New Zealand International Wine Show 2018 Gold Medals

The New Zealand International Wine Show is the largest wine judging competition run in New Zealand and judges international wines alongside New Zealand wines. The medal results of the 2018 competition have been released. Of 2,020 wines judged, there were 257 (12.72%) golds, 355 (17.57%) silvers and 822 (40.69%) bronzes awarded, making a total of 1434 (71%) medals won overall. This is a relatively large proportion of medals and can be explained by the high quality standard of the wines entered.

The judging was conducted over 24-26 September in Auckland by of team of 24 senior judges chaired by Bob Campbell MW with Larry McKenna, John Hancock and Peter Cowley as assistant chief judges. The team assembled by Kingsley Wood also included associated judges and an army of back room logistical people. www.nziws.co.nz

As is the case at this competition, Chardonnay with 33 golds and Shiraz with 38 golds were the most successful classes. Pinot Noir took 28 golds, and Champagne and Sparkling took 23 golds. These are indeed the glamour classes at this show

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With the Chardonnay golds, over half came from Marlborough and surprisingly, just over a quarter came from Hawke’s Bay, probably reflecting the difficult 2017 vintage. Pinot Gris was a relatively well-performing class with 19 golds. The disappointment in the whites was Sauvignon Blanc with only 19 golds from 130 entries of 2018 wines. After the terrible 2017 vintage for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, one must remember that 2018 was also tough, but the best 2018s are far superior to the best 2017s.

As usual, the Champagne, Methode Traditionnelle and Sparkling was dominated by French Champagne, and it is one of the highly desirable categories to judge! There were a good number of Rosé wines winning gold, with 12 golds, but these from 156 entries.

Arguably, Shiraz is what it’s all about at the NZIWS, and of the 38 golds, all were Australian, with only one from New Zealand. The 28 gold Pinot Noirs were comprised 15 from Marlborough – over half. There were 11 Pinot Noir golds from Central Otago. Australian wines dominated the Cabernet Sauvignons, as usual, and the 8 Merlot-based golds, a stronghold for New Zealand reflected the difficult vintages, where 2015, 2016 and 2017 presented their challenges,
The International Red Varieties presented their usual eclectic mix among the 17 golds, and the 18 gold Fortified Wines were all impeccable.

The trophy winning wines including the Campion Wine of the Show will be announced at the awards dinner on Saturday 13 October at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. 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 (I was humbled to be the recipient last year). These results will be published on this website soon after.

Following is a list of the gold medal winning wines of the 2018 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
Alpha Domus The Batten Chardonnay2016
Beresford Classic Chardonnay2017
Brancott Estate Letter Series O Chardonnay2017
Brightwater Vineyards Lord Rutherford Barrique Chardonnay2016
Charles Wiffen Marlborough Chardonnay2016
Clearview Beachhead Chardonnay2017
Clearview Reserve Chardonnay2017
Clearview Three Rows Chardonnay2017
Crossroads Winemaker’s Collection Chardonnay2015
Delta Hatter’s Hill Chardonnay2016
Giesen Single Vineyard The Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay2016
Huntaway Reserve Chardonnay2016
Isabel Estate Marlborough Wild Barrique Chardonnay2017
Jules Taylor OTQ Single Vineyard Chardonnay2017
Marisco Pioneer Chardonnay2016
Mills Reef Elspeth Chardonnay2015
Mount Riley 17 Valley Marlborough Chardonnay2017
Nautilus Marlborough Chardonnay2017
Passage Rock Reserve Chardonnay2017
Selaks Founders Chardonnay2016
Starborough Single Vineyard Chardonnay2016
Stoneleigh Marlborough Chardonnay2017
Te Awa Single Estate Hawkes Bay Chardonnay2017
te Pa Marlborough Chardonnay2017
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay2016
Two Rivers Clos des Pierres Chardonnay2017
Vavasour Anna’s Chardonnay2016
Vavasour Anna’s Chardonnay2017
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay2016
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay2017
West Brook Waimauku Chardonnay2016
Whitehaven Marlborough Chardonnay2017
Wither Hills Benmorven Chardonnay2017

Gewurztraminer
Bladen Marlborough Gewurztraminer ‘Tilly Vineyard’2018
Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough Gewurztraminer2017
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Gewurztraminer2017

Riesling
Babich Family Estates Marlborough Riesling2017
Gibbston Valley GV Collection Riesling2018
Hunter’s Marlborough Riesling2018
Jackson Estate Homestead Dry Riesling2015
Lawson’s Dry Hills Riesling2016
Maude, Mt Maude Vineyard East Block Riesling2018
Mud House Waipara Valley Riesling2018
Sugar Loaf Riesling2018
Terrace Edge Liquid Geography Riesling2018
The Doctors’ Riesling2018
Two Rivers Juliet Riesling2018

