Managed a very early start last Friday with phillisc to drive down to Penola to join the Exhibitor's and Public tastings at this year's Limestone Coast Wine Show. I just stuck to the gold and silver recipients in several red classes, with a couple of exceptions, and tasted about seventy wines over two hours or so. Had a good chat to several winemaker's there. As you might expect, there were one or two wines that got Gold that perhaps demonstrated what the judges are looking for compared to how I would rate a wine.
I only made occasional notes where required and just used a simple three star rating system with an occasional four to record my view.
Trophies for the best wine of show, best red wine and best cabernet (3yo or less) all went to the 2024 Yalumba The Cigar, well deserved in my view. Majella got the trophy for most successful exhibitor, which you will probably see from my notes below.
My tasting notes:
Class 11 - Red >5yo (2021 and older)
GOLD
2018 Majella Cabernet xxx
2009 Bellwether cabernet xx gold, really?
SILVER
2016 Wynns O'Deas Cabernet blend xxx
2016 Majella Cabernet xxx
2018 Brands Laira 171 cabernet xxxx my pick of the bunch
2019 Brands Laira 171 Cabernet xxx
BRONZE and less
2015 Patrick Grande reserve xx
2018 Reschke Empryean x
2018 Redman Cabernet xxx
2008 Bellwether Cabernet xx
Class 20 - Classic Red Blends Curren to 5yo (2026 to 2021) with at least 50% of either Shiraz or Cabernet
GOLD
2024 Majella The Musician xxx
SILVER
2024 Wynns Black Label Cabernet Shiraz xxx
BRONZE and less
2022 Redman The Redman xx
2023 Majella The Musician x
2024 Majella The Malleea xx
2025 Majella The Musician xx
2024 Lindemans Limestone Ridge xx
Class 21 - Other Red Blends current to 5yo
GOLD
2024 Lindemans Pyrus xxxx fabulous wine
2025 Balnaves Cab Merlot - did not taste
SILVER
2022 Zema Estate Cluny xx
2024 Wynns The Siding Cabernet Shiraz Malbec Merlot (new red stripe) xx
2025 Balnaves The Blend xx
Class 22 - Shiraz Current to 2yo
GOLD
2024 Farmers Leap xx had a distinct aniseed aroma/flavour
2025 Riddoch xxx
2025 Wynns The Siding (new white label) xxx
SILVER
2024 Farmers Leap Brian xx
2024 Katnook Estate Prodigy xxx
2024 Parker Estate Kidman Block xxx
2024 Wynns V&A Lane xx
2024 Wynns Old Vines Black Label xxx excellent
2025 Peppertree The Gravels - did not taste
Class 23 Shiraz 3yo to 5yo
GOLD
2022 Hollick Estate Wilgha xxx excellent
2022 St Hugo R1 xx
SILVER
2021 Raidis Estate Christos xx
2022 Riddoch The Author xx
2022 Orlando Lawson's xxx some mint
2022 Zema Estate Family Selection xx
BRONZE
2022 Katnook Prodigy xxx needs time
Class 24 - Cabernet current to 2yo
GOLD
2024 Majella House Block xxxx a new label, fabulous wine
2024 Majella The Composer xxx almost purple fruit
2024 Majella Cabernet xxx
2024 Zema Estate cabernet xx
2024 Yalumba the Cigar xxxx Wine of Show
2024 Zema Estate cabernet xx
SILVER
2024 Katnook Odyssey xxx
2024 St Hugo xx
2024 Riddoch Elgins Crossing - did not taste
2024 St Hugo Single Vineyard CMC xxx
2025 Balnaves Cabernet xxx
BRONZE or less
2024 Katnook Cabernet xxx
2024 Parker Estate First Growth xxx
2024 Lindemans St George xxx
2024 Zema Estate family Selection xx
2024 St Hugo Vetus Purum xxx
2024 Wynns Black label xxx
2025 Wynns The gables x
2025 Wynns The Siding x
2024 Bowen Estate xxx
Class 25 - Cabernet 3yo from the average year 2023, very few entries
BRONZE
2023 Wynns O'Deas xx
Class 26 - Cabernet 4yo to 5yo
GOLD
2021 Wynns Messenger xx some vegetal character
2022 Majella xx not sure its gold
2022 Yalumba The Menzies xxxx fabulous wine
SILVER
2021 Malone xx
2022 Hollick Ravenswood xx
2022 Orlando Jacaranda Ridge xxx
2022 St Hugo R1 xxx some mint as usual
2022 Zema Estate xxx
2022 St Hugo xxx
BRONZE
2022 Zema Estate Family Selection xx
NIL
2022 Eight at the Gate Family Selection xx
2021 Leconfiled Sydney reserve xxx
2026 Limestone Coast Wine Show
2026 Limestone Coast Wine Show
veni, vidi, bibi
Also on instagram m_j_short
Also on instagram m_j_short
Re: 2026 Limestone Coast Wine Show
Great summary Malcolm...yes a heap of fun, like 2 kids in the candy shop. I'll cobble up some impressions in the next day or two.
