The 2016 vintage Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc was awarded the prestigious Trophy for Champion Sauvignon Blanc at the New Zealand International Wine Challenge 2016 on Saturday evening.
Judging of over 2,050 entries this year took place mid-September and was chaired by Bob Campbell MW, with assistant Chief Judges Huon Hooke, Larry McKenna, Peter Cowley and John Hancock. The NZIWS is the largest wine competition in New Zealand.
On collecting the Trophy, Jamie Marfell, Stoneleigh Winemaker, said, “Sauvignon Blanc is our flagship varietal – so it is immensely rewarding to pick up this top honour as New Zealand’s best Sauvignon Blanc for our Stoneleigh wine that’s so accessible for all to enjoy.”
Described by the judges as a ‘ravishingly juicy and fresh with mouth-watering flavours of gooseberry, grapefruit, summer herbs and passionfruit, with a flinty shimmer and a crisp, long, tangy finish.’
Stoneleigh wines credit their unique flavour to the stone-studded vineyards of the Rapaura sub-region in the north side of the Wairau valley in Marlborough. These ‘sunstones’ capture the heat of the sun during the day, and reflect it back into the grapes during the night, helping the grapes to develop rich, intense, award-winning flavours.
The NZIWS is the largest wine competition in New Zealand. For full results, click here.
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