2026 Limestone Coast Wine Show

[mjs]

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

[phillisc]

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

[Chuck]

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.

[phillisc]

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 palate, 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

[Sean]

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.

This came up when Sue Hodder was talking to Brenno (The Wine Animal) after Wynnsday earlier this year.
I have summarised some of that discussion here.
There are different styles in the Coonawarra. But she is talking about Wynns.
The Wynns style of Cabernet is medium-bodied, red fruits and moderate alcohol. Sue describes it as “Red fruits, mint and dark cherry. Can be drunk young, also aged.”
Next year will be 70 years of the Black Label and Sue has made half of them. (34 years as the Wynns winemaker & with Sarah Pidgeon for 30 years.)
Says evolution of style has changed with climate change and different winemakers.
“Things have changed subtly or significantly.” The wines of the 60s are her benchmark - “They are lovely and have aged well.”
One of the changes she mentions is the switch from cork to screwcap in 2004. But you can still get either, incl in Australia.
Brenno - Today’s wines like the 24, there is a push and there is a change to make wines more accessible and approachable now?
Sue - There is an “incentive” to make wines softer and finer and ready to drink. “We do like to think they will age anyway.”
Brenno - Is the Black Label a blend of a lot of plots and vineyards?
Sue - “We have some fantastic old vineyards.” They make the wines and keep them separate. They all go into oak and they assess them in the barrels over 12 months.
Then decide which parcel will be John Riddoch. They do have favourite parcels. But wait to see how they emerge in the barrels. They do a barrel select.
For example, the Childs vineyard next to V&A. Love the red fruit and not big structured. Like to blend it with one of the northern vineyards like Alex 88 or Hobbit to give it structure or shape.
“But it moves around a bit.”
Others like Messenger, Glengyle, Harold, Davis & Johnsons are chosen in different years for single vineyard Cabernets. (Usually only one each year.)
“It has to taste different from the Black Label or John Riddoch. They have their own characteristics and you might prefer it to the Black Label or John Riddoch.”
The 61 and 63 Black Label not made. “We wouldn’t do that now unless it was a terrible year.” Pick earlier, got a few toys, pick in small parcels, vary the volume and make special parcels.
Mint character is part of the variety. Not eucalyptus. The Wynns Cabernet is characterised by the red fruits, with hints of dried mint or a bit of sage.

[Ian S]

Interesting observations, and that does read like she sees herself as a 'guardian' of the style (and I'm very happy she does), but not oblivious to commercial/corporate pressures, hence some pragmatism.

The 'softer wines' is something I see in the fancy nebbiolo wines from the Langhe. Similar pressure, and similar concerns that in making it more accessible up front, longevity (and what makes the really old wines exciting) can be compromised. Are we dinosaurs for favouring wines that reward decades of cellaring? Quite possibly, but it's something I've always valued, and that's not going to change in my mind. That cellaring is a shared journey.

[Sean]

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!

Craig & Malcolm thanks for your notes on the Limestone Coast wine show.

Picked out Craig’s notes on Class 24 - Cabernet Sauvignon current to 2yo.

I think it could be a shopping list in the making there.

Always interesting to see the judges comments too & what scored the medals or didn’t.

Judges Comments: Lovely regional class, the best wines displayed finesse, fruit depth and structure with a finely balanced tension. Too much oak held quite a few wines out from higher scores! - 2026 Wine Show Results booklet

Looking through those Cabernets in Class 24, there is still a range of style and something for everyone.

Some of the Coonawarra Cabs have always been bigger (Bowen, Majella) & others a lighter style (Redman, Leconfield).

Other’s Cabs somewhere in the middle?

A snapshot of current vintages like this one is probably indicative of the real story.

Wineries have to juggle with that pressure on them to make a drink now style these days while still making a genuine wine reflecting what it is (a Cabernet) & where it comes from.

Given the characteristics of the Cabernet varietal & the style that growing it in Coonawarra lends itself to, hardly surprising the “default” setting is usually a structured wine rather than a softer, drink now wine.

Maybe some feel the pressure on them more than others?

[A_Steady]

Looks to me like Lindemans Pyrus 2024 is one of the CD.co wildcats today - if it is it sounds like a good buy at $35

[phillisc]

Looks to me like Lindemans Pyrus 2024 is one of the CD.co wildcats today - if it is it sounds like a good buy at $35

Buy with confidence, cracking wine!!
I may even consider a few more, but it will come round again.
Cellardoorco drip feeding the last of Lindies, probably a 2025 in the works and who knows after that.
Cheers Craig

[GraemeG]

Terrific summary, Sean, thanks.

