2021 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge to Unite.
The James Halliday Australian Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenges will be ‘blended’ and judged simultaneously for the first time in August 2021.
The James Halliday Australian Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenge is a celebration of the world’s most popular two varieties and Australia’s outstanding regional diversity.
Margaret River Wine Association and Wine Yarra Valley will collaborate and jointly host the Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenges. They will be judged in the Yarra Valley in August this year and then will move between the two iconic regions on alternate years.
Born in the Yarra Valley in 2012, the James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge celebrates all chardonnays in its quest to find the nation’s best. Chardonnay is Australia’s most planted white variety and the continuing evolution of its style by Australian makers is heralded globally.
The James Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge was launched in 2016. As the world’s most widely planted vine and Australia’s third most planted variety, Cabernet Sauvignon is one of Australian wine’s great success stories.
"The decision to bring the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon Challenges together in August provides a win-win scenario for all the stakeholders. This year the Challenges will be held in the Yarra Valley, next year in Margaret River. The results will provide a unique snapshot of the state of play of these two great varieties." James Halliday
The highest pointed wines for each variety will be rewarded with the James Halliday Trophy and the regional winners with scores of 95 points or more are also recognised.
Entries opened Monday 12th July. Judging will take place Monday 23rd August - Wednesday 25th August 2021 in the Yarra Valley, and a comprehensive contingency plan is in place if changes are required.
Enter via ShowRunner at https://wineshow.awri.com.au
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2020 Halliday Australian
Cabernet Challenge Collaboration
The fifth Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge will take place in September 2020.
Thanks to recent restrictions the Cabernet Challenge broadens its footprint and leverages the judging talent across three States with collaboration between Margaret River Wine Association, Coonawarra Vignerons and Yarra Valley Wine Growers Association.
The competition will be judged simultaneously on 7th and 8th September with the trophy presentation streamed online from: Coonawarra, Margaret River and the Yarra Valley.
James Halliday enthusiastically supports the change saying ‘As Australian cabernet styles continue to evolve and increasingly reflect their sense of place, it is appropriate that the Cabernet Challenge be simultaneously judged in three regions across the country. I look forward to being part of this 'Covid-busting' innovation'.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most widely planted vine and Australia’s third most planted variety and is one of Australian wine’s great success stories.
The Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge respects this history whilst celebrating the producers of Cabernet Sauvignon, who are striving to make the best possible wines that reflect a sense of place.
Whether that is the complex and aromatic wines from the Yarra Valley, the elegant and balanced wines from the Coonawarra terra rossa soil, the rich and decadent signature style from Margaret River or the powerful and luscious expressions from McLaren Vale, the Challenge provides an opportunity for a Cabernet Sauvignon varietal competition of great interest.
Entries will open 1 July see www.australiancabernetchallenge.com.au
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Links to Images
Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge | Cabernet Judging
For further information contact:
Margaret River Wine - Pip Heaford, Communications & Events Manager pipheaford@margaretriver.wine
Coonawarra Vignerons - Heidi Eldridge, Events & Marketing Officer marketing@coonawarra.org
Wine Yarra Valley – Lauren McKay, Marketing Co-ordinator marketing@wineyarravalley.com.au
Coonawarra Vignerons, Margaret River Wine and Wine Yarra Valley are the official/peak wine industry bodies in their respective regions. While each is passionate about their own area, they are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with other premium Australian wine regions.
Cabernet Challenge Trophy & Five Regional Winners Announced from World-First Virtual Wine Challenge
The 2018 Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon is the 2020 James Halliday Australia Cabernet Challenge Trophy winner, scoring 97 points and taking out the top prize from 364 entries from 29 regions across the Australia.
Xanadu Senior Winemaker, Glenn Goodall said “I’m absolutely wrapped! We’ve always taken enormous pride in our Cabernet Sauvignons, so to be awarded as the Cabernet Challenge Trophy in this year’s Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge is definitely the highlight of 2020, and a huge achievement for everyone involved at Xanadu, especially our growers.
“Cabernet Sauvignon loves Margaret River, and there would have been some strong wines in the mix given 2018 was such an amazing vintage here. No doubt, in years to come everyone’s 2018 Cabernets will still be the yardstick by which such exceptional vintages are remembered, so to have our 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon recognised like this, amongst so many great Australian producers, is extremely rewarding for the whole Xanadu team.”