If one things certain, the district is in trouble and there needs to be a revival. Not just left to 2-3 of us who love Coonawarra Cab.
Cheers Craig
If one things certain, the district is in trouble and there needs to be a revival. Not just left to 2-3 of us who love Coonawarra Cab.
Cheers Craig
Tomorrow will be a good day
Re: 2026 Limestone Coast Wine Show
From what I'm seeing winemakers in general are making wines that are more drink now in style that does not suit Coonawarra. Something like 80% of wines are consumed within 24 hours of purchase. Aged Coonawarras are gems. We were there a few years ago and it was very quiet with few at CDs. Cabs from MR, MV, Eden Valley fit the bill better. Yarra Valley like Coonawarra is struggling to sell cabs that the public likes.
Your worst game of golf is better than your best day at work
Re: 2026 Limestone Coast Wine Show
As alluded to by MJS, a very early start Friday to attend the LCWS and the Redman Rouge Homme dinner.
This could all go in the annual musings, or here, doesn’t matter.
Wines in order of class, yes tried most of the trophy, gold, silver and a few others. Brief impressions that 2024 will be another stellar vintage, 2023 forget it and 2025 looks very promising
Reds 2021 and older
Landaire/Padthaway Estate 2018 Shiraz, still has that smoke taint from when I tried it two years ago, poor.
Wynns 2016 O’Dea’s red blend, in a good spot, years to go
Reschke 2017 Bos, poor ordinary wine, past it, whatever fruit there may have once been.
Majella 2018 Cabernet really enjoyed this, plush rich, lovely mouthfeel, agree with the judges gold.
Reschke 2018 Empyrean, a good wine, but certainly not worth the $100+ being asked, a $20-30 red at best
Redman 2018 Cabernet, really liked this, in a great spot, will hold for another 10 years
Brands 2018 171 Cabernet, had this many times, lovely savoury nose, black blue fruits +++ excellent
Brands 2019 171 Cabernet, equally good
Majella 2020 Cabernet, has peaked for me, fruit holding, but a lighter style, reflection of the vintage
Bellwether 2009, really enjoyed this, right in the groove re drinking window, gold medal
Bellwether 2008, another solid wine, almost preferred this to the 2009, excellent wine.
Cab blends 2021 and older
Redman 2022 The Redman, lovely claret style, needs 10-20 years, all class
Wynns 2024 BL Cab Shiraz, lighter style, but nicely balanced, oak hardly noticeable, good tannin structure.
Majella 2024 Mallea, wow, very fruit forward, plush and dense, oak prominent, long long finish, needs lots of time and not rated by the judges.
Redman 2024 The Redman, similar to the Mallea, simply needs time, but will be a beauty.
Majella, 2024 Musician, gold in this class, very fruit forward easy drinking style, yes well made, but better ones here I reckon
Lindemans 2024 LR, I really enjoyed this, needs 5-10 years, not rated by the judges, but a lovely wine from my end. Quintessential Cab/Shiraz blend
Other red blends 5 years and older
Lindemans Pyrus 2024, equal best wine in the show for me and yes top gold/trophy for best blend, poise, concentration, balance and power…brilliant wine, picked up a sixer.
