The 2023 Langtons Margaret River Wine Show was held last week, with judging culminating in a Gala Awards Lunch at the beautifully refurbished Lenton Brae Cellar Door on Friday, 20 October.The Stella Bella team triumphed this year, taking home a trio of trophies for the Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2022, receiving Best Chardonnay, Best White Wine, and the ultimate accolade, Best Wine of Show. Stella Bella also capped off a remarkable show by being awarded the Trophy for Most Successful Exhibitor.
This year is the second time the Suckfizzle Chardonnay, from Margaret River Wine Region’s most southern vineyard, has won the Wine of the Show Trophy at the Margaret River Wine Show. The Augusta vineyard is influenced by the prevailing Antarctic winds of the Southern Ocean and moderated by the warmth of the Blackwood River, creating wine of unique power and flavour.
Stella Bella Chief Winemaker Luke Jolliffe shared his excitement about the success, stating, "We are thrilled to have won four trophies. Recognition such as this for our single vineyard Suckfizzle Chardonnay is a testament to the whole team. The passion in farming our land with care and precision, through to nurturing the wine from grape to bottle shows a very special and cohesive viticultural and winemaking team. We are incredibly fortunate. And how good is Margaret River Chardonnay?”
Chaired by the distinguished wine writer Nick Ryan, this year's event included an exceptional judging panel of experts from across Australia and the highly regarded Master of Wine, Richard Hemming, from 67 Pall Mall in Singapore.
The judging, which took place on Wadandi Boodja at the Margaret River HEART, assessed a remarkable 631 entries from ninety-two exhibitors. Fifty-two wines achieved the coveted gold medal status, earning 95 points or higher on the 100-point scale. An additional 141 wines received silver medals, and 257 wines received bronze medals, adding to an impressive medal strike rate of over 71%.
Chair of Judges Nick Ryan said, “This year’s wine show has seen high expectations met and new benchmarks set. The star of the show has once again been chardonnay, further reinforcing the new reality that sees Margaret River dominate the conversation around where the world’s best chardonnay is coming from.
That cabernet sauvignon remained strong despite the challenging chickens of the 2021 vintage coming home to roost is a testament to the viticulturists and winemakers of the region, and the strong performance of semillon, sauvignon blanc and the blends thereof reminded us these styles remain really relevant here.
And the Rose’s?? Well, that’s a whole other story….suffice it to say Margaret River’s reputation as a paradise for pink wines has grown even more.”
Reflecting on the show, Margaret River Wine Association CEO Amanda Whiteland said, “To add a bit of fun, this year the seven Rosé gold medal-winning wines were judged ‘in their natural habitat’ at the beachside White Elephant Café in Gnarabup, overlooking the magnificent Indian Ocean. The Rosé Trophy went to the McHenry Hohnen Chloé Rosé 2023, which was a wonderful accident given vigneron Murray McHenry OAM had generously sponsored new custom-tailored P. Johnson Pink Jackets for those that missed out since 2018 as well as for a future five-years.”
Langtons 2023 Margaret River Wine Show Trophies:
Langtons Trophy for Wine of Show
Stella Bella Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2022
Margaret River Wagyu Trophy for Red Wine of Show
Abbey Vale Premium RSV Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Labelmakers Group of Companies Trophy for White Wine of Show
Stella Bella Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2022
Vinline Mobile Bottling Trophy for Most Successful Exhibitor
Stella Bella
Langtons Trophy for Wine of Provenance
Lenton Brae Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2012, 2015, 2023
Margaret River Wine Association International Judge’s Trophy
Swings & Roundabouts Brash Road Syrah 2022
City of Busselton Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Abbey Vale Premium RSV Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
MCC Trophy for Best Chardonnay
Stella Bella Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2022
Tonnellerie de Mercurey Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Red
Mandoon Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Sanector Trophy for Best Single Vineyard White
Snake and Herring Primary Chardonnay 2022
Cospak Saverglass Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Evans & Tate Redbrook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2021
My Vintner Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc
Mandoon Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Orora Trophy for Best Blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
Wills Domain Mystic Spring Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Burkert Trophy for Best Other White Blend or Varietal
Xanadu Vinework Chenin Blanc 2023
Fusion Electrical Trophy for Best Shiraz
Credaro 1000 Crowns Shiraz 2022
Chr. Hansen ‘Pink Jacket’ Trophy for Best Rosé
McHenry Hohnen Chloé Rosé 2023
Hahn Corporation Trophy for Best Other Red Blend or Varietal
McHenry Hohnen Hazel’s Vineyard Tempranillo 2022
The Langtons Margaret River Wine Show was judged at the Margaret River HEART from Monday 16 to Wednesday 18 October 2023. The 2023 Langtons Margaret River Wine Show full results book is available at margaretriver.wine/show-results/