LOVEDALE'S REIGN CONTINUES WITH TRI NATIONS TROPHIES
McWilliam's winery has again been honoured with international success at the invitation only Tri Nations Wine Challenge, contested by Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, taking out the Best White Wine of Show Trophy and Best Other White Trophy for its flagship 2005 McWilliam's Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon.
For the second time in three years, Phil Ryan, McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant winemaker, collected the Best White Wine of Show Trophy. In taking the trophy, the 2005 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon triumphed against Australian heavyweights such as Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay, Hardys Eileen Hardy Chardonnay and Brokenwood Semillon, as well as all Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and all Chenin Blanc from South Africa. Of the five trophies awarded to Australian wines at the Tri Nations Wine Challenge, 2005 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon received two of them.
Since its involvement in the Tri Nations Wine Challenge began in 1996, McWilliam’s has achieved remarkable results, amassing nine trophies, one gold, one double gold and two top 10 awards. The undisputed star of this success has been McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon, responsible for eight of the nine trophies awarded to the winery.
A humble Phil Ryan, McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant winemaker, attributed this year’s success to a great 2005 vintage:
“This wine is a result of a truly great vintage in the Hunter Valley and it’s a wonderful result for all involved,” says Phil. “Hunter Valley Semillon is a style that’s completely unique to Australia and to see it recognised at an international show is tremendous for both McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant and more broadly, Australian wine.”
With strict entry criteria and judged by a formidable line up of wine talent from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, including Huon Hooke (Australia), Bob Campbell MW (New Zealand) and Michael Fridjhon (South Africa), the Tri Nations Wine Challenge has quickly established a reputation as one of the most challenging and demanding to win.
The Tri Nations Wine Challenge is also a powerful indicator of a wine’s potential and quality. Last year’s Tri Nations Wine Challenge awarded the 2005 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Cellar Aged Elizabeth Semillon double gold and this year, the wine has gone on to be crowned the Trophy for Best Australian White Wine at the International Wine Challenge in London.
This latest achievement for 2005 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon raises its wine show tally to three trophies and four gold medals. In Semillon terms, the 2005 Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon is at the beginning of its lifetime, a wine that is drinking with restrained elegance now but will build character and richness with another decade’s bottle age.
Awards:
Trophy Tri Nations Wine Challenge 2010, Class 5
Trophy Tri Nations Wine Challenge 2010, Class 5
Trophy Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2009, Class 34
Gold Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2009, Class 34
Gold Royal Queensland Wine Show 2008, Class 26
Gold Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2008, Class 33
Gold Royal Queensland Wine Show 2010, Class 27
‘Landmark Wine of Australia’, Rated ‘Excellent’, Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine IV
2005 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon is currently available at retailers across the country.
