Flametree of Margaret River wins Jimmy Watson Trophy
Relative newcomers takes trophy west
Allan Watson, son of Jimmy, announcing the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy Category finalists [©Wrights PR]
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A relative newcomer to the wine scene - Flametree of Margaret River in WA - has snatched the Jimmy Watson trophy from under the noses of some (perhaps) more likely contenders - a shortlist of 15, and 660 in total.
The Trophy - awarded each November at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show Dinner to the best Australian one-year-old dry red - was presented to Flametree's elated winemaker Jeremy Gordon and wife Daniella, for a cabernet merlot blend. The $25 Flametree wine comprises 65 per cent cabernet sauvignon and merlot, with fruit sourced from vineyards in Karridale and Carbunup in Margaret River.
The Flametree Winery is located on the renowned Caves Road of Margaret River, but at the lesser-travelled southern end, near Geographe Bay in Western Australia. To make the wines, award-winning wine maker, Jeremy Gordon selects exceptional quality fruit to produce beautifully hand-crafted wines with unique flavour, structure and depth. The grapes are sources from three different locations in Margaret River, and Flametree also has its own (new) vineyards. Flametree's vision is to produce brilliant Australian wines of uncompromising quality and character - a vision they are clearly achieving.
Flametree reports that they have "an elegant yet laid back approach to wine, ensuring that whenever you enjoy a bottle of Flametree it is a relaxed and enjoyable experience". Named after the native Australian Flametree - which comes into full and spectacular flower when all conditions are favourable - Flametree believe the same is true of winemaking. To produce spectacular wine all of the elements, from grape to glass, must come together at the right time.
The just-released 2007 vintage is obviously that time. Unlke many previous Jimmy Watson Trophy winners, Flametree is already bottled, so get in quickly - at this price stocks will not last.
Regions
- Margaret River (WA)
Lowest prices are just the beginning for Max Crus and his challenging home handyman project. Best he sticks to tasting wine for a career.
The finalists for the Jimmy Watson and Premiers Gold trophies at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show were announced this week.
In 2008 the Royal Melbourne Wine Show introduced a new class. What is changing?
The Flametree is a spectacular Australian tree, at Flametree Wines our vision is to produce brilliant Australian wines of uncompromising quality and character. read more
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