Last night the results of the James Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge presented by Langton’s were announced on Langton's Youtube channel and streamed to Facebook. It was great to see five regional winners presented in what was a true celebration of the world’s most planted and extremely versatile, food-friendly variety.
The streamed virtual presentation following the 3-days of virtual judging which is believed to be a world-first as it was held simultaneously in two separate judging hubs in Coonawarra and Margaret River, due to Covid-19 travel restrictions restricting judges to gather together.
The 2020 James Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge Regional Winners are:
Adelaide Hills Best of Region
Wines by Geoff Hardy
2018 K1 By Geoff Hardy 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon – 95 points
Barossa Valley Best of Region
Casella Family Brands
2018 Peter Lehmann Wines Masters Mentor Cabernet Sauvignon – 95 points
Coonawarra Best of Region
Brand's Laira of Coonawarra
2018 Brand's Laira 1968 Vines Cabernet Sauvignon – 96 points
Margaret River Best of Region
Xanadu Wines
2018 Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon – 97 points
Yarra Valley Best of Region
Boat O'Craigo Wines
2018 Boat O'Craigo Braveheart Cabernet Sauvignon – 96 points
The full results are also now available to view at www.australiancabernetchallenge.com.au
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Notes: Cabernet Sauvignon of all vintages are eligible and judged by region without judges knowing which region they were officiating. Wines achieving a Gold Medal score (95 points and over) were selected to determine the Best of Region wine, then each Regional Winner was judged again for the Trophy.
The 2020 Judges were:
Coonawarra
Pete Bissell – Formerly Balnaves of Coonawarra
Jane Ferrari – Independent Wine Consultant, Barossa Baron
Andrew Hardy – Parker Coonawarra Estate & Ox Hardy Wines
Margaret River
Robert Mann – Corymbia
Julian Langworthy – Deep Woods Estate Courtney Treacher – Accolade Wines
The 2020 Associate Judges were:
Coonawarra
Matilda Innes – Ottelia
Lauren Hansen – Penley Estate
Margaret River
Emma Farrelly – State Buildings
Lance Parkin – Heafod Glen
To learn more, see www.australiancabernetchallenge.com.au
Dropbox link to Images
For further information contact:
Margaret River Wine - Pip Heaford, pipheaford@margaretriver.wine
Coonawarra Vignerons - Heidi Eldridge, marketing@coonawarra.org
Wine Yarra Valley – Lauren McKay, marketing@wineyarravalley.com.au
Coonawarra Vignerons, Margaret River Wine and Wine Yarra Valley are the official/peak wine industry bodies in their respective regions. While each is passionate about their own area, they are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with other premium Australian wine regions.
Multi-Regional, World First Wine Judging Event Hailed Success!
Three days of simultaneous judging of 364 wine exhibits from 29 different wine regions in Coonawarra and Margaret River wrapped up the 2020 James Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge presented by Langton’s last week.
In what is believed to be a world first, the judging panels, stewards and organising teams based in Coonawarra, Margaret River and Yarra Valley connected through Zoom, Skype, telephone, social media and the AWRI wine show judging software, to make the show run smoothly.
It was a true celebration of the world’s most planted variety, and the Australian regions who champion the variety.
Margaret River Panel Chair, Robert Mann said at the commencement of Day-One that “people drink wine for enjoyment, but people drink cabernet for enlightenment”.
Coonawarra Vignerons Executive Officer, Heidi Eldridge, praised the work of the organising parties to bring the event together despite the challenges presented by COVID-19 and distance between the host locations. “There was a lot of logistics involved directing entries across the country to ensure that each location had a sample of every bottle to be judged. To see it all come together on the ground and virtually through the live streaming was very satisfying”.
Given the success of the event, Caroline Evans, Executive Officer of Wine Yarra Valley, believes it sets a benchmark for future wine judging, “There is every possibility that future single variety wine shows will proceed with a collaborative effort between regions that champion particular signature varieties.”
During the 3-days of judging, five live-crosses to the judging venues were shared on Facebook and Instagram, which have been watched by over 8,500 people to-date. The pre-teaser CABERNET LIVE that was broadcast on International Cabernet Day has also had over 14,000 views, showing a huge interest in Cabernet Sauvignon by social media users.
