The Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), celebrated as the world’s most prestigious wine competition, brings together 236 international experts, including 69 Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers, to blind taste over 18,000 wines. Medals are awarded through careful deliberation, making this a highly anticipated event in the wine world.
This year, seven New Zealand wineries shone brightly, earning top honours, including one ‘Best in Show’, two platinum, and four gold medals. The winning wines hail from New Zealand’s renowned wine regions: Central Otago, Marlborough, and Hawke’s Bay. Let’s dive into the details of these exceptional wineries and their award-winning wines.
McArthur Ridge
Founded in 2001, McArthur Ridge sits proudly in the Alexandra Basin of Central Otago, a region once known as a desert. Now, thanks to its cool temperatures and high altitudes, it’s a haven for winegrowers. The winery has mastered the art of crafting exceptional Pinot Noir, along with Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir Rosé, and Chardonnay. Their consistent production of award-winning wines, including three gold medals at the New Zealand International Wine Show 2023, has earned them a stellar reputation.
2022 Southern Tor Pinot Noir
Among the wines judged at the DWWA, McArthur Ridge’s Southern Tor Pinot Noir stood out, earning a prestigious ‘Best in Show’ medal. Scoring an impressive 97 points, it achieved the highest score awarded this year. The wine’s translucent dark red hue and aromas of warm red berries and root spices captivated the judges.
Available for online purchase here.
Shed Five Thirty Estate Winery
Shed Five Thirty Estate Winery, nestled in the heart of Hawke’s Bay—New Zealand’s oldest and second-largest winegrowing region—showcases the artistry of winemaking with its exquisite range of Shed 530 and MUTU wines.
The winery’s vineyards are strategically situated across Puketapu, Raukawa, and the Heretaunga Plains, each benefiting from the region’s temperate, sunny, and coastal climate—ideal for cultivating exceptional fruit. This area is celebrated for its sophisticated reds, elegant Syrah, and intricately layered Chardonnays.
2021 MUTU Reserve Chardonnay
The 2021 MUTU Reserve Chardonnay, crafted from vines originating in France’s Burgundy region, thrives in the estate’s Puketapu vineyard. This exceptional wine, shaped by winemaker Shinobui Teraguchi’s Japanese heritage, has earned one of the coveted 117 platinum medals. Judges praised its “opulent ripe peach, grilled lemon, and grapefruit notes, with an underlying cashew nut quality.” It’s a Chardonnay that stands out, available by the case on the winery’s website for those looking to savour something truly special.
Available for purchase by the case on their website.
Saint Clair Family Estate
In the heart of Marlborough’s celebrated Omaka sub-region, the Saint Clair Family Estate shines as a beacon of exceptional winemaking. With vineyards spanning Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay, they produce a diverse range of 17 distinct wines, each showcasing the region’s unique terroir.
Marlborough is renowned for its extraordinary Chardonnays, known for their vibrant stone fruit and citrus notes. Since their entry into the wine scene in the 1970s, Neal and Judy Saint Clair have been pioneers in the industry. Establishing their estate in 1994, their wines quickly gained global recognition. Their award-winning streak began with the UK’s Sommelier Wine Awards in 2012 and continued this year with 13 medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). Highlights include a platinum medal for their 2022 Reserve Chardonnay and a gold medal for the Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay.
2021 Reserve Chardonnay
The 2022 Reserve Chardonnay, a platinum medal winner, boasts an aromatic bouquet of spice, cedar, and resin, with a hint of vanilla. Judges lauded it as “brimming with fleshy white peach and sweet grapefruit, framed by a spine-tingling crushed stone mineral edge that dances across the palate.” The region’s warm days, cool nights, and clay-rich soils play a crucial role in preserving the wine’s rich fruit flavours.
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