The Auswine Forum

Barossa black sheep's shiraz bags Jimmy Watson
From: Sue Neales, The Australian October 28, 2011 12:00AM

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/ex ... 6178892163

THE wine industry is in a spin after an unknown cool-climate red wine from southern Tasmania last night bagged the holy grail of wine awards in Australia.

The fabled Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for the best young Australian red wine at the Melbourne Wine Show was won by an 18-month old shiraz, the Mon Pere 2010, from tiny Hobart family winemakers Glaetzer-Dixon.

Those Glaezters are everywhere...

Very interesting that it's a Shiraz from Tasmania... Come to think of it I don't think I've actually tried any Tasmanian Shiraz; I'd be interested to sample this, but the JW means prices are going to likely go through the stratosphere

Given the track record of the Jimmy Watson Trophy being awarded to unexpected entrants I'm surprised about the fuss.

From what I've read people in the 70s were shocked when Wolf Blass, looked down upon as a multi-region blender, first won the trophy. He proceeded to win it for three consecutive years. Then in the 80s a last-minute entry by Lindemans won the award. I believe the wine they submitted was a first-time blend that had no label or brand so Lindemans had to come up with one and so the Pyrus was born.

I'm sure there must be plenty of other stories associated with the trophy as many of the Jimmy Watson winners were not fancied wines. Even a Yellowtail wine has won the award.

Cheers......................Mahmoud.

Are the two Glaetzers related or is it just coincidence?

Instant gut reaction is that the judges are trying to send a message that balanced wines are the future. Big alc% wines are very unpopular, (at least with those vaguely in the wineverse), and those in the know (either trendy or informed) are looking to newer, fresher less weighty styles for their future drinking focus. C'mon, most of you agree!! Syrah rocks. I love a good Shiraz, but it's a very fine line between big hot oak and that holy SA grail of true big awesomeness.

Cheers
TiggerK

TiggerK wrote:Instant gut reaction is that the judges are trying to send a message that balanced wines are the future. Big alc% wines are very unpopular, (at least with those vaguely in the wineverse), and those in the know (either trendy or informed) are looking to newer, fresher less weighty styles for their future drinking focus. C'mon, most of you agree!! Syrah rocks. I love a good Shiraz, but it's a very fine line between big hot oak and that holy SA grail of true big awesomeness.

Cheers
TiggerK

In a way, that style is cool-climate Shiraz, or Syrah.

There's some very interesting examples currently out of Yarra Valley, and even Mornington Peninsula, and of course Western Victoria. Adelaide Hills and Eden Valley also can produce great examples.

If you haven't tried the De Bortoli Reserve Syrah 2008 yet, do yourself a favour...I think that's a fabulous wine.

Then there's all the Kiwi ones...

tried the 2008. interesting but not great...

Mahmoud Ali wrote:I'm sure there must be plenty of other stories associated with the trophy as many of the Jimmy Watson winners were not fancied wines. Even a Yellowtail wine has won the award.

This is my favorite Jimmy Watson story - http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/08/09/1028158016228.html

Great story Sharkey, hadn't heard this one before.

Thanks.........................Mahmoud.

TiggerK wrote:Instant gut reaction is that the judges are trying to send a message that balanced wines are the future. Big alc% wines are very unpopular, (at least with those vaguely in the wineverse), and those in the know (either trendy or informed) are looking to newer, fresher less weighty styles for their future drinking focus. C'mon, most of you agree!! Syrah rocks. I love a good Shiraz, but it's a very fine line between big hot oak and that holy SA grail of true big awesomeness.

Cheers
TiggerK

Don't know about this...are balanced wines only achievable in cool climates? have balanced wines not been a facet of the past and present? By what definition are big alcohol wines unpopular...what exactly is big alcohol? Good Syrah (if we are looking for stylistic definition) rocks, as does good Shiraz. Would think the Glaetzer wine won principally because it is a hell of a good wine rather than fitting the mould of where the chairman of judges thinks the future of Aussie red might lie.

Anyway, great for Glaetzer Dixon, great for Tassie and vive la difference.

I was in Tassie last week and had a glass of its older brother, the 2009, at Stillwater and was very enamored with it, so bought a couple of bottles. Very nice wine for the price, think I will go out and get a few more.

The 2010 is going to sell out in a blink when it releases next year - if it hasn't all been presold already. Anyway the 2009 is a beauty.

The 7.30 report had a story on it earlier this month - video link & transcript attached:

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3395176.htm

Tiny Tasmanian winery wins prestigious prize
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcast: 20/12/2011
Reporter: Martin Cuddihy

A tiny boutique label from Tasmania has won the nation's most prestigious wine award for a two-year-old Shiraz made with cool climate grapes.

Cheers,
Ian

Ps. I noticed in the story former Constellation spin doctor Sheralee Davies is now CEO of Wine Tasmania