Thought this may be of interest. Last night the the Jimmy
Watson Trophy for best 2003 red at the Royal Melbourne Wine
Show went to Riverina winemakers Casella Estate (makers of
Yellow Tail), for their Yellow Tail Premium 2003 Cabernet
Sauvignon (the fruit sourced from Wrattonbully - near
Coonawarra in South Australia).

Casella is the current success story of the Oz industry
exporting nearly a million cases a month - much to the
chagrin of Oz wine giants.

The JW Trophy is the one that everyone loves to hate
(usually winemakers who'd love to win it) "how can you judge
an unfinished wine, still in the wood?" is the typical
whinge. Forgetting that winemakersand merchants from
Australia to Bordeaux to Burgundy do just that every year.
So coveted is this award that 979 reds in various classes
were entered in hope of a win. Total number of wines judged
at the show: 4615.


Cheers!
Martin
PS I helped out at the show as an honorary steward and score
counter


http://www.alsopreview.com/columns/col_australia.htm