Taylors Merlot wins Champion Trophy at NZ International wine show

$20 South Australian wine awarded Trophy for Champion Merlot at New Zealand International Wine Show

Clare Valley family winery Taylors has taken top honours at the New Zealand International Wine Show, receiving the Trophy for Champion Merlot for its $20 Taylors Estate Merlot 2021, announced on Friday 28 October.

This is the first trophy the Taylor family has won at the New Zealand International Wine Show, having won numerous medals in every year of the awards since the program first began in 2006.

“It’s an exciting day to be recognised by our Kiwi friends at their international wine show for our Estate Merlot. Our Estate red wines have held high regard amongst New Zealand wine drinkers since we first began exporting our wines to the market. While our shiraz and cabernet wines are the big performers, we’re so proud our small but mighty Estate Merlot is getting the acclaim it deserves,” third-generation Company Director and Export Manager Justin Taylor said.

The New Zealand International Wine Show is chaired by Bob Campbell MW, New Zealand’s most experienced senior wine judge and the country’s leading wine educator. Other senior judges include several winemakers, Masters of Wine, and top industry professionals. Most judges on the panel have been involved in wine competitions for more than a decade, demonstrating the calibre of judging and gravitas of the competition.

The 2022 show is a return to form for the competition, which delayed the 2021 results announcements until February 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 results saw 60 wines receive Double Gold medals and 191 wines receive Gold.

In addition to the trophy win, Taylors took home a Double Gold medal for its St Andrews Chardonnay 2021 and three gold medals for its Estate Riesling 2022, Estate Merlot 2021, and Masterstroke Shiraz 2020.

The new vintage release merlot is a blend of Clare Valley and Limestone Coast fruit, showcasing a medium-bodied palate brimming with lush red berry, plum and cherry fruit characters. The soft, velvety texture and grainy tannins through the mid-palate contribute to a long-lasting finish.

The trophy in New Zealand follows another successful showing for the family winery on the international circuit, with Taylors Estate Shiraz 2020 winning the title for International Champion 2022 at the VINUS International Wine & Spirits Competition.

“We’re thrilled with how much excitement our Estate wines are generating around the world after two challenging years, which proved near impossible to catch up with our international friends. We’re finally starting to get out there and crack open these exceptional wines to share with our colleagues, and awards like these are the perfect moment to get together and celebrate,” Taylor said.

The trophy-winning Estate Merlot and all other Estate red wines are widely available in New Zealand wine retailers for $19.99.