Historic victory for Yalumba

Yalumba’s 2021 Sanctum Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon has claimed back-to-back wins at the Limestone Coast Wine Show. It’s the first time in the 23-year history of the prestigious event that the same wine from the same vintage and vineyard has been declared the stand-out entry two years in a row, winning four major trophies and outclassing 423 other entries from 53 exhibitors.

The winning red, which retails for under $30 a bottle, won the Bill Redman Trophy for Best Wine of Show at last night’s celebration dinner at the Naracoorte Town Hall, after earlier collecting the HR (Ron) Haselgrove Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon (Current to 3 Years Old), and the David Wynn Trophy for Best Red Wine of Show. The historic win also earned Hill Smith Family Estates viticulturist, James Freckleton, his second consecutive Arthur Hoffmann Trophy for Viticulturist of the Year for his role in producing such an exceptional wine in a stretch of terra rossa soil that Yalumba describes as Coonawarra’s “inner sanctum” and “the holy grail of all Cabernet Sauvignon purists”.

Chief of Judges, Philip Rich, says the Sanctum sums up the best of Coonawarra. “It’s a wine that’s got structure and richness, but it is also medium-bodied and elegant, combining classic old-school Coonawarra with modern viticulture and winemaking,” he says. “This result certainly validates last year’s win, and confirms that the judging process is very consistent.”

Yalumba took its trophy tally to five when the 2019 The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon was named Best Cabernet Sauvignon (4-6 Years Old).

The Colin Kidd Trophy for Best White of Show went to Landaire’s 2023 Chardonnay. The Padthaway winery also claimed its second Pam Dunsford Trophy for Best Chardonnay. The Karl Seppelt Trophy for Best White (excluding Chardonnay) went to Patrick of Coonawarra’s 2024 Two Blocks Riesling.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate also had plenty to celebrate, winning the Most Successful Exhibitor trophy after collecting the most medals during this week’s judging, along with the trophy for Best Individual Vineyard Wine (Wynns Coonawarra Estate 2021 Glengyle Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon), and the Eric Brand Trophy for Best Shiraz (Wynns Coonawarra Estate 2023 Shiraz). Meanwhile, the iconic Wynns Coonawarra Estate 2022 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon was declared the Chief of Judges Wine to Watch.

“It’s a wine for consumers and a true Australian classic,” Philip Rich explains. “The fact that it was first produced in 1954 with 2022 marking its 67th vintage is extraordinary in itself.”

Coonawarra had further success when Reschke Wines celebrated a double trophy haul for the 2024 R-Series Rose (Best Rose) and the Reschke 2016 Bos Cabernet Sauvignon (Ewen Fergusson McBain Trophy for Best Museum Red). Grey-Smith Wines backed up last year’s win, collecting another Best Sparkling Wine trophy – this time for the Grey-Smith 2019 Coonawarra Blanc de Blancs. Leconfield’s 2021 Noble Riesling won the Best Sweet White or Fortified Trophy, and Lindemans’ 2019 Limestone Ridge Shiraz Cabernet won the Best Wine of Provenance Trophy.

Singapore judge Sean Ou gave his International Judge’s Award to the Wangolina 2022 A-Series Carmenere, with the Mount Benson winery adding to its collection with another Peter Wehl Trophy for Best Other Single Variety of Italian, Portuguese & Spanish Heritage for the 2023 A-Series Dolcetto. The 2024 Pyaar Pinot Noir crafted by coastal neighbour Woodsoak Wines won the trophy for Best Other Single Variety of French Heritage.

Rounding out the trophy winners, Browns of Padthaway’s 2017 Melba Family Reserve Chardonnay was named Best Museum White, the 2023 Pillar Box Red by Farmer’s Leap was named Best Blended Red, while the Bloomfield Wine 2024 Mencia won the Small Batch Experimental Award.