Petaluma 2024 Coonawarra. Good to see that there has been another one of these made, full bodied with blockbuster tannin profile that sucked the cheeks for a good sixty seconds. Will buy when released.
Balnaves 2025 The Blend, very good for an $18 red, lovely structure , very approachable, picked up a few at the CD
Balnaves 2025 Cabernet Merlot, thought this excellent, judicious use of oak, very fruit forward, gold medal.
Shiraz 2024-26
Brands Laira, Tall vines 2024, Ok, nothing special a bit meh.
Farmers Leap 2024 The Brave, thought I would look at t a couple of these, as they pop up all the time, solid structure, not bad, good drinking.
Hollick 2024 Shiraz, nicely balanced already, slightly lighter than the Wilga, very good.
Farmer Leap 2024, framed by sharp aggressive tannins, pleasant but nothing special, got a gold, what would I know?? Maybe needs time, lots of time.
Katnook 2024. Very impressive, lovely cool climate in the mouth, excellent.
Majella 2024, lighter style but well balanced, very approachable.
Katnook 2024 Prodigy, watch out, this is fantastic, rich, dense, built to last an age, full bodied, really liked this one
Parker 2024 Kidman, very elegant wine, lovely fruit oak profile, one to watch.
Parker 2024 Terra Rossa, great value for money, fruit forward, tons of flavour, very promising.
Zema 2024 Family selection, another very good wine, slightly restrained in the mouth, but will develop very well.
Wynns 2024 V&A, very linear, pristine palate, long lingering tannins, so drinkable now, excellent.
Zema 2024, dark fruits, a bit of cherry, very approachable, pleasant if not spectacular, well balanced.
Wynns 2024 BL, really liked this, poles apart from the V&A, dense, rich silky texture, lovely wine.
Wynns 2024 Siding, good wine, medium weight, furry tannins, awarded top gold, not sure from my end. This whole siding thing really confuses me, going the same way as calling everything Jacobs Creek. This I think is the old white label Shiraz…for $11 pretty good VFM!
Bowen 2024, love this wine, very fruit forward, so balanced, but the judges for what ever reason don’t rate this or the Cab. I do, brought more at the CD.
Shiraz 2023-21 vintage
Redman 2023, thin, lacking depth, nice enough but no.
St Hugo R1, lovely mouth feel, long persistent tannins, excellent, another wine I have not heard of…top gold from judges.
Zema 2022, drinking well now, good wine.
Orlando 2022 Lawsons, absolute block buster, a fraction under-ripe perhaps, detected a slightly bitter note…needs 10 years at least.
Katnook 2022 Prodigy, already have a few of these, very attractive wine, long finish, really good
Hollick 2022 Wilga, takes me back to the 90s, when this wine along with the Ravenswood was the top marque, dark fruits, spice, beautiful mouthfeel, elegance with power. This is fantastic and will certainly get some. Certainly, a return to form and a reflection of the excellent vintage.
Katnook 2022 Shiraz, enjoyed this, medium weight fruit forward, very good, nice chalky tannins.
Cabernet 2024-26 Had some fun here, a heap of brilliant wines!
Katnook 2024 Odyssey, ooh baby wow wee. Get me a pillow and some wagyu! Fantastic nose, beautiful mouth feel, such richness and depth, simply stunning wine.
Majella 2024 House Block, this is a new release, to sit between the standard and the Mallea, so $50-60. Probably best in show for me, and judges on the same page, magnificent structure, clean as a whistle, long drying tannins, fantastic wine!
Parker 2024 first growth, another wonderful wine, elegant , well made by Ox Hardy, very balanced but will go an age, excellent.
Majella 2024 Composer, interesting, I don’t drink/buy a lot of this, but the wine making here is first class. For the money, excellent
Lindemans 2024 St George, I thought this wonderful when tried in April, but this bottle was a fraction dull, pleasant but not the usual standard, very tannic, needs time
Majella 2024 cabernet, another belter, rich and dense, beautiful wine, 3 golds in the one class.
Redman 2024, softer style, quite approachable, easy drinking, lighter palate.
