After tasting and critiquing their way through 2,283 entries, the judges at the 2011 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show have chosen their top drops of 2011, with chardonnay the stand-out favourite.

Peter Lehmann Wines from Tanunda in South Australia led the way, taking out the coveted Macquarie Group Perpetual Trophy for its 2005 Margaret Semillon – as well as prizes for Best Semillon and Best White Wine.

The Barossa-based winery was delighted to accept another accolade for a product that has already shone on the wine show circuit, with the latest awards bring their total of trophies to 21.

“This is a great result for Semillon, Peter Lehmann and the Barossa. Semillon has been growing in our valley for 150 years or so and many of our grower’s plantings are quite ancient,” Andrew Wigan, the company’s Chief Winemaker said. “It makes delicious, refreshing young wines as well as complex bottle aged examples such as the 2005 Margaret that is released as a 5 year old and represents our Best Semillon of vintage.”

An expert panel of 31 judges assessed the nation’s finest, awarding medals to 43 per cent of entries in what they considered to be an impressive year.

“Peter Lehmann Wines was exceptional this year, picking up three trophies, four Gold, three Silver and six Bronze medals in total and in the process made a bold claim for Barossa semillon,” Chairman of Judges Iain Riggs said.

“At the other end of the production scale, Chapman Grove Wines from the Margaret River region also had an outstanding Show with two trophies from its four Gold medals across four different varieties.”

The complete article can be seen at www.australianwinenews.com/

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