Pinot Gris
Bird in Hand Pinot Gris2018
Catalina Sounds Marlborough Pinot Gris2018
Clearview Coastal Pinot Gris2018
Dashwood Pinot Gris2018
Devil’s Staircase Pinot Gris2018
Domain Road Vineyard Defiance Pinot Gris2018
Gibbston Valley GV Collection Pinot Gris2017
Grove Mill Pinot Gris2018
Junction Pastime Pinot Gris2017
Mount Michael Pinot Gris2018
Mud House Single Vineyard Home Block Vineyard Waipara Valley Pinot Gris2018
Russian Jack Pinot Gris2018
Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Pinot Gris2018
Starborough Family Estate Pinot Gris2018
The Ned Pinot Gris2018
Thorn Pinot Gris2017
Three Miners Miner’s Right Pinot Gris2018
Wither Hills Early Light Pinot Gris2018
Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris2018

Sauvignon Blanc
Brancott Estate Identity Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc2018
Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc2018
Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc2018
Goldwater Sauvignon Blanc2018
Good Company Sauvignon Blanc2018
Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc2018
Kaiora Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc2018
Lawson’s Dry Hills Reserve Sauvignon Blanc2018
Mount Riley Limited Release Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc2018
Rapaura Springs Classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc2018
Rapaura Springs Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc2018
Russian Jack Sauvignon Blanc2018
Scorpius Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc2018
SOHO Pink Sheep Sauvignon Blanc2018
Thornbury Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc2018
Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc2018
Vidal Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc2018
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc2018
Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc2018

Other White Varieties
Aronui Nelson Albarino2016
Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Verdelho2018
Left Field Gisborne Albarino2018
Misty Cove Landmark Gruner Veltliner2018
Pauletts Wine Watervale Semillon2017
Tahbilk ‘1927 Vines’ Marsanne2012
Tahbilk Marsanne2014
Terrace Edge Albarino2017

Sweet Whites
Forrest Botrytised Riesling2017
Giesen The Brothers Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc2014
Riverby Estate Noble Riesling2016
Saint Clair Godfrey’s Creek Reserve Noble Riesling2016
Tinpot HutMarlborough Late Harvest Riesling2017
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Noble Riesling Botrytis Selection2016

Champagne, Methode Traditionnelle and Sparkling
Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve ChampagneNV
Brown Brothers Sparkling Moscato2017
Champagne Ayala Brut MajeurNV
Champagne Bollinger RoséNV
Champagne Bollinger Special CuveeNV
Champagne Charles Orban Blanc de Noirs BrutNV
Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée RoséNV
Champagne P.Louis Martin Bouzy Grand CruNV
De Bortoli ProseccoNV
Deutz RoséNV
Dibon Cava Brut ReserveNV
Drappier Carte d’Or Brut Champagne2016
Eight Carat Sparkling ShirazNV
Fallet Dart Cuvée de Réserve ChampagneNV
Fallet Dart Grande Sélection ChampagneNV
Fallet Dart Millésime Champagne2008
Lanson Black Label Brut ChampagneNV
Lanson Gold Label Brut Champagne2008
Lanson Rosé ChampagneNV
Louis Roederer Brut Premier ChampagneNV
Louis Roederer Brut Vintage Champagne2012
Louis Roederer Vintage Rosé Champagne2012
Marion Bosser Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Premium Cru ChampagneNV

Rose and Blush
Archangel Lace Rosé2018
Awatere River by Louis Vavasour Pinot Rosé2018
Domain Road Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé2018
Leefield Station Pinot Rosé2018
Lobster Reef Marlborough Rosé2018
Selaks Taste Collection Rosé2018
Stiletto Ranch Gisborne Rosé2018
Tatty Bogler Rosé2018
Te Kano Rosé2018
Three Miners Rocker Box Rosé2018
Villa Maria Private Bin Hawkes Bay Rosé2018
Wooing Tree Rosé2018

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Sauvignon Blends
Alpha Crucis Titan Cabernet Sauvignon2016
Arrogant Frog Cabernet Merlot2017
Beresford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon2015
d’Arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon2016
Grant Burge Barossa Ink Cabernet Sauvignon2016
Pauletts Polish Hill River Cabernet Merlot2014
Penny’s Hill Edwards Road Cabernet Sauvignon2016
Random Shot Cabernet Sauvignon2015
Shingleback Davey Estate Cabernet Sauvignon2017
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot2016

Merlot and Merlot Predominant Blends
Church Road 1 Merlot2016
Church Road McDonald Series Merlot2015
Mills Reef Estate Merlot Cabernet2016
Penny’s Hill Malpas Road Merlot2016
Taylors Merlot2017
Villa Maria Private Bin Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon2016
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Merlot2015
Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot2016

