Sidewood Estate is celebrating an extraordinary victory with its 2023 Mappinga Chardonnay sweeping the top three awards at the 2024 International Cool Climate Wine Show (ICCWS). This prestigious wine competition saw the Chardonnay named Best Wine in Show, Best White Wine in Show, and Best Australian Wine, edging out 60 global contenders.
The 2023 vintage, showcasing layers of peach, nectarine, and grapefruit aromas, offers a complex taste profile with notes of grilled almonds, finger lime, and lychee. Its distinctive mineral-driven acidity and Oak tannins enhance its tight, racy structure, finishing with a lovely length of palate.
Paul White, Chairman of the ICCWS, shared “Cool climate wines usually showcase spicy, floral and herbaceous tones, and the wines tend to be more complex and intense, with natural acidity bringing brightness and freshness. The 2023 Mappinga Chardonnay has demonstrated the finesse and characteristics of a cool climate wine, which has enabled it to win multiple awards; collecting three trophies in this show is a rarity, which is a tribute to Sidewood’s wine-making skills,” White said.
The ICCWS’s rigorous judging panel comprises international experts selected from all around the world, ensuring a highly competitive environment.
Sidewood Estate’s winemaker, Darryl Catlin, explained that the award-winning vintage was produced from sustainably grown grapes, which were chilled, carefully pressed, and fermented in French Oak barrels to enhance its flavour complexity.
“We put in a lot of effort to create exceptional wines, and it all starts with beautiful fruit. Every step, from grape to glass, is meticulously handled, and I take great pride in this particular wine.
“This was our first outing of this vintage and the fact that it has been so well received is always exciting,” Catlin said.
Sidewood Estate Owner & Vigneron, Owen Inglis, also shared his thoughts on the win. “Our wines have a strong track record, consistently earning local and global acclaim. This award is a true reflection of our dedication to excellence and quality. It’s a testament to our winemakers and the collaborative efforts of the entire team,” Inglis said.
This recent success adds to Sidewood Estate’s impressive history of awards, including their 2015 Chloe Cuvee Chardonnay—a sparkling variety that marked a historic moment by being the first to receive the ICCWS Best Sparkling Wine in Show in 2022. Over the last three years, Sidewood’s Mappinga Chardonnay has also claimed Best Wine at several prestigious shows for its 2021 and 2022 vintages.
As part of Sidewood’s 20th anniversary celebrations, the estate reflects on its journey of producing exceptional wines that have garnered over 50 trophies and 400 gold medals. Among these, notable awards include the International Trophy for Best Rhone Varietal in 2015 and multiple trophies from the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards.
Sidewood Estate continues to offer its highly acclaimed wines, including the 2023 Mappinga Chardonnay, as part of a limited release six-pack available for purchase directly from their website. This exclusive offer includes two bottles each from the victorious 2021, 2022, and 2023 vintages, allowing wine lovers to experience the quality progression of Sidewood’s distinguished Chardonnays.
To inquire about purchasing the 2023 Mappinga Chardonnay, please visit https://sidewood.com.au or contact [email protected].
More News
