I was a Senior Judge at the NZIWS held in Albany last week. A very well-run, organised and judged show. Happy to see the top results are out – and I’m looking in particular at some of the classes that I judged and scored personally. Not every class had a wine that won a Double Gold – but those that did – here are awards for this year… I expect the full results will be out tomorrow on NZIWS.co.nz.
CHAMPAGNE, METHODE TRADITIONELLE & SPARKLING
Billecart-Salmon Reserve Brut Champagne NV
Champagne Louis Roederer Vintage 2016
Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut Champagne NV
VILAURA Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc 2021
CHARDONNAY
Catalina Sounds Sound Of White Chardonnay 2023
Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay 2024
Clearview Three Rows Chardonnay 2024
Delta Estate Hatters Hill Chardonnay 2024
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2024
GEWÜRZTRAMINER
Schlumberger Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Kessler 2021
RIESLING
Boatshed Bay Pinot Gris 2025
Shaky Bridge Artisan Reserve Central Otago Pinot Gris 2025
te Pa Pinot Gris 2025
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Isabel Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Kaiora Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Lawson’s Dry Hills Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Rapaura Springs Single Vineyard Bull Paddock Sauvignon Blanc 2025
ROHE Dillons Point Sauvignon Blanc by Rapaura Springs 2025
Te Kairanga Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2025
OTHER WHITE WINE VARIETIES
Mount Riley Marlborough Albarino 2025
Red Hut Albarino 2025
Sileni Advocate Grand Reserve Albarino 2025
SWEET WINE
Brancott Estate ‘Letter Series B’ Late Harvest SBL 2023
Forrest Botrytised Riesling 2024
ROSÉ & BLUSH
Babydoll Rose 2025
Beach House Rose 2025
Old Coach Road Nelson Rosé 2025
OTU Estate Rose 2025
Rapaura Springs Reserve Pinot Rose 2025
Te Kairanga Estate Pinot Noir Rosé 2025
Tūpari ‘Pink Pukeko’ Rosé 2025
CABERNET SAUVIGNON & CABERNET SAUVIGNON PREDOMINANT BLENDS
Beach House Cabernet Malbec 2024
Taylors Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Quartage 2021
MERLOT & MERLOT PREDOMINANT BLENDS
Mudbrick Reserve Merlot Petit Verdot Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2022
MALBEC, CABERNET FRANC OR PETIT VERDOT PREDOMINANT
Trapiche Medala Malbec 2022
PINOT NOIR
Crimson Peak Pinot Noir 2024
Nevis Bluff Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024
Nevis Bluff The Holdsworth Pinot Noir 2024
Reefman Pinot Noir 2024
Te Kairanga Runholder Pinot Noir 2024
SHIRAZ/SYRAH & SHIRAZ/SYRAH PREDOMINANT BLENDS
Mudbrick Oscar 2024
St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2021
INTERNATIONAL & OTHER RED VARIETIES
Castaño Solanera 2021
La Vieille Ferme Rouge 2023
McManis Petite Sirah 2023
Passofino Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOP 2024
Talò Negroamaro Salento IGP 2024
FORTIFIED WINES
Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2019
Taylor’s 20 Year Old Tawny Port NV
Valdespino El Candado Pedro Ximenez Sherry NV
