Golf courses in Tasmania ace national list

Tasmania may be the smallest state in Australia, but it is home to three of the best five golf courses in Australia, Golf Australia magazine's latest national rankings for 2024 show.

Royal Melbourne's west course took top spot, while another Victorian course, Kingston Heath, was second.

Then came Cape Wickham links on King Island (image) , followed by two Barnbougle courses outside Bridport in the state's north-east.

"Cape Wickham is one of the most visually perfect courses I’ve ever played," said judge Steve Davis."The dramatic views combined with pure surfaces makes it a world-class links course.”

Barnbougle Dunes was ranked fourth, ahead of its younger brother, Barnbougle Lost Farm.

Judge Peter Robertson described Barnbougle Dunes as “the Tasmanian course that started it all. Still one of the best in the country and some of the best-value golf on the planet.”

Judge Adrian Logue said of The Lost Farm: “There really is something about Lost Farm that entices the player into thinking they’re a chance of making a good score. Certainly, great shots are rewarded but the punishment for a poor shot at the wrong time is just as able to cruel a whole round.”

 
The magazine said 163 courses across Australia received votes from its judges over a two-year rolling ranking period.

Other Tasmanian courses to make the list were the Tasmania Golf Club near Hobart Airport at 73,  Royal Hobart Golf Club at 67, "mini" course Bougle Run at 40 and Ocean Dunes on King Island at 17. .  
For the full list see https://www.golfaustralia.com.au/feature/ranking-australias-top-100-courses-for-2024-604333

Mother's Milk gets American nod of approval

It is a fair bet that many Australian wine lovers are not familiar with the Mother's Milk label. 

In the US, however. Mother's Milk 2021 Shiraz was named #38 of the top 100 wines in the world for 2023 by the mass-circulation Wine Spectator magazine. 

Mother's Milk is produced by Barossa-based First Drop Wines and owner John Retsas kindly sent me a bottle. 

Noteworthy for its comic strip-style label, Mother's Milk is a big, bold shiraz, full of flavour, that commonly retails for $25 or under in Australia. Like the winery cellar door (above), it makes a statement. 

Mother's Milk has been matured for 15 months in old French oak hogsheads and has been described as "soft and slurpy".

Think dark berries and blackcurrants, well-integrated oak, a hint of spice and a long, soft finish on the palate. Perfect for a barbecue.  

“The 2023 world of wine included strong vintages, second acts, generational succession and turnaround stories," said Jeffery Lindenmuth, executive editor of Wine Spectator. 

"The Top 100, our annual year-end snapshot, offers a reflection on the wines that made the year special- from the traditional to the new wave, played out in regions across the globe.

"Our list is a broad picture of the year in wine, and we’re thrilled to share our top picks, comprised of consistent performers and new honorees.”

Retsas was delighted with the recognition in the world's biggest-selling wine publication. Mother's Milk was the only Australian wine selected.

“We are very proud and grateful to be included in the Wine Spectator Top 100 wines of 2023," he said. 

"This is the second consecutive year our Mothers Milk Shiraz has been included in this prestigious collection of wines. Truly remarkable recognition considering that it is an affordable everyday wine that speaks of its region, variety and purity of winemaking."

Through blind tastings performed by Wine Spectator’s editors, the top 100 bottles were chosen from over 9,200 wines. Selections were based on four criteria: quality (based on score), value (based on price), availability (based on the number of cases made or imported into the US) and the “X-factor”-  story and excitement behind the wine.

The top wine from Australia and New Zealand was Kevin Judd's 2022 Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at No.10.

The full list can be found online at https://top100.winespectator.com/.