By Amy Looker
Canberra-based winery, Eden Road Wines, was awarded the coveted Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show presentation ceremony on Friday (Oct 30).
The 2008 Eden Road ‘Long Road’ Hilltops Shiraz beat over 890 entries to take home the prestigious award, which recognises the top young red wine in the country.
Eden Road Wines winemaker, Nick Spencer, was also awarded the inaugural Jimmy Watson Scholarship, a travel bursary valued at $15,000.
The newly introduced Francois De Castella Trophy, which is being billed as the white wine equivalent to the Jimmy Watson Trophy, was awarded to Penfolds for its 2008 Reserve Bin A Chardonnay.
Another new addition to the trophy line-up, the Douglas Seabrook Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Wine, was awarded to Yarra Valley winery, Giant Steps, for its 2008 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay.
Fellow Victorian vineyard, Morris Wines, was also highly recognised, taking home three awards, including the Premier’s Gold Trophy for Best Victorian Fortified Wine for its 1998 Morris Vintage Port.
The state of South Australia picked up six trophies in total, as did Western Australia. Victoria was awarded five trophies, with NSW being awarded two.
Chairman of judges, Steve Webber, said that the judging panel was seriously impressed with the caliber of this year’s entries.
“The Royal Melbourne Wine Show provides a benchmark of excellence for Australian wine producers, large and small, and displays some of the best sparkling, red, white and fortified wines on offer in the domestic market,” he said.
“I am continually impressed by the quality and variety of Australian wine, and was particularly pleased to see such a strong performance from next generation winemakers such as Nick Spencer from Eden Road Wines.”
2009 MAJOR WINNERS
The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for the Best Young Red
Eden Road Wines ‘Long Road’ Hilltops Shiraz 2008
The Francois De Castella Trophy for the Best Young White Wine
Penfolds Wines Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2008
The Premier’s Gold Trophy for the Best Victorian Fortified Wine in Show
Morris Wines Vintage Port 1998
The Douglas Seabrook Memorial Trophy for the Best Single Vineyard Wine
Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay 2008
The Jimmy Watson Scholarship for the winemaker of the winner of the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy
Nick Spencer, Eden Road Wines
2009 TROPHY WINNERS
Portavin Integrated Wine Services Trophy for the Best Chardonnay
Penfolds Wines Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2007
Kubota Trophy for the Best Sauvignon Blanc or Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Blend
Goundrey G Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2009
National Liquor News Trophy for the Best Semillon
Tyrrells Vineyards Stevens Semillon 2005
Portavin Integrated Wine Services Trophy for the Best Pinot Noir
Castle Rock Estate Pinot Noir 2008
A&G Engineering Trophy for the Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Juniper Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Portavin Integrated Wine Services Trophy for the Best Shiraz
Paringa Estate Reserve Shiraz 2007
Portavin Integrated Wine Services Trophy for the Best Aromatic Style White Wine
St Hallett Wines Eden Valley Riesling 2005
Kilchurn Wines Trophy for the Best Sparkling
Houghton Wisdom Chardonnay Pinot 2005
Rural Finance Corporation Trophy for the Best Claret Style Red Wine
Vasse Felix Heytesbury 2007
Longfellows Trophy for the Best Australian Style Red Wine
Wyndham Estate George Wyndham Shiraz 2005
Acqua Panna Trophy for the Best Mediterranean Style Red Wine
Richmond Grove Limited Release Mt Lofty Ranges Sangiovese 07
Trophy for the Best Sweet Style Wine
Heggies Vineyard Heggies Botrytis Riesling 2007
Graysonline Trophy for the Best Red or White Wine with Imagination RRP $15 to $25
Houghton Bandit Shiraz Tempranillo 2008
Wine Society Trophy for the Best Red or White Wine 2004 and Older
Wolf Blass White Label Riesling 2002
Trophy for the Best Australian Fortified Red
Morris Vintage Port 1998
Rural Finance Corporation Trophy for the Best Muscat or Sweet White
Morris Cellar Reserve Liqueur Muscat