The Great Australian Red – medal winners 2010
Top results for Australia's definitive blend
Media release
Cellar Door Interior
Australia’s signature blend of cabernet shiraz is in top form, according to the results of The Great Australian Red competition judged recently. A higher proportion of gold and silver medals were awarded than in any other year in the five year history of the competition.
The results confirm the rising quality of Australia’s cabernet shiraz blend, in spite of the climatic extremes of recent vintages. Three-quarters of the entries in this year’s competition came from the challenging 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons.
The consumer is the ultimate winner, with the biggest rise in quality seen at the bargain end of the field. Silver and gold medals were won by almost one-fifth of entries priced under $20, led by sub-$20 trophy and gold medal winner Penfolds Koonunga Hill Seventy Six Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, with a price tag of just $18.
The winner of The Great Australian Red 2010 and the trophy for The Best Shiraz-Dominant Blend was Jacob's Creek Johann Shiraz Cabernet 2005. A label with an illustrious record in The Great Australian Red, snaring trophy, gold or silver medals in every year of the competition to date, this is a fitting result for Orlando’s flagship red wine and a testament to its finest vintage to date.
Penfolds continued its trophy haul with both the trophy for The Best Wine over $50 and the trophy for The Best Cabernet-Dominant Blend for Penfolds Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2008, a Special Bin wine due for release in 2012.
A medal winner with every one of its entries, Penfolds was the most successful exhibitor in the competition. Outstanding results were also achieved across multiple entries by Yalumba, Wolf Blass, Majella, McWilliams, Jim Barry, Pepper Tree and Lindemans.
Trophies
The Great Australian Red 2010
Jacob's Creek Johann Shiraz Cabernet 2005, $75
The Trophy for the Best Wine over $50
Penfolds Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2008, ~$550+ (RRP TBC)
The Trophy for the Best wine under $20
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Seventy Six Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $18
The Trophy for the Best Cabernet-dominant Blend
Penfolds Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2008, ~$550+ (RRP TBC)
The Trophy for the Best Shiraz-dominant Blend
Jacob's Creek Johann Shiraz Cabernet 2005, $75
Gold Medals
Jacob's Creek Johann Shiraz Cabernet 2005, $75
Penfolds Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2008, ~$550+ (RRP TBC)
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Seventy Six Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $18
Yalumba FDR1A 2008, $37
In total, five trophies, four gold medals, twenty-six silver medals and twenty-eight bronze medals were awarded across ninety-two entries. The full list of medal winners can be found at www.thegreataustralianred.com
The initiative of wine writers Matthew Jukes (UK) and Tyson Stelzer (Australia), The Great Australian Red competition is a wine show focused exclusively on Australian blends of cabernet and shiraz. A unique judging format counts the scores of all thirteen judges against every wine entered in the competition, providing a greater level of rigor than is possible in the usual three-judge show system.
Our Recommendations
To see our recommendations, ratings and reviews you must be a logged-in subscriber.
To subscribe please enter your email address in the "Subscribe Now - it's Free" box on the right and click the "Join" button, or fill in this form >
Lindemans Coonawarra is part of the Foster's Group is located in Coonawarra, South Australia. The Lindemans Winemaking Team of nine is spread across Victoria and ... read more
Jacob's CreekJacob's Creek, located in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. is part of the Orlando Wines Group (which in turn belongs to the French Pernod Ricard Group). read more
Wolf Blass Winery & Bilyara VineyardsThe iconic Wolf Blass Winery is located at Nooriootpa, in the Barossa Valley wine region of South Australia. Along with Penfolds, it now belongs to the Foster's ... read more
Magill Estate Winery (Penfolds)
Magill Estate Cellar Door is nestled in the foothills of Adelaide, South Australia, only 15 minutes from Adelaide's CBD. The winery exudes the charm and character ... read more
McWilliam's Mount Pleasant Estate - nestled in the slopes of the Brokenback Range in NSW's lower Hunter Valley, NSW - was established in 1921 by legendary winemaker, ... read more
Yalumba & Yalumba Wine RoomYalumba is located in Angaston in the heart of the Eden Valley wine region of the Barossa Valley, in South Australia. Yalumba was founded in 1849 by Samuel Smith, ... read more
Majella WinesBased in the famous Coonawarra wine region in South Australia Majella Wines are regarded as one of the best producers of premium Australian wine. read more
Pepper Tree Wines - HunterBased in the heart of the Hunter Valley, NSW, Pepper Tree Wines claim that there is not another winery with their range of award winning wines (and with obscure ... read more
Jim Barry WinesJim Barry Wines, located in the Clare Valley of South Australia, has an innovative approach to viticulture and a strong commitment to technological excellence in ... read more
Tutor your nose to detect the subtle aromas in wine and learn to appreciate and enjoy its complexities. VisitVineyards.com subscribers purchasing Le Nez du Vin aroma sets can save up to $110 and get two Essential Wine Tasting Guides for the price of one. Read about the 
Thinking celebration? Then surely thinking Champagne, the wine that's always part of life's most important occasions. And sometimes just for the pure bubbly, enjoyment. Dine and sip with royalty, celebrity at history-making moments with your copy of Champagne and Chandeliers by Bernadette O'Shea. VisitVineyards.com subscribers, you receive a 15 per cent discount on purchase 
Le Figaro calls her "the undisputed mistress of the kingdom of wine". Receive an immediate introductory 
Like to discover more about this state's lifestyle, wine, food and more? Then ask us now for your free copy of Tasmania 40 Degrees South the magazine that showcases the best of Australia's island state. 
In our No 1 Wine Book of 2010, Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein matches distinctive wines with recipes from his favourite chefs in this book focussing on new and emerging grape varietals. VisitVineyards.com subscribers and Members buying this book will receive a 
The fabulous Grange and Whitsundays holiday prizes have been drawn. Is your name on our winners list? You could sipping on fine Tasmanian pinot or attending the Weekend Fit for a King or International Cool Climate Wine Show. There are also great wine and book prizes to be claimed so 