2004 - Divine State of Origin - Cabernet
It's always unpredictable. It's always informative. And this
year the Divine State of Origin was more unpredictable and
informative than usual. Cabernet sauvignon was the focus - at a
time when Australian cabernet sauvignon is arguably not only of
a higher standard than ever but also far less appreciated than
it should be. It gave the tastings and especially their results
an extra bite: if cabernet quality is good but selling it is
often difficult, what exactly do people like? What are consumers
looking for? And judges? Are we all looking for the same things?
Which is where things get really interesting, because the
State of Origin results prove one thing, and prove it beyond
doubt: there is a lot more to Australian and New Zealand
cabernet than just Margaret River and Coonawarra. Good cabernet,
the message is clear, is coming from all quarters, and from
places you'd hardly expect. The new world of wine is upon us.
Anyone who is smug about their place in the cabernet wine world
is in trouble.
Nothing emphasises this more than the results of the official
judging-this year conducted by James Halliday (Chairman), Vanya
Cullen (Cullen, WA), Phil Kearney (Willow Creek, Victo-ria), Zar
Brooks (Stranger & Stranger, SA), Dan Dineen (Tower Estate, NSW)
and John Hancock (Trinity Hill, New Zealand). All the wines were
judged blind-at both the official and public tastings (which is
what makes this event so unique, and so interesting), so no bias
entered anyone's calculations. The results are pure and telling.
The Judges' Top Ten (60 wines were tasted)
lst 1998 Vidals Joseph Soler Gimblett Gravels Cabernet
2nd 2002 Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cab/Merlot
3rd 2002 Margan House of Certain Views Cabernet
4th 2002 Balgownie Cabernet 5th 2002 Dalwhinnie Cabernet
5th 2000 Balnaves The Tally Cabernet 6th 2002 Sacred Hill Hawkes
Bay The Helmsman
6th 2002 CJ Pask Gimblett Gravels Reserve Declaration
7th 1999 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet
7th 2002 Berrys Bridge
Cabernet
2004 Divine State of Origin by Campbell Mattinson.
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