The Liquid Luxury Amateur Fortified Wine Show has just completed its third thrilling instalment, and this year's competition truly raised the bar. With an impressive 117 entries across all categories, the quality of submissions has continued to improve year on year. The competition has grown fiercer, so much so that our judges had to take it up a notch, scoring a little stricter this year to ensure only the very best were rewarded.
Held on the 17th, 18th and 19th of September, this year’s event celebrated the craftsmanship of dedicated barrel owners, many of whom have diligently cared for their barrels over the past 12 months. Those efforts were rewarded, with a particular emphasis placed on freshness—a crucial element in fortified wines. At Stanton & Killeen, we’re committed to supporting our community of home barrel owners by offering free barrel analysis to check SO2 levels, so there’s no excuse for stale wines!
The competition followed the highly regarded 100-point scoring system, in line with the Australian wine show circuit’s top standards. Each entry was assessed on its individual merits, with medals awarded based on the following scores:
- 95-100: Classic – A Gold Medal, representing an exceptional entry.
- 90-94: Very Good – A Silver Medal, recognising a superbly crafted entry.
- 85-89: Good – A Bronze Medal, awarded to distinctive entries with notable qualities.
- 80-84: Solid – A commendable entry showing minor imperfections.
- 75-79: Mediocre – Drinkable but lacking in finesse.
- 50-74: Not Recommended.
The elevated quality meant that many entrants achieved medal-worthy scores—a remarkable accomplishment given the heightened standards. Each category champion went on to compete for the prestigious Best in Show title, with this year’s event showcasing the incredible depth of talent and creativity in the world of amateur fortified winemaking.
And now, it’s time to celebrate the winners of this year’s Liquid Luxury Amateur Fortified Wine Show.
Best in Show: Darren Read
Score: 98/100 | Category: Muscat | Class: Young, Fresh, and Fruity
Darren’s Muscat dazzled the judges with its vibrant apricot and orange blossom notes, beautifully integrated with hints of crème caramel on the finish. The freshness, balance, and concentration were second to none, making it an exceptional young Muscat. Congratulations to Darren, who has earned a 10L Handcrafted Barrel, engraved and generously donated by Andrew Young and his team at the cooperage.
Now, let’s take a moment to recognise the exceptional winners in each category.
Category 1: Muscat
- Overall Winner & Best in Show: Darren Read – 98/100 Trophy & Best in Show
- Class 1 Winner: Darren Read – 98/100 Gold
- Class 2 Winner: Gary Henry – 96/100 Gold
- Class 2 Honourable Mention: Carl Moore – 95/100 Gold
- Class 3 Winner: Darren Read – 96/100 Gold
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Gold Medal Winners:
Greg Pell – Muscat Class 1
Jess Weston – Muscat Class 1
Carl Moore – Muscat Class 1
Stan Gyles – Muscat Class 2
Evelyn & Kevin Ferris – Muscat Class 2
Darren Read – Muscat Class 2
Paul Holland – Muscat Class 3
David Knowles – Muscat Class 3
Neil Wheeler - Muscat Class 3
Brian Sargent - Muscat Class 3
Damien Barrett - Muscat Class 3
Category 2: Topaque
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Overall Category Winner: Michael Flegeltaub – 97/100 (Class 3)
Michael’s barrels are renowned for delivering standout entries, and this year’s Class 3 Topaque was no exception, leaving the judges thoroughly impressed. Rich, dense, and decadent, this bold wine surprised with its perfect balance of sugar and acidity. On the palate, it unfolded into layers of salted licorice and salted caramel, with subtle notes of dark chocolate and coffee adding depth and intrigue. An absolute treat for the senses—delicious! - Class 1 Winner: Jess Weston – 96/100 Gold
- Class 2 Winner: Stan Gyles – 96/100 Gold
- Class 3 Winner: Michael Flegeltaub – 97/100 Trophy
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Gold Medal Winners:
Paul Beasley - Topaque Class 1
Peter Lowe – Topaque Class 2
James Webster – Topaque Class 2
Darren Read – Topaque Class 2
Darren Hamilton – Topaque Class 2
John Storen – Topaque Class 2
Category 3: Ruby/Tawny
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Overall Winner: Bob Jolliffe – 96/100 Gold (Class 1)
Bob’s entry burst with freshness and juiciness, offering bright clarity and a vibrant palate of red and blue fruits. A hint of milk chocolate cherry ripe sweetness and coffee grounds added indulgent layers, all beautifully balanced by a pleasant touch of oak on the finish. A harmonious and delightful wine that lingers with finesse!
- Class 1 Winner: Bob Jolliffe – 96/100 Trophy
- Class 2 Winner: John Storen – 96/100 Gold
- Class 3 Winner: Michael Flegeltaub – 95/100 Gold
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Gold Medal Winners:
James Webster – Tawny Class 2
Sarah, Jess & Tina – Tawny Class 2
Zane Marton – Tawny Class 2
Category 4: Rebel Blend
- Overall Winner: Gary Douglas – 95/100 Gold (Open Class)
Gary’s blend offered a beautifully rounded palate of brandied cherries, red fruits, and a touch of toasty oak. The richness of dark chocolate and baking spices seamlessly melded with vibrant notes of sour cherries, white peaches, and strawberries, creating a fresh, well-balanced wine. This delightful combination of flavours, along with its refreshing finish, made for a truly standout blend!
We are immensely proud of every entrant and the incredible improvements we’ve seen over the years. Your dedication and passion continue to raise the bar, and we are deeply grateful for your unwavering support of this wine show. It’s something we’re passionate about and love doing, and we’ll continue to host it with the same enthusiasm for as long as you want to be a part of it.
All category, class, and gold medal winners will be honoured with a beautifully engraved Liquid Luxury medallion—a fitting tribute to proudly display on your winning barrels. These medallions represent the commitment, craftsmanship, and heart that each of you pours into your creations, making them treasured keepsakes of your achievement.
A huge congratulations to all participants for your continued dedication to the art of fortified winemaking. As we look forward to next year, we encourage you to keep experimenting, refining your blends, and, most importantly, enjoying the process. We’re committed to supporting you in achieving the best results—whether through free barrel analysis or by pushing your craft to the next level through this competition.
Stay tuned for the full judges’ notes and benchmark results, which will be available to all entrants. Until then, keep sipping, testing, and perfecting your creations. We can’t wait to see what you’ll bring to next year’s show, which promises to be even more exciting!
Full results & 2024 benchmarking for 2024 can be found here: Benchmarking Spreadsheet & Results
