Sanguine Estate and Whistling Eagle Vineyard were big winners at the 2015 Saint Martin Heathcote Wine Show where judges awarded a record number of gold medals.
The Hunter family’s Sanguine Estate at Heathcote won the Heathcote Grand Terroir for the third time and also the trophy for best older shiraz (2010-2012). The HGT was awarded for Sanguine’s Dorsa Shiraz of 2013, 2009 and 2007.
Whistling Eagle Vineyard at Colbinabbin picked up three major trophies with its 2009 Eagles Blood Shiraz – best shiraz of the show, best museum class shiraz (2009 or older) and best single vineyard wine.
The awards were made at the show dinner attended by more than 100 people on Saturday evening including Deputy Leader of the National Party Steph Ryan, Greater Bendigo’s Cr Rod Campbell and chief executive officer of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Mark O’Sullivan.
Chairman of the judging panel Tim Kirk said more than 250 wines assessed during the show had “a diverse expression of flavours”.
“And the results this year were stronger across an even wider range of varieties,” he said.
Mr Kirk described the Heathcote Wine Show as one of the significant regional wine shows in Australia that naturally showcased Heathcote’s great shiraz but other varieties “that also have energy, are rich and pulsating, warm and gorgeous”.
Heathcote Winegrowers’ Association president Phil Meehan said a record 22 gold medals were awarded at this year’s show.
“Our winemakers in the Heathcote Wine Region are delighted with such strong results and the number of gold, silver and bronze medals awarded for our shiraz and other exciting varieties,” Mr Meehan said.
“Show entries have been acclaimed by some of the most respected industry critics in Australia and that gives us real confidence in continuing to build the great Heathcote brand.”
GOLD MEDAL AND TROPHY WINNERS
Best Sparkling Wine – gold medal and trophy: 2006 Peregrine Ridge Winemaker’s Reserve Late Disgorge Sparkling Shiraz
Best White Wine – gold medals: 2014 Goodman Vermentino, 2014 Tellurian Viognier 2014. Trophy: 2014 Goodman Vermentino
Best Young Shiraz (2013 and 2014) – gold medals: 2013 Sanguine Estate Progeny Shiraz, 2014 Tellurian Redline Shiraz, 2014 Devils Cave Vineyard Shiraz, 2014 Tellurian Pastiche Shiraz, 2013 Sanguine Estate “Estate” Shiraz, 2014 Noble Red Shiraz, 2013 Seppelt Mount Ida Shiraz, 2014 Heathcote Winery Cravens Place Shiraz. Trophy: 2014 Devil’s Cave Vineyard Heathcote Shiraz
Best Older Shiraz (2010 to 2012) – gold medals: 2012 Tatiarra Cambrian Shiraz, 2012 She Oak Hill Shiraz, 2012 Sanguine Estate “Estate” Shiraz, 2012 Hennings Shiraz. Trophy: 2012 Sanguine Estate “Estate” Shiraz
Best Museum Shiraz (2009 and older) – gold medals: 2008 Hanging Rock Heathcote Shiraz, 2009 Tatiarra Cambrian Shiraz, 2009 Whistling Eagle “Eagles Blood” Shiraz. Trophy: 2009 Whistling Eagle Vineyard “Eagles Blood” Shiraz
Best Red from Mediterranean Varieties – gold medals: 2013 McIvor Estate Giannisceddu, 2014 Tar + Roses Tempranillo. Trophy: 2014 Tar + Roses Tempranillo.
Best Red from Cabernet Family Varieties – gold medals: 2014 Domaine Asmara Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012 Downing Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Trophy: 2014 Domaine Asmara Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
Best wine other than shiraz: 2014 Tar & Roses Tempranillo
Best shiraz: 2009 Whistling Eagle Vineyard “Eagles Blood” Shiraz
Best single vineyard wine: 2009 Whistling Eagle Vineyard “Eagles Blood” Shiraz
Chairman’s special trophy: 2013 McIvor Estate Giannisceddu
Heathcote Grand Terroir – finalists: Sanguine Estate Progeny Shiraz, Sanguine Estate Dorsa Shiraz, Hanging Rock Heathcote Shiraz. Winner: Sanguine Estate Dorsa Shiraz
Judges awards – steward: Adrian Munari, associate judge: India Munari.