Up to the Challenge

The highest-pointed Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia were last night crowned for the 2023 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenge.

Evans & Tate 2021 Redbrook Estate Chardonnay from Margaret River and Forest Hill Vineyard 2022 Block 5 Cabernet Sauvignon from Great Southern were crowned trophy winners.

They were both rated 97 points from a total of 615 entries across 34 Australian wine regions.

The Challenge combines the two varieties to be judged simultaneously. This year, judging took place at Hubert Estate in the Yarra Valley.

Chair of judges Adam Wadewitz says, “It was great to lead such a talented team once again for the 2023 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenge.

“The judges found some real gems that highlight the best examples of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from across Australia.

“It was exciting to be judging some of the cooler vintages and noting that many of the awarded wines not only look good now but will reward those that can keep them in their cellar long enough.”

Challenge Patron James Halliday AM says, “Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are an unlikely couple brought together because each is respected throughout the world of wine through the prism of fellow winemakers, of distributors and retailers, of collectors, of educators, and all those who simply enjoy a glass of great wine.”

Chardonnay Challenge Regional Winners

Adelaide Hills	Sidewood 2022 Signature Owen’s Chardonnay	96 points
Beechworth	Brokenwood 2022 Indigo Vineyard Chardonnay	96 points
Eden Valley	St Hugo 2022 Eden Valley Chardonnay	95 points
Gippsland	Dirty Three Wines 2022 All The Dirts Chardonnay	95 points
Hunter Valley	Brokenwood 2022 Oakey Creek Vineyard Chardonnay	95 points
King Valley	A. Rodda 2022 Baxendale Vineyard Chardonnay	95 points
Macedon Ranges	Shadowfax 2022 Midhill Chardonnay	95 points
Margaret River	Evans & Tate 2021 Redbrook Estate Chardonnay	97 points
Mornington Peninsula	Paringa Estate 2021 The Paringa Chardonnay	95 points
Orange	Swinging Bridge 2021 Caldwell Lane Chardonnay	95 points
Tasmania	Derwent Estate 2020 Calcaire Chardonnay	96 points
Tumbarumba	Brokenwood 2021 Maragle Vineyard Chardonnay	95 points
Yarra Valley	Oakridge 864 2021 Funder & Diamond Chardonnay	96 points

Cabernet Challenge Regional Winners

Barossa Valley	Kaesler Wines 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon	95 points
Clare Valley	Jim Barry Barry and Sons 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon	96 points
Coonawarra	Yalumba 2021 Sanctum Cabernet Sauvignon	96 points
Geographe	Willow Bridge Estate Coat of Arms 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec	95 points
Great Southern	Forest Hill Vineyard 2022 Block 5 Cabernet Sauvignon	97 points
King Valley	Gapsted Estate Ballerina Canopy 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon	95 points
Margaret River	Rivendell Estate 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon	95 points
McLaren Vale	d’Arenberg 2021 The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon	96 points
Yarra Valley	Thousand Candles 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon	95 points