An Australian Shiraz with a $20 price tag has won the International Champion trophy at the 20th annual VINUS International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Taylors Heritage Label Shiraz 2022 was rated against more than 580 samples from 15 different countries by a jury of recognised international wine experts, sommeliers, and journalists and achieved a 100-point rating.

This is the second consecutive year Taylors has won this prestigious award, having won the same trophy for its Estate Shiraz 2020 last year. This is the first time a winery has won the International Champion title back to back. 

“This is such exciting news for our winery – not only have we taken out a major trophy for our wine, but the judges deemed it to be worthy of 100 points. It’s phenomenal,” Winemaker and Managing Director Mitchell Taylor said.

“The Heritage Shiraz is a special wine that celebrates the heritage of our family winery and takes inspiration from our very first vintage release in 1973. Fifty years on, we are proud to represent the Clare Valley and South Australia and its awards like this that help showcase the quality of Australian wines to the world.”

In addition to the major trophy for the Australian Shiraz, Taylors Wines also took home the Best Series of Five Wines in Competition Award and a total of six Double Gold and 10 Gold medals. Two other Double Gold medal winners in the Taylors portfolio, The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 and The Pioneer Shiraz 2019, both received 99 points from the judges and appeared alongside the Heritage Label Shiraz in the Top Ten VINUS 2023.  

Taylors Heritage Shiraz 2022 is crafted from fruit grown on the family’s Clare Valley estate. The wine is described as having “enticing, lifted aromas of plum, black currant and dark cherry with a subtle undertone of mocha and spice. The palate is plump and generous, with ripe blackberry and plum characters. Mocha and coffee notes balance the dense fruit flavours, with fleshy, supple tannins rounding out the long finish”. 

Taylors Heritage Shiraz 2022 is available now from Taylors Wines Cellar Door and online cellar door at www.taylorswines.com.au. The wine is also available in select restaurants, online retailers and duty-free retailers. 

Taylors celebrates review of Chinese wine tariffs

Taylor said the win for its Australian Shiraz welcome news for the family winery, which continues to battle alongside the wider industry in the face of ongoing trade and economic challenges.

In July, Wine Australia reported the continued decline in Australian wine exports, with the value of exports declining by 10 per cent in the last financial year, compounded by the crippling trade tariffs of more than 200% placed on Australian exports into China enacted in late 2020. 

But there is renewed hope within the industry following the announcement that Chinese officials will commence a five month review of the tariffs with the hopes they will be dropped.   

“We’re optimistic about the future of our industry, particularly now as China is reviewing its tariffs on Australian wine exports.,” Taylor said. 

“We’re very excited about getting back into the market and telling the story of premium Australian wine to China’s many wine consumers.

“I’ve spent most of my life working in the wine industry, and the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that not every year can be rosy. In fact this is the hardest I’ve seen over my last three decades working in the wine industry. One thing is certain – the wine community knows how to navigate itself during challenging times to come out stronger on the other side. Winning this award is one of those times we get to come together and celebrate.”