St Hugo 2024, this was another wine with poise and finesse, pristine fruit, oak in the background, really enjoyed this, pencil shavings, excellent.
Zema 2024 Family selection, always feel that this wine is underrated, medium weight great balance and sweetness, very good.
St Hugo 2024 Vetus Purum, ??single block/vineyard, no better than the standard offering, rich palate, plenty of oak, needs time, good wine.
Wynns 2024 BL, shown up against the competition here, very balanced, almost a lightweight palate, very good wine, but dominated by the heavy hitters.
Zema 2024 entry level cabernet, wonderful nose, fruit forward, but an edge of delicacy here, beautiful mouth feel, lingering tannins, awarded gold and I fully agree.
Yalumba 2024 Cigar, the team have done it again. My equal best in show with the Pyrus. Will be released next year, magnificent wine, plush with out being over the top, medium weight with a palate that goes an age, finest of tannins, twinge of sweetness…bullseye!! Trophy for the class.
St Hugo 2024 Single vineyard CMC, another wine from this portfolio that I had not heard of, richer than the Vetus, very full bodied, very well made.
Balnaves 2025 Cabernet, this looks promising, blackberry, blueberry, medium weight, very good potential.
Balnaves 2025 Tally, too much oak and tannin here for the judges, but a very solid wine that simply needs time.
Bowen 2024. Love this, clearly no one else does, scraped in for a bronze, much better than that!
Cabernet 2023, why bother, just 7 wines in the class
Wynns O’deas, still has that over extracted green crunchy whole bunch texture. I am trying to warm to this wine, along with the cab franc. Stick to the 2024s, poor.
Redman, good but a little simple on the palate, no harsh edges but falls away
Leconfield, similar to the Redman.
Cabernet 2022-21 some good wines here!
Wynns 2021 Messenger, what a wine, cassis, black olive, blue fruits, fantastic mouth feel, integrated tannins, superstar red, surprise surprise, awarded gold.
Hollick 2022 Ravenswood, another return to form, full bodied, good structure, nicely balanced, very good.
Katnook 2022 Odyssey, I really like this wine, judges didn’t. very balanced, powerful palate, long long finish, excellent.
Majella 2022 Cabernet, they’ve done it again, pristine cabernet, wonderful mouthfeel, gorgeous wine, trophy in class.
Zema 2022 this was a delight and must get some of these, well integrated and balanced, very good.
Yalumba 2022 Menzies, absolute cracker, off 55 hectares there is the sanctum, cigar, Menzies and fruit for the Caley. Brooding rich dense wine, Heather Fraser says 20+ years, seamless palate, an absolute delight. Another gold from the judges!
St Hugo 2024, lovely wine, poised, waves of fruit, oak in support, very good drinking.
Leconfield 2021 Sydney, didn’t rate with the judges, but I thought this excellent, lovely persistent wine, gravely tannins, really good potential.
A few more notes to come and a wrap of Redman/Rouge Homme to follow
Cheers Craig
This could all go in the annual musings, or here, doesn’t matter.
Wines in order of class, yes tried most of the trophy, gold, silver and a few others. Brief impressions that 2024 will be another stellar vintage, 2023 forget it and 2025 looks very promising
Reds 2021 and older
Landaire/Padthaway Estate 2018 Shiraz, still has that smoke taint from when I tried it two years ago, poor.
Wynns 2016 O’Dea’s red blend, in a good spot, years to go
Reschke 2017 Bos, poor ordinary wine, past it, whatever fruit there may have once been.
Majella 2018 Cabernet really enjoyed this, plush rich, lovely mouthfeel, agree with the judges gold.
Reschke 2018 Empyrean, a good wine, but certainly not worth the $100+ being asked, a $20-30 red at best
Redman 2018 Cabernet, really liked this, in a great spot, will hold for another 10 years
Brands 2018 171 Cabernet, had this many times, lovely savoury nose, black blue fruits +++ excellent
Brands 2019 171 Cabernet, equally good
Majella 2020 Cabernet, has peaked for me, fruit holding, but a lighter style, reflection of the vintage
Bellwether 2009, really enjoyed this, right in the groove re drinking window, gold medal
Bellwether 2008, another solid wine, almost preferred this to the 2009, excellent wine.