[ticklenow1]

Thanks to all above for their comments. Very interesting and to be honest, I put little to no value on wine show results. I put more value on people’s opinion on forums like this. So I appreciate the notes.

I’ll be honest and say I went off Coonawarra Cabernet for many a year and I now I regret not buying more of it over the years as it just ages so well. But now I am starting to drink some old Coonawarra Cabs, I’m really starting to see the error of my ways. Maybe my palate has changed, but gee I love them now with some age on them. It would be a shame (but I understand the commercial realities) if the wines were made as a more drink now style as they are just so damn good after a long sleep in the cellar. I now much prefer them to Margaret River Cabs. Funny how your taste changes…

I always buy a few Wynns Black label pretty much every year and I have back to 2002, but I should have bought others for the cellar. I have started buying quite a few of the Wynns Single Vineyard wines from ‘19, ‘21 & ‘22 for future drinking. Looks like I may have to broaden my horizons with the ‘24 vintage and get a few other brands.

Cheers
Ian

[phillisc]

Thanks Sean, always enjoy your insights, if I may, I have a perspective.

Agree Class 24 is the shopping list and I'll have a dozen of each, hope I am alive long enough to appreciate their development.

In terms of styles there has always been the early drinker, through to the blockbuster. I think the oak has been dialled back a bit, despite what the jusges said, and having a chief of judges who comes from the BV, surely they are used to oak up there

In terms of wineries juggling the portfolio and catering for every style of drinker, many already do, Redman, Leconfield, Balnaves, Katnook, Parker, Majella, Yalumba, Wynns make a range of styles to suit most tastes. Perhaps the punters need to do a bit more work and get out and taste a stack of Coonawarra's to determine their own preferred style, and the region may go through a bit of a revival, everything old is new again.

Yes many reds built for the long haul, probably my preference, but drunk enough Coonawarra now to know that most age gracefully. A 1986 John Riddoch that we had with lunch, is testament to this, magnificent old Cabernet.

IMHO Wynns by far and away is the winery under pressure.
An ever increasing portfolio that is to expand again with more new wines coming, a regional hero, whatever that is, becoming the Pennies of the south, pressure from HQ that wines need to be made to fill the void, and a positive return to shareholders.
To take a leaf out of the Bordelaise Book, there should be support not to release wines in very poor vintages, despite the winery claiming other wise that a style is available to suit and quality is reflected in every vintage.
Respect and trust in a brand is enhanced when a vintage is missed, or a nod that mother nature took the points this year, and winemakers did the best with what they had.

Just my observations
Cheers Craig

[phillisc]

Thanks to all above for their comments. Very interesting and to be honest, I put little to no value on wine show results. I put more value on people’s opinion on forums like this. So I appreciate the notes.

I’ll be honest and say I went off Coonawarra Cabernet for many a year and I now I regret not buying more of it over the years as it just ages so well. But now I am starting to drink some old Coonawarra Cabs, I’m really starting to see the error of my ways. Maybe my palate has changed, but gee I love them now with some age on them. It would be a shame (but I understand the commercial realities) if the wines were made as a more drink now style as they are just so damn good after a long sleep in the cellar. I now much prefer them to Margaret River Cabs. Funny how your taste changes…

I always buy a few Wynns Black label pretty much every year and I have back to 2002, but I should have bought others for the cellar. I have started buying quite a few of the Wynns Single Vineyard wines from ‘19, ‘21 & ‘22 for future drinking. Looks like I may have to broaden my horizons with the ‘24 vintage and get a few other brands.

Cheers
Ian

Thanks Ian, great observations and you are bang on with your assessment.
We are the best judge and I certainly respect the palates here on Auswine, more than what a so called expert says.

Case in point, I looked at the 2024 Yalumba Cigar before I opened the tasting book, I thought it an absolute belter, based on structure, poise, finesse and that essential twinge of sweetness that is needed in a decent Cabernet...surprise surprise, judges agreed, (best in show) and in the top 5 for me.

I have never been influenced by what judges or indeed wine critics profer in terms of their thoughts, medals, points etc...often subjective, mismatched and overlooked.
Luckily at a regional show, most classes were capped at 30-40 exhibits and like with like, for some level of consistency.

Much more of a chance for judging panels to make a reasonable assessment, than having to wade though 250 1 year old Shiraz at a city show and having olfactory adaptation and fatigue about a quarter of the way though, and they having to try and find something novel that sticks out, or a mistake to then give a score.
Come back next week with the same class, its a different result again.

Yep I agree with you, so many winemakers from one region doing different things, that's the appeal.
Think my lads enjoy them too, otherwise a heap of old Cabs will be off to auction after I'm gone
Cheers Craig

[kenzo]

Thanks to all for the great writeups and comments above. The new Majella House Block sounds interesting!