Competition results and published reviews for the estate wines, kept in one place. Filter by award or by wine; every entry links to its source.
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Takapoto Single Vineyard Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2012
Gold Outstanding, then the trophy for the best Pinot Noir entered from anywhere in the world. Bob Campbell MW called the win the world's top Pinot Noir.
IWSC 2017 trophy results
Takapoto Single Vineyard Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir 2014
The judges: Lifted aromatics of spice, smoke, florals and a toasty note
on the nose … pretty cherry fruit that's supported by a bright acidity and wrapped in fine and
supple tannins.
Bob Campbell MW scored the same wine 97 points.
Takapoto Estate
Awarded to the New Zealand producer with the strongest set of results across the competition.
IWSC producer profile
Takapoto Estate
IWSC General Manager Adam Lechmere: Winning once might seem like good fortune,
but winning twice is evidence of the most careful winemaking.
velvety round texture and flavours of red plums, nutmeg and cloves
Captivating, with pure red fruit and refreshing acidity, there's a softness in the texture, carrying to an elegant, enticing finish.Read
An enticing bouquet of fresh red and white flowers, light red berry fruits of cherry and plum then a gentle mineral quality suggesting clay.Read
Wickedly good work from the Waikato, with lashings of cedary oak leading to a fine, delicate palate bursting with baking spices, citrus and flinty minerality.Read
GoldMedalChalky tannin, juicy acidity, some minerality and a pop of fruit that is quite compelling.Read
Smooth, powdery tannins echo spice, mushroom and earthy elements, underlining generous dark fruit; lively acidity injects freshness to a rich, savoury finish.Read
Splendidly fruited and inviting on the nose, showing golden peach, mango, vanilla, roasted hazelnut, and brioche characters. The palate delivers excellent weight and richly textured mouthfeel.Read
A classic red blend, dry and textured with dusty tannins and red berry flavours.Read
Dry, textured and balanced, a wine that is ready to drink with complexity, texture and developing flavours.Read
A lovely, fresh and fruity expression, varietal and classic.Read
A powerful bouquet and palate with a drive and intensity of fruit, fresh herbs, acidity, white spice and citrus … crisp, with laser beam acidity.Read
Bursting with ripe tropical fruit. A touch of sweetness adds weight to the palate and lends a fruity finish.Read
Gentle yet generous amount of fruit with good ripeness balance, a touch of sweetness adds flesh to a silky palate, lending a dry, satisfying finish.Read
It's finely scented on the nose, with notes of watermelon, sweet strawberry, cream soda, and white floral aromas, leading to a lively palate that's both juicy and silky.Read
Beautiful, plush fruit layering rich cigar and herbaceous details, supported by fine acidity and silky tannin frame, unfolding a long, toasty finish.Read
A finely tuned expression of Central Otago Pinot Noir with bright fruit forward red cherry-scented aromas underpinned by a savoury mid palate and a lingering fresh finish.Read
The best of this new bunch of Pinot Noirs from Takapoto Estate is, undoubtedly, the Gibbston Valley … a fabulous fresh framework of ripe fruit around an earthy core of gently spicy complexity.Read
Now approaching its peak with eight years of ageing under its vinous belt and a pronounced tertiary flavour profile with earthy aged spice and old sandalwood aromas adding depth and interest.Read
Bold palate with toasty oak, spice, white pepper and citrus pith flavours. Creamy texture with power.Read
A nod to Chablis with a Kiwi twist … elegant and understated, a quietly confident wine that rewards attention.Read
Weighty and creamy with a near full-bodied mouthfeel, a satin-cream texture.Read
This flinty Chardonnay possesses fresh acidity and bright fruit, layered roasted nuts and an elegantly creamy mouthfeel.Read
Lengthy and complex, a wine to watch with best drinking from 2026 through 2032+.Read
Complex and developed with a bottle age and good vintage pedigree captured in the bouquet.Read
Elegantly expressed on a silky mouthfeel, with developed fruit and fragrance, along with delicate spice and gentle savoury details, underlined by Gibbston hallmark lively acidity and a linear finish.Read
Developed fruit and elevated spices and herbs are integrated on a captivating, velvety mouthfeel. Spice resonates and lingers to a long, graceful finish.Read
Bold, rich and creamy on the palate in a full-bodied expression.Read
A plush, creamy mouthfeel with bright fruit, elevated by toasty oak and spice, lending a long, rich finish.Read
Full-bodied and dry, a wine full of dark berries and chocolate and spice flavours.Read
Succulent and supple in the mouth, offering good weight and fine flow, splendidly supported by chalky tannins, making it sturdy yet silky and rounded.Read
Beautifully styled and expressed, the wine shows dark plum, thyme, game, and warm spice aromas. Splendidly weighted on the palate, well supported by polished tannins, finishing long and structured.Read
Seductive and enticing on the nose with aromas of dark berry, bouquet garni, dried mushroom, and toasted almond. Concentrated and finely textured in the mouth, offering excellent focus and drive.Read
A glorious rendition, the bouquet shows dark berry, smoked game, tapenade, fine leather, and assorted nut aromas. Wonderfully weighted and plush in the mouth, delivering velvety texture and layers of fine tannins.Read
Stylish and complex, the engaging bouquet shows white-flesh nectarine, rockmelon, vanillin oak, and oatmeal nuances. Wonderfully weighted and richly textured in the mouth, delivering excellent depth and persistence.Read
Intensely aromatic and instantly appealing, the wine exhibits aromas of feijoa, crisp apple, rockmelon, and lime zest on the nose. The palate delivers excellent weight and a lively mouthfeel, finishing long and exuberant.Read
Fabulous bouquet and palate with weight and intensity … well-made and lengthy with complexity and charm.Read
The Gimblett Gravels fruit reflects stony minerals on a creamy mouthfeel, detailed layers of lemon and zest adorned by integrated toasty elements and spice, drives with precision to a long, elegant finish.Read
Cranberry, mandarin, white peach and raspberry fruit notes, melded to green herbs, ginger, incense smoke and even some rose floral elements.Read
Bright, crisp, refreshing, salivating and fruity wine.Read
Intensely aromatic with refreshing ripe fruit and a touch of sweet that rounds the palate and expands a lingering finish.Read
Ripe and fulsome with honeysuckle and toasty, biscuity oak … a big, buxom, old-school style.Read
GoldMedalClassic marzipan characters merge with baking spices and nutty richness … round, fleshy textures and crisp acidity.Read
GoldMedalGenerous and lush with ripe fruit, rich body expressing toasty details and fine-textured phenolics. Juicy and long.Read
Delicate red fruit and floral core entwined with forest floor and spice integration; a silky palate and lively acidity linger to a lengthy, alluring closing.Read
Plush, fleshy ripe red berry fruits accentuate a bouquet of freshness and youth.Read
Lush fruit and rose petals on a creamy, elegant mouthfeel, flows effortlessly with attractive aromas and a moreish finish.Read
The nose is full and voluminous, with aromas of struck-match, gunflint, citrus, stonefruit and toasty nuance.Read
19-out of 20 · 95 ptsThe nose is softly full, with vibrant aromas of red berries, stony minerals and spice dusting.Read
18.5out of 20 · 93 ptsThe nose is full and attractive with aromas of vanilla, smoke flint and toasty oak, underlying ripe citrus and stonefruit.Read
18.5out of 20 · 93 ptsThe nose is lush, with aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, dark chocolate, minty herbs and cedar.Read
18.5out of 20 · 93 ptsPenetrating aromas of cherry, strawberry stew, dried herb, cinnamon, nutmeg and earthy matters.Read
18.5+out of 20 · 94 pts18+out of 20 · 91 ptsOne word was written across all our judges' notes: 'intense'.Read
GoldMedalA lovely wine in a ready to drink state.Read
93ExcellentA delightful expression with a fresh and crunchy mouthfeel.Read
91PremiumFull-bodied and creamy in texture, flavours mirror the bouquet with stone fruits and barrel spices.Read
93ExcellentFull-bodied, creamy textured and rich in flavour and texture.Read
Taut, youthful and delicious on the palate with flavours of soil and spice, red berry fruits, plum and minerality.Read
95OutstandingColtish and bursting with dark cherry, damson, boysenberry and toasted spice, it is one of those classic Central Otago Pinots.Read
Deep purple burgundy in the glass, with those aromatics, plus raspberry, rose petal and plum. A fairly serious structure.Read
Packing a bit more spice and savouriness than the Gibbston: cranberry, blueberry muffin and rosehips.Read
92PremiumFirm tannins with a dense chalky texture, plenty of acidity and a dry, lengthy finish.Read
Appealing purity and an ethereal texture. Clearly made with a light touch, it has character and impressive power. Outstanding pinot noir.Read
97PointsScores and tasting notes are quoted from each reviewer's published work and link to the original. Cameron Douglas MS, Sam Kim, Candice Chow and WineFolio score out of 100; Raymond Chan Wine Reviews and Joelle Thomson score out of 20. Wine Orbit notes are published to subscribers. Vintages and availability subject to change.
Wine tastings at The Cabana every Saturday, private appointments through the week, and the current release online.
