Liquor Barons Premium Wine show 2014

Disclosure: I was offered 2 free tickets to the show by Robert Oately Wines.

Okay so it was nearly a month ago that the 4th annual Liquor Barons Premium Wine Show took place however I still want to post about it because I did discover some wonderful tipples at the show and partook in a lovely Masterclass.

The 2014 show was held at the Perth Hyatt Regency Hotel on Adelaide Terrace from 4-9pm on a Thursday night. There were over 50 wine producers at the show, which meant there was a whopping 250+ wines to try (hard night right!). There was also a craft beer and cider room as well as well as delicious canapés and food made by Don Hancey & top Margaret River winery chefs.

Alongside receiving a Plumm glass to taste with and to take home at the end of the evening, it was free to register for and attend special masterclasses throughout the evening.

On the night, I arrived at the show at the perfect time as the Global Chardonnay Masterclass presented by Voyager Estate was just about to start. It would have been rude if I hadn’t of attended 🙂 The class was run by the Voyager Estate Winemaker, James Penton where we tasted 5 Chardonnays. Here is what I thought of the wines:
2011 Kumeu River Matés Vineyard Chardonnay
This one retails for about $80 and it was mentioned that this one is a ‘benchmark for Kiwi Chardonnay’. I have to admit it was lovely! On the eye it’s a yellow with slight tangerine spark to it. Smooth nose full of vanilla and honeydew melon. On the palate it has a lovely oomph with flavours of savoury fruits, camomile and lemon citrus. Fantastic length!

2011 Voyager Estate Chardonnay
This one was a prerelease for the event. Lighter than the previous Chardy on the eye, a definite pale yellow tone. Fairly closed nose, given some time I think it’ll open right up. Fruity up front on the palate with nectarine, peach and stone fruits dominating followed by a citrus finish. Fruit driven, crisp and fresh.

2010 Jean-Louis Chavy Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrieres
This was to die for and with a $120 price tag you would hope so! Firmly deep gold hue of the eye. Deepest colour out of the 5 wines in the tasting. Aromas of honey, charred pineapple and lanolin. It has a super plush mouthfeel, a lovely vibrancy, fresh, rich and thick. Flavours of passionfruit, apple and citrus. YUM!

2010 Voyager Estate Chardonnay
Crystal clear lemon colour on the eye. Aromas of yeast, toasted bread, floral notes and some grassiness in there. In the mouth it has a beautiful buttery roundness with flavours of melon and kiwifruit.

2007 Voyager Estate Chardonnay
My favourite out of the 3 VE Chardy’s at the tasting! Lemon yellow on the eye. Aromas of smoke, toast and herbs on the nose. On the palate it’s so silky and smooth. Great oak integration and fruit balance between the buttery and acidic flavours in the wine. Fruity and savoury and my oh my so tasty!
The Masterclass went for about 30 minutes after which we hit the floor to taste! As it was the ‘premium’ wine show, this meant that most of the wines available for tasting retail at above the $25 mark.

Here are some of my favourite wines from the show and a couple of delicious foodie pics too(sorry no tasting notes as I’m just not that good at multitasking between drinking, chatting and taking photos!):