Hither & Yon’s 2021 Aglianico has won McLaren Vale’s Best Wine of Show 2022, seeing brothers Malcolm and Richard Leask crowned McLaren Vale Bushing Monarchs for the second time.
The trophies from the 2022 MGA Insurance McLaren Vale Wine Show, including Best Wine of Show and the prestigious ‘Bushing Monarch’ title, were awarded at the 58th annual McLaren Vale Bushing Lunch, held at Chalk Hill Wines today.
From over 750 entries the 2021 Hither & Yon Aglianico was selected as the Best Wine of Show by a panel of judges from across Australia including Andrew Thomas of Thomas Wines, Andrea Pritzker MW, Tim Dolan of Kaesler Wines, industry legend Ian McKenzie and Liz Silkman of First Creek Wines.
Chair of judges Andrew Thomas highlighted how well the Show showcased the continued evolution of winemaking in the region across both the more traditional varieties such as Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as emerging varieties and blends.
“With an overall medal strike rate of 62 percent including just under eight percent of entries being awarded gold medals, it is clear that McLaren Vale winemakers continue to strive for excellence in terms of quality,” Andrew says.
“Shiraz is still the most important variety for the region in both quality and quantity representing just over 30 percent of the total entries, but it is clear that the high quality of Grenache and some of the other emerging varieties entered are adding colour and diversity to the region’s offerings.
“From the outstanding 2021 vintage, the Hither & Yon Aglianico stood up in an extremely high quality and diverse class of new and emerging Mediterranean varietals.
“This wine demonstrated a compelling vibrancy, purity and precision reflecting the more contemporary style of red winemaking we are seeing from the region in recent years.
“Bright perfumed red and blue fruit aromatics, a perfectly ripe and fleshy flavour with a supple tannin structure. There’s plenty to love.”
Andrea Pritzker MW sung the praises of the high quality of entries, and the broad stylistic diversity.
“I was particularly struck by the strength of the 2021 Shiraz and Grenache classes, highlighting what an excellent vintage it was in the region,” Andrea says.
“For me, it was exciting to see a broader diversity of wine styles being produced across all varieties and classes.
“There were some impressive whole bunch styles in both the Shiraz and Grenache classes, alongside a greater overall emphasis on freshness and vibrancy in the wines.
“I was also really excited to see the evolution of climate adaptive varieties such as Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola and Fiano.
“The Fiano class in particular was quite strong and demonstrated how much potential this variety has in McLaren Vale.”
For McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association CEO Erin Leggat, the Best Wine in Show was a fantastic example of the region’s varietal and stylistic diversity.
“The innovation and creativity of McLaren Vale’s winemakers and viticulturists is really challenging preconceptions,” Erin says.
“We have always been known for the premium quality of our wines, but our region is now fast becoming one of the world centres for the cultivation of Mediterranean grape varieties and production of bright, contemporary, fruit-forward red wines.
“It’s an incredible result for Hither & Yon, who are paving the way as South Australia’s first certified carbon-neutral winery, and for our region.”
BEST WINE OF SHOW
Hither & Yon 2021 Aglianico
CHAIRPERSON’S TROPHY
Larnook 2021 Grenache Gris
WINE MEDIA TROPHY
Silent Noise 2021 FO Shiraz
BEST ICON WINES OF SHOW
Hardy’s 2018, 2014 and 2012 Eileen Hardy Shiraz
BEST MUSEUM WINE OF SHOW
Wolf Blass 2018 Grey Label Shiraz
BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON OF SHOW
Battle of Bosworth 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
BEST SHIRAZ OF SHOW
Cooter & Cooter 2021 Shiraz
BEST GRENACHE OF SHOW
Serafino 2021 Reserve Grenache
BEST SINGLE VINEYARD SHIRAZ OF SHOW
Cooter & Cooter 2021 Shiraz
BEST SINGLE VINEYARD VITICULTULIST
Richard Leask
BEST SINGLE VINEYARD WINE ANY STYLE (OTHER THAN SHIRAZ)
Hither & Yon 2021 Aglianico
BEST SMALL PRODUCER OF SHOW
Cooter & Cooter 2021 Shiraz
MOST SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITOR
Shingleback
BEST CABERNET BLEND
Shingleback 2018 The Gate Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz
BEST SHIRAZ PREDOMINANT BLEND
Shottesbrooke Vineyards 2021 Engine Room by Hamish Maguire Shiraz Mataro Grenache
BEST GRENACHE PREDOMINANT BLEND
Varney Wines 2021 Grenache Mourvèdre Touriga
BEST OTHER RED & BLENDS
Alpha Crucis 2021 Blewitt Springs Mataro Grenache
BEST MEDITERRANEAN RED VARIETY
Hither & Yon 2021 Aglianico
BEST SHIRAZ THREE YEARS OR OLDER
Shingleback D Block 2018 Reserve Shiraz
BEST TWO-YEAR-OLD OR YOUNGER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Battle of Bosworth 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
BEST TWO-YEAR-OLD SHIRAZ
Gemtree Wines 2020 Bloodstone Shiraz
BEST ONE-YEAR-OLD OR YOUNGER SHIRAZ
Cooter & Cooter 2021 Shiraz
BEST ONE-YEAR-OLD GRENACHE
Serafino 2021 Reserve Grenache
BEST ROSÉ
Bondar Wines 2022 Rosé
BEST NEW AND EMERGING WHITE WINE
Chalk Hill 2022 Vermentino
BEST FIANO
d’Arenberg 2022 The Sun Surfer Fiano
TROTT FAMILY AWARD
Jock Harvey
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