Cab blends 2021 and older
Redman 2022 The Redman, lovely claret style, needs 10-20 years, all class
Wynns 2024 BL Cab Shiraz, lighter style, but nicely balanced, oak hardly noticeable, good tannin structure.
Majella 2024 Mallea, wow, very fruit forward, plush and dense, oak prominent, long long finish, needs lots of time and not rated by the judges.
Redman 2024 The Redman, similar to the Mallea, simply needs time, but will be a beauty.
Majella, 2024 Musician, gold in this class, very fruit forward easy drinking style, yes well made, but better ones here I reckon
Lindemans 2024 LR, I really enjoyed this, needs 5-10 years, not rated by the judges, but a lovely wine from my end. Quintessential Cab/Shiraz blend
Other red blends 5 years and older
Lindemans Pyrus 2024, equal best wine in the show for me and yes top gold/trophy for best blend, poise, concentration, balance and power…brilliant wine, picked up a sixer.
Petaluma 2024 Coonawarra. Good to see that there has been another one of these made, full bodied with blockbuster tannin profile that sucked the cheeks for a good sixty seconds. Will buy when released.
Balnaves 2025 The Blend, very good for an $18 red, lovely structure , very approachable, picked up a few at the CD
Balnaves 2025 Cabernet Merlot, thought this excellent, judicious use of oak, very fruit forward, gold medal.
Shiraz 2024-26
Brands Laira, Tall vines 2024, Ok, nothing special a bit meh.
Farmers Leap 2024 The Brave, thought I would look at t a couple of these, as they pop up all the time, solid structure, not bad, good drinking.
Hollick 2024 Shiraz, nicely balanced already, slightly lighter than the Wilga, very good.
Farmer Leap 2024, framed by sharp aggressive tannins, pleasant but nothing special, got a gold, what would I know?? Maybe needs time, lots of time.
Katnook 2024. Very impressive, lovely cool climate in the mouth, excellent.
Majella 2024, lighter style but well balanced, very approachable.
Katnook 2024 Prodigy, watch out, this is fantastic, rich, dense, built to last an age, full bodied, really liked this one
Parker 2024 Kidman, very elegant wine, lovely fruit oak profile, one to watch.
Parker 2024 Terra Rossa, great value for money, fruit forward, tons of flavour, very promising.
Zema 2024 Family selection, another very good wine, slightly restrained in the mouth, but will develop very well.
Wynns 2024 V&A, very linear, pristine palate, long lingering tannins, so drinkable now, excellent.
Zema 2024, dark fruits, a bit of cherry, very approachable, pleasant if not spectacular, well balanced.
Wynns 2024 BL, really liked this, poles apart from the V&A, dense, rich silky texture, lovely wine.
Wynns 2024 Siding, good wine, medium weight, furry tannins, awarded top gold, not sure from my end. This whole siding thing really confuses me, going the same way as calling everything Jacobs Creek. This I think is the old white label Shiraz…for $11 pretty good VFM!
Bowen 2024, love this wine, very fruit forward, so balanced, but the judges for what ever reason don’t rate this or the Cab. I do, brought more at the CD.
Shiraz 2023-21 vintage
Redman 2023, thin, lacking depth, nice enough but no.
St Hugo R1, lovely mouth feel, long persistent tannins, excellent, another wine I have not heard of…top gold from judges.
Zema 2022, drinking well now, good wine.
Orlando 2022 Lawsons, absolute block buster, a fraction under-ripe perhaps, detected a slightly bitter note…needs 10 years at least.
Katnook 2022 Prodigy, already have a few of these, very attractive wine, long finish, really good
Hollick 2022 Wilga, takes me back to the 90s, when this wine along with the Ravenswood was the top marque, dark fruits, spice, beautiful mouthfeel, elegance with power. This is fantastic and will certainly get some. Certainly, a return to form and a reflection of the excellent vintage.
