An ALDI chardonnay has taken out Best White Wine of Show at the Wine Show of Western Australia.
The Blackstone Paddock Limited Release chardonnay 2017, which sells for $14.99, beat a field of WA chardonnays that included Vasse Felix Heytesbury, Flametree SRS Wallcliffe, Xanadu Stevens Road and Deep Woods Estate SV.
There were 108 entries in the category, with eight gold medals awarded.
It's not the first time the wine has been lauded, Huon Hooke gave the Blackstone Paddock Limited Release Chardonnay 2016 a score of 93 points last year.
He described it as: "Subtly complex toasted hazelnut, nougat and lightly smoky aromas. Surprising intensity of flavour; penetrating citrus fruits typical of the region – lemon and grapefruit – and a lasting finish. This is a very smart chardonnay and an astonishing bargain at the price."
Stella Bella takes out best wine of show
Margaret River winery Stella Bella won the trophy for best wine of the show with its 2017 shiraz.
The show is the biggest competition for WA wines and attracted 834 entries from 115 producers this year. Judges awarded 592 medals, 86 of which were gold.
Chief judge Samantha Connew said: “The 2017 chardonnays were very strong and world class as always and with the cooler vintage showing through in tighter, more coiled wines, these will provide good drinking for some time to come.
“Another standout for me and the judging team was the exceptional 2018 rieslings with six gold medals being awarded out of a field of 44 wines. These wines show a breadth of different styles from classic linear purity to funkier, slightly worked wines.
“Some lovely 2017 Shiraz demonstrated real purity of fruit with deft winemaking guiding the way in terms of vibrant, medium-bodied wines with judicious use of oak and stems."
Here's the full list of trophy winners:
Best Wine of Show - Stella Bella 2017 Shiraz
Best Red Wine of Show - Stella Bella 2017 Shiraz
Best White Wine of Show - Blackstone Paddock 2017 Limited Release Chardonnay
Most Successful Exhibitor Overall - Cherubino Wines
Most Successful Exhibitor (under 250 tonnes) - Castle Rock Estate
Winery with the Highest Aggregate for top 3 pointed wines - Houghton and Xanadu (equal winners)
Best and Most Distinctive Regional Character - Houghton NV Cellar Reserve Rare Liqueur
Best Great Southern White - Castle Rock 2018 Porongurup Riesling
Best Great Southern Red - Ferngrove 2017 Black Label Malbec
Best Chardonnay - Blackstone Paddock 2017 Limited Release Chardonnay
Best Riesling - Castle Rock 2018 Porongurup Riesling
Best Aged Riesling - Alkoomi Wines 2010 Black Label Riesling
Best Sauvignon Blanc - Franklin Tate Estates 2018 Alexanders Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
Best White Blend - Deep Woods Estate 2018 Ivory Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc
Best Dry White Varietal - Juniper 2017 Small Batch Fiano
Best Rose of Show - Rockcliffe Winery 2018 Third Reef Rose
Best Pinot Noir - Castle Rock 2017 Porongurup Pinot Noir
Best Shiraz - Stella Bella 2017 Shiraz
Best Cabernet Sauvignon - Xanadu 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Red Blend - Ironcloud Wines 2017 Rock of Solitude Purple Patch GSM
Best Other Red Varietal - Ferngrove 2017 Black Label Malbec
Best Older Red Wine - Xanadu 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Sparkling - Pemberley NV Sparkling Lustre Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Best Fortified or Sweet Wine - Houghton NV Cellar Reserve Rare Liqueur
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