The variety that put Marlborough on the map as one of the world’s top wine regions has been crowned the wine of the 2024 Marlborough Wine Show.
Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2024 picked up the top award, named the best of a very impressive crop at the competition this year.
Chief Judge Stu Marfell says Sauvignon Blanc was a standout in the show, both for the new 2024 vintage wines, but also the legacy category.
“2024 was a perfect growing season consisting of a dry winter and a hot, sunny summer and then just as autumn and harvest arrived so did the cool nights, locking in the flavour and intensity. The quality of the fruit this year was exceptional; as good as it gets for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc,” he says.
“A rising tide lifts all boats, and what was really exciting this year was that there were so many wines that were at the gold medal level.”
This year, the subregions really showed their distinct characteristics more than ever, says Marfell.
“In tasting Sauvignon Blanc from the Wairau Valley we really saw the punchy tropical thiols, while the southern valleys showed beautiful texture and riper stone fruit spectrum, and from the Awatere Valley we saw the classic racy acidity with crunchy greens, salinity and a sprinkling of thiols. So there really is something for everyone in terms of Sauvignon Blanc styles, and an amazing summer coming up for wine drinkers.”
International Guest Judge Elaine Chukan Brown, from the United States, had been taking interest in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for some years, and says being part of the judging panel at the Show this year was both insightful and motivating.
“What I saw in this year’s tasting was an elevation of nuance to place, sophistication and quality. The level of wines was impressive,” she says.
“What I found especially satisfying was how clear the expression of Marlborough’s various subregions has become. Tasting by subregions really helped amplify the sense of distinction and balance the wines have developed even more. The top Sauvignon Blancs in the tasting were honestly thrilling.”
The winning, single block wine from Yealands Estate is an exceptional example of the wine that put our region on the map all those years ago, says Marfell.
“Our success as a region is assured if we keep making wines like this. It is truly exhilarating. The energy, the vibrancy, purity and focus. It could only be from Marlborough, no one else in the world makes wine like this.”
The legacy class was also a standout for Sauvignon Blanc, with judges noting it was exciting to see how gracefully Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc can age.
The winner of the NZ Wine Centre Legacy Award was Brancott Estate, with the 2016, 2013 and 2010 vintages of their Chosen Rows Sauvignon Blanc.
“It was a brave move by the winemaker to enter older wines with 2016, 2013 and 2010 vintages, but the wines were ageing so elegantly and have retained minerality, acidity and complexity,” says Marfell.
“Absolutely beautiful and a real treat to taste older vintage Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough.”
The trophies were presented, alongside 20 other class trophies and five industry awards, at the Marlborough Wine Show Celebration Long Lunch.
The lifetime achievement awards were presented to scientist Rob Agnew, winemakers Daniel & Adele Le Brun and Ormond Nursery founders Ben & Frances Wickham.
The 2024 Workplace Wellbeing Award was won by Hunter’s Wines, while Forrest Wines took away the Workplace Wellbeing Leadership Award for 2024.
Trophy Winning Wines 2024
Winequip Champion Sparkling
Nautilus Cuvée Brut NV
WineWorks Champion Sauvignon Blanc Current Vintage
Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2024
WineWorks Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2023 & older
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Wine Marlborough Champion Chardonnay Current Vintage
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2023
QuayConnect Champion Chardonnay 2021 & older
Wither Hills Cellar Collection Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2021
De Sangosse NZ Champion Pinot Noir Current Vintage
te Pā Pinot Noir 2023
De Sangosse NZ Champion Pinot Noir 2021 & Older
Giesen Clayvin Pinot Noir 2021
Marlborough Wine & Food Experience Champion Other White Wine
Nautilus Albariño 2024
Chandler Glass & Packaging Alternate Style Sauvignon Blanc
Mount Riley 17 Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Orora Limited Champion Riesling
Wairau River Summer Riesling 2024
Scenic Hotel Marlborough Champion Rosé
Kōparepare Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2024
Winebrokers New Zealand Champion Gewürztraminer
Mount Riley Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2024
Label and Litho Champion Pinot Gris
Dashwood Pinot Gris 2024
Barrel Finance & Logistics Champion Sweet Wine
Tūpari Late Harvest Riesling 2024
Vintech Pacific Best Low Alcohol Wine
Clark Estate Block 8 Single Vineyard Riesling 2023
Vit Management Ltd Champion Organic Wine
Giesen Clayvin Pinot Noir 2021
Central Express Ltd Champion Wairau Valley
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Fruitfed Supplies Champion Southern Valleys
Giesen Clayvin Pinot Noir 2021
Circuit Logistics Champion Awatere & South Marlborough
Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2024
The Coterie Wine of Provenance
Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2024
NZ Wine Centre Legacy Award, sponsored by Marlborough Research Centre
Brancott Estate Chosen Rows Sauvignon Blanc
2016 / 2013 / 2010
QuayConnect Champion Wine of the Show 2024
Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2024
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