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31, May 2024

McLaren Vale Grenache Wins at National Wine Show

McLaren Vale's Chalk Hill Wines and Lloyd Brothers have been recognised with a trophy for their varietal Grenache and Grenache blend, respectively at the prestigious National Wine Show of Australia!

BEST GRENACHE TROPHY

Chalk Hill Wines 2022 Alpha Crucis Old Vine Grenache was awarded the Best Grenache Trophy in the 2024 National Wine Show of Australia.

Chalk Hill Wines McLaren Vale Best Grenache Trophy At National Wine Show of Australia 2024
Eliza Pithers from House of Fine Wine, accepting the Best Grenache Trophy on behalf of Chalk Hill Wines.

The Grenache grapes for the Alpha Crucis 2022 Grenache are sourced from almost 90 year old bush vines in Blewitt Springs. Handpicked from the sandy vineyard, fermented for 10 days with 20% as whole bunch.

An aromatic, fresh and floral with rose petal and lavender aromatics along with fresh cherry, and background earthy spice. A medium bodied Grenache that has classic characters savoury cherries and pomegranate, florals and layers of lingering spice. With a line of minerality and fresh acidity through the palate the wine is structural and refined with fine tannins.


BEST GRENACHE BLEND TROPHY

Lloyd Brothers 2022 Estate Blend GSM was awarded the Best Grenache Blend Trophy in the 2024 National Wine Show of Australia.

Lloyd Brothers McLaren Vale Best Grenache Blend Trophy National Wine Show of Australia 2024
Sam Temme and Gonzalo Sánchez accepting the trophy for Best Grenache Blend for their 2022 Estate Blend GSM at the National Wine Show of Australia 2024.

The 2022 Estate Blend is produced from grapes grown on the Lloyd Brothers McLaren Vale Estate. A blend of Grenache (75%) hand-picked from the bush vines located a few steps from the winery, Shiraz (17%) from Manor Block with a small percentage of estate bush vine Mourvèdre (8%).

The Grenache adds a beautiful juicy plum character and spice to help create a delicious medium bodied wine. The Shiraz from Manor Block have lovely, lifted violets and red/blue fruits on nose which follow through to the palate with some dried herbs, cloves and white pepper complementing the fruit. A small percentage of estate bush vine Mourvèdre adds some spice and lift to the blend. Aged in seasoned French oak for 9 months it is a modern version of a classic blend.


MEDAL WINNERS

Additional McLaren Vale producers were also recognised in the 2024 National Wine Show results with a string of gold and silver medals awarded:


TOP GOLD

Chalk Hill Wines 2022 Alpha Crucis Old Vine Grenache 95 Pts

Lloyd Brothers 2022 Estate Blend GSM 95 Pts


GOLD

Willunga 100 2022 McLaren Vale Grenache 95 Pts

Willunga 100 2022 Trott Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache 95 Pts

Hardys 2022 Tintara Shiraz 95 Pts

Chalk Hill Wines 2022 Alpha Crucis Mataro Grenache 96 Pts


SILVER

Oliver's Taranga Vineyards 2023 Mencia 92 Pts

Big Easy Radio 2020 Forget Babylon Malbec 94 Pts

Serafino GSM 2022 91 PtsLloyd Brothers 2022 Syrah 93 Pts

Chalk Hill Alpha Crucis 2021 Clarendon Syrah 90 Pts

Shingleback 2021 Davey Estate McLaren Vale Shiraz 90 Pts

Shingleback 2019 D Block Reserve McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Pts

Willunga 100 2021 McLaren Vale Cabernet Shiraz 90 Pts

Oliver's Taranga Vineyards 2023 Brioni's Blend 93 Pts

Hither & Yon 2022 Touriga Tempranillo 93 Pts


The National Wine Show of Australia show has been a highlight on the Australian wine industry calendar since it began in 1975.

To be eligible to enter the National Wine Show all entries must have won a gold or silver medal in a qualifying show, meaning only the highest-awarded wines make it to the judging table. The National Wine Show winners represent the best of the best Australian wines.

View full result list here: https://tinyurl.com/2zuy9yks

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