Wine Without Wank - Corkers Of 2008

Written by Ian Robertson on 4th January 2009

We at Wine Without Wank are like any other journal/magazine/web site that pontificates about a certain topic in that we of course must have annual Awards!

And so, without further ado, I present to you the Wine Without Wank Corkers Of The Year for 2008!

By way of conveying some understanding to you, let me make the rules quite clear.

1. The Awards cover the year of 2008 – any wine tasted and reviewed in that time qualifies despite the vintage. Given that I don’t manage to taste everything from everyone released in any set year (let alone back vintages) this is not the be all and end all of wine awards – it is one individual experience of his wine life in a set period.

2. Some of the wines might have been released at the start of the year, making them now either unavailable or difficult to get – try the auction sites!

3. Value awards are based on the Wine Without Wank Value Rating system – see here to refresh your mind on the details

4. Quality Awards – well, it makes sense that of the wines rated Outstanding for Quality over the year, the ones that stood out above the others are selected!

So, onto the winners!

Value White 2008 –

Tahbilk Marsanne 2007

In pondering the award winner in this category, it came to my attention that there were not a lot of contenders in this class. I drank some superb white wine this year – but not much of it could be said to be good value. This is the excellent exception, and was the runaway winner. Great weight, good length, lovely fruit flavours and complexity as well as potential to age. Click here for the Review!

Value Red 2008 –

Sylvan Springs Hard Yards Shiraz 2005

Squashedgrape once again come through with the goods on a great value drop that has oodles and oodles of flavour and balance. Having also stocked the winner of this category in 2007, they certainly are worth keeping an eye on. Although McLaren Vale, this is not a huge wine - more class and elegance. Good acidity to go with good fruit and nice earthy tones, and some nice black pepper touches. Length is good, and mid palate is meaty! Click here for the Review!

Best Quality Red 2008 –

Seppelt St Peters Grampians Shiraz 2004

This was a very closely contested category. The wines that stood out for me this year though had a very consistent degree of earth, meat and spice based tones to add to the ‘gobs of fruit’ and oak easily found in high class reds, especially in Australia. This wine could also add a lighter weight style and a structure of pristine line and length. A wine that is to be savoured, and a wine that can match food just as easily. Click here for the Review!

Best Quality White 2008 –

Giaconda Chardonnay 2006

Incredible. Words fail to do justice to this perfect perfect drop. Giaconda Chardonnay took the title in this category last year, and takes it again this year easily. It was not without competition – on reflection I had some cracking Riesling, Chardonnay and even Sancerre. But this wine is simply marvelous. Makes me wonder, should I stay away from Giaconda Chardonnay next year to give another label a chance at the title? (Not a chance, by the way!!) Click here for the Review!

Congratulations to all our worthy winners – a genuine invisible trophy is on its way to you!

And so, onto 2009 and more fermented grape to come!

Slainte!