“Once again the Langhorne Creek Wine Show has thrown light on the region’s great strengths,
pointed to potential new stars and reminded us all that this special place between two rivers
can produce really soulful and utterly delicious wines.”
These are the words of Nick Ryan, chief of judges at 2018 Langhorne Creek Wine Show, dominated by the phenomenon that is Lake Breeze Wines, which won Champion Wine of Show and Producer of the Year.
Lake Breeze Wines 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, the highest scoring wine of the show, also won the Orora Beverages Stelvin Closures Champion Cabernet Sauvignon trophy. Lake Breeze 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon also won the Brighter Best Museum or Fortified Wine of the show, pointing to the variety’s supreme ageing qualities.
Nick Ryan was joined by winemaker Charlie Seppelt and international judge Joe Czerwinski, managing editor of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. “It was a pleasure to showcase the region for our International judge, Joe Czerwinski, from the world’s most influential wine publication, and we can be pleased he’ll head home having seen outstanding wines across a range of styles,” Nick said.
“Cabernet sauvignon, as always, was a real highlight. And the malbec class produced more evidence to back up the case for recognising Langhorne Creek as the variety’s most comfortable Australian home.”
Joe Czerwinski said: “A lot of the red wines really impressed. Langhorne Creek has clearly had a run of good vintages, with cabernet, malbec and shiraz looking particularly strong.” His inaugural International Judge’s Award went to Shearer’s Hill 2017 Shiraz.
Agronomist Warren Burgess was presented with the annual Viticulturist of the Year award and was recognised for his contribution to the industry and the Langhorne Creek region.
The awards ceremony on Friday 4 May saw 300 grapegrowers, winemakers, trade and winery staff gathered for lunch catered by award-winning chef Simon Burr from the Olfactory Inn.
The show received a record 226 entries from 34 producers.
Associate judges were Melanie Hollick and Jonathon Brook.
2018 Langhorne Creek Wine Show Trophy Winners
Best Sparkling Wine, White Wine or Rosé
Sponsored by Vinpac
Lake Breeze Wines Reserve Chardonnay 2017
Best Blended Red Wine
Sponsored by Cooperages 1912
The Stoneyfell Cellars Langhorne Creek Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Sponsored by Orora Beverages Stelvin Closures
Lake Breeze Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Best Shiraz
Sponsored by Project Wine Pty Ltd
Bremerton Old Adam Shiraz 2015
Best Malbec
Sponsored by New Holland Agriculture
Bleasdale Vineyards Double Take Malbec 2016
Best Museum or Fortified Wine
Sponsored by Brighter
Lake Breeze Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Best Wine from a Multi-Regional Blend
Sponsored by Glass Print Solutions
Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2016
International Judges Award
Presented by Joe Czerwinski
Shearer’s Hill Shiraz 2017
Champion Wine
Sponsored by Multi Color Corporation
Lake Breeze Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Peats Soils and Garden Supplies
Lake Breeze Wines
Viticulturist of the Year
Sponsored by The Creeks Pipeline Company
Warren Burgess
• Photo: Greg Follett accepting an award at the lunch. From Langhorne Creek Wine Region Instagram.
Congrats to LBW – great people with deserved success…