2019 Judging Panel Chair of Judges - Matt Harrop https://www.rasv.com.au/royal-melbourne-wine-awards/competition-info/judges/ Born in New Zealand, Matt Harrop grew up in Auckland, working his first vintage at 17 in 1988 and graduating from Roseworthy College in 1991 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Oenology. Matt has previously held roles as winemaker at Shadowfax from its first vintage in 1999 and Senior Winemaker at Nautilus in Marlborough NZ. Following that, he spent three years as winemaker at Brokenwood. Most recently, Matt has been appointed winemaker at Curly Flat Vineyard. Matt is also a regular judge of Australia’s city and regional wine shows including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisb

http://huonhooke.com/wine/ 2015 Silent Way Chardonnay 95/100 Drink 2017 to 2027 13% Screw cap What Huon thinks... Light to medium straw hue, the bouquet shy and backward and showing attractive stone fruit and lemon citrus aromas. Oak is background. The wine is fruit-sweet and delicious in the mouth, light to medium-bodied and refined, with good intensity and length. It's ageing slowly and has a bright future. Precision, intensity, line and length. Utterly delicious. Drink 2017 to 2027

https://www.winefront.com.au/silent-way-victorian-highlands-pinot-noir-2016/ Review by Mike Bennie Silent Way Victorian Highlands Pinot Noir 2016 Matt Harrop (and family) have some runs on the board with this solo project label. Harrop of course has switched out of Shadowfax winery and taken up the winemaking role at Curly Flat. Like a serious football trade. Just shy of medium weight, this is a pinot noir that delivers a lot of satisfaction – red cherry fruitiness, faint smudge of tannins, brisk bustle of acidity, a touch of herb and spice detail. The drinking is easy, there’s enough character to the wine to satisfy those seeking a little extra from their wines. Indeed, it’s a statement abo