Hat-Trick of Trophies for McWilliam's Wines in Top UK Wine Show
McWilliam's Wines has claimed three of the top trophies at the prestigious 2011 Decanter World Wine Awards in London. Less than 24 hours later, McWilliam's Wines enjoyed further success when awarded two gold medals at the 2011 International Wine Challenge, also in London.
The 2011 Decanter World Wine Award trophies were awarded to the following wines:
§ 2010 Catching Thieves Cabernet Merlot for Best Australian Red Bordeaux Varietal Under £10
§ 2008 Evans & Tate Redbrook Chardonnay for Best Australian Chardonnay over £10
§ 2006 McWilliam’s Heritage Collection Cellar Release Elizabeth Semillon, which is scheduled for release in 2012, for Best Australian Single White Varietal under £10
The Decanter World Wine Awards is regarded as one of the top international wine shows with 12,200 entries competing for the top prizes at the 2011 event. This year’s judging panel included a fifth of the world’s Masters of Wine, along with top sommeliers.
In regards to the 2010 Catching Thieves Cabernet Merlot, Decanter commented, “Making a good Bordeaux blend at under £10 is not the easiest of jobs as the Bordelais themselves have discovered ... Enter Catching Thieves, a Western Australian brand launched by the McWilliam’s Wines team in 2007.”
The 2008 Evans & Tate Redbrook Chardonnay also received high praise, “As Decanter’s Awards have confirmed, Margaret River has become one of Australia’s best locations for superb Chardonnay...The fact that Evans & Tate’s Redbrook Chardonnay should take its place in such exalted company will probably come as little surprise – but great delight no doubt - to winemaker Matt Byrne.”
Less than 24 hours later McWilliam’s Wines won two acclaimed gold medals at the 2011 International Wine Challenge, also in London. The medals were awarded to the currently available 2008 Evans & Tate Redbrook Shiraz and 2010 Evans & Tate Metricup Road Semillon Sauvignon Blanc.
The judges described the 2008 Evans & Tate Redbrook Shiraz as displaying, “Sweet rich blackcurrant. Full bodied with soft blackcurrant fruit” with a “rich, ripe palate...” The 2010 Evans & Tate Metricup Road Semillon Sauvignon Blanc was described as having,“Green lemon intensity. Some tropical fruit on the nose. Good acid with minerality on the palate and to finish.”
