13th October 2023
Winners of the 2023 CCL Label Clare Valley Wine Show were announced this afternoon in an awards ceremony and luncheon in Clare, with the region’s red wine varieties taking the limelight.
Jim Barry Wines received the highest honour at the show, accepting the prestigious award of the Best Exhibitor of the Show, and 11 individual trophies.
According to the judging panel, the red wines reached a new level of quality, not seen before in the region.
This year saw the introduction of a new trophy- Best Vintage Section Grenache, which was awarded to Kenny Wine 2022 Sevenhill Grenache.
The Judging Panel’s Chair, Nick Stock, said the results recognise a diverse field of quality wines from across the region at this year’s wine show.
“It was great to be in the Clare Valley, where the focus this year was to really identify wines of true provenance, not just in the trophy winners, but across entire field of judging,” he said.
“The results are indicative on quality wines in the region, as well as the distinctiveness and strong sense of provenance the region can deliver.
“The 2023 winners are relevant, delicious and exciting wines across every single style. The strength of the 2021 vintage is no secret for Clare Valley wine and in this year’s show, we saw the 2021 reds really take centre stage.
“I feel the region has reached a new level of quality with these 2021 reds. It is really something to celebrate,” he said.
This year’s show attracted 40 exhibitors, with submissions of 458 entries across 24 classes. A total of 304 medals were awarded, including 43 Gold.
Trophy winners, announced at the 2023 CCL Label Clare Valley Wine Show luncheon in Clare, were:
Best Sweet Wine of Show - Sponsored by Bottling Dynamics
Pauletts 2022 Alison Riesling
Best Rose of Show - Sponsored by Jim Barry Boutique Accommodation
Sevenhill 2023 Inigo Grenache Rose
Best Dry White other than Riesling - Sponsored by Hood Sweeney
Pikes Wines 2023 Luccio Fiano
Best Exhibition Section Dry Riesling, 2022 Vintage - Sponsored by Vinpac
Jim Barry 2022 Spring Farm Block 114 Riesling
Best Exhibition Section Dry Riesling, 2021 Vintage and older - Sponsored by Commonwealth Bank
Jim Barry 2012 The Florita Riesling
Best Vintage Section Shiraz - Sponsored by BHF Technologies
Jim Barry 2021 Lodge Hill Shiraz
Best Vintage Section Cabernet Sauvignon - Sponsored by Tonnellerie de Mercurey
Jim Barry 2021 The Farm Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Vintage Section Grenache - Sponsored by Skillogalee Estate
Kenny Wine 2022 Sevenhill Grenache
Best Vintage Section Other Dry Red - Sponsored by Hahn Corporation
Jim Barry 2021 Single Vineyard The Farm Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec
Best Dry Red from Exhibition Sections - Sponsored by Sevenhill Hotel
Pauletts 2020 109 Reserve Shiraz
Best Fortified Wine of Show - Sponsored by Ragu and Co
Crabtree Watervale Wines NV Grand Muscat
Chair of Judges Award - Sponsored by Watervale Hotel
Jim Barry 2021 Expressions Malbec
Mick Knappstein Trophy for Best Current Vintage Riesling - Sponsored by VAF Memstar
Pikes Wines 2023 Traditionale Riesling
Carl Sobels Trophy Best Vintage Section Dry Red - Sponsored by Seguin Moreau
Jim Barry 2021 Single Vineyard The Farm Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec
Best Riesling of Show - Sponsored by Orora Beverages
Pikes Wines 2023 Traditionale Riesling
Best Small Producer - Sponsored by Lallemand
Bourke & Travers
Best Single Vineyard Wine - Sponsored by Clare Valley Enterprises
Jim Barry 2021 Single Vineyard The Farm Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec
Viticulturist Trophy - Sponsored by Ackland Vineyard Services
Peter Barry
Best Exhibitor of Show - Sponsored by AP John Coopers
Jim Barry Wines
Br. John May Trophy Wine of Provenance - Sponsored by Woodscannon
Jaeschkes Hill River Clare Estate 2023, 2015 & 2013 Polish Hill River Riesling
Jim Barry Trophy Best Wine of Show - Sponsored by CCL Label
Jim Barry 2021 Single Vineyard The Farm Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec