New Zealand International Wine Show 2014 – Gold Medals

The medal winners from the 2014 New Zealand International Wine Show have been released. There were 206 gold medals awarded, this being 9.67% of the 2,130 wines total entered for judging. There were also 428 (20.09% silver) and 961 (45.12% bronze medals awarded, giving 1595 (74.88%) medals in total awarded. This is the 10^th running of what is this country’s largest wine judging event, conducted over 8-10 September, in Auckland. The competition, organised by Kingsley Wood of First Glass Wines of Takapuna, Auckland, gives recognition to wines from all over the world that are or will be sold in New Zealand. The judging panels were led by Bob Campbell MW as Chief Judge, and Larry McKenna, Peter Cowley and John Hancock as Assistant Chief Judges overseeing 22 senior judges.

Chardonnay was a very successful class with 27 golds awarded. All but 3 of the wines were from New Zealand, and the honours shared fairly evenly between those from Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough, the former region proportionally better performing with 7 golds. It appears 2013 is a good year for the variety with 17 gold medal winners coming from this vintage.

The Sauvignon Blanc results are similar to that of other recent judgings, with lower gold medal awards, reflecting the more difficult 2014 Marlborough vintage which was rain-affected. There were only 19 gold medals here, 16 from Marlborough, and all except 2 from the 2014 vintage. These other 2 were from 2012, being oak-influenced Marlborough styles.

The Aromatic varieties of Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris together have continued their good results of recent years, led by 15 golds for Pinot Gris, 9 for Riesling, but this year only 2 for Gewurztraminer. While Marlborough wines dominated the Riesling winners with 6 of the 9 golds, it was Nelson that came through with Pinot Gris, with 5 golds, and compared to 7 from Marlborough which had far many more entries. Could Pinot Gris become the signature white variety for Nelson?

In the specialist white categories, the Champagne region dominated the Sparkling wine classes winning 12 of the 19 gold medals. This demonstrates the exceptionally high quality and consistency achieved in this region of the world. 6 New Zealand wines, all from Marlborough dominated the Sweet wine category.

It was a very poor showing by Pinot Noir, with only 14 wines awarded gold. All were from New Zealand, with 10 wines coming from Central Otago and the remaining 4 from Marlborough. The 2013 vintage was a success for the variety, with 11 wines from that year taking gols, the other 3 from 2012.

I have covered the Bordeaux styles all together. There were 13 Cabernet Sauvignon and Predominant wines winning gold, 10 of these Australian and of these, 8 from South Australia. The other 3 were from New Zealand. There were 8 Merlot and Predominant gold medal wines, 7 from New Zealand and of these 6 from Hawke’s Bay from the outstanding 2013 vintage. In addition there were 4 golds for the Malbec, Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot and Predominant categories, again led by New Zealand with 3 golds.

Clearly the most successful class was Shiraz/Syrah which had 40 gold medal wines. Here, Australia dominated with 31 golds, fairly evenly spread across 2012 with 15 golds and 2013 with 13 golds. As can be expected, most came from South Australia. New Zealand Syrah wines won the other 9 gold medals, 5 from Waiheke Island and 4 from Hawke’s Bay. Of these, 6 of the wines came from 2013, which was a good vintage in both regions.

The gold medal count for the producers is also very interesting. Leading the New Zealand producers was the Villa Maria Group, with 13 golds, of which 9 were won by Villa Maria wines and 2 each for Vidal and Esk Valley. The Pernod-Ricard group took 9 gold medals, 4 going to Church Road wines, 2 each for Brancott Estate and Deutz Marlborough, and one for Stoneleigh. Saint Clair took 7 gold medals, interestingly none for Sauvignon Blanc! Matua is making a good showing in shows nowadays, at this show winning 5 golds. Two companies stood out for Australia, these being Taylors with 7 golds and d’Arenberg with 6 golds.

Here, I list the 206 gold medal winning wines. The full results with gold, silver and bronzes can ve seen on www.nziws.co.nz The trophy winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner to be held on 27 Septmber. At the dinner, the 2014 recipient of the Sir George Fistonich Medal for a ‘Legend of New Zealand Wine’ will also be announced.

Alchemy Chardonnay 2013
Bird in Hand Chardonnay 2012
Black Barn Vineyards Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2012
Brancott Estate Letter Series O Chardonnay 2013
Brightwater Vineyards Lord Rutherford Barrique Chardonnay 2012
Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2012
Charles Wiffen Chardonnay 2013
Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay 2012
Clearview Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2013
Clearview Estate Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2013
d’Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay 2012
Framingham Marlborough Chadonnay 2013
Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2012
Map Maker Marlborough Chardonnay Pure 2012
Marsden Black Rocks Chardonnay 2013
Matua Lands & Legends Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2013
Obsidian Reserve Chardonnay 2013
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2013
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 11 Cell Block Chardonnay 2013
Te Whai Bay Chardonnay 2013
Tempus Two Pewter Chardonnay 2013
Terra Sancta Estate Riverblock Chardonnay 2013
The Fuder Single Vineyard Selection Clayvin Chardonnay 2012
Vidal Legacy Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2010
Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2013
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2013
West Brook Waimauku Chardonnay 2013

Aotea Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Ara Single Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Brancott Estate Flight Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Cable Station Road Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Clark Estate Upper Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Esk Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Lawson’s Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Matua Single Vineyard Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Mount Brown Estates Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Mt Olympus W5 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Mt Vernon Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Rapaura Springs Marlborough Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Summerhouse Marlborough Monarch Sauvignon Blanc 2012
The Fuder Single Vineyard Selection Matthews Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Two Rivers of Marlborough ‘Convergence’ Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Waimea Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Mount Pleasant Cellar Aged Elizabeth Semillon 2007
Tempus Two Copper Zenith Semillon 2004

Charles Wiffen Riesling 2011
d’Arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling 2008
d’Arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling 2013
Distant Land Riesling 2011
Drylands Dry Riesling 2011
Hunter’s Marlborough Riesling 2013
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Dry Riesling 2013
Waimea Classic Riesling 2013
Wairau River Riesling 2013

Cicada Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2013
Spy Valley Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2013

Aronui Nelson Single Vineyard Pinot Gris 2014
Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Gris 2014
Brightwater Vineyards Nelson Pinot Gris 2014
Church Road McDonald Series Pinot Gris 2013
Dashwood Pinot Gris 2014
Eradus Pinot Gris 2014
Lawson’s Dry Hills Pinot Gris 2013
Mt Vernon Pinot Gris 2014
Old Coach Road Nelson Pinot Gris 2014
Peter Yealands Pinot Gris 2014
Sea Level Home Block Pinot Gris 2014
Tohu Marlborough Pinot Gris 2014
Vilagrad Pinot Gris 2013
Villa Maria Private Bin East Coast Pinot Gris 2014
Yealands Estate Land Made Series Pinot Gris 2014

Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Verdelho 2013
Falconhead Hawkes Bay Viognier 2013
Matua Single Vineyard Hawkes Bay Albarino 2014

Bimbadgen Regions Botrytis Semillon 2011
d’Arenberg The Noble Mud Pie Viognier Marsanne Pinot Gris 2011
Giesen The Brothers Marlborough Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Riverby Estate Noble Riesling 2013
Saint Clair Godfrey’s Creek Reserve Noble Riesling 2013
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Noble Riesling Botrytis Selection 2012
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Noble Semillon Botrytis Selection 2011
Whitehaven Marlborough Noble Riesling 2013

Akarua Vintage Brut 2010
Champagne Billecart-Salmon Reserve Brut NV
Champagne Billecart-Salmon Rose NV
Champagne Bollinger Rosé NV
Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvee NV
Champagne Cattier Brut Sensation NV
Champagne Lanvin Brut NV
Champagne Laurent-Perrier Brut NV
Champagne Louis Roederer Brut Blanc de Blancs 2008
Champagne Louis Roederer Brut Vintage 2007
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV
Delaplace Champagne Brut NV
Deutz Marlborough Cuvée NV
Deutz Marlborough Rosé 2008
Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut Champagne NV
Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut NV
Shingleback Black Bubbles Sparkling Shiraz NV
Soljans Estate Fusion Sparkling Muscat NV
Te Hana Rose NV

Gibbston Valley Rose 2014

Akarua Pinot Noir 2012
Akarua Pinot Noir 2013
Allan Scott Family Winemakers Pinot Noir 2013
Freeland Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
Lawson’s Dry Hills Reserve Pinot Noir 2012
Maude Pinot Noir 2013
Mondillo Pinot Noir 2013
Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
Mud House Single Vineyard Claim 431 Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Pinot Noir 2013
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 16 Awatere Pinot Noir 2012
Soho McQueen Pinot Noir 2013
Super Nanny Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013

Church Road McDonald Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
d’Arenberg The Galvo Garage Cabernet Blend 2009
Kirrihill Wines, Regional Range, Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Kirrihill Wines, Vineyard Selection, Clare Valley, Tullymore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Langmeil Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Morambro Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Saint Clair Hawkes Bay Premium Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2013
Sandalford Margaret River Range Cabernet Merlot 2012
Sirromet Private Collection Reserve “LM” Assemblage 2012
Taylors Promised Land Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Taylors Winemakers Project Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec Cabernet Franc 2013
Treasures Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2010

Brancott Estate Merlot 2013
Gemstone Merlot 2013
Greyrock Merlot 2013
Mission Reserve Merlot 2013
Mudbrick Reserve Merlot Cabernet 2013
Squawking Magpie The Nest Merlot 2013
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawkes Bay Organic Merlot 2013
Wild Rock Gravel Pit Red Merlot Malbec 2013

Matua Single Vineyard Hawkes Bay Malbec 2013
Obsidian The Mayor 2013
Saint Clair Hawkes Bay Premium Malbec 2013
Trapiche Single Vineyard Malbec Sarmiento 2009

Chalk Hill Luna Shiraz 2013
Chapel Hill Parsons Nose Shiraz 2013
Chocolate Box Shiraz 2012
Elephant Hill Syrah 2013
Fox Creek JSM Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc 2012
Fox Creek Red Baron Shiraz 2013
Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz 2012
Gemtree Bloodstone Shiraz 2013
Giant Squid Ink Shiraz 2012
Goldie Reserve Syrah 2013
Goldie Syrah 2013
Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz Cabernet 2013
Johnny Q Shiraz 2012
Johnny Q Shiraz Viognier 2012
Kingston Echelon Shiraz 2012
Lavina Grand Royale Shiraz 2012
Matua Single Vineyard Matheson Syrah 2013
Moppity Vineyards Eclipse Shiraz 2013
Mount Monster Shiraz 2013
Mudbrick Reserve Syrah 2013
Mudbrick Shepherds Point Syrah 2012
Obsidian Syrah 2013
Partisan White Label Shiraz 2012
Reynella Basket Press McLaren Vale Shiraz 2010
Rosemount Diamond Label Shiraz 2013
Shingleback Davey Brothers McLaren Vale Shiraz 2012
Shingleback Davey Estate Reserve McLaren Vale Shiraz 2012
Shingleback The gate McLaren Vale Shiraz 2012
Sidewood Shiraz 2013
Songlines Estates, Songlines Shiraz 2011
Taylors Clare Valley Shiraz 2013
Taylors Eighty Acres Shiraz 2013
Taylors Jaraman Shiraz 2013
Taylors Reserve Parcel Shiraz 2013
Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz 2012
Two in the Bush Shiraz 2012
Vidal Legacy Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Syrah 2011
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Syrah 2012
Windy Peak Heathcote Shiraz 2013
Yalumba Patchwork Barossa Shiraz 2012

Houghton Red Classic, Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2012
Moppity Vineyards Atticus Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2013
Taylors Eighty Acres Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2013

Bird in Hand Montepulciano 2012
Church Road McDonald Series Marzemino 2012
d’Arenberg The Sticks & Stones Tempranillo Blend 2010
Elefante Garnacha 2012
I Muri Primitivo Puglia IGP 2013
Obsidian Montepulciano 2013
One Tree Hill Basket Press Grenache 2012
Papa Luna GSM 2011
Piano Del Cerro Aglianico Del Vulture DOC 2009
Pipoli Aglianico Del Vulture DOC 2012
Pirramimma Stocks Hill McLaren Vale GSM 2012
Telmo Rodriguez Dehesa Gago Tempranillo 2013
The Boxer Durif 2013
Vigne Vecchie Primitivo di Manduria DOP 2011

Galway Pipe Grand Aged 12 Year Tawny
Grahams 10 Year Old Tawny Port
Grahams 20 Year Old Tawny Port
Lustau Pedro Ximenez San Emilio
Valdespino Pedro Ximenez El Candado