Katnook 2022 Shiraz, enjoyed this, medium weight fruit forward, very good, nice chalky tannins.
Cabernet 2024-26 Had some fun here, a heap of brilliant wines!
Katnook 2024 Odyssey, ooh baby wow wee. Get me a pillow and some wagyu! Fantastic nose, beautiful mouth feel, such richness and depth, simply stunning wine.
Majella 2024 House Block, this is a new release, to sit between the standard and the Mallea, so $50-60. Probably best in show for me, and judges on the same page, magnificent structure, clean as a whistle, long drying tannins, fantastic wine!
Parker 2024 first growth, another wonderful wine, elegant , well made by Ox Hardy, very balanced but will go an age, excellent.
Majella 2024 Composer, interesting, I don’t drink/buy a lot of this, but the wine making here is first class. For the money, excellent
Lindemans 2024 St George, I thought this wonderful when tried in April, but this bottle was a fraction dull, pleasant but not the usual standard, very tannic, needs time
Majella 2024 cabernet, another belter, rich and dense, beautiful wine, 3 golds in the one class.
Redman 2024, softer style, quite approachable, easy drinking, lighter palate.
St Hugo 2024, this was another wine with poise and finesse, pristine fruit, oak in the background, really enjoyed this, pencil shavings, excellent.
Zema 2024 Family selection, always feel that this wine is underrated, medium weight great balance and sweetness, very good.
St Hugo 2024 Vetus Purum, ??single block/vineyard, no better than the standard offering, rich palate, plenty of oak, needs time, good wine.
Wynns 2024 BL, shown up against the competition here, very balanced, almost a lightweight palate, very good wine, but dominated by the heavy hitters.
Zema 2024 entry level cabernet, wonderful nose, fruit forward, but an edge of delicacy here, beautiful mouth feel, lingering tannins, awarded gold and I fully agree.
Yalumba 2024 Cigar, the team have done it again. My equal best in show with the Pyrus. Will be released next year, magnificent wine, plush with out being over the top, medium weight with a palate that goes an age, finest of tannins, twinge of sweetness…bullseye!! Trophy for the class.
St Hugo 2024 Single vineyard CMC, another wine from this portfolio that I had not heard of, richer than the Vetus, very full bodied, very well made.
Balnaves 2025 Cabernet, this looks promising, blackberry, blueberry, medium weight, very good potential.
Balnaves 2025 Tally, too much oak and tannin here for the judges, but a very solid wine that simply needs time.
Bowen 2024. Love this, clearly no one else does, scraped in for a bronze, much better than that!
Cabernet 2023, why bother, just 7 wines in the class
Wynns O’deas, still has that over extracted green crunchy whole bunch texture. I am trying to warm to this wine, along with the cab franc. Stick to the 2024s, poor.
Redman, good but a little simple on the palate, no harsh edges but falls away
Leconfield, similar to the Redman.
Cabernet 2022-21 some good wines here!
Wynns 2021 Messenger, what a wine, cassis, black olive, blue fruits, fantastic mouth feel, integrated tannins, superstar red, surprise surprise, awarded gold.
Hollick 2022 Ravenswood, another return to form, full bodied, good structure, nicely balanced, very good.
Katnook 2022 Odyssey, I really like this wine, judges didn’t. very balanced, powerful palate, long long finish, excellent.
Majella 2022 Cabernet, they’ve done it again, pristine cabernet, wonderful mouthfeel, gorgeous wine, trophy in class.
Zema 2022 this was a delight and must get some of these, well integrated and balanced, very good.
Yalumba 2022 Menzies, absolute cracker, off 55 hectares there is the sanctum, cigar, Menzies and fruit for the Caley. Brooding rich dense wine, Heather Fraser says 20+ years, seamless palate, an absolute delight. Another gold from the judges!
St Hugo 2024, lovely wine, poised, waves of fruit, oak in support, very good drinking.
Leconfield 2021 Sydney, didn’t rate with the judges, but I thought this excellent, lovely persistent wine, gravely tannins, really good potential.
A few more notes to come and a wrap of Redman/Rouge Homme to follow
Cheers Craig
Tomorrow will be a good day