The results of the 2017 New Zealand International Wine Show have been released. This year there were 243 (12.12%) gold medals, 366 (18.25%) silver and 879 (43.84%) bronze medals awarded, making a total 1,488 (74.21) medal awards from 2,005 entries. This is the largest wine judging competition run in this country, and allows international wines to be judged with New Zealand wines. Due to the large number of entries, and the high standard of the wines entered, the number of medal awards is higher than most other wine shows.
The judging was held in Auckland over 18-20 September, with a team of 29 judges led by Bob Campbell MW as Chief Judge, with Larry McKenna and Peter Cowley as Assistant Chief Judges. The senior judges were Michael Bann, Tony Bish, Jane Boyle, Terry Copeland, Ant Mackenzie, Bill Hird, Laura Hutchinson, Ian Isaacs, Michael Ivicevich, Sam Kim, Yvonne Lorkin, Alastair Maling MW, Olly Masters, Kay Morganty, Jen Parr, Nick Picone, James Rowan, Sam Smail and David Webster. www.nziws.co.nz
An Analysis
Organiser Kingsley Wood reports that the Shiraz/Syrah and Pinot Noir classes were “stunning”, with 40 and 29 golds awarded respectively. In the Shiraz/Syrah wines, 36 were from Australia and only 4 from New Zealand. Australia has always dominated this category, and often this has prompted a call for the New Zealand Syrahs to be judged separately. There ae arguments for and against this, but this show has the wines from both countries judged together, as with the other major varietal classes. Of the 29 Pinot Noir golds, 12 were from Central Otago and 8 came from both Marlborough and the Wairarapa regions. And vintages from 2016 to 2014 were all well represented.
Of great interest was the performance of the 2017 Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand, and especially Marlborough. There 20 golds awarded to Sauvignon Blanc, of which 18 were from2017. Kingsley noted that “it’s buyer beware” as the judges found a lot of ordinary wines as well. Of the 20 Sauvignon Blancs 18 came from the Marlborough region.
There were 13 golds awarded to Rosé wines and 19 to Pinot Gris. It is good to see these numbers as previously these classes previously being poor and inconstant in performance. As can be expected, all of the rosé wines were current 2017 vintage. The Pinot Gris golds “came from all over the place” reports Kingsley, and I noted 10 of the wines were 2017s, and 8 of the wines were from Marlborough.
The Chardonnay class was surprisingly disappointing according to Kingsley, with only 19 gold medals awarded. 9 of these came from Marlborough and 8 from Hawke’s Bay. 13 of the golds were from the 2016 vintage, one that is deemed very successful for the variety in New Zealand, and especially in Hawke’s Bay.
The Aromatic Whites were modest in representation, with 10 golds for Riesling, of which 4 came from Marlborough. There were only 5 golds for Gewurztraminer, with 4 of these from Marlborough. Sweet Wines only took 6 golds, 5 of which were from Marlborough.
There were 24 gold medals awarded in the Champagne, Methode Traditionnelle and Sparkling class. As can be expected, Champagne was the clear leader in origin, with 12 golds. New Zealand wines took 6 golds in this category.
The usual country of origin reversal was noted in the Cabernet Sauvignon-based and Merlot-based classes. There were 16 Cabernet-based golds, of which 14 came from Australia, with one each from New Zealand and Chile. There were 8 Merlot-based golds, of which 7 came from New Zealand, all of these from Hawke’s Bay. The other Merlot gold was an Australian.
There were 4 Greanche-based golds, all going to Australian wines. With the International Red Varieties, there were 11 golds, of which 5 were from Italy. There were also 11 Fortified Wine golds, 5 going to Portugal, 4 to Australia and 2 to Spain.
The trophy winning wines including the Champion Wine of the Show will be announced at the awards dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Auckland on Saturday 7 October. Also announced will be the recipient of the Sir George Fistonich Medal to a person who has made a major contribution in the development and profile of New Zealand wine. The results will be published on this website soon after.
The Gold Medal Winners
Following is a list of the gold medal winning wines of the 2017 New Zealand International Wine Show. All of the silver and bronze medal winners can also be seen at www.nziws.co.nz or www.wineshow.co.nz
Chardonnay
Bird in Hand Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2016
Brancott Estate Letter Series O* Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Church Road Grand Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2016
Clearview Estate Beachhead Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2016
Crossroads Winemakers Collection Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2015
Grove Mill Marlborough Chardonnay 2015
Hawkesbridge Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Isabel Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Jackson Estate Shelter Belt Marlborough Chardonnay 2014
Kidnapper Cliffs Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2014
Kim Crawford Small Parcels Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2016
Mount Riley 17 Valley Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Osawa Prestige Collection Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2016
Summerhouse Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Te Awa Single Estate Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2015
The Last Shepherd Gisborne Chardonnay 2016
Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2016
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Wither Hills Benmorven Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Sauvignon Blanc
Brancott Estate Letter Series B Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Esk Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Falconhead Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Giesen The Fuder Matthews Lane Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Grove Mill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Mount Vernon Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Old Coach Road Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Opawa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Rapaura Springs Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
SOHO Stella Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Spinyback Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Stoneleigh Lighter Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Stoneleigh Wild Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Sugar Loaf Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
te Pa “Oke” Marlbrough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
The King’s Favour Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Villa Maria Reserve Clifford Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Wairau River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Whitehaven ‘Greg’ Marlborough Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Viognier
Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2014
Riesling
Beach House Stoney Beach Gravels Hawkes Bay Riesling 2017
Ceres Black Rabbit Central Otago Riesling 2017
d’Arenberg The Dry Dam McLaren Vale Riesling 2010
Gibbston Valley GV Collection Central Otago Riesling 2017
Giesen Estate Riesling 2015
Mount Riley Marlborough Riesling 2017
Stoneleigh Marlborough Riesling 2017
The Doctors’ Marlborough Riesling 2017
Tinpot Hut Turner Vineyard Marlborough Riesling 2015
Vickery Eden Valley Riesling 2017
Gewürztraminer
Bladen Marlborough Gewürztraminer ‘Tilly Vineyard’ 2017
Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2016
Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewürztraminer 2016
Spy Valley Single Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2016
The Family Company Gewürztraminer 2016
Pinot Gris
Aspiring Flats Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017
Bladen Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016
Church Road McDonald Series Pinot Gris 2017
Dashwood Pinot Gris 2017
Gibbston Highgate Estate Dreammaker Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017
Gunn Estate Reserve Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017
La Boheme Act Three Pinot Gris and Friends 2016
Left Field Hawkes Bay Pinot Gris 2017
MIDDLE-EARTH Pinot Gris 2017
Mount Riley Pinot Gris 2016
Peregrine Pinot Gris 2016
Saint Clair James Sinclair Pinot Gris 2015
Tatty Bogler Pinot Gris 2015
Tiki Estate Waipara Pinot Gris 2016
Two Rivers ‘Brookby Hill’ Pinot Gris 2017
Vavasour Pinot Gris 2017
Villa Maria Private Bin East Coast Pinot Gris 2017
Willm Alsace Pinot Gris 2015
Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016
Other White Varieties
Aronui Nelson Albarino 2015
Babich Family Estates Headwaters Organic Marlborough Albarino 2016
Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Verdelho 2017
Forrest Marlborough Chenin Blanc 2016
Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Hunter Semillon 2006
Sweet Wines
Coney Sticky Fingers Riesling 2016
Forrest Botrytised Riesling 2016
Giesen The Brothers Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Hunter’s Hukapapa™ Dessert Riesling 2014
Riverby Estate Noble Riesling 2015
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Noble Riesling Botrytis Selection 2016
Champagne, Methode Traditionelle & Sparkling
Bandini Prosecco Extra Dry DOC NV
Brown Brothers Sparkling Moscato NV
Brown Brothers Sparkling Moscato Rosa NV
Champagne Ayala Brut Rosé Majeur NV
Champagne Deutz Brut Classic NV
Champagne Laurent Perrier Brut NV
Champagne Laurent Perrier La Cuvee NV
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne NV
Charles Heidsieck Rosé Reserve Champagne NV
Daniel Le Brun Vintage 2008
Delaplace Champagne NV
Gancia Prosecco DOC Dry NV
H.Lanvin & Fils Champagne NV
Hunter’s MiruMiru™ NV
La Gioiosa Prosecco DOC Treviso NV
Lindauer Classic Rosé NV
Lindauer Special Reserve Blanc de Blancs NV
Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne NV
Louis Roederer Brut Vintage Champagne 2009
Piper-Heidsieck Cuveé Essentiel Champagne NV
Pol Roger Brut Reserve Champagne NV
Riccadonna Asti NV
Sidewood Isabella Rosé 2013
Te Hana Rosé NV
Verde Brut NV
Rosé & Blush
Ata Mara Central Otago Rosé 2017
Brockenchack Single Vineyard Tru-Su Eden Valley Rosé 2017
Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Merlot Rosé 2017
Gibbston Highgate Estate Lovemaker Central Otago Rosé 2017
Gibbston Valley GV Collection Central Otago Rosé 2017
Hunter’s Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2017
Isabel Marlborough Rosé 2017
Jules Taylor Wines OTQ Single Vineyard Marlborough Rosé 2017
Mission Estate Hawkes Bay Rosé 2017
Mount Riley Marlborough Pinot Rosé “The Bonnie” 2017
Sacred Hill Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2017
Stoneleigh Marlborough Rosé 2017
The Ned Marlborough Pinot Rosé 2017
Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Predominant Blends
Barossa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Beresford Classic Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Beresford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
d’Arenberg The Galvo Garage Cabernet Blend 2013
Enchanted Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Evans & Tate The Go Between Cabernet Merlot 2014
Johnny Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Kingston Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Mr Riggs Outpost Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Nest Egg Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Nest Egg Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Cabernet-Merlot 2015
Taylors St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
The Alliance Cabernet Malbec 2014
Thorn Clarke Shotfire Quartage 2015
Three Dark Horses “The Bandy” Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Merlot & Merlot Predominant Blends
Bird in Hand Merlot 2015
Church Road McDonald Series Merlot 2015
Church Road Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Clearview Estate Enigma 2015
Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Merlot Malbec Cabernet Franc 2014
Mission Jewelstone Antoine 2015
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Merlot 2015
Te Awa Single Estate Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Malbec, Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot Predominant
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Malbec 2013
Shiraz & Shiraz Predominant Blends
30 Mile Shiraz 2016
Alpha Crucis Shiraz 2015
Alpha Crucis Titan Shiraz 2015
Beresford Classic Shiraz 2015
Bird in Hand Shiraz 2016
Brockenchack Single Vineyard Jack Harrison Shiraz 2010
Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz 2015
Chapel Hill The Parson Shiraz 2016
Chocolate Box Shiraz 2016
Church Road McDonald Series Syrah 2015
Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz 2016
Elephant Hill Syrah 2015
H by Haselgrove Shiraz 2016
Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz 2015
Johnny Q Shiraz 2015
Kingston Echelon Shiraz 2015
Kingston Estate Shiraz 2016
Kirrihill Wines, Vineyard Selection, Clare Valley Shiraz 2015
Mojo Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016
Mr Riggs The Truant Shiraz 2015
Nest Egg Shiraz 2013
Oddfellows Shiraz 2015
Oddfellows Svengali 2015
Pirramimma Ironstone Low Trellis Shiraz 2013
Reillys Shiraz 2014
Rockbare Shiraz 2015
Rod McDonald Trademark Syrah 2013
Shingleback Local Heroes Shiraz Grenache 2016
Shingleback Unedited McLaren Vale Shiraz 2015
Shingleback Unedited McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016
St Hallett Faith Shiraz 2016
St Johns Road Blood & Courage Shiraz 2016
Tenafeate Creek One Tree Hill Judgement Shiraz 2014
Thomas Goss Shiraz 2016
Thorn Clarke Barossa Trail Shiraz 2016
Three Dark Horses Shiraz 2016
Trentham Family Reserve Shiraz 2014
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawkes Bay Syrah 2015
Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz 2015
Yalumba Paradox Shiraz 2014
Pinot Noir
Akarua Pinot Noir 2016
Alexander Dusty Road Pinot Noir 2016
Alexander Martinborough Pinot Noir 2016
Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Pinot Noir 2016
Bald Hills Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Bannock Brae “Goldfields” Pinot Noir 2015
Brightwater Vineyards Nelson Pinot Noir 2015
Delta Hatter’s Hill Pinot Noir 2016
Freeland Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
Invivo Central Otago Michelle’s Pinot Noir 2016
Julicher Pinot Noir 2014
Mansion House Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016
Maori Point Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
Nga Waka Lease Block Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014
Rockburn Central Otago Nine Barrels Pinot Noir 2015
Saddleback Pinot Noir 2016
Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Pinot Noir 2016
Tarras The Canyon Pinot Noir 2016
Te Kairanga John Martin Pinot Noir 2015
Te Kairanga Pinot Noir 2016
Te Tera Pinot Noir 2015
Te Tera Pinot Noir 2016
The Journey II Pinot Noir 2014
Turnstone Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
Valli Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014
Wairau River Reserve Pinot Noir 2015
Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2015
Wooing Tree Beetle Juice Pinot Noir 2016
International & Other Red Varieties
Amaranta Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOP 2014
Bird in Hand Montepulciano 2016
Church Road McDonald Series Marzemino 2015
Church Road McDonald Series Tempranillo 2015
Delas Crozes-Hermitage Les Launes 2015
Luna Argenta Rosso Toscana IGT 2014
Piano del Cerro – Aglianico del Vulture DOC 2015
Telmo Rodriguez Corriente 2014
Tenuta Ulisse Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOP 2015
Vega del Rayo Rioja Reserva 2011
Vigne Vecchie – Leggenda Primitivo di Manduria 2015
Grenache Predominant
Beresford Classic GSM 2015
Haselgrove Switch Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2016
Red Knot Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2016
Tenafeate Creek One Tree Hill GSM 2016
Fortified Wines
Buller Fine Old Muscat Croft Vintage 2011
De Bortoli Old Boys 21 Year Old Tawny
De Bortoli Show Liqueur Muscat
Galway Pipe Grand Grand Tawny
Graham’s 10 year old Tawny
Graham’s Six Grapes
Kopke 10 year old Port
Krohn LBV 2007
Lustau Pedro Ximénez San Emilio
Williams & Humbert Don Zoilo Pedro Ximenez 12 Year Old
