feature the great australian red 2010
the Great Australian red 2010 Top results for Australia’s definitive blend
A
ustralia’s signature blend of cabernet shiraz is in top form, according to the results of The Great Australian Red competition judged. A higher proportion of gold and silver medals were awarded than in any other year in the five year history of the competition. The results confirm the rising quality of Australia’s cabernet shiraz blend, in spite of the climatic extremes of recent vintages. Three-quarters of the entries in this year’s competition came from the challenging 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons. The consumer is the ultimate winner, with the biggest rise in quality seen at the bargain end of the field. Silver and gold medals were won by almost onefifth of entries priced under $20, led by sub-$20 trophy and gold medal winner Penfolds Koonunga Hill Seventy Six Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, with a price tag of just $18. The winner of The Great Australian Red 2010 and the trophy for The Best Shiraz-Dominant Blend was Jacob’s Creek Johann Shiraz Cabernet 2005. A label with an illustrious record in The Great Australian Red, snaring
trophy, gold or silver medals in every year of the competition to date, this is a fitting result for Orlando’s flagship red wine and a testament to its finest vintage to date. Penfolds continued its trophy haul with both the trophy for The Best Wine over $50 and the trophy for The Best Cabernet-Dominant Blend for Penfolds Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2008, a Special Bin wine due for release in 2012. A medal winner with every one of its entries, Penfolds was the most successful exhibitor in the competition. Outstanding results were also achieved across multiple entries by Yalumba, Wolf Blass, Majella, McWilliams, Jim Barry, Pepper Tree and Lindemans. The initiative of wine writers Matthew Jukes (UK) and Tyson Stelzer (Australia), The Great Australian Red competition is a wine show focused exclusively on Australian blends of cabernet and shiraz. A unique judging format counts the scores of all thirteen judges against every wine entered in the competition, providing a greater level of rigor than is possible in the usual three-judge show system.
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Zinio Issue | January 2011
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feature the great australian red 2010
the Great Australian red 2010 Top results for Australia’s definitive blend
A
ustralia’s signature blend of cabernet shiraz is in top form, according to the results of The Great Australian Red competition judged. A higher proportion of gold and silver medals were awarded than in any other year in the five year history of the competition. The results confirm the rising quality of Australia’s cabernet shiraz blend, in spite of the climatic extremes of recent vintages. Three-quarters of the entries in this year’s competition came from the challenging 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons. The consumer is the ultimate winner, with the biggest rise in quality seen at the bargain end of the field. Silver and gold medals were won by almost onefifth of entries priced under $20, led by sub-$20 trophy and gold medal winner Penfolds Koonunga Hill Seventy Six Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, with a price tag of just $18. The winner of The Great Australian Red 2010 and the trophy for The Best Shiraz-Dominant Blend was Jacob’s Creek Johann Shiraz Cabernet 2005. A label with an illustrious record in The Great Australian Red, snaring
trophy, gold or silver medals in every year of the competition to date, this is a fitting result for Orlando’s flagship red wine and a testament to its finest vintage to date. Penfolds continued its trophy haul with both the trophy for The Best Wine over $50 and the trophy for The Best Cabernet-Dominant Blend for Penfolds Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2008, a Special Bin wine due for release in 2012. A medal winner with every one of its entries, Penfolds was the most successful exhibitor in the competition. Outstanding results were also achieved across multiple entries by Yalumba, Wolf Blass, Majella, McWilliams, Jim Barry, Pepper Tree and Lindemans. The initiative of wine writers Matthew Jukes (UK) and Tyson Stelzer (Australia), The Great Australian Red competition is a wine show focused exclusively on Australian blends of cabernet and shiraz. A unique judging format counts the scores of all thirteen judges against every wine entered in the competition, providing a greater level of rigor than is possible in the usual three-judge show system.
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Zinio Issue | January 2011
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feature the great australian red 2010
Judging panel The Great Australian Red 2010 judging panel consists of some great Australian and international wine experts. Tyson Stelzer is a winner of the Award for the Best Food and Wine Writing in The Australian Food Media Awards. He was a finalist for The International Wine and Spirit Competition’s Communicator of the Year and for the Best Wine/Food Guide Book in The Le Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards.
