2017 CATALOGUE OF RESULTS THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGES THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS PRESENTING PARTNER OF THE AWARDS PRESENTATION EVENT PARTNER EVENT TICKETING PARTNER TROPHY SPONSORS 2017 Catalogue of Results The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Limited ABN 66 006 728 785 ACN 006 728 785 Melbourne Showgrounds Epsom Road Ascot Vale VIC 3032 Telephone +61 3 9281 7444 Facsimile +61 3 9281 7592 www.rasv.com.au List of Office Bearers As at 26/06/2017 Patron Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AM – Governor of Victoria Board of Directors MJ (Matthew) Coleman CGV (Catherine) Ainsworth DS (Scott) Chapman D (Darrin) Grimsey AJ (Alan) Hawkes NE (Noelene) King OAM JA (Joy) Potter PJB (Jason) Ronald OAM Chairman M. J. Coleman Chief Executive Officer M. O’Sullivan Company Secretary J. Perry Organising Committee Angie Bradbury (Chair) Tom Carson (Chair of Judges) Chris Crawford Matt Harrop Samantha Isherwood Gabrielle Poy Matt Skinner Nick Stock Event Manager, Beverage Michael Katoa Telephone: +61 3 9281 7425 Email: [email protected] Event Coordinator Ania Ligas Contents CEO’s Message 3 Chair of Judges’ Report 5 Judges’ Biographies 6 2017 Major Trophy Winners 14 2017 Trophy Winners 18 Consistency of Excellence Medal 20 2017 Report on Entries 22 Past Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy Winners 23 2017 Results 25 Best Vermouth Best Sparkling Best Riesling Best Chardonnay Best Semillon Best Sauvignon Blanc or Blend of Semillon & Sauvignon Blanc Best Single Varietal White Best White Blend Best Sweet White Wine Best Rosé Best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Associated Varieties Best Single Varietal Red Best Grenache, GSM and Associated Varieties Best Shiraz/Cabernet Blend Best Red Blend Best Mature Wine Best Organic or Biodynamic Wine Exhibitors List 98 Royal Melbourne 2 Wine Awards CEO’s Message MARK O’SULLIVAN RASV CEO The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) is delighted to present the winners of the 2017 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards (RMWA), Australia’s most respected wine show, recognising and rewarding excellence in Australian winemaking. For over 130 years, the RMWA has been awarding the most coveted wine trophies in Australia, renowned both nationally and internationally, to outstanding Australian wineries and winemakers. An award win at the RMWA is an honour of long-standing tradition, and is highly regarded amongst the national industry and around the world, leading to increased sales, greater export opportunities and significant growth. The stature of the awards continues to attract significant entries with over 3130 wines entered this year from over 500 wineries. A conscious strategy to provide value to exhibitors has seen the continual evolution of the awards, to reflect industry trends, new production techniques and consumer interests. One of the important benchmarks of the RMWA’s reputation and reasons behind the high level of participation is the quality of judges that assess each entry and award these coveted trophies. We acknowledge and thank our Chair of Judges, Tom Carson for his invaluable expertise and thank him for his commitment and dedication to the delivery of not only this year’s competition in his final year in the role, but over his three years at the helm. Tom’s commitment to assembling diverse and expert judging panels, his wealth of knowledge and expertise is highly valued and we extend our gratitude. For the 2018 Awards, RASV is thrilled to welcome winemaker Matt Harrop, an experienced and well-respected influencer in the wine industry, as Chair of Judges and we look forward to future successful programs under Matt’s guidance. Our sincere thanks also to the 35 wine professionals who have dedicated their time and expertise to judging this year’s event. We are honoured to be joined again by some of Australia’s most respected and valued wine contributors. We extend a sincere thanks to the RMWA Committee for their time and support and in particular acknowledge the Committee Chair, Angie Bradbury. The awards would not be possible without the generous contributions of our event sponsors and we thank Portavin Integrated Wine Services, Husky, Eventbrite, Plumm, Kubota, Time Out, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Seabrook Family Wines. Finally, to you our exhibitors, we extend our genuine appreciation for your support of the Awards, and for your continued high quality production of Australian wines. Congratulations to all who have entered this year’s RMWA and we look forward to another successful year of production in 2018. Mark O’Sullivan Chief Executive Officer Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Royal Melbourne 3 Wine Awards SPECIALISTS IN DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION huskybrand.com.au Chair of Judges’ Report MR TOM CARSON RMWA CHAIR OF JUDGES After five days of judging over 3100 entries, this year’s medal and trophy winners of the 2017 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards (RMWA) have been