Gatt Wines Awarded FIJEV Special Prize for Best Australian Wine at Citadelles du Vin

MEDIA RELEASE

Under embargo until
6pm 29 May 2012

Australia’s Gatt Wines has triumphed at the 2012 Les Citadelles du Vin competition.
2009 Gatt High Eden Shiraz was awarded a Citadelles d’Or trophy and the International Federation of Wine and Spirits Journalists and Writers (FIJEV) special prize for best Australian wine at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific.  

Judged in Bordeaux under the patronage of the OIV, Les Citadelles du Vin competition sees the world’s great wines evaluated by a panel of top international judges.  The FIJEV prize recognises quality and excellence at the highest level.  This year the special prize pays homage to Australia as the guest of honour country. Citadelles d’Or winners were re-tasted by a jury of leading FIJEV journalists to award 2009 Gatt High Eden Shiraz the best score in the country.

The prestigious award ceremony took place at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific this week. Gatt Wines estate owner, Mr Ray Gatt attended the presentation in Hong Kong on Tuesday, saying he was personally honoured to accept the latest title.

“I thank FIJEV and Citadelles du Vin for paying Australia the great tribute of guest of honour country this year. It’s both humbling and gratifying for Gatt to be judged best Australian wine by some of the world’s finest journalists and wine experts. This award is testament to the quality and character of High Eden Shiraz. Our elegant wine style stems from beautiful terroir that is deserving of international acclaim.”

The award builds on the success of the first vintage of Gatt High Eden Shiraz (2008) that received top honours and the trophy for best New World red wine at the 14th Japan Wine Challenge as well as the trophy for best shiraz at the 2011 Vienna International Wine Challenge. Together, the rain of accolades positions Gatt Wines as a force to be reckoned with amongst the foremost producers of Shiraz on the international stage.

The latest accolade is the tenth trophy that has been awarded to Gatt Wines at esteemed competitions in the past three years. In an incredible accomplishment for a small estate, Gatt Wines is also credited with 50 gold medals across international wine shows.

2010 Gatt Old Vine Shiraz recently won best red wine at the 2012 Wine and Spirits Asia Wine Challenge in Singapore. 2010 Gatt Shiraz was ranked second in the top ten Best Syrah du Monde 2012. Syrah du Monde is an International mark of quality awarded by rigorous tasting of highly qualified expert judges.

Gatt High Eden Shiraz hails from the Eden Springs vineyard established in 1972. It lies in a land of timeless beauty and ancient soil at the pinnacle of Australia’s leading wine district, the Barossa. The internationally renowned region is home to some of the greatest old vine vineyards in the world. Ray Gatt’s vision is simply to craft world class wine of the highest quality from magnificent old vine terroir.  

TASTING NOTES

2009 Gatt High Eden Shiraz           
Born of exceptional terroir in the heights of Australia’s Eden Valley, 2009 Gatt High Eden Shiraz exhibits characteristic perfume and finesse. The wine is deeply coloured and purple with a dense, dark core. It is driven by vibrant fruit with stunning raspberry and redcurrant concentration, spicy sage lift and natural acid balance. Subtle integration and fine, supporting tannins are the result of 18 months maturation in new and seasoned French and American oak barriques. Moderate alcohol at 13.7% Alc/Vol.

2009 Gatt High Eden Shiraz retails for AUD 55.00. It is available winery direct and via selected fine wine retailers and restaurants in Australia and Asia. gattwines.com


GATT WINES SHIRAZ ACCOLADES SUMMARY

Samples of the award winning 2009 Gatt High Eden Shiraz are available to media upon request.

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media@gattwines.com

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