2004 - `An embarrassment of richness and class'
A staggering 538 wines were judged at the Innovest 2004 Margaret River Wine Show from a record 108 exhibitors.
Of those wines 22 gold, 57 silver and 138 bronze medals were awarded over 2 days of judging at the Margaret River Education Campus on the 1st and 2nd December 2004.
Brian Croser, winemaker and Executive Chairman of Petaluma chaired an impressive line up of national wine judges including Stephen Pannell, Louisa Rose, Tim White, Steve Charters and Jeremy Stockman.
Particular attention was paid to the show’s Cabernet Sauvignon, described as ‘an embarrassment of richness and class’.The wines were confirmation of the greatness of Cabernet Sauvignon and without doubt the outstanding class of the show.
In addition to the accolades for Cabernet Sauvignon, equal attention was paid to the Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends, Chardonnay and Shiraz classes, demonstrating that Margaret River is a premium producer of both red and white varieties.
The judges deemed SSB blends as an essential wine style of the region, at its best juicy, mouth-wateringly fresh, intense and finely balanced.
The best Chardonnays were exemplary of the Margaret River style, seamless, sculpted, tropical and stone fruit without overbearing oak.
The Shiraz class caused lengthy discussion amongst the judges. The question was raised; will we come back in ten years to find Shiraz is held in the same stead as Cabernet Sauvignon?