decided. Once again, it has been a great honour to lead the judging panel through the assessment of the nation’s finest wines and we now proudly present you the results. Over 500 wineries and winemakers entered this year’s awards and the quality of the 2015 and 2016 vintage across both red and white wines and the 2017 Rieslings in particular, has been nothing short of outstanding. Our expert panel of judges, who have had the privilege of tasting and deliberating on this year’s entries, boasts extensive knowledge and experience across many different fields of the Australian wine industry, including: winemakers, retailers, educators, sommeliers, distributors, commentators and marketers. It is through this diversity and depth of understanding and capability, that the RMWA continues to provide credible feedback and value to Australian winemakers. Thank you to all the judges for their support and commitment to this important role. The awards would not be possible without the dedication of the support team and organisers. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of the steward team including Head Steward Sue Pettitt, her assistants Elita Veris and Jean-Pierre Last, and Back of House Adam Jones, as well as RASV’s Epicure team including Michael Katoa, Adriana Robiana, Ania Ligas, Victoria Robinson and a special mention to Glenn Goodwin’s outstanding work this year, they all work tirelessly to ensure the smooth, professional delivery of the awards. On behalf of RASV, the RMWA committee, and all of the judging team, I thank all those who entered and supported the awards this year- without the contribution of Australian winemakers, the awards would not be the prestigious event they are today. Congratulations to all the medal and trophy winners on your achievements in such a high calibre competition - we look forward to seeing how these awards will help shape your future success and provide new and greater opportunities. It is my last year as chairman and l could not be happier with the result for the coveted Jimmy Watson, old vine Grenache, a precious and unique resource, now stands amongst the great wines of Australia, an inspired choice from the judges! Mr Tom Carson RMWA Chair of Judges Royal Melbourne 5 Wine Awards Judges’ Biographies DAN SWINCER LISA JENKINS PANEL CHAIR PANEL CHAIR Chief winemaker for St Hugo wines and group red winemaker for A qualified chef, Lisa made the move from the back of house to Pernod Ricard Winemakers Australia. the front early in her hospitality career. Her synergy with food and wine held her in great stead as manager at the City Wine Shop for the past eight years. Taking a new direction in 2016; working for GLENN BARRY Mac Forbes Wines as their Brand Manager in Victoria, ACT and PANEL CHAIR Tasmania. In 2008 Lisa was selected by Sommeliers Australia to participate in Glenn is a winemaker at the Knappstein Enterprise Winery in the the inaugural Sommeliers Australia benchmark wine tasting course. Clare Valley. He began his career in Clare at Jim Barry Wines and To follow, in 2010 she undertook the Court of Master Sommeliers after stints in Italy, Canada and the USA, moved back to Australia, programme, becoming a certified sommelier and placing second in taking up a role with Hardy’s Tintara –2004. Victoria for her exam results. Glenn graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2000 and A Len Evans scholar in 2011 was her springboard into the Australian completed the Len Evans Tutorial in 2014. He has since judged at judging circuit, with involvement in both National and Regional the Royal Adelaide, Royal Queensland, Royal Sydney, National & shows over the past five years. Hunter Valley Wine Shows on a number of occasions. MELANIE CHESTER JIM CHATTO PANEL CHAIR PANEL CHAIR Melanie is the Head Winemaker at Sutton Grange Winery in Central Chief winemaker for McWilliam’s Wines, Jim is responsible for Victoria. Mel has completed studies in viticulture and oenology at the winemaking and stylistic direction across The McWilliams University of Adelaide, as well as extensive work experience at portfolio including: Mount Pleasant (Hunter Valley), Brand’s Laira wineries as diverse as d’Arenberg, Charles Melton and Quinta do (Coonawarra), Evans & Tate (Margaret River) and McWilliam’s Crasto in Portugal’s Duoro Valley. Hanwood Estate (Griffith). During Mel’s three-year winemaking stint at Seppelt Great Western, Jim is a senior wine show judge with over 17 years’ experience and she also became a sought-after show judge and in 2014 the is the current Chairman of Judges at both the National Wine Show youngest ever scholar chosen for the Len Evans Tutorial. In 2015 of Australia and the McLaren Vale Wine Show. He was also Chair at Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine named her Australian Young the Hunter Valley Wine Show (2012-2014) Winemaker of the Year. JULIAN LANGWORTHY STUART HORDEN PANEL CHAIR PANEL CHAIR A passion for regionally distinctive wines led Julian Langworthy to Senior Winemaker at Brokenwood Wines in the Hunter Valley, where Deep Woods Estate and home to Margaret River he has worked since 2009.