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.
More than 50% of the 2014 Hunter shiraz wines entered into the 2015 Show have been awarded medals.
Show President Tim Murray, said it was an outstanding result for the Hunter.
“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,” Mr Murray said.
Mr Murray also commended the work of incoming Chairman of Judges PJ Charteris who with a panel of 21 international, national, local and trainee judges put more than 730 locally grown and made wines through a complex judging system.
“Mr 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,” he said.
In total 69 gold, 120 silver and 208 bronze medals as well as 23 Trophies were awarded as part of the Celebrations Luncheon held at Cypress Lakes on Friday 21 August 2015.
On the Show results Mr Charteris said that as expected wines entered were of the highest calibre and in line with expectations around good quality harvests in 2013/14 for reds and then 2015 for whites.
“Lots of brightness, fine acidity, fruit lift that has produced classic Hunter white styles. The Shriaz classes of entry were tremendous and have set new levels of benchmark for the Hunter,” he said.
This year, the judging panel also included Peter Nixon of Dan Murphy’s Wine Panel who said that it was a terrific opportunity to visit Australia’s slickest regional wine show.
“The organisation, selection of judges, comradery, dedication and sheer love of craft were simply inspiring and provided genuine insight into one of Australia’s greatest wine making regions. As one of the country’s oldest and most advanced winemaking areas, the Hunter has long produced unique and outstanding regional wines.
“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. I will be putting at least a dozen of those 2014 in my personal cellar when released, but in the meantime I look forward to drinking more of the stellar 2011 vintage.
“In summary, 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. ” Mr Nixon said.
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.
For information: Show President Tim Murray 0415 459 033
Recent Comments