Pinot Noirs ranging from 2012 to 2017 took out the three major awards at this year’s Marlborough Wine Show. Winner of the OI International Wine of the Show was Villa Maria’s Single Vineyard Seddon Pinot Noir 2015.
Chair of Judges, Jack Glover, described the winning wine as delivering structure with classic Marlborough red fruited accents and tannins with freshness.
“Freshness is the key one,” he says. “You have a wine that is not the current vintage, but still delivering a benchmark style, high quality Marlborough Pinot.”
Villa Maria also picked up the Marlborough Museum Legacy Award for their Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noirs, 2012, 2015 and 2017.
Glover says the Legacy Award highlights consistency at a very high level, between wines from different years.
“It was pleasing to see that this year we had Pinot Noir that stood up in this space. That quality consistency over a number of vintages of Pinot Noir is showing a coming of age of our vineyards and our winemaking.”
The third major trophy to go to Pinot Noir was the Coterie Trophy for Wine of Provenance, awarded to Tohu Rore Reserve Pinot Noir 2017.
“For this award we were looking at the quality of the wine but also looking for a wine that shows where it is from,” Glover says. “This wine gave voice to its place, a true provenance wine.”
The 18 Trophies for the Marlborough Wine Show were announced at a Long Lunch, celebrating the Marlborough Wine Industry. (See trophy list attached).
Organised by the region’s governing body, Wine Marlborough, a Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented, to Dr Rengasamy Balasubramaniam, known to the industry simply as Bala. A former Hort Research scientist, Bala has been heavily involved in the formation of the Marlborough wine industry since the late 90’s. His continued research into grape growing helped form the backbone for what is now an internationally recognised wine region. Bala was also the President of the NZSVO for a total of 10 years, and was involved in the organisation for a total of 21.
About The Marlborough Wine Show
The Marlborough Wine Show was created and built by Belinda Jackson and Margaret Cresswell in 2011. Last year, Wine Marlborough, the regional winegrower representative body, purchased the show, with the aim of continuing its legacy.
All wines entered must be produced from 95% Marlborough grapes, and the show is the only one in New Zealand that judges the wine in Spiegelau varietal specific glassware. The judging panel of nine included three from outside Marlborough; Dr Jamie Goode, Matt Lamb and John Saker.
