Takapoto Estate wins Pinot Noir Trophy for second year running

Winemaker Andy Anderson of New Zealand’s Takapoto Estate has been awarded the IWSC Pinot Noir Trophy for the second year in a row.

The winning wine, Takapoto Single Vineyard Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir 2014, is from Central Otago. 

Judges praised the wine for its "lifted aromatics of spice, smoke, florals and a toasty note on the nose and continue through the palate. Here they’re joined by pretty cherry fruit that’s supported by a bright acidity and wrapped in fine and supple tannins. A wine that’s starting to show some maturity, is delicious now, but still has lots of life ahead."

The news follows the results release for Australia and New Zealand wines, which were announced today alongside the remaining wine Product Award trophies.

Elsewhere in New Zealand, Gold medals were awarded to a range of different varietals including Riesling, Syrah, and Pinot Gris, showing that New Zealand wines have more to offer alongside the usual success in Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. 

Australia also had a successful year, with 14 Australian shiraz going on to win Gold and Gold Outstanding medals, including Wolf Blass Platinum Shiraz 2005 and 2010. 

This year, the Shiraz/Syrah Trophy was awarded to Australian producer Kilikanoon Wines for Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2014. Last year’s winner Levantine Hill Estate also won two Gold medals for its Syrah 2015 and Melissa’s Paddock Syrah 2015. 

There was strength also in Australian fortified wines, with Casella Wines winning six Gold and Gold Outstanding medals for its Morris wines, alongside four Gold and Gold Outstanding medals for Stanton and Killeen’s fortified wines from Rutherglen. 

Evans & Tate were awarded high medals for their vertical line up of Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River, with vintages 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 all winning Silver medals and above, showing the aging potential and complexity of these older wines. 

The Evans & Tate 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was awarded Gold, was described by judges as a “tremendously complex wine that is drinking beautifully, vivacious for its age with a long complex finish of cedar, earth and spice.”

Finally, two leading Australian producers enjoyed another year of success. Penfolds received ten awards, including Gold Outstanding for its Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, and there were five Gold winning Sémillons for Australian Vintage, for the McGuigan and Tempus Two labels.

Search the full winners' listing here.