Saint Clair Family Estate big winner at Marlborough Wine Show
The wines and the founders of Saint Clair Family Estate shone the 2020 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, with results announced Friday 30 October.
At the Celebration Lunch, Saint Clair took out the Pinot Gris Trophy with Saint Clair Godfrey’s Creek Reserve Pinot Gris 2018 and the Champion Other White Varietal Trophy with their Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Grüner Veltliner 2020.
The company’s Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020 was awarded The Coterie Wine of Provenance, which recognises the best single vineyard current release wine from any class.
The Marlborough Museum Legacy Award for wines with pedigree, was awarded to Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay for three wines produced over the last 10 years, (2007, 2013 and 2016).
On top of that, founders Neal and Judy Ibbotson were awarded the Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement award for their services to the Marlborough wine industry.
QuayConnect Champion Wine of the Show went to Leefield Station Pinot Noir 2019, a wine that Chief Judge Ben Glover described as a wine that “dances on the palate.”
It was an undisputed winner Mr Glover said. “It was the most preferred wine from the first round of Pinot Noir judging through to trophy and champion wine of the show. It is an exceptional wine full of bright fruits, really vibrant palate, and lovely length.” And oh so Marlborough!
Mr Glover said there were some exceptional examples of what Marlborough has to offer at this year’s show, particularly after two great vintages, 2019 and 2020.
More than 600 wines from the Marlborough region were entered, and were judged earlier this month by an independent panel of 17 judges. 49 Gold Medals were awarded, with 12 of those going to Pinot Noirs from 2019 and 9 to Sauvignon Blancs from the 2020 vintage.
Trophy Winning Wines
QuayConnect Champion Wine of the Show
Leefield Station Pinot Noir 2019
The Coterie Wine of Provenance
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Marlborough Museum Legacy Award
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2007
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2013
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2016
Vitis Champion Sparkling Wine
Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige
Wine Brokers New Zealand Champion Gewürztraminer
Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough Gewüztraminer 2019
De Sangosse NZ Champion Riesling
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Riesling 2020
TNL Freighting New Zealand Champion Other White Varietal
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Grüner Veltliner 2020
Label & Litho Champion Pinot Gris
Saint Clair Godfrey’s Creek Reserve Pinot Gris 2018
WineWorks Champion Sauvignon Blanc
Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc 2020
WineWorks Champion Sauvignon Banc 2019 & Older
Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Scenic Hotel Marlborough Champion Rosé
Mount Riley ‘The Bonnie’ Pinot Rosé 2020
Classic Oak Products Champion Pinot Noir 2019
Leefield Station Pinot Noir 2019
Classic Oak Products Champion Pinot Noir 2018 & older
The Wrekin Needle’s Eye Pinot Noir 2015
Wine Marlborough Champion Other Red Varietal
Mount Riley Marlborough Syrah 2019
Barrel Finance & Logistics Champion Sweet Wine
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Noble Riesling Botrytis Selection 2018
MRC Champion Chardonnay 2019
Stoneleigh Latitude Chardonnay 2019
MRC Champion Chardonnay 2018 & Older
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay Marlborough 2018