Isabel Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 has been named the Champion Wine of the 2023 Marlborough Wine Show.
The wine was a standout for judges, picking up four trophies in total, including the NZ Champion Current Vintage Pinot Noir, The Wine of Provenance and Champion Wairau Valley wine.
Chief Judge Stu Marfell said the Champion wine was a clear standout for judges.
“It showed not only how far we have come with Pinot Noir in Marlborough, but also a glimpse into the future. Pristine fruit, combined with thoughtful and sensitive winemaking has created a wine with elegance and vibrancy,” he says.
It was the second year in a row that Pinot Noir was crowned champion wine, further solidifying Marlborough as a premium region to grow and produce world-class cool climate Pinot Noir.
“While we have rightfully gained recognition for producing some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc, we have also been working hard on creating some of the best Pinot Noirs as well,” says Marfell.
“Marlborough is a winemaker’s dream. We have so many great vineyards with great soils, and now with vine age and experienced winemaking teams we are creating some of the most complex and interesting Pinot Noirs.”
Alongside making an impression with Pinot Noir, Isabel Estate proved tough competition with Chardonnay at the show.
Isabel Estate Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2022 and Isabel Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2020 took the Champion current vintage Chardonnay, and Champion 2020 and older Chardonnay trophies.
Twenty-two trophies were presented at The Marlborough Wine Celebration Evening – Honouring 50 Years of Marlborough Wine – on Friday evening.
The NZ Wine Centre Legacy Trophy was presented to Tohu Wines for its TOHU Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blancs 2011, 2014, 2016.
Launched in 2013, the award is designed to celebrate wines with pedigree. It is awarded to the wine with the highest scores from three vintage wines within a 10-year period and a minimum gap of two years between each wine, demonstrating both excellence and consistency.
Four pioneers of Marlborough wine were also recognised with Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement Awards at the dinner; James Healy, Dave Pearce, Tessa Anderson and Murray Gibbons joined a growing list of industry leaders who have championed Marlborough wine for the best part of five decades.
Other awards include the Workplace Wellbeing Impact Award 2023 which was presented to Spy Valley Wines, and the Workplace Wellbeing Leadership Award 2023, which was presented to Yealands Wine.
2023 Trophy Winning Wines
Champion Sparkling
Deutz Prestige 2017
Champion Sauvignon Blanc – Current Vintage
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Champion Sauvignon Blanc – 2022 & older
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Alternate Style Sauvignon Blanc
Catalina Sounds Sound of White Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Champion Chardonnay – Current Vintage
Isabel Estate Marlborough Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2022
Champion Chardonnay – 2020 & older
Isabel Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2020
Champion Pinot Gris
Rapaura Springs Reserve Pinot Gris 2023
Champion Riesling
Stoneleigh Riesling 2023
Champion Gewürztraminer
Mount Riley Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2023
Champion Sweet Wine
Wairau River Reserve Botrytised Riesling 2022
Champion Other White Wine
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 28 Camp Block Pinot Blanc 2020
Champion Pinot Noir – Current Vintage
Isabel Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021
Champion Pinot Noir – 2020 & Older
Lawson’s Dry Hills The Pioneer Tilly’s Single Vineyard 2020
Champion Rosé
Babich Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2023
Champion Organic Wine
Zephyr Chardonnay 2020
The Coterie Wine of Provenance
Isabel Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021
Best Low Alcohol Wine
The Doctors’ Riesling 2022
Champion Wairau Valley
Isabel Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021
Champion Southern Valleys
Ara Resolute Pinot Noir 2021
Champion Awatere & South Marlborough
Triplebank Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Legacy Award
TOHU Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blancs 2011, 2014, 2016
Champion Wine of the Show 2023
Isabel Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021
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