All images by Ben MacMahon, MacMahon Images
In a showcase of Australia’s Grenache winemaking prowess, the 2023 James Halliday Grenache Challenge has delivered a triumphant victory. The prestigious title this year goes to Serafino’s 2022 Reserve Grenache, an accolade that underscores the variety’s remarkable strength and diversity.
The seventh annual James Halliday Grenache Challenge (JHGC) took place on October 16, 2023, right in the heart of McLaren Vale. The event was graced by the presence of the esteemed James Halliday AM himself, who led a panel of distinguished judges.
A total of 153 Grenache wines, hailing from different corners of Australia, were meticulously evaluated. The results illuminated the unrivalled excellence of McLaren Vale Grenache, with three of the highest-ranked wines and six of the top ten wines originating from this illustrious region.
James Halliday AM, the doyen of Australian wine, marvelled at the quality of this year’s Grenache submissions. He expressed his appreciation for the winemakers, remarking, “The makers of Grenache responded jubilantly to the quality of the ’21, ’22, and ’23 growing seasons. There is a pattern of finesse, purity, and intensity in the medal-winning wines, the best simply beautiful.”
He went on to laud McLaren Vale for its pivotal role in the Grenache renaissance, stating, “McLaren Vale has been the beating heart of Grenache’s rediscovery; it really has been front and centre of the Grenache renaissance.”
Maria Maglieri, the CEO of Serafino, was elated by the win and emphasized the collective effort that went into achieving this prestigious recognition. She noted, “It’s a testament to the hard work of our entire team and the unique characteristics of our McLaren Vale vineyards. It is truly special. This recognition propels us to continue our journey of excellence.”
The James Halliday Grenache Challenge, proudly hosted by the McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association (MVGWTA) every October, serves as a vital benchmark for Grenache wines from all across Australia.
The competition encourages an honest assessment of our country’s Grenache winemaking expertise while recognizing the evolving styles and movements within the industry.
Reflecting on this year’s submissions, the judging panel noted, “Grenache continues to intrigue and challenge all the judges to be on their game with an exciting and diverse array of styles. There were great examples of precise primary aromatic styles alongside the brooding weighted styles which walked the flavour ripeness, varietal definition, and alcohol tightrope with varying levels of success…Recent vintages certainly look strong in McLaren Vale for Grenache, particularly 2022 which had great varietal definition in many cases. Well played winemakers.”
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