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Penny's Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004 Tops the Australian Boutique Wine Awards
Mr Tony Parkinson, founder of the boutique McLaren Vale Winery Penny's Hill and proud father of the 2004 Penny's Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz, was on hand in Sydney last night to collect the trophies for best Shiraz and Best Wine of Show at the 2006 Boutique Wine Awards.
Penny's Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz shone above 250 other Shiraz entries in class 13, the most keenly contested of the competition. This year's Boutique Wine Awards was again chaired by Sydney Morning Herald Wine Critic and Author Huon Hooke. Fellow Judge and panel chair Gary Baldwin was on hand to hand over the hardware at a black tie dinner for 250 guests at Sydney's Sofotel Wentworth Hotel.
Despite being named The Boutique Wine Awards and only open to Australian wineries that crush less than 250 tonnes (15,000 dozen 750ml equivalent), significantly this mark represents almost 1700 of Australia's 2000 plus wineries.
Proud as punch that the efforts of his team were again recognised, Tony Parkinson said accepting the award; "First and foremost I really want to thank all those who have given their all to help with this wine, from Toby Beckers and David Paxton in the vineyards, Greg Jackson and Nic Bourke in the winery and of course my business partner Mr Ben Riggs."
Winemaker Mr Ben Riggs won the best Shiraz at the Boutique Wine Awards competition last year with his own Mr. Riggs Shiraz Viognier, also from the excellent 2004 vintage in the Vale.
The Boutique Wine Awards winner came as no surprise to organiser Judith Kennedy who noted that the 2004 Penny's Hill Shiraz won the Bushing King Trophy for the Best Wine at the McLaren Vale Wine Show in late 2005 and gained Blue Gold / Top 100 status in the 2006 Sydney International Wine Awards.
A proud winemaker Mr Riggs, had to say of his mentor and muse Tony Parkinson; "From day dot, Tony has always wanted to do everything properly at Penny's Hill. Attracting the best people, purchasing the best dirt, planting the best vineyard and protecting and providing the perfect place to make the best wine we can."
Last word goes to Tony Parkinson; "In my lifetime in the district I have been privileged to bear witness to the increasing recognition of the viticultural quality and consistency of McLaren Vale, arguably one of the world's finest sources for Shiraz. I am incredibly proud that the team at Penny's Hill is leading the charge".
Riggs Crowned McLaren Vale Shiraz King
Winemaker, Ben Riggs was named McLaren Vale 'Bushing King' after his wines dominated the Shiraz classes of the 2005 McLaren Vale Wine Show with the 2004 Penny's Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz being named the Best Wine of the Show.
With Best in Class Trophies for both key Shiraz classes, and a total of five Gold Medals for his Shiraz wines, Riggs can justifiably claim to have a special affinity with the icon McLaren Vale varietal.
Prior to it claiming the top prize, 2004 Penny's Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz won the Best Shiraz over $25 RRP. In a class described by the judges as 'what the region does best. A very strong class', this wine was the Riggs-made highlight. His 2004 Mr Riggs Shiraz was a joint runner-up in this prestigious class.
The under $25 class Best Shiraz was awarded to the regional 2004 Mr. Riggs 'The Gaffer', in just its first vintage. Riggs also made the 2004 Battle of Bosworth Shiraz which also struck gold in this class.
The former winemaker at Wirra Wirra, Bushing King in 2000 and a Qantas Winemaker of the Year finalist in 2005, Riggs was also responsible for the 1998 Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz, a Museum Class gold winner.
To an excited Riggs whose wife Annie, added a third son to the family just last week, winning the Best Shiraz accolade was a real thrill and vindicated his decision to depart Wirra Wirra in 2001 after 14 years as winemaker to venture out on his own in partnership with Penny’s Hill owner, Tony Parkinson.
For Parkinson, the win was a dream come true. Over ten vintages since the 1995 Penny's Hill Shiraz, the 'red dot' brand has steadily forged a reputation for excellence.
Parkinson praised the winemaking skills of Ben Riggs and his team, in particular Greg Jackson and Nic Bourke, and gave special mention to long term viticulturists, David Paxton and Toby Bekkers.
