The House of Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged 2004 has been named Australia’s Best Sparkling wine - and been given 99 points - in the 2020 Halliday Wine Companion Awards.
It's the second year running House of Arras has taken the best of category title following the success of the 2006 House of Arras Rosé (97 Points) in 2018.
House of Arras Chief Sparkling Winemaker, Ed Carr (below, middle), personally accepted the award from James Halliday AM, in front of an audience of 200 guests.
Several House of Arras wines also scored highly within the sparkling category, securing the top four spots:
• House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2004 – 99 Points
• House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged Magnum 2003 – 98 Points
• House of Arras Blanc de Blancs 2009 – 97 Point
• House of Arras Rosé 2007 – 97 Points
The House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2004 is the seventh vintage of this wine, which is medium straw in colour with a bright, green/gold lustre and fine persistent bead and mousse. Aromas of sea spray, grapefruit, butter biscuit and candle wax meld together in this complex yet bright wine. It exhibits flavours reminiscent of citrus pith, fresh oyster shell, nougat and truffle oil.
Thrilled with Wednesday night’s award, and the continued success of House of Arras sparkling wines, Chief Winemaker, Ed Carr said: “To receive such a high point score and ultimately best sparkling wine award from such a revered team of wine critics is a fantastic endorsement and testament to the hard work and dedication of the House of Arras team.
“Our policy of sourcing premium Tasmanian fruit, meticulous winemaking practices and extended tirage maturation ensure we make wines of true quality and style.
"The Late Disgorged 2004 wine is the ultimate expression of the House of Arras style and it is great to see this recognition among the best of Australia’s sparkling wines.”
James Halliday’s 2020 Wine Companion states: “The rise and rise of the fortunes of House of Arras has been due to two things: first the exceptional skills of winemaker Ed Carr; and second, its access to high quality Tasmanian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
"While there have been distinguished sparkling wines made in Tasmania for many years, none has so consistently scaled heights of Arras.”
House of Arras sparkling wines are available at fine wine retailers nationally and online at www.houseofarras.com.au.
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