Tyson Stelzer
Brian Walsh
Author and publisher of twelve wine books. He writes freelance articles for Wine Showcase the only magazine dedicated solely to Australian Wines, Wine Spectator, America’s largest selling wine publication, Decanter, the UK’s most prominent wine magazine and, in Australia, Gourmet Traveller Wine, WBM, and Selector. He pens a wine page every month for Style Magazine, is a benchmark wine reviewer for WINE200 and is the wine writer for Barossa Living. He is a contributor to The Oxford Companion to Wine Third Edition, which names him as the most prolific writer in the world on the topic of screw caps.
Brian fell into wine in early 1968 when he took a ‘short-term’ job at Reynella Wines, Reynella. 20 years later, after also working at Ryecoft, Wynns and Hardys – all in McLaren Vale, he accepted the role of Chief Winemaker at Yalumba, Australia’s’ oldest familyowned winery.
As an international speaker, Tyson has presented at wine conferences in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan and the United Kingdom. He is a regular judge at wine shows in Australia including The National Wine Show of Australia, The Royal Melbourne Wine Show, The Sydney Royal Wine Show, The Barossa Wine Show and many other regional shows. He is a co-creator with UK wine writer Matthew Jukes of The Great Australian Red Competition and The Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification.
Michael Fragos Born into a grape growing family in McLaren Vale South Australia. Later combining a degree in Microbiology and Genetics, a passion for food and wine, and his fond memories of McLaren Vale, Michael pursued a degree in Oenology at Roseworthy College in South Australia. Upon graduating in 1990, Michael secured vintage work in a McLaren Vale winery which ultimately cemented his desire to show the world the splendours of McLaren Vale. Michael has gathered some of the industry’s most prestigious winemaking awards including: Trophies in the 1996, 1998 and 2002 International Wine Challenges (London). Also named as the International Winemaker of the Year at the 2007 International Wine and Spirit Competition (London) as well as being awarded the trophies for Best Australian Producer and for the best Cabernet Sauvignon of the show.
Under his stewardship Yalumba has emerged as the world’s most influential producer of Viognier and authority on the traditional Australian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz as well as being noted for innovation at many levels. A senior wine judge in Australia over the last 30 years, Brian is currently Chairman of Judges at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show. He is a former President of the South Australian Wine Industry Association and a former Chair of the South Australian Wine Tourism Advisory Board and Barossa Winemakers Committee.
Profile and photograph not available at time of publication: Katie MacAulay Lion Nathan Joch Bosworth Battle of Bosworth
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feature the great australian red 2010
Nathan Gogoll
Matthew Jukes
Jeffrey Grosset
Editor of WINE100 and also writes for WBM (Australia’s Wine Business Magazine). He lives in the Barossa where he dedicates way too much time to the pursuit of a hockey premiership, which has remained elusive – perhaps because of all the late night red wine sessions with his teammates.
Winner of the IWSC ‘Wine Communicator of the Year Trophy’ and also winner of the Australian Food Media Award for ‘Best Food and Wine Writing’ for Taste Food and Wine; author of thirteen bestselling wine books; weekly wine writer for the Daily Mail’s Weekend Magazine (9m readers) and MoneyWeek. Palate behind 100 Best Australian Wines and The Hall of Fame - www.matthewjukes.com. Award-winning wine buyer for Bibendum Restaurant, Amaya, Veeraswamy and Chutney Mary and buying director for Quintessentially Wine worldwide - www. quintessentiallywine.com. Co-creator of The Great Australian Red and The Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification. Founder and Patron of Touch Wine and Wine Rules - the anual touch footy / wine tasting charity events held in Adelaide and Melbourne in aid of Australia’s homeless.
Owner and founder of Grosset Wines, has always been an innovator, challenging tradition and questioning accepted practices. He campaigned to institute the legal integrity of the riesling grape in Australia, was a leading proponent for the introduction of screwcap closures and privately funded research into the subject.
He made his own wine in 2004 and still hasn’t managed to give the last few dozen bottles away.
