Hot 100 Wines: Top 10 Unveiled, Mr. Mick Takes Out Top Spot

The Clare Valley wine was announced as the most drinkable wine of 2016/17 at a special black-tie gala at Freemasons Hall on North Terrace in front of 250 guests to celebrate a decade of Hot 100 Wines. Mr. Mick’s “easy going” drop, which sells for a bargain $17, was judged the hottest wine of the 2016/17 season by an esteemed panel of judges, including Chief Judge Banjo Harris Plane. The judges said the wine was “simple and yet utterly drinkable” adding that the wine was a “fine reminder that simplicity and vitality go a long way towards satisfaction”.

Mr. Mick winemakers Tim Adams (left) and Brett Schutz (right)

Coming in at number two was Ochota Barrels’ 2015 I am the Owl Syrah while d’Arenberg’s 2015 The Noble Mud Pie placed third. Also announced on the night was the winner of TAFE SA’s Rule Breakers Award, which went to Brash Higgins’ 2015 NDV while Parallax’s label design for Elderslie’s Hills Blend #1 was named Hottest Label.

See below for the Top 10, or click here to see all 100

Other awards announced on the night include JamFactory’s Drink Dine Design award, which was won by Coffee Bondi Beach, a joint project curated by Liam Mugavin. The Howard Twelftree Award, which celebrates an outstanding contributor to the state’s gastronomy scene, was this year awarded to the late Emily Trott (Wheatsheaf Hotel), who sadly passed away earlier this year.

The goal of Hot 100 Wines is simply to discover and celebrate the state’s most drinkable wines, something the Hot 100 team have done for a decade since S.C. Pannell’s 2005 Shiraz Grenache was crowned the competition’s inaugural winner in 2007. Recent winners include The Other Wine Co’s 2015 Grenache and The Gentle Folk’s 2014 Blossoms.

This year, more than 1300 wines were entered by around 300 wineries. The complete list of the 100 hottest wines can be found in the annual Hot 100 Wines magazine, which is now available for free online (see bottom of page) and will soon be on the streets of Adelaide.

This year’s cover was designed by Damien Coulthard, who runs Warndu with his partner Rebecca Sullivan.

Top 10 of Hot 100 Wines 2016/17

1. Mr Mick, 2015 Novo Sangiovese, Clare Valley
   
2. Ochota Barrels, 2015 I am the Owl, Syrah, Adelaide Hills
   
3. d’Arenberg, 2015 The Noble Mud Pie, Viognier Arneis, McLaren Vale
   
4. Bird in Hand, 2016 Riesling, Clare Valley
   
5. Burge Family Winemakers, 2015 E.V. Riesling, Eden Valley
   
6. St Hallett Wines, 2015 Touriga Nacional, Barossa Valley
   
7. Howard Vineyard, 2016 Cabernet Franc Rose, Adelaide Hills
   
8. Schwarz Wine Co, 2015Meta, Mataro
   
9. Nepenthe, 2015 Good Doctor, Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills
   
10. Penna Lane Wines, 2015 Watervale Riesling, Clare Valley
    

TAFE SA Rule Breaker winner: Brash Higgins’ 2015 NDV

Howard Twelftree Award: Emily Trott (Wheatsheaf Hotel)

Hottest Label: Elderslie Hills Blend #1

Drink Dine Design: Coffee Bondi beach, curated by Liam Mugavin