The 50th CCL Hunter Valley Wine Show took place last week with the Trophy and medal winners announced at an industry celebration at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley on Friday.
In total the judging panel, which led by Samantha Connew, as Chair of Judges with Jeremy Stockman as International Judge, tasted 639 wines across three days, awarding 14 Top Gold, 44 Gold, 121 Silver and 205 Bronze medals, plus 25 Trophies.
The Best White Wine of the Show was awarded to Tyrrell’s 2013 Belford Semillon. Tyrrell’s also took out the coveted Iain Riggs Wine of Provenance with their Vat 1 Semillon 2006, 2013, and 2021 vintages and Best Museum White for their 2006 Vat 1 Semillon.
The Hunter Valley reds also performed strongly with the Best Red Wine of the Show being awarded to De Iuliis Wines 2019 Limited Release Shiraz for the second year in a row. De Iuliis Wines 2019 Limited Release Shiraz also took out the trophies for Best Shiraz and Best Mature Three-Year-Old and Older Shiraz and Best Other Red Trophy for their 2019 Shiraz Touriga. Brokenwood Wines celebrated their 2014 Verona Vineyard Shiraz as winner of the Best Museum Red Wine.
Connew said: “The Semillon Classes across the board were all a pleasure to judge with the best wines having a perfect balance of expression and power. The Chardonnay Classes produced some excellent wines which can easily compete with Australia’s best, while the Verdelho impressed the judges with some sensitive winemaking on display.
“The cooler weather of recent vintages seems to suit the variety and freshness in the majority of the wines. Despite the powerhouse variety of the region being Semillon, it’s great to see people investing time and money into the next cohort of white varieties such as Fiano and Vermentino.”
Bruce Tyrrell AM, Managing Director of Tyrrell’s was understandably delighted with the wins, saying: “Hunter Valley as a region should be proud of the wine we produce that can stand the test of time in the cellar. Nothing makes me more proud than to win the Wine of Provenance award, this year for Vat 1 Semillon. It shows consistency of quality in the vineyard and in winemaking and once again demonstrates the pedigree and world-class position of Hunter Valley Semillon.”
Speaking about the red categories, Stockman said: “It’s a testament of a great winemaker in Mike De Iuliis to take out the Best Red Wine of the Show for the same wine two consecutive years running. 2019 was a great vintage and this wine displayed beautiful freshness and concentration.
“Unsurprisingly, the top Shiraz wines were produced from a solid vintage and are still poised, fresh and expressive with great pedigree. It is evident through the wines on display at this year’s show, that Hunter Valley winemakers and producers showcase great talent.
“With the show in its 50th year, it is amazing to see just how much Hunter Valley wine has evolved and equally, how it has remained consistent in its quality, recognising the calibre of Hunter Valley winemakers in the Australian wine industry.”
De Iuliis, added: “It was truly humbling to have both our 2019 Limited Release Shiraz and our 2019 LDR Vineyard Shiraz Touriga as the only top contenders for the Best Red Wine of Show. This recognition showcases our dedication and commitment to consistently producing the best red wines of the Hunter.”
Jennie Curran, Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association Acting CEO, praised the region’s wine industry professionals for their dedication and commitment to quality, consistency and excellence.
“Congratulations go to all trophy and medal winners. Thank you also to our esteemed judging panel, Hunter Valley Wine Show Committee, and all volunteers for their efforts in delivering another successful Hunter Valley Wine Show,” Curran said.