NZCabernet Takes Top Spot in Australian Good Wine Guide

Red Alert: NZCabernet Takes Top Spot in Australian Good Wine Guide

Stonyridge Vineyard, located on the beautiful island of Waiheke near Auckland has received recognition for its red wine, which has topped the list for the best Cabernet Merlot in The Age/ Sydney Morning Herald Good Wine Guide 2013. The Stonyridge Larose 2010 scored 97 points to make it the highest equal scoring red wine in 2013 and finish ahead of all of Australia’s most iconic Cabernet Merlots.

Renowned wine critic and author of the Good Wine Guide 2013, Nick Stock, describes the 2010 Larose as “sitting right at the top of the Bordeaux-inspired blends, the 2010 Larose has a beautiful density that is fused with elegance… a real triumph!”

This award is the latest in a long string of international accolades that Stonyridge Larose has achieved since the first vintage back in 1985, further cementing this wine as New Zealand’s greatest Bordeaux Blend, and indeed a wine that can stand proud on the world stage.

“To receive this kind of accolade from a country that has such a strong heritage for producing world-class reds is something that makes us really proud,” says Steve White, owner and Chief Winemaker at Stonyridge. “This latest recognition is remarkable because it blasts the old generalisation that Australia makes great reds and NZ great whites.”

“We are dedicated to producing the finest Cabernet blends in the world and unlike other NZ wine producers who deserted the Cabernets in favour of Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir, we have invested and stayed true to producing the world’s top Bordeaux Blend.”

This latest acknowledgement confirms Stonyridge as one of the world’s best red wine producers. Last year Australian wine magazine Winestate awarded Stonyridge Larose 2006 five stars, placing it first equal with the legendary Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River in its annual awards in 2011, ahead of Chateau Latour 2006 and Chateau Rothschild 2006.

“We consider this more important than our victory against the First Growths in Paris because of the calibre of the judging panel,” says Steve. “All the judges were Australian and two of them Masters of Wine (MWs) Phil Reedman MW, David Le Mire MW and Ian McKenzie National Wine Show Judge - these guys really know their Cabernets, so it feels good to get their seal of approval.”

Steve White purchased the north-facing Stonyridge property 30 years ago with the sole intention of producing the world’s top Bordeaux Blend i.e. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot blends. Stonyridge exports to prestige restaurants, wine bars and individual collectors all around the world.

As well as producing its own olives and olive oil, Stonyridge also boasts a critically acclaimed café (Veranda Café). The café overlooks the vines, olive grove, and lavender field, and serves Pacifico/Mediterranean inspired dishes designed and created by the team at Stonyridge.

Over the years presidents, dignitaries and celebrities from around the globe have visited the café including the owner of PRADA, the EMIR of Abu Dhabi, Joanna Lumley, Dawn French, Michael Douglas, CEO of Louis Vuitton, Carl Lewis, the President of Mexico, Rachael Hunter Jamie Oliver and the Black Eyed Peas.

ENDS

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