Malbec, Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot Predominant
Church Road 1 Malbec2016
Pirramimma Petit Verdot2015
Q Malbec2017

Pinot Noir
Alex Gold Pinot Noir2017
Devil’s Staircase Pinot Noir2018
Forrest Pinot Noir2017
Framingham Pinot Noir2016
Freeland Central Otago Pinot Noir2017
Giesen Single Vineyard Ridge Block Pinot Noir2015
Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Pinot Noir2016
Lake Chalice The Falcon Pinot Noir2017
Matt Connell Wines Rendition Pinot Noir2017
Maude, Mt Maude Vineyard EMW Pinot Noir2016
Montana Reserve Pinot Noir2017
Mount Riley 17 Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir2016
Mount Riley Marlborough Pinot Noir2017
Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir2017
Nanny Goat Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir2017
Ostler Caroline’s Pinot Noir Waitaki Valley2016
Pizzicato Reserve Pinot Noir2016
Rapaura Springs Rohe – Southern Valleys Pinot Noir2017
Rockburn ‘Six Barrels’ Pinot Noir2017
Saint Clair James Sinclair Pinot Noir2017
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir2017
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Pinot Noir2017
Super Nanny Central Otago Pinot Noir2017
Thornbury Central Otago Pinot Noir2017
Turnstone Central Otago Pinot Noir2017
Vavasour Felix’s Pinot Noir2017
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir2017
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Pinot Noir2016

Shiraz and Shiraz Predominant Blends
30 Mile Shiraz2017
Alpha Crucis Titan Shiraz2016
d’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz2016
De Bortoli Woodfired Shiraz2017
Don’t Tell Gary Shiraz2017
Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Syrah2014
Hardys Tintara Shiraz2016
Inigo Shiraz2016
Kingston Estate Shiraz2017
Kirrihill Wines, Gleeson & Co Clare Valley Shiraz2017
Kirrihill Wines, Regional Selection Clare Valley Shiraz2016
Kirrihill Wines, Vineyard Selection Clare Valley Shiraz2016
Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz2017
Morambro Creek Shiraz2016
Oddfellows Shiraz2016
Oddfellows Svengali2016
Penny’s Hill Cracking Black Shiraz2016
Reillys Clare Valley Shiraz2015
Reillys Clare Valley Shiraz2016
Reillys Dry Land Shiraz2016
Ron Thorn Shiraz2016
Sandalford Estate Reserve Margaret River Shiraz2016
Shingleback D Block Reserve Shiraz2016
Shingleback Davey Estate Shiraz2016
Shingleback Davey Estate Shiraz2017
Shingleback Unedited Shiraz2016
Shingleback Unedited Shiraz2017
Shotfire Shiraz2016
St Hallett Gamekeeper Shiraz Grenache Touriga2017
St John’s Road The Prophet Shiraz2016
Taylor Made Shiraz2015
Taylors Shiraz2017
Taylors St Andrews Shiraz2016
Tenafeate Creek One Tree Hill Shiraz2016
The Great Bonza Shiraz Cabernet2017
The Lodge Hill Shiraz2016
Vasarelli Vineyards Family Reserve McLaren Vale Shiraz2017
Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz2016

Grenache Predominant
Menagerie of the Barossa GSM2017

International and Other Red Varieties
10 VENDEMMIE Limited EditionNV
AMARANTA Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOP2016
Anciano Crianza Aged 3 years2014
Bird in Hand Montepulciano2016
Caravan Petite Sirah2017
Castano GSM Yecla2016
Church Road McDonald Series Tempranillo2015
Cosimo Collezione Privata Primitivo De Manduria DOP2014
El Burro Garnacha2017
F Negroamaro Salento Igp2015
Fantini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC2017
Papale Linea Oro Primitivo Di Manduria DOP2015
Tatachilla Partners Cabernet Shiraz2016
The Crusher Petite Sirah2016
Vigne Vecchie Primitivo di Manduria2016
Tenafeate Creek Montepulciano2016
TENUTA ULISSE Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOP2017

Fortified Wines
Croft Vintage2011
Dow’s Port 20 Year OldTawny
Dow’s Port Late Bottled Vintage2012
Dow’s Port Quinta Senhora da Ribeira2015
Eight Carat AgedTawny
Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage2004
Fonseca Quinta do Panascal2008
Galway Pipe Grand Tawny12YO
Gonzalez Byass Nectar Pedro XimenezDulce
Graham’s Port 20 Year OldTawny
Graham’s Port Late Bottled Vintage2012
Krohn ‘Quinta Do Retiro Novo’ Vintage2009
Lustau Pedro Ximenez SanEmilio
Taylors 10 YearOld
Taylors LBV2013
Warre’s Warrior – FinestReserve
Williams & Humbert ‘Don Zoilo’ PX 12 Year OldSherry
Yalumba Museum AntiqueMuscat