Distinguished recognition was granted to the outstanding wines of the McLaren Vale region at the 2023 MGA Insurance McLaren Vale Wine Show. The awards ceremony took place during the 50th Anniversary of the McLaren Vale Bushing Lunch, where the region’s most exceptional wines were honored.
This year, the titles of “Best Wine of Show” and the esteemed ‘Bushing Monarch’ were among the most coveted distinctions of the event, and the 2022 Chalk Hill Wines Tempranillo Grenache secured the highest accolade from a fiercely competitive field comprising over 700 entries.
A panel of eminent judges presided over the assessment, with Andrew Thomas, Chair of Judges hailing from Thomas Wines in Hunter Valley, and Sean Ou, the International Judge from The Beverage Clique in Singapore. The panel chairs included Rob Mack from Aphelion Wines in McLaren Vale, Ian McKenzie representing Langhorne Creek, and Liz Silkman from First Creek Wines in Hunter Valley.
Chair of Judges, Andrew Thomas, who led the evaluation process, lauded the dedication to excellence exhibited by the McLaren Vale region’s winemakers and viticulturists. He particularly commended the caliber of red wines presented this year, with traditional regional varieties like Shiraz and Grenache leaving an indelible mark on the judges.
“As expected, red wines dominated the entries with the traditional regional varieties of Shiraz and Grenache certainly impressing the judges,” remarked Mr. Thomas.
Additionally, he noted the emergence of newer and emerging varieties and blends, underscoring the exceptional quality of wines from the 2021 and 2022 vintages. The 2020 Malbec from Big Easy Radio, which received the Chairperson’s Trophy, was singled out as a noteworthy example.
The prestigious title of Best Wine of Show was awarded to the 2022 Chalk Hill Tempranillo Grenache, celebrated for its extraordinary blending and winemaking artistry. Mr. Thomas praised this wine as a “seamless example of vibrant fleshy fruit overlayed with a floral delicacy and poise,” highlighting its bright acidity and detailed tannin structure. This accolade marks a significant achievement for Chalk Hill Wines and exemplifies the region’s continued commitment to producing exceptional wines.
