Margaret River winery Xanadu won the coveted Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show, presented on Thursday night (October 18). The award, which recognises the best young red, went to the 2016 Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon, which also won the trophy for Best Cabernet, Merlot and Associated Varieties.
Tasmanian wines claimed a number of trophies on the night, with the 2018 Eddystone Point Riesling, 2008 House of Arras Grand Vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir and 2017 Bay of Fires Pinot Noir each winning their respective varietal trophies. And the 2017 Tolpuddle Chardonnay, also from Tasmania, collected four trophies – Best Chardonnay, Best Single Vineyard Wine and Best Young White – with its vineyard manager, Carlos Souris, also winning the trophy for Viticultural Excellence.
The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy remains one of the most highly sought-after awards in the industry, and the prize includes $15,000 towards wine-related travel.
Visit here for all winners and results.
Latest Articles
-
Wine Lists
Hunter Valley wines to try now
1 day ago -
From the tasting team
Curious, diverse, confident: Mike Bennie on Wairarapa
26 Feb 2026 -
News
Why a co-owner of Bass Phillip decided to taste, instead of trade, this 127-year-old bottle of wine
26 Feb 2026 -
Meet the winemaker
What makes Kusuda one of New Zealand's most extraordinary producers
26 Feb 2026