Jeffrey Grosset was voted the inaugural Australian Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller WINE in 1998, and is internationally recognised as one of the ‘Top 10 White Winemakers’ (Decanter, UK) and one of the ‘50 Most Influential Winemakers’ (Wine & Spirits, USA) in the world today.
Tony Love National wine editor for the Taste section published nationally in the News Ltd mastheads, Brisbane Courier Mail, Daily Telegraph (NSW), Herald Sun (Victoria), The Adevrtiser (South Australia) and The Sunday Times (Western Australia). He has been a features journalist for more than 30 years, specialising in food and wine for the past eight. He has completed the AWRI’s Advanced Wine Assessment Course, and was a Wine Australia Landmark scholar in 2010. He has judged at the South Australian Wine of the Year awards for the past five years.
Toby Barlow
Amelia Pinsent Freelance UK-based wine journalist who writes for Waitrose publications and Country Life magazine, with a background in wine marketing and branding, including owning and running a family winery in Portugal. She has also written for Decanter, Wine & Spirit and Conde Nast Traveller. She has recently diversified to set up an exclusive membership club, Hallowed Ground, which represents small, top end boutique wineries from Australia and New Zealand in the UK.
Toby has a diverse range of wine making experience both from regional and varietal perspective, having worked in wineries in Central Victoria, Australia, New Zealand, Oregon in North America and the Rhone Valley in France. Completed Post Graduate Oenology course at Adelaide University and with a double degree in Chemistry and Philosophy Toby brings a fresh and inquisitive approach to winemaking.
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feature the great australian red 2010
The results In total, five trophies, four gold medals, 26 silver medals and 28 bronze medals were awarded across 92 entries.
Gold Medals Jacob’s Creek Johann Shiraz Cabernet 2005 Penfolds Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2008 (RRP TBC) Penfolds Koonunga Hill Seventy Six Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Yalumba FDR1A 2008
Trophies The Great Australian Red 2010 Jacob’s Creek Johann Shiraz Cabernet 2005 $75 The Trophy for the Best Wine over $50 Penfolds Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2008 $550+ (RRP TBC) The Trophy for the Best Wine under $20 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Seventy Six Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $18 The Trophy for the Best Cabernet-dominant Blend Penfolds Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2008 ~$550+ (RRP TBC) The Trophy for the Best Shiraz-dominant Blend Jacob’s Creek Johann Shiraz Cabernet 2005 $75
Bronze Medals $75 $550+ $18 $37
Silver Medals Glaetzer Anaperenna 2009 Hollick Stock Route Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Jacob’s Creek Johann Shiraz Cabernet 2006 Jim Barry PB Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2008 Jim Barry PB Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Kaesler W.O.M.S. 2008 Lake Breeze Bernoota Shiraz Cabernet 2008 Lindemans Coonawarra Limestone Ridge 2008 Majella The Malleea 2008 Majella The Musician 2009 McWilliams 1877 2006 McWilliams 1877 2008 Metala Cabernet Shiraz Malbec 2009 Mildara Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2006 Millbrook LR Shiraz Cabernet 2007 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Seventy Six Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Pepper Tree Strandlines Grand Reserve Wrattonbully Cabernet Shiraz 2008 Ulithorne Paternus Cabernet Shiraz 2008 Wolf Blass Black Label 2005 Wolf Blass Black Label 2006 Wolf Blass Black Label 2007 Wolf Blass Black Label 2008 Wyndham George Wyndham Shiraz Cabernet 2009 Yalumba The Reserve 2004 Yalumba The Scribbler Cabernet Shiraz 2008 Yering Station Little Yering Cabernet Shiraz 2008
$50 $21 $75 $100 $100 $80 $21 $55 $70 $17 $65 $65 $23 $30 $45 $18 $65 $35 $130 $130 $130 $130 $20 $150 $20 $19
Anvers Brabo Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2009
$15
Anvers Razorback Road Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
$20
Bleasdale The Broad-side Shiraz Cabernet Malbec 2008
$15
Corduroy Shiraz Cabernet 2009
$30
Coriole The Old Barn Cabernet Shiraz 2008
$40
Elderton Ode to Lorraine Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot 2008
$50
Fox Creek JSM Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2008
$12
Hardys HRB Cabernet Shiraz 2007
$35
Hardys HRB Cabernet Shiraz 2008
$35
