Sauvignon Blanc shines at Marlborough Wine Show
The variety that put Marlborough on the map as one of the world’s top wine regions has been crowned the wine of the 2024 Marlborough Wine Show.
Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2024 picked up the top award, with Chief Judge Stu Marfell noting that Sauvignon Blanc was a standout in the show, both for the new 2024 vintage wines, but also the legacy category.
“2024 was a perfect growing season consisting of a dry winter and a hot, sunny summer and then just as autumn and harvest arrived so did the cool nights, locking in the flavour and intensity,” said Marfell. “The quality of the fruit this year was exceptional; as good as it gets for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.”
International Guest Judge Elaine Chukan Brown, from the United States, has been interested in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for some years, and said this year’s tasting was an elevation of nuance to place, sophistication and quality, with an impressive level of wines.
“What I found especially satisfying was how clear the expression of Marlborough’s various subregions has become,” said Chukan Brown. “Tasting by subregions really helped amplify the sense of distinction and balance the wines have developed even more. The top Sauvignon Blancs in the tasting were honestly thrilling.”
Yealands Wines team at Marlborough Wine Show 2024
The legacy class was also a standout for Sauvignon Blanc, with judges noting it was exciting to see how gracefully Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc can age.
The winner of the NZ Wine Centre Legacy Award was Brancott Estate, with the 2016, 2013 and 2010 vintages of their Chosen Rows Sauvignon Blanc.
“It was a brave move by the winemaker to enter older wines with 2016, 2013 and 2010 vintages, but the wines were ageing so elegantly and have retained minerality, acidity and complexity,” said Marfell. “Absolutely beautiful and a real treat to taste older vintage Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough.”
The trophies were presented alongside 20 other class trophies and five industry awards at the Marlborough Wine Show Celebration Long Lunch.
Lifetime Achievement awards were presented to scientist Rob Agnew, winemakers Daniel and Adele Le Brun, and Ormond Nursery founders Ben and Frances Wickham. The 2024 Workplace Wellbeing Award was won by Hunter’s Wines, while Forrest Wines took away the Workplace Wellbeing Leadership Award for 2024.
2024 Marlborough Wine Show - Trophy Winning Wines:
Champion Sparkling Nautilus Cuvée Brut NV
Champion Sauvignon Blanc Current Vintage Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2023 & older Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Champion Chardonnay Current Vintage Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2023
Champion Chardonnay 2021 & older Wither Hills Cellar Collection Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2021
Champion Pinot Noir Current Vintage te Pā Pinot Noir 2023
Champion Pinot Noir 2021 & Older Giesen Clayvin Pinot Noir 2021
Champion Other White Wine Nautilus Albariño 2024
Alternate Style Sauvignon Blanc Mount Riley 17 Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Champion Riesling Wairau River Summer Riesling 2024
Champion Rosé Kōparepare Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2024
Champion Gewürztraminer Mount Riley Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2024 Champion Pinot Gris Dashwood Pinot Gris 2024
Champion Sweet Wine Tūpari Late Harvest Riesling 2024
Best Low Alcohol Wine Clark Estate Block 8 Single Vineyard Riesling 2023 Champion Organic Wine Giesen Clayvin Pinot Noir 2021
Champion Wairau Valley Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Champion Southern Valleys Giesen Clayvin Pinot Noir 2021
Champion Awatere & South Marlborough Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Wine of Provenance Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2024 NZ Wine Centre Legacy Award Brancott Estate Chosen Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 2013 / 2010
Champion Wine of the Show 2024 Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2024