Results to be announced at 6pm AWST (8pm AEST) Thursday 24th September. We'll be live on Langton's Youtube channel and streaming to Facebook too. Don't miss out, like and subscribe!
To learn more, see www.australiancabernetchallenge.com.au
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Dropbox link to Images
For further information contact:
Margaret River Wine - Pip Heaford, pipheaford@margaretriver.wine
Coonawarra Vignerons - Heidi Eldridge, marketing@coonawarra.org
Wine Yarra Valley – Lauren McKay, marketing@wineyarravalley.com.au
Coonawarra Vignerons, Margaret River Wine and Wine Yarra Valley are the official/peak wine industry bodies in their respective regions. While each is passionate about their own area, they are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with other premium Australian wine regions.
The Yarra Valley brings home the national Chardonnay Challenge trophy for another year
The Oakridge Wines 2017 864 Funder and Diamond Chardonnay has been crowned Australia’s best chardonnay in the 2019 Langton’s James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge.
Scoring 96 out of a total 100 points, the chardonnay produced by Oakridge Wines is a single vineyard, single block wine that took out the top prize from over 400 other chardonnay entrants from regions around the country.
“To win the top chardonnay in the Yarra Valley is an achievement in itself, but to take out the national challenge is very humbling, very pleasing.” David Bicknell, Chief Winemaker of Oakridge Wines said.
“The 864 block wines are all about capturing the essence of the vineyard and reflecting the season in which they were grown. 2017 was in the cool spectrum (or what we call cool now) and the latest pick for 864 chardonnay we have had since the 2011 harvest. In keeping with this, the wine is tightly coiled, minerally, pure, composed and very long. One for the long haul that will continue to improve in bottle over the next 10 years.”
Announced yesterday at 4.00pm by Wine Yarra Valley, this is the second consecutive year a Yarra Valley wine has won the national award.
“The Oakridge 864 Funder and Diamond epitomises subtle complexity, crystalline purity and incredible focus. A stunning Yarra Valley Chardonnay which was consistently head and shoulders above its peers through the competition also displays the strength of the 2017 vintage,” Chair of Judges, Chris Crawford describes the winner.
Being one of the most diverse and widely planted varietals across the country, the Langton’s James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge aims to find Australia’s best example.
“This year brought together many fine examples of chardonnay from around the country,” James Halliday said.
“The pristine, expressive and genre-leading Oakridge 864 Chardonnay profoundly reflects the power of the Yarra Valley landscape, an enduring Yarra Valley classic” James Halliday describes the winning wine.
Now in it’s eighth year, the judges of the Challenge also award a trophy to the top wine of each Australian region in the instance where it is awarded 95 points or above.
In 2019 seven regional winners were awarded from Tasmania, Hunter Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Beechworth, Margaret River, Adelaide Hills and Yarra Valley.
Chardonnay lovers can find out more about this year’s Langton’s James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge via Wine Yarra Valley or chardonnaychallenge.com.au.
Don’t miss David Bicknell, Chris Crawford and James Halliday all presenting their knowledge and sharing their passion for chardonnay at the Langton’s Chardonnay Symposium Australia on Thursday 31st October, in the Yarra Valley. Tickets available here - https://www.chardonnaysymposium.com.au/
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All media enquiries, requests for interviews with David Bicknell and Chris Crawford or images, please contact:
Wine Yarra Valley – Lauren McKay, marketing@wineyarravalley.com.au
Caroline Evans, cevans@wineyarravalley.com.au 0409 190 646
Handpicked Wines Does it Again
Handpicked Wines has won another esteemed wine trophy for their Capella Vineyard chardonnay as announced by James Halliday via video link on Thursday, 11 October 2018.
Scoring a total 96 out of 100 points, the 2016 Handpicked Wines Capella Vineyard Chardonnay won the Mornington Peninsula Regional Trophy, adding more silverware to their trophy cabinet.
The winner of the country’s best chardonnay for 2018 was the 2017 A. Rodda Wines Willow Lake Vineyard Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley.
Although the Yarra Valley is home to the Langton’s James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge, the region had not yet won the top gold of the competition until this year, denying the Margaret River with a third win or the Adelaide Hills with a second.
