Craggy Range’s single vineyard 2012 Te Muna Road Pinot Noir has won ‘Best Pinot Noir’ and ‘Best New Zealand Pinot Noir’ Trophy as well as a gold medal at the 2014 Wine 100 Challenge in Shanghai. Only 37 out of the more than 600 entries from 10 countries gained golds.
Three other wines from the Gimblett Gravels vineyard located in Hawke’s Bay also won silver and bronze medals at the awards announced in mid-July.
The Wine 100 Challenge is a blind tasting competition for wines available on a daily basis in China. It is chaired by Australia-based Master of Wine Andrew Caillard who was joined by four Masters of Wine from around the world who made up the rest of the panel.
The award judging is based on international standards blended with eastern preferences with local wine education experts, Shanghai hospitality trade and wine media providing the home-grown expertise.
Altogether New Zealand won six gold awards at the event, equal top with the USA and ahead of France and Australia (with five each), Italy (4) and Spain (3).
In 2014 Wine 100 Challenge awarded 37 gold medals (six per cent of entries), 99 silvers (16 per cent) and 180 bronzes (29 per cent). There were 18 trophies awarded across a range of categories, nine best-buy wines and two best importers into China.
2012 Te Muna Road Pinot Noir
The 2012 Craggy Range Te Muna Road Pinot Noir originates from the Martinborough estate which has a climate closely aligned with the famous regions of Burgundy, the Loire Valley and Marlborough. It comprises two distinct terraces and the Pinot Noir is produced from grapes grown in very old stony soils at a higher altitude.
The vineyard is planted with eight clones of pinot noir in more than 40 different parcels and the grapes are hand-picked and fermented before spending eight months in small French oak barrels. The result is an award-winning dark and brooding wine with a silky layered texture that provides interest and complexity.
Craggy Range’s 2014 Wine 100 Challenge prize winners:
- Best Pinot Noir Trophy: 2012 Craggy Range Pinot Noir, Te Muna Road, Martinborough
- Best New Zealand Pinot Noir Trophy: 2012 Craggy Range Pinot Noir, Te Muna Road, Martinborough
- Gold: 2012 Craggy Range Pinot Noir, Te Muna Road, Martinborough
- Silver: 2013 Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc, Te Muna Road, Martinborough
- Silver: 2011 Craggy Range Merlot, Gimblett Gravels Vineyard, Hawk’s BayBronze: 2011 Craggy Range Syrah, Gimblett Gravels Vineyard, Hawke’s Bay.
