The 2018 Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon has taken the top honours at the 2020 James Halliday Australia Cabernet Challenge, scoring 97 points of a possible 100 to claim the top trophy from 364 entries, encompassing 29 Australian wine regions.
In what is believed to be a world first, judging of the 2020 James Halliday Australia Cabernet Challenge presented by Langton’s, took place simultaneously in Australia’s pre-eminent Cabernet producing regions, Coonawarra in South Australia and Margaret River in Western Australia, with Yarra Valley in Victoria also connecting through virtual means to deliver this single variety wine show with a difference.
A panel of five judges each in Margaret River and Coonawarra, tasted close to 200 wines over two days, with a further 40 wines assessed on the third and final day to determine the regional trophy winners and overall Cabernet Champion in a virtual taste off via Zoom.
Xanadu Senior Winemaker, Glenn Goodall shared his excitement in taking out the prestigious national award.
“I’m absolutely wrapped. We’ve always taken enormous pride in our Cabernet Sauvignons, so to be awarded as the Cabernet Challenge Trophy in this year’s James Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge is definitely the highlight of 2020 and a huge achievement for everyone involved at Xanadu, especially our growers,” he said.
According to Mr Goodall, the 2018 vintage was a stand-out in Margaret River with wines of outstanding quality being produced.
“Cabernet Sauvignon loves Margaret River and there would have been some strong wines in the mix given 2018 was such an amazing vintage here. No doubt in years to come everyone’s 2018 Cabernets will still be the yardstick by which such exceptional vintages are remembered, so to have our 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon recognised like this, amongst so many great Australian producers, is extremely rewarding for the whole Xanadu team,” he said.
Best of Region awards were presented to five regional winners, before revealing the overall winner in what was a celebration of the world’s most planted and extremely versatile, food-friendly variety.
The 2018 Brand’s Laira 1968 Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, produced by Brand’s Laira Coonawarra, missed out on the top prize by the narrowest of margins in what was a nail-biting finish to the virtual trophy judging process.
Winemaker Peter Weinberg was thrilled for this wine to have been awarded Best of Region from a pool of 72 Coonawarra wines presented for judging.
“The team at Brand’s feels honoured to win the Best of Region award amongst such strong competition from one of the world’s best cabernet growing regions. This award is testament to the strength and commitment of our grapegrowing and winemaking teams at Brand’s Laira, we will be back next year for this fantastic event,” he said.