Henry’s Drive Parson’s Flat Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
$30
Karra Yerta Shiraz Cabernet 2006
$25
Lindemans Coonawarra Limestone Ridge 2006
$55
Madeleines Stonesford Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
$29
Olivers Taranga Corrinas Shiraz Cabernet 2008
$30
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2007
$65
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2008
$65
Pepper Tree Strandlines Grand Reserve Wrattonbully Cabernet Shiraz 2006
$65
Pepper Tree Strandlines Grand Reserve Wrattonbully Cabernet Shiraz 2007
$65
Ross Barossa Tier 1 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
$60
Soul Growers Resurgence Cabernet Shiraz 2008
$25
St Hallett Gamekeeper’s Shiraz Cabernet 2009
$14
Tatachilla Partners Cabernet Shiraz 2009
$12
The Islander Estate Bark Hut Road 2004
$37
Warrenmang Bazzani Shiraz Cabernet 2008
$15
Waywood Wines Shiraz Cabernet 2007
$30
Wolf Blass Red Label Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
$14
Wynns V&A Lane Cabernet Shiraz 2008
$43
Zema Estate Saluti Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz 2006
$70
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$22.50
Fox Creek Shadow’s Run Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
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feature the great australian red 2010
Big players win trophies There has been a frenzy of discussion on Twitter as to why the four winners of trophies and gold medals in The Great Australian Red 2010 were from three big companies: Jacob’s Creek, Penfolds and Yalumba. Chance? Or is there something more in this?
I
t’s difficult to draw conclusive trends from just four wines in a field of ninety-two, but if we look back over the five year history of the competition a more reliable pattern emerges. Of all of the trophy winners, twelve have come from Penfolds, Wolf Blass, Orlando and Yalumba and nine have come from smaller companies.
This is perhaps not surprising in the light of the history of these companies. All four have dedicated their key flagship wines to blends of cabernet and shiraz for decades. Penfold’s top Special Bin wines have often been cabernet shiraz, Grange is usually a blend of the two and Bin 389, the top Bin wine, has always been a champion of the blend. Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Shiraz was the company’s key flagship for decades. Yalumba leads its portfolio with Cabernet Shiraz at every price point, in The Reserve, The Signaure, FDR1A and The Scribbler. And Jacob’s Creek’s flagship wine has been a Shiraz Cabernet blend for a long time, “Limited Release” last decade and “Johann” in more recent times.
But there may be another factor at play here, too. Exactly three-quarters of the entries this year came from the 2007, 2008 and 2009 vintages, seasons which experienced more than their fair share of challenges in most of the regions from which our entries were sourced. The big companies have extensive vineyard resources and it would make sense that the benefits of a deep and diverse selection process are further exacerbated in these more erratic seasons. Cross-regional blending becomes more important, and those larger companies with good sites across multiple regions may be able to take advantage of this in their top blends. This is another reason that the cabernet shiraz blend can be more consistent than straight cabernets and straight shirazes, which
more often tend to be single region or single vineyard wines. The rules of The Great Australian Red are written very deliberately to keep the show as accessible as possible to small makers. Unlike most shows, it does not impose a minimum production quantity on entries and has a low entry fee. Also only requiring four bottles per submission. This year, twelve of our thirteen judges were from small to medium companies, so there is certainly no judging bias toward large company wines. And this show is unique in counting the scores of all thirteen judges toward every wine. The Great Australian Red rejoices in the best Aussie blends of cabernet and shiraz, regardless of whether they are made by a global giant or by a small family company.
This still doesn’t explain why there was a higher hit rate for the big companies this year. Across just four wines, this should simply be put down to good luck for the big boys, because among twenty-six silver medal wines, only half were from the larger companies of Jacob’s Creek, Lindemans, McWilliams, Metala, Mildara, Penfolds, Wolf Blass, Wyndham and Yalumba.
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