News and Events

04 November 2003

Bushing Trophy Trifecta for Fox Creek Wines

Fox Creek's Short Row Shiraz 2002 has won the McLaren Vale Wine Show's Commonwealth Bank Bushing Trophy. The award is given to the best wine of the McLaren Vale Wine Show and this is the third time in nine years Fox Creek has won the trophy, cementing its position as one of the region’s top wine producers.

As well as the Bushing Trophy, Fox Creek was awarded the Visy Board Trophy for the Best Shiraz over $25 as well as 12 medals from 13 wines entered. This comes just weeks after the Short Row Shiraz 2002 was awarded a silver medal at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.

Every vintage of this wine has won gold since its release in 1999. Fruit for this wine is sourced from the ‘Short Row' block adjacent to the cellar door on the Fox Creek vineyard.

Chairman of Judges, Andrew Wigan from Peter Lehmann Wines in the Barossa Valley headed a panel of judges that included winemaker of the 2003 Jimmy Watson wine, Nigel Dolan as well as Peter Bissell, Fiona Donald, David O'Leary, Sydney Morning Herald wine writer Huon Hooke and visiting international judge Tim Atkin.

Wigan hailed the wine show a great success stating: 'The 2003 show once again demonstrated the region's strength in red winemaking, particularly in the area of shiraz'. Fifty-three percent of wines entered received a medal.

The wine, made by winemakers Dan Hills and Tony Walker, is very deep red with powerful aromatics of blackberry, liquorice and all spice with subtle vanilla characters from the barrel fermentation adding to its complexity. A deep and intense palate is well balanced by a firm tannin structure. The finish shows great length and has supporting acid sufficient to allow for mid term cellaring.

This wine, while made to drink well upon release, will certainly improve with three to five years cellaring if stored under favourable conditions.

Traditionally, the winemaker and partner of the Bushing Trophy become the Bushing King and Queen however, neither Hills or Walker wanted to be the Bushing Queen so for 2003, there are two Bushing Kings!

Fox Creek Short Row Shiraz 2002 is available from discerning retailers nationally or by calling Fox Creek on 08-8556-2403. RRP is $26.