Margaret River producer Xanadu has won the Australian wine industry’s most prestigious prize – the 2018 Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy.
Xanadu won the award – announced last night at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards – with the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon. Xanadu is part of the Rathbone Wine Group.
Chief Rathbone Wine Group winemaker and CEO Darren Rathbone says, “We are very proud of the quality of Cabernet we have been able to produce at Xanadu over the last 12 years.
“Winning the Jimmy Watson Trophy is a huge honour, and it is fantastic to get the recognition with such a prestigious award.”
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon also takes home a 2018 Royal Melbourne Wine Show trophy for Best Cabernet.
“The immense pedigree of the Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon gleams over twelve excellent vintages, each shining as a testament to the passion and dedication of the winemaking team led by Glenn Goodall’s strong thirteen year stand as chief winemaker,” Darren says.
“Since his first vintage as chief winemaker, this Cabernet Sauvignon label has amassed a staggering nineteen trophies and thirty-six gold medals at a succession of prestigious Australian wine shows, including eight National Wine Show of Australia trophies. Now, with the iconic Jimmy Watson under its belt, Xanadu is cemented as one of Australia’s leading Cabernet producers.”
Xanadu is the sixth Margaret River wine to take home the trophy.
Glenn Goodall says, “We are absolutely stoked and extremely proud to be bringing the Jimmy back to Margs. It’s a testament to the hard work of the entire Xanadu team, our growers, and highlights the strength of the Margaret River region.”
Founded in 1977, Xanadu is renowned as one of the pioneering Margaret River wineries. The team also includes winemaker Brendan Carr and viticulturist Suzie Muntz.
The Rathbone Wine Group purchased the Xanadu winery in 2005, marking the beginning of its dream run.
Darren Rathbone says, “The Rathbone Wine Group was dirst attracted to Margaret River as a region because I love drinking Margaret River Cabernet and wanted to be involved in making this style of Cabernet.
“With the support of Glenn, Suzie and all the Xanadu team it is fantastic to see us reach such great accolades with a wine I personally love to drink.”
Thirteen years on, Xanadu’s ascent to national success has been steady and steep. Collecting seventy-two trophies across its wine portfolio, Xanadu’s Cabernet Sauvignon has continuously stood out, and now cemented its pedigree with its 2018 Jimmy Watson win.”
The white wine equivalent, the Francois De Castella trophy for Best Young White Wine went to Tasmanian winery Tolpuddle Vineyard for 2017 Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay. Tolpuddle Vineyard’s 2017 Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay also took home the Douglas Seabrook Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Wine with vineyard manager Carlos Souris awarded the Kym Ludvigsen Trophy for Viticultural Excellence.
2018 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards
Major Trophy Winners
The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for Best Young Red Wine
Xanadu 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Xanadu Wines Pty Ltd, Margaret River
The François de Castella Trophy for Best Young White Wine
Tolpuddle Vineyard 2017 Chardonnay, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Tasmania
The James Halliday Trophy for the Best Pinot Noir
Bay of Fires 2017 Pinot Noir, Bay of Fires, Tasmania
The Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz
Tokar Estate 2017 Shiraz, Tokar Estate, Yarra Valley
The Victorian Trophy for White Wines of Provenance
Coldstream Hills 2017, 2011 And 2006 Reserve Chardonnay, Coldstream Hills, Yarra Valley
The Victorian Trophy for Red Wines of Provenance
Sanguine Estate Progeny 2017, 2012 And 2008 Shiraz, Sanguine Estate, Heathcote
The Douglas Seabrook Single Vineyard Trophy
Tolpuddle Vineyard 2017 Chardonnay, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Tasmania
The Kym Ludvigsen Trophy for Viticultural Excellence
Carols Souris, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Tasmania
The Bill Chambers Trophy for Best Fortified
Cellar Reserve Grand Topaque NV Muscadelle, Morris Wines Pty Ltd, Rutherglen
Best in Class Trophy Winners
Best Sparkling
House of Arras Grand Vintage 2008 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, House of Arras, Tasmania
Best Riesling
Eddystone Point 2008 Riesling, Eddystone Point, Tasmania
Best Chardonnay presented by Plumm
Tolpuddle Vineyard 2017 Chardonnay, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Tasmania
Best Semillon
Tyrrell’s Belford 2013 Semillon, Hunter, New South Wales
Best Sauvignon Blanc or Blend of Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc
Suckfizzle 2016 Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon, Stella Bella Wines, Margaret River
Best Single Varietal White
Haselgrove Alternative Series 2018 Fiano, Haselgrove Wines Pty Ltd, McLaren Vale
Best Sweet White Wine
Michel Marie 2015 Semillon, M & M Nehme Botrytis Yenda Pty Ltd, Riverina
Best Rose
Hedonist Rose 2018 Sangiovese, Hedonist Wines, McLaren Vale
Best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Blend of Associated Varieties
Xanadu 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Xanadu Wines Pty Ltd, Margaret River
Best Single Varietal Red
Tamburlaine Orange Reserve 2017 Malbec, Tamburlaine Organic Wines, Orange, New South Wales
Best Grenache, GSM or Blend of Associated Varieties
Jacob’s Creek Limited Release Barossa 2017 Grenache, Barossa Valley
Best Shiraz/Cabernet Blend
Majella The Musician 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz, Coonawarra
Best Red Blend
Hamelin Bay Rampant Red 2017 Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Hamelin Bay Wines, Margaret River
Best Mature Wine
Tyrrell’s Belford 2013 Semillon, Tyrrell’s Vineyards, Hunter
Best Organic or Biodynamic Wine
Tamburlaine Orange Reserve 2017 Malbec, Tamburlaine Organic Wines, Orange
Consistency of Excellence Winners
Flametree SRS Wallcliffe, 2015, 2016, 2017 Chardonnay, Flametree Wines, Western Australia
Houghton The Bandit, 2014, 2015 Shiraz, Houghton Wines, Western Australia
Jim Barry Lodge Hill, 2014, 2015, 2016 Shiraz, Jim Barry Wines, South Australia
Mandoon Estate 2015, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mandoon Estate, Western Australia
Morris Cellar Reserve Grand Topaque, Nv Muscadelle, Morris Wines, Victoria
Morris Old Premium Rare Muscat, Nv Muscat, Morris Wines, Victoria
Morris Old Premium Rare Topaque, Nv Muscadelle, Morris Wines, Victoria
Robert Oatley Signature Series McLaren Vale 2015, 2016 Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro, Robert Oatley Vineyards, South Australia
Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon, 2005, 2009, 2013 Semillon, Tyrrell’s Vineyards, New South Wales
Peter Lehmann Wigan, 2015 Riesling, Peter Lehmann Wines, South Australia
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