James Halliday’s love for Australian chardonnay is no secret and it seems other wine experts around the world are starting to rediscover the beauty of this versatile grape.
“The bigger picture sees Australian chardonnay with a growing reputation among leading wine critics in the UK and the USA, and a coherent approach by our winemakers to the vinification and style of the wine,” said James.
“The cool 2017 vintage in the Yarra Valley resulted in purity, finesse and length in many lovely chardonnays. Adrian Rodda’s wine is a prime example.”
The Langton’s James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge seeks to find the best chardonnay in the country in each given year, with all wines assessed in regional classifications by a panel of judges.
The Chair of Judges for the first time, was senior wine judge and Crown Melbourne’s General Manager – Beverage, Chris Crawford who led five panel judges and 10 associate judges over three days to assess all wines without any hint of the producer or vineyard.
Chris said the decision was very difficult but the 2017 A. Rodda Wines Willow Lake Chardonnay had a particular expression and attractiveness which won on the day.
“The wine showed elegance, balance and purity, with plenty of flint and pithy, zesty fruit, it had lovely texture and persistence,” said Chris.
The judges award a trophy to the top wine of each region but only in the instance where a wine from represented regions score more than 95 points.
In 2018, eight regional winners were awarded from the Adelaide Hills, Beechworth, Hunter Valley, Margaret River, Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania, Tumbarumba and the Yarra Valley.
Chardonnay lovers can find out more about this year’s Langton’s James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge winners by viewing the announcement by James Halliday via the following link - chardonnaychallenge.com.au
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All media enquiries and requests for interviews with Chris Crawford or Adrian Rodda and images please contact:
Kerrie Lyons – Totem Marketing, kerrie@totemmarketing.com.au 0449 999 588
Caroline Evans, cevans@wineyarravalley.com.au 0409 190 646
Yarra Valley Wine Wins National Chardonnay Competition
A Yarra Valley wine, the 2017 Willow Lake Vineyard Chardonnay from A. Rodda Wines, won the Langton’s James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge for the first time since the challenge began in 2012, as announced yesterday at 4.00pm.
Scoring a total of 97 out of 100 points, the chardonnay produced by Adrian Rodda from grapes grown on the Upper Yarra Valley Willowlake Vineyard near Gladysdale, took out the top wine award from 543 other chardonnay wines entered into this year’s challenge from 36 regions.
Although the Yarra Valley is home to the Langton’s James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge, the region had not yet won the top gold of the competition until this year, denying the Margaret River with a third win or the Adelaide Hills with a second.
Adrian said to win the top wine of the Yarra Valley class is an achievement in itself, given the number of quality wines from the region.
“To then come out on top against the rest of the country is truly remarkable, and very humbling,” said Adrian.
“This result, first and foremost, is a testament to the Willowlake Vineyard and the hard work of viticulturist Tim Wray and his crew to grow such high quality chardonnay.
“I feel privileged to make wine from such a special place and region.”
Adrian said over the years he has had the privilege of participating in a number of tastings conducted by Australia’s most distinguished wine writer, winemaker and judge, James Halliday which both challenged and inspired him.
“When I look back at how my thinking has evolved to what it is today, I can pinpoint moments where “The Chairman” is front and centre – so I must really thank James for the challenge.
“To win the ultimate chardonnay award in the country is extraordinary, not only for the exceptional standard of Australian chardonnay right now but because it also bears the name of James Halliday,” he said
James Halliday’s love for Australian chardonnay is no secret.
James said, “The bigger picture sees Australian chardonnay with a growing reputation among leading wine critics in the UK and the USA, and a coherent approach by our winemakers to the vinification and style of the wine.
“The cool 2017 vintage in the Yarra Valley resulted in purity, finesse and length in many lovely chardonnays.
“Adrian Rodda’s wine is a prime example,” said James.
The Langton’s James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge seeks to find the best chardonnay in the country in each given year, with all wines assessed in regional classifications by a panel of judges.
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All media enquiries and requests for interviews with Chris Crawford or Adrian Rodda or images please contact:
Kerrie Lyons – Totem Marketing, kerrie@totemmarketing.com.au 0449 999 588
Caroline Evans, cevans@wineyarravalley.com.au 0409 190 646