Skip to main content
AwardsJimmy WatsonMelbourneTasmaniaWine Shows

La Maison wins La Jimmy

By Friday 3 November 2023November 1st, 2024No Comments

Lowestoft Estate La Maison 2022 Pinot Noir from Tasmania has won the 60th Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for Best Young Red at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards.

The Lowestoft brand, established in 2019, is owned by the Fogarty Wine Group based in Western Australia.

It is just the third time a Pinot Noir has won the Jimmy; Home Hill 2014 Kelly’s Reserve Tasmania Pinot Noir won it in 2015 and Yabby Lake 2012 Block 1 Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir won it in 2013.

The Jimmy Watson has gone to Tasmania for the third time in thirteen years having not won it previously.

For the third year in a row, Lowestoft La Maison Pinot Noir has also won the James Halliday Trophy for Best Pinot Noir – this year with the 2022 vintage.

Lowestoft chief winemaker and general manager Liam McElhinney said, “It is a great honour for me and our winemaking and viticulture teams to be able to produce such amazing wines from the Lowestoft vineyard.

“This is a small three-hectare site, densely planted in 1986 to 8,300 vines per hectare.

“The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy and the ‘three-peat’ James Halliday Trophy win shows the immense quality this vineyard produces year after year.

“We are immensely proud that the consistency of style we are capturing in the La Maison is setting a new benchmark for Australian Pinot Noir.

“Our success is Tasmania’s success, and we hope wine consumers will continue to appreciate how fantastic Tasmanian Pinot Noir is.”

The François De Castella Trophy for Best Young White went to Handpicked Wines Wombat Creek Vineyard 2022 Yarra Valley Chardonnay.

The same wine was also awarded Best Chardonnay and Best Victorian Chardonnay.

With over 904 eligible exhibits, the Douglas Seabrook Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Wine went to McWilliams Wines Single Vineyard 2022 Shiraz, with the same wine also taking out the Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz.

In their first win at the Awards, Tasmania’s Freycinet Vineyard has been awarded the Dr Tony Jordan Trophy for Best Sparkling with their Freycinet Vineyard Radenti Vintage Cuvee, 2016 Chardonnay, Pinot Noir.

This year the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards presented a total of 1197 medals, including 180 gold, 296 silver and 721 bronze.

Chair of judges Melanie Chester said, “The 2023 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards results demonstrate the strength and diversity our industry is producing.”

Established in 1884 with just thirteen entries, the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards have evolved and grown into a premier celebration for the Australian wine industry, attracting over 2,425 entries from more than 420 wineries.

Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for Best Young Red
Lowestoft La Maison 2022 Tasmania Pinot Noir

James Halliday Trophy for Best Pinot Noir
Lowestoft La Maison 2022 Tasmania Pinot Noir

Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz
McWilliam’s 2022 Single Vineyard Shiraz

Francois De Castella Trophy for Best Young White
Handpicked Wines Wombat Creek Vineyard 2022 Yarra Valley Chardonnay

Douglas Seabrook Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Wine
McWilliam’s 2022 Single Vineyard Shiraz

Bill Chambers Trophy for Best Fortified Wine
McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate Rare Tawny NV Shiraz Touriga

Kym Ludvigsen Trophy for Viticultural Excellence
Russell Kerrison, viticulturist, Quarry Hill Vineyard, ACT

Dr Tony Jordan Trophy for Best Sparkling
Freycinet Vineyard Radenti Vintage Cuvee 2016 Chardonnay Pinot Tasmania

Best Riesling
Brothers At War Nothing In Common 2023 Eden Valley Riesling

Best Chardonnay
Handpicked Wines Wombat Creek Vineyard 2022 Yarra Valley Chardonnay

Best Semillon
Tyrrell’s Belford 2017 Hunter Valley Semillon

Best Sauvignon Blanc
Xanadu Vinework 2023 Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc

Best Pinot Gris/Grigio
Howard Vineyard 2023 Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris

Best Single Varietal White
Pike & Joyce 2023 Adelaide Hills Gruner Veltliner

Best White Blend
Stella Bella Suckfizzle 2022 Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Best Sweet White Wine
De Bortoli Noble One 2019 Semillon

Best Rosé
Turkey Flat 2023 Barossa Valey Rosé

Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Hamelin Bay 2022 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Best Single Varietal Red
Coriole 2023 McLaren Vale Nero

Best Grenache
Gemtree Small Batch 2022 McLaren Vale Grenache SBE

Best Red Blend
Yarra Yering 2022 Yarra Valley Dry Red Wine No 3

Best Organic or Biodynamic Wine
Gemtree Small Batch 2022 McLaren Vale Grenache SBE

Best Victorian Shiraz
Yarra Yering Underhill 2022 Yarra Valley Shiraz

Best South Australian Shiraz
Lloyd Brothers 2022 Adelaide Hills Syrah

Best NSW/ACT Shiraz
McWilliams’s 2022 Single Vineyard Shiraz

Best Western Australian Shiraz
Smallwater Estate 2022 Geographe Shiraz

Best Victorian Chardonnay
Handpicked Wines Wombat Creek Vineyard 2022 Yarra Valley Chardonnay

Best South Australian Chardonnay
The Lane Vineyard 2022 Beginning Chardonnay

Best NSW/ACT Chardonnay
Mayfield Vineyard Block 14 2022 Orange Chardonnay

Best Western Australian Chardonnay
Evans & Tate 2021 Redbrook Reserve Chardonnay

Best Tasmanian Chardonnay
Lost Farm 2022 Tasmania Chardonnay

Consistency of Excellence Medal
Lost Farm 2022 Tasmania Chardonnay

Consistency of Excellence Medal
Stella Bella 2021 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Consistency of Excellence Medal
Tyrrell’s Belford 2017 Hunter Valley Semillon

Consistency of Excellence Medal
Xanadu 2022 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Consistency of Excellence Medal
Morris Wines Cellar Reserve Rutherglen Grand Muscat

Consistency of Excellence Medal
Morris Wines Cellar Reserve Rutherglen Grand Topaque

Consistency of Excellence Medal
Lowestoft La Maison 2022 Tasmania Pinot Noir

Consistency of Excellence Medal
House of Arras 2015 Grand Vintage

Champion Victorian Winery
Yarra Yering

Photo: Lowestoft chif winemaker Liam McElhinney with the Jimmy Watson Trophy.

