S.C Pannell Wines Adelaide Hills Syrah 2013 has taken out the coveted Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy at the 2014 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards.
The Adelaide Hills Syrah 2013 was up against six other finalists for the award which recognises the best young red wine of the 2012 and 2012 vintage.
S.C. Pannell Wines, is a small, family owned winery founded in McLaren Vale, SA in 2004 by Stephen Pannell and his wife Fiona Lindquist.
This year marks the second time Pannell has taken home the Jimmy Watson Trophy after also winning in 1996 for the Eileen Hardy Shiraz 1995, during his tenure as Chief Red Winemaker at Hardy’s.
Chair of Judges, Tom Carson described the Watson winner as “A seductive and thoroughly modern expression of Australian Shiraz, dark fruits, spice and a wonderfully textured mouth feel with fine grained earthy tannins. The wine effortlessly flows across then palate, plush with vibrancy, authenticity and a powerful and longly flavoured finish that ensures this wine will be enjoyed over many years to come.”
Full list of the 2014 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards trophy winners
THE JIMMY WATSON MEMORIAL TROPHY FOR THE BEST RED WINE OF THE 2012 AND 2013 VINTAGES: S.C. Parnell Adelaide Hills Syrah 2013- S.C. Parnell Wines, McLaren Vale SA
THE JAMES HALLIDAY TROPHY FOR BEST PINOT NOIR PRESENTED BY JAMES HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION: Coldstream Hills Deer Farm Pinot Noir, 2013 – Coldstream Hills, Yarra Valley VIC
THE DOUGLAS SEABROOK SINGLE VINEYARD TROPHY: Oakridge 864 Funder & Diamond Drive Block Chardonnay 2012 – Oakridge Wines, Yarra Valley VIC
KYM LUDVIGSEN TROPHY FOR VITICULTURAL EXCELLENCE: John Funder & Val Diamond, Funder & Diamond Drive Block, Yarra Ranges VIC
THE VICTORIAN TROPHY FOR WINES OF PROVENANCE: Granite Hills Riesling 2013, 2008 & 2004, Granite Hills, Macedon Ranges VIC
THE FRANCOIS DE CASTELLA TROPHY FOR BEST YOUNG WHITE WINE: Bay of Fires Chardonnay, 2013 – Bay of Fires, TAS
THE TREVOR MAST TROPHY FOR BEST SHIRAZ: S.C. Pannell Syrah Shiraz, 2013 – S.C. Pannell Wines, McLaren Vale, SA
THE BILL CHAMBERS TROPHY FOR BEST FORTIFIED: Morris Old Premium Rare Liqueur Muscat NV, -Morris Wines, Rutherglen VIC
2014 Trophy Winners
THE DAN MURPHY’S TROPHY FOR BEST SPARKLING: Pirie Sparkling, 2009 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, 2009 – Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard, TAS
THE RIEDEL TROPHY FOR BEST RIESLING: St. Andrews Riesling, 2014 – Taylors Wines Pty Ltd, Clare Valley, SA
THE GRAYSONLINE TROPHY FOR BEST CHARDONNAY: Bay of Fires Chardonnay, 2013 – Bay of Fires, TAS
THE EXPONET TROPHY FOR BEST SEMILLON: Vat 1 Semillon, 2005 – Tyrell’s Vineyards, Hunter Valley, NSW
THE PORTAVIN INTEGRATED WINE SERVICES TROPHY FOR BEST SAV BLANC OR BLEND SEMILLON SAUVIGNON BLANC: Domaine Naturaliste Sauvage, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, 2013 – Domaine Naturaliste Vitiners, Margaret River, WA
THE PSC INSURANCE TROPHY FOR BEST OTHER SINGLE VARIETAL WHITE WINE: Symphony Hill Wines Gewurztraminer, 2014 – Symphony Hill Wines, New England, NSW
THE KUBOTA TROPHY FOR BEST OTHER WHITE BLEND: Debortoli Family Vineyards Bianco 2014 –DeBortoli Wines, Riverina, NSW
THE EXPONET TROPHY FOR BEST SWEET WHITE WINE: d’Arenburg The Noble Wrinkled Riesling, 2011 – d’Arenburg, McLaren Vale SA
THE COLLINS PLACE TROPHY FOR BEST ROSE: Deep Woods ‘Harmony’ Rose, 2014 – Deep Woods Estate, Margaret River, WA
THE FIIG SECURITIES TROPHY FOR BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT OR BORDEAUX VARIETY BLEND: Deep Woods ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012 – Deep Woods Estate, Margaret River, WA
THE RURAL FINANCE TROPHY FOR BEST SINGLE VARIETY RED WINE: Morris The Criollo, Malbec 2012 – Morris Wines, Rutherglen, VIC
THE PORTAVIN INTEGRATED WINE SERVICES TROPHY FOR BEST GRENACHE, OR RED RHONE VARIETAL, OF RED BLEND OF RHONE VARIETIES: Partisan Black Label Grenache, 2012 – Echelon Wine Partners, McLaren Vale, SA
THE PSC INSURANCE TROPHY FOR BEST SHIRAZ, CABERNET BLEND: The Barry Brothers Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 – Jim Barry Wines, Clare Valley, SA
THE RURAL FINANCE TROPHY FOR BEST RED BLEND: Gamekeeper’s Grenache/Shiraz/Touriga, 2013 – St. Hallett Wines, Barossa, SA
THE FIIG SECURITIES TROPHY FOR BEST MATURE WINE: Vat 1 Semillon, 2005 – Tyrell’s Vineyards, Hunter Valley, NSW