'Le Sol' named Winestate Wine of the Year - 8/11/2011
Craggy Range Winery has picked up the prestigious top honour at the 2011 Winestate Wine of the Year Awards with the 2009 ‘Le Sol’ Syrah from their Gimblett Gravels vineyard in Hawke’s Bay.
The announcement caps off three great years at the awards for the family owned winery. Last year, the Te Muna Road Vineyard Pinot Noir won the Pinot Noir of the Year Trophy and in 2009 Director of Wine and Viticulture Steve Smith was named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year.
The trophy was presented at the official New Zealand award ceremony at Cotter House in Auckland this afternoon. “Since the inaugural 2001 ‘Le Sol’, every vintage has been attention grabbing – yet for different reasons,” says Rod Easthope, Craggy Range Chief Winemaker. “The ‘Le Sol’ wine style has naturally evolved over the years and 2009 is at the zenith of this evolution. A great vintage, fabulous site and exacting viticulture made it all happen.”
Now in its 15th year, the Winestate Wine of the Year Awards celebrate the very best of Australian and New Zealand wines. Over 400 4½ and 5 Star wines were judged blind to determine best in class. After winning its Shiraz/Syrah category, the 2009 ‘Le Sol’ beat the 14 other category winners to take the overall prize. Chief Judge Ian McKenzie said the top wine was a unanimous vote and described the Craggy Range ‘Le Sol’ as “a superb example of a cool climate ‘Rhone’ style with many years ahead of it.”
In a nod to the ever increasing accolades for New World Syrah, Mr McKenzie also commented that the Shiraz/Syrah flight was “by far the largest and strongest class of the whole exercise.” A sure sign that this is a varietal to watch.
For more information please contact:
Natalie Corkery – Communications Manager
Phone: 06 873 7126
Email: natalie.corkery@craggyrange.com
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