The 2018 International Wine Challenge (IWC) results have been announced and this year our producers have hauled in 35 awards. 

This includes a Gold Medal for Man O' War, 16 Silver Medals and 13 Bronze Medals, with a health balance between New and Old World. What's more, Man O' War's Gravestone has also picked up the Waiheke Sauvignon Semillon Trophy. 

Now in its 34th year, the IWC is one of the world's finest and most meticulously judged wine competition, which assesses every wine blind and judges each for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage. Throughout the rigorous judging processes, each medal-winning wine is tasted on three separate occasions by at least 10 different judges and awards include medals (Trophy, Gold, Silver, Bronze) and Commended and Great Value awards.
 

GOLD

2016 Gravestone Sauvignon Semillon, Man O' War: Smoky minerality on the nose. Dense mid-palate with tangy, grassy citrus fruit and a touch of tropical melon. Poised, precise finish with great length.

SILVER

2016 Graves Blanc, Chateau des Gravières: Lifted aromatics of lanolin, wax and spice, with a zesty grapefruit and gooseberry hints. Attractive oak.

2015 Château des Gravières, Collection Prestige, Graves: Elegant, ripe, pepper palate with a black cherry finish. Clean, fresh and dry.

2014 Humilitat Priorat, Massard: Creamy, cool, blue fruit aromas with a hint of floral scent, lively ripened bright fruits with Mediterranean herbs. Lovely, fresh and balanced.

2014 Licis Mencia, Massard: Bright, fresh, exciting red from the steep slopes of Ribeira Sacra. Thrilling acidity, dark brambly fruit, firm tannins.

2016 Riesling, Skillogalee: Hints of citrus, lemon and lime, sassy, fresh with a clean finish. Nice texture here with a seamless palate.

2014 Basket Pressed Shiraz, Skillogalee: Ripe, soft and sleek with lush blackberry fruit, with some spicy framing. Generous and supple.

2016 The FMC, Chenin, Ken Forrester Wines: Creamy oak on the nose with notions of candied pineapple, apricot and a waxy texture. This can only get better with time.

2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Meinert: Fresh, tangy, elegant cabernet showing minerals, fine-grained tannins, and subtle oak integration.

2014 Pinot Noir, Peregrine Wines: Nose complex and developed, with aromas of blackberry, thyme and a hint of coal tar. Rich, earthly flavours.

2016 Txakolina, Adur: Freshness of green fruits, almonds and persistence. Good peach, lemon and white blossom on the palate with savoury nuttiness. Good finish.

2017 Mount Barker Riesling, Howard Park: Floral nose, Alphonso mango and orange peel. Soft and easy drinking, refreshing finish.

2016 Chardonnay Miamup, Howard Park: Very classy Chardonnay with complex nose of pip fruits and toasted nuts, leading to a peaches and cream palate with mineral notes. Good length.

2017 Riesling, MadFish: Lemon blossom, spicy white peach, apple sorbet, textural mid palate, balanced and rich.

2015 Selección de Familia Malbec, Humberto Canale: Attractive forest fruit nose with chocolate and fragrant violet, great purity of fruit with fine supportive tannins. Elegant and understated.

2014 Dreadnought Syrah, Man O' War: Classic style, black olives and blackberries, savoury notes with fresh red fruit and peppery spice. Elegant old-world style.

2015 Organic Pinot Noir, Urlar: Nose of perfectly ripe wild strawberries with some lovely stoney notes. Palate is hugely succulent and sweet with a seemingly endless finish, like an ocean of summer fruits.

BRONZE

2015 La Galinière Merlot, Château du Donjon: Lots of sweet oak spice and juicy plum cake fruit.

2016 De Notari Cesanese IGT, San Marco: Mid-colour, sweet cherry flavours, soft tannins, light and easy dry fruit.

2014 Huellas Priorat, Massard: Savoury, a hint of complexity to the nose. Fresh, high-acidity brisk tannins.

2008 Lourens River Valley Red, Morgenster: Ripe, gentle maturity, smoky tobacco and tar aromas, complex earthy blackberry and plum flesh, leafy notes on finish.

2015 Printers Ink Pinotage, Martin Meinert: Good depth of colour, savoury style of pinotage, now fully mature. Firm, dry finish.

2013 Synchronicity, Martin Meinert: Savoury nature, leafy with acidity. Chocolate and cassis notes, and textured tannins. 

2016 Mohua Sauvignon Blanc, Peregrine Wines: Clear, zesty aromatic nose, gooseberry and peach with a lovely finish.

2016 Souson, Ailala Ribeiros Do Avia: Brambly, cranberry nose with vanilla, chewy tannin balanced by concentrated dark fruits leading to a spicy finish.

2014 Cabernet Sauv Merlot, Madfish: Blackcurrant leaf, mint chocolate, quite peppery finish with a good edger.

2015 Shiraz, MadFish: Savoury, spicy red. Blackberry fruit with a peppery finish, good texture.

2017 Unwooded Chardonnay, MadFish: Vibrant, lovely lemon, lime and stone. Nose leads to a medium length palate with subtle nut notes and light cream. 

2014 Papale Oro Primitivo di Manduria, Varvaglione: Dry, black cherry, fruity style. Hints of dried fruit, soft and friendly style.

2016 Organic Sauvignon Blanc, Urlar: Bright, lively lemon and lime fruit with hints of rose petals. Chalky, mineral finish.