Sixty years of the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy

 

2023 Lowestoft La Maison 2022 Tasmania Pinot Noir
2022 Hentley Farm The Old Legend Barossa Valley Grenache 2021
2021 Fallen Giants 2019 Grampians Shiraz
2020 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards cancelled due to COVID-19
2019 Bleasdale Vineyards The Wild Fig 2018 Langhorne Creek SGM
2018 Xanadu 2016 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 Turkey Flat Vineyards 2016 Barossa Valley Grenache
2016 Deep Woods Estate 2014 Reserve Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2015 Home Hill Kelly’s Reserve 2014 Tasmania Pinot Noir
2014 S.C. Pannell Wines 2013 Adelaide Hills Syrah
2013 Yabby Lake Block 1 2012 Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir
2012 Best’s Great Western 2012 Bin 1 Grampians Shiraz
2011 Glaetzer-Dixon Family Mon Pere 2010 Tasmania Shiraz
2010 Harvey River Bridge Estate Joseph River Estate 2009 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Eden Road Wines Long Road 2008 Hilltops Shiraz
2008 Flametree Wines 2007 Margaret River Cabernet Merlot
2007 Scarpantoni Estate Brothers Block 2006 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2006 Shingleback D Block Reserve 2005 McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Geoff Merrill Wines 2004 McLaren Vale Reserve Shiraz
2004 Casella Estate Yellowtail 2003 Wrattonbully Premium Cabernet Sauvignon
2003 Saltram Wine Estate The Eighth Maker 2002 Barossa Valley Shiraz
2002 Rosemount Estate Hill of Gold 2001 Mudgee Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
2001 Pepper Tree Wines 2000 Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
2000 Punters Corner Spartacus 1999 Reserve Coonawarra Shiraz
1999 Wolf Blass Black Label 1998 Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
1998 Katnook Estate Prodigy 1997 Coonawarra Shiraz
1997 De Bortoli Gulf Station Vineyards 1996 Yarra Valley Shiraz
1996 Hardy’s 1995 Eileen Hardy McLaren Vale & Padthaway Shiraz
1995 Leasingham Classic 1994 Clare Shiraz
1994 Rouge Homme 1993 Richardsons Red Block Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Franc
1993 Elderton 1992 Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon
1992 Seppelt Harpers Range 1991 Victoria Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec
1991 Mitchelton Print Label 1990 Nagambie Shiraz
1990 Peter Lehmann 1989 Show Reserve Barossa Valley Shiraz
1989 Jamiesons Run 1988 Coonawarra Shiraz Cab Sauv Cab Franc Malbec
1988 Hardy’s The Hardy Collection 1987 Padthaway Cabernet Sauvignon
1987 Riddoch 1986 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz
1986 Lindemans Pyrus 1985 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Franc Malbec
1985 Hollick 1984 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
1984 Cape Mentelle Vineyard 1983 Margaret River Dry Red Claret (Cabernet Sauvignon)
1983 Cape Mentelle Vineyard 1982 Margaret River Dry Red Claret (Cabernet Sauvignon)
1982 Hamilton’s Ewell Vineyards 1981 Coonawarra Dry Red Claret (Cabernet Shiraz)
1981 Lindemans St George Vineyard 1980 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
1980 Krondorf Wines 1979 Dry Red Burgundy (Cabernet Sauvignon)
1979 Orlando Wines 1978 Dry Red Claret (Cabernet Sauvignon)
1978 Miller’s Chateau Yarrinya 1977 Dry Red Claret (Cabernet Sauvignon)
1977 Wynns Coonawarra Estate 1976 Black Label Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
1976 Wolf Blass 1975 Langhorne Creek & Barossa Valley Dry Red Claret (Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz)
1975 Wolf Blass 1974 Langhorne Creek & Coonawarra Dry Red Claret (Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz)
1974 Wolf Blass 1973 Langhorne Creek & Eden Valley Dry Red Claret (Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz)
1973 Berri Co-op Winery & Distillery 1972 Riverland Dry Red Claret/Burgundy (Cabernet Shiraz)
1972 B Seppelt 1971 Dorrien TT 147 Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
1971 Gramps Orlando 1970 Barossa Valley Dry Red Claret (Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon)
1970 Basedow Wines 1969 Barossa Dry Red Claret/Burgundy (Bin 15, Cabernet/Shiraz)
1969 d’Arenberg 1968 McLaren Vale Claret Type (Cabernet Sauvignon)
1968 Penfolds 1967 Claret Type (Grange)
1967 Saltram Wines 1966 Barossa Valley Burgundy Type (Cabernet Sauvignon)
1966 Penfolds 1965 South Australia Claret Type (Grange)
1965 B Seppelt & Sons Ltd 1964 Great Western Burgundy Type (Hermitage Shiraz)
1964 Penfolds Claret Type 1963 Bin 64 South Australia Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon
1963 Hardy’s Tintara 1962 McLaren Vale Burgundy Type (Reserve Bin C404, Cabernet Sauvignon)
1962 Stoneyfell Wines 1961 Metala Langhorne Creek Claret Type (Cabernet Shiraz)

Leave a Reply