Chairman of judges, Huon Hooke, declared the 2008 Lindeman’s Coonawarra Limestone Ridge “an outstanding wine”.

“It has wonderful fruit character, pinpoint ripeness with beautiful, ripe fruit, luscious flavour and excellent structure…it is a full-bodied wine with a very good length of palate,” he said. Patrick of Coonawarra was another stand-out performer at the nautical-inspired trophy feast. The family-owned company’s 2010 Patrick ‘Estate’ Riesling Wrattonbully collected the Colin Kidd Trophy for ‘Best White Wine of Show’ and the Karl Seppelt Trophy for ‘Best White Wine, excluding Chardonnay’. Winemaker Patrick Tocaciu described the win as a fantastic example of what can be achieved in an Australian cool climate.

“We’re excited by these trophies not only for ourselves but also for Wrattonbully and the entire Limestone Coast region, as this area is dominated by red varietals and not generally recognised for its riesling,” he said.

Dorrien Estate also collected two trophies – for two different entries. The 2008 Tolley Elite Chardonnay was named ‘Best Chardonnay’ and the 2008 Black Wattle Black Label Mt Benson Cabernet Sauvignon won the ‘International Judge’s Award’ after impressing guest Hong Kong judge Rebecca Leung with “its concentration and fruit intensity, texture and elegance”.

“There were a number of very outstanding wines, but I found that this one had profound structure and substance which made me hungry for more,” she said.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate was named the most successful exhibitor, claiming the H.R. (Ron) Haselgrove Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon for its 2008 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon, and collecting a further two gold and three silver medals. Jacob’s Creek Wines’ 2005 Jacob’s Creek Limited Release 35th Anniversary Padthaway Shiraz was named ‘Best Shiraz’, and Majella Wines’ 2001 Majella Cabernet Sauvignon won the Ewen Fergusson McBain Trophy for ‘Best Museum Wine’.

“It’s fitting that the results were spread across the region for our 10th Anniversary year – we are extremely committed to promoting the Wine Show as an all-inclusive, multi-regional wine event encompassing the entire Limestone Coast and our winners have certainly helped to achieve that in 2010,” said chief steward Sarah Squire.

All entries in this year’s show will be uncorked and ready for tasting at the Kingston District Hall this morning (Friday October 29), offering members of the public an opportunity to sample and compare notes with the expert judging panel.

Key Tasting Times – Friday, 29th October
9am-11.30am: Exhibitor’s Tasting Session, Kingston District Hall (Possible interview opportunities with medal winners.)
11.30am-1.30pm: Public Tasting Session, Kingston District Hall