The highly anticipated 2020 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, presented by Dan Murphy’s were held last night at the National Gallery of Victoria, where deserving winners were announced in front of an audience of wine
lovers, wine industry experts, winemakers and media.
South Australia came out on top, with the coveted award for Best Wine going to Yangarra Estate for their 2016 High Sands McLaren Vale Grenache, while one of the Clare Valley’s most respected wineries, Jim Barry Wines has kicked off its 60th birthday celebrations in style, winning one of Australia’s most revered wine accolades – Best Winery.
Halliday Wine Companion’s James Halliday and his tasting panel reviewed more than 9048 Australian wines over the past year, uncovering the winners of six major awards and twelve varietal winners, which were announced throughout the evening.
MC, Merrick Watts and James Halliday announced the major awards while guests had the opportunity to taste 27 wines matched with a curated five-course menu.
The awards mark the release of Australia’s indispensable reference to the country’s leading wines and wine growing regions, the 2020 Halliday Wine Companion book. Released tomorrow nationally, this comprehensive guide is the must-have resource for every wine lover, from novice to expert.
WINNERS
Winery of the year – Jim Barry Wines, Clare Valley, SA. Category sponsor Wine Australia
Wine of the year – 2016 Yangarra Estate Vineyard High Sands McLaren Vale Grenache, McLaren Vale, SA. Category sponsor Dan Murphy’s
Winemaker of the year – Vanya Cullen – Cullen Wines, Margaret River, WA. Category sponsor Harvey Norman
Best New Winery – Shy Susan Wines, Tasmania
Dark Horse of the Year – Dal Zotto Wines, King Valley, Victoria
Best Value Winery of the Year – Domaine Naturaliste, Margaret River, WA
020 VARIETAL WINNERS
Sparkling – 2004 House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged – 99 points
Riesling – 2006 Crawford River Reserve Riesling – 98 points
Semillon – 2013 Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon – 97 points
Sauvignon Blanc – 2017 Flowstone Queen of the Earth Sauvignon Blanc – 96 points
Chardonnay – 2017 Moss Wood Wilyabrup Chardonnay – 99 points
Semillon Sauvignon Blends – 2016 Stella Bella Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon – 97 points
Pinot Noir – 2017 Mount Mary Yarra Valley Pinot Noir – 99 points
Shiraz – 2017 John Duval Entity Shiraz – 99 points
Shiraz and / or Grenache – 2016 Yangarra Estate Vineyard High Sands Grenache – 99 points – *Also
Winner of the Wine of The Year Award
Cabernet Sauvignon – 2016 Deep Woods Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – 99 points
Cabernet Sauvignon and Family – 2017 Cullen Diana Madeline – 98 points
Fortified – 1919 Seppeltsfield 100 Year Old Para Liqueur – 100 points
James Halliday has commented, “I am really proud of this edition, with the Australian wine industry once again producing some outstanding wines. The Awards show the extraordinary diversity of the Australian wine scene from north to south, east to west with winners from right across the country. The winners of the major awards come from Clare Valley, Margaret River (2), McLaren Vale, Tasmania and the King Valley, and the varietal winners come from Tasmania, Henty, Hunter Valley, Margaret River (4), Yarra Valley, Barossa (2) and McLaren Vale. Here the 2017 vintage was a connecting link.”
More than 9048 wines were tasted for this 2020 Halliday Wine Companion edition, which features full tasting notes for 3943 wines, as well as ratings, drink-to-dates and prices for a further 3268 wines from 1234 wineries (including 64 new operations).
The book also provides an overview of the best of the best wines by variety, best wineries by region, varietal wine styles and regions, and a guide to food and wine pairing.
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