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2012 Belford Chardonnay
Alexander Munro Memorial Trophy, Best One Year Old Shiraz
Brokenwood Wines 2013 Mistress Shiraz
Singleton Council Trophy, Most Successful Exhibitor of Young Wines – Current Vintage Dry White Wines & One-Year-Old Dry Red Wines
Brokenwood Wines
Ed Joualet Memorial Trophy, One-Year-Old Dry Semillon
Two Rivers Wines 2013 Stones Throw Semillon
Elliott Family Trophy, Two-Year-Old Dry Shiraz: No trophy awarded
Best Other Red Wine, Alternative Red Varietals & Blends – Any Vintage
De Iuliis Wines 2013 Shiraz Touriga Nacional
James Busby Memorial Trophy, Best Mature 3 Year Old and Older Shiraz
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz
McGuigan Family Trophy, Best Mature 2 Year Old and Older Semillon
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon
Doug Galbraith Memorial Trophy, Best Sweet White Wine: No trophy awarded
Trevor Drayton Memorial Trophy, Best Fortified Wine
Drayton’s Family Wines Heritage Vines Verdelho NV
John Lewis Newcastle Herald Trophy, Best Museum Red
De Iuliis Wines 2006 Show Reserve Shiraz
Graham Gregory Memorial Trophy, Best Museum White Wine
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2005 HVD Semillon
Hector Tulloch Memorial Trophy, Best Shiraz
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz
Maurice O’Shea Memorial Trophy, Best Semillon
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon
Premium Vintage Sparkling Wine: No trophy awarded
Murray Tyrrell Chardonnay Trophy, Best Chardonnay - Any Vintage
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2012 Belford Chardonnay
Draytons Family Trophy, Best Named Vineyard – Red Wine, sponsored by Draytons Wines & Robyn Drayton Wines
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz
Tyrrell’s Family Trophy, Best Named Vineyard – White Wine
McLeish Estate 2007 Semillon
Len Evans Trophy, Best Named Vineyard Wine
McLeish Estate 2007 Semillon
Petrie-Drinan Trophy, Best White Wine of the Show, sponsored by Clear Image
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon
Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy, Best Red Wine of the Show, sponsored by Clear Image Puncheon Supplied by Mercurey Australia
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz
