27, October 2023
2023 Bushing Monarchs: Chalk Hill Wines
Chalk Hill’s 2022 Tempranillo Grenache has won McLaren Vale’s Best Wine of Show 2023, seeing Winemaker Renae Hirsch and Owner Tom Harvey crowned McLaren Vale Bushing Monarchs for the second time.
The trophies from the 2023 MGA Insurance McLaren Vale Wine Show, including Best Wine of Show and the prestigious ‘Bushing Monarch’ title, were awarded at the 50th anniversary of the annual McLaren Vale Bushing Lunch, held at Chalk Hill Wines on Friday 27 October.
From over 700 entries, the 2022 Chalk Hill Tempranillo Grenache was selected as the 2023 Best Wine of Show by an impressive panel of judges from across Australia, including Andrew Thomas (Thomas Wines, Hunter Valley) International Judge Sean Ou (The Beverage Clique, Singapore), Rob Mack (Aphelion Wines, McLaren Vale), Ian McKenzie (Langhorne Creek) and Liz Silkman (First Creek Wines, Hunter Valley).
McLaren Vale winemakers are mastering the art of varietal blending, as witnessed by the number of entries and the quality of the blend classes. The 2022 Chalk Hill Tempranillo Grenache ultimately rose to the top as a seamless example of vibrant fleshy fruit overlayed with a floral delicacy and poise. It’s bright line of acidity and detailed tannin structure the icing on the cake.
~ Andrew Thomas, Chair of Judges of the 2023 McLaren Vale Wine Show
View full: 2023 MGA Insurance McLaren Vale Wine Show Results Book
2023 McLAREN VALE WINE SHOW - TROPHY LIST
Best Wine of Show Bushing Monarch
Chalk Hill 2022 Tempranillo Grenache
Chairperson's Trophy
Big Easy Radio 2020 Forget Babylon Malbec
International Judge's Wine of Show
Chalk Hill 2022 Small Batch Release Nero D'Avola
Wine of Provenance Trophy
Hardys 2021, 2018, 2012 Eileen Hardy Shiraz
Best Museum Wine of Show
Shingleback The Gate 2019 McLaren Vale Shiraz
Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Bec Hardy Wines Pertaringa 2021 Rifle & Hunt Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Shiraz
Thistledown 2022 Cunning Plan Shiraz
Best Grenache
Serafino 2022 Reserve Grenache
Best Single Vineyard Shiraz
Shingleback Unedited 2018 McLaren Vale Shiraz
Best Single Vineyard Viticulturalist
Murray Leake for MMAD Vineyard
Best Single Vineyard Wine Any Style (other than Shiraz)
MMAD Vineyard 2022 Blewitt Springs Chenin Blanc
Most Successful Exhibitor
Chalk Hill Wines
Best Small Producer
MMAD Vineyard
Best Mediterranean Red Variety
Hedonist 2022 Tempranillo
Best Three Year or Older Shiraz
Shingleback Unedited 2018 McLaren Vale Shiraz
Best Two Year or Younger Cabernet Sauvignon
Bec Hardy Wines Pertaringa 2021 Rifle & Hunt Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Two Year Old Shiraz
Robert Oatley 2021 Signature Series Shiraz
Best Two Year or Older Grenache
S.C.Pannell 2021 Old McDonald Grenache
Best Other Red & Blends
Chalk Hill 2022 Tempranillo Grenache
Best Cabernet Blend
Shottesbrooke Vineyards Engine Room by Hamish Maguire 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Sangiovese
Best Shiraz Predominant Blend
Shottesbrooke Vineyards Engine Room by Hamish Maguire 2022 Shiraz Tempranillo
Best Grenache Predominant Blend
Wirra Wirra Vineyards 2022 Original Blend Grenache Shiraz
Best One Year Old or Younger Shiraz
Thistledown 2022 Cunning Plan Shiraz
Best One Year Old Grenache
Serafino 2022 Reserve Grenache
Best Rosé
Hugo Wines 2023 Rosé
Best Fiano
d'Arenberg 2023 The Sun Surfer Fiano
Best New and Emerging White Wine
Lloyd Brothers 2023 McLaren Vale Picpoul
Best Traditional White Wine
MMAD Vineyard 2022 Blewitt Springs Chenin Blanc