Maitland's Alex Beckett shines making champion wine at NSW Wine Awards

Just a few weeks back the Mercury carried the story that Maitland-born Beckett had won his first trophy as a winemaker at the Riverina Wine Show for his 2020 Briar Ridge Fiano.

He blew that effort out of the water on Friday when his 2018 Briar Ridge Dairy Hill Semillon was named overall champion wine in the prestigious NSW Wine Awards.

"I was amazed, I'm still coming to terms with it," Beckett, 24, said.

"It was my first year as winemaker here in 2018 and I made it in collaboration with previous winemaker Gwyn Olsen. She was a great mentor.

"It was a cracking vintage and we knew it was a really lovely wine ... but I certainly didn't expect this."

It was the highlight of a strong show for Hunter winemakers with Margan Wines, De Iuliis and Mount Pleasant all picking up trophies.

Chair of judges David Brookes described the Dairy Hill Semillon like this: "A wine of fine precision, detail and clarity and one that highlights all that is great about the Hunter's iconic and world-renowned grape variety. A beautifully composed wine; delicious at this stage of its evolution and one with a promising cellar life in front of it too."

Beckett was also quick to praise vineyard manager Belinda Kelly for the outstanding quality of the fruit and general manager Jaclyn Davis for her support.

What made the win even more rewarding for Beckett was that he'd done it with the signature white wine variety of the Hunter, the flagship Semillon.

"I think that makes it that bit special," said. "That we were able to do it with the Semillon made in that classic Hunter style."

He said the wine will age gracefully "for 10 or 15 years at least".

"Most of the top Hunter Semillons are grown on dry sandy riverbeds, but Dairy Hill is unusual in that it's clay over limestone," he said.

"That's usually better associated with reds, but in the good years in particular - and 2018 was a beauty - Dairy Hill vineyard can produce these quite superb Semillons."

The wine is available at the cellar door for $35.

Judge Brookes overall thoughts on the show?

"Orange again impressed with the precision of its sparkling wines. It is worth noting that this is the third year in a row that Printhie Wines has taken home the Trophy for Best Sparkling.

"Orange also offered up flavoursome Sauvignon Blancs and Rieslings and beautifully composed Pinot Noirs.

"The Hunter surprised no one with the strength of its delicious Semillons and gorgeous medium-bodied Shiraz styles that spoke clearly of their sense of place. Cabernets from Hilltops impressed the judges, as did the focused cool-climate Shiraz from Canberra and we were all blown away by the quality of the Chardonnay from Tumbarumba.

The alternative ... or as we like to call them ... the "appropriate' varieties again shone with the Portuguese grape varieties and Mourvedre looking fantastic."

Trophy winners were:

Best Riesling: Gilbert 2019 RS11 Riesling (Orange)

Best Semillon: Briar Ridge 2018 Dairy Hill Single Vineyard Semillon (Hunter Valley)

Best Sauvignon: See Saw 2020 Organic Sauvignon Blanc (Orange)

Best Chardonnay: Nick O'Leary 2019 Chardonnay (Tumbarumba)

Best Other White Variety: Trimboli Family Wines 2020 Salvatore Trebbiano (Riverina)

Best Pinot Noir: Philip Shaw Wines 2019 No.08 Pinot Noir (Orange)

Best Shiraz: Lerida Estate 2019 Shiraz (Canberra District)

Best Cabernet Sauvignon: Ballinaclash 2019 Tom Cabernet Sauvignon (Hilltops)

Best Other Red Variety: Margan 2019 Saxonvale Mourvedre (Hunter Valley)

Best Red Blend: De Iuliis Wines 2018 LDR Vineyard Shiraz, Touriga Nacional (Hunter Valley)

Best Organic Wine: See Saw 2020 Organic Sauvignon Blanc (Orange)

Best Tumbarumba Wine: Nick O'Leary 2019 Chardonnay (Tumbarumba)

Best Sparkling Wine: Printhie Wines NV Swift Rose (Orange)

Best Sweet Wine: Lillypilly 2017 Noble Blend (Riverina)

Best Fortified: Mount Pleasant NV Tawny Port Syrah (Hunter Valley)

Best Dry White in Show: Briar Ridge 2018 Dairy Hill Single Vineyard Semillon (Hunter Valley)

Best Dry Red in Show: Lerida Estate 2019 Shiraz (Canberra District)

Best in Show: Briar Ridge 2018 Dairy Hill Single Vineyard Semillon (Hunter Valley)