Accolades
We believe our style and winemaking practices give us a unique flavour and style that is top quality!
However, to make sure we stay ahead of the curve, we are always entering our wines at international competitions and for independent reviews.
We have consistently gain great accolades and awards from all around the world for all their wines.
94 Points – Wine Orbit
Wonderfully Fruited and inviting, the bouquet shows crunchy apple, white flesh nectarine, sweet basil and lime peel aromas on the nose. The palate displays excellent weight and fruit intensity together with fine texture and bright acidity, leading to a lengthy delectable finish. At its best: now to 2023.
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit | NZ, February 2020
Silver Medal – New York International Wine Competition
New York, June 2019
Silver Medal – Concours Mondial du Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Brussels, Belgium, March 2019
Bronze Medal – Decanter World Wine Awards 2019
London, UK, 2019
86 Points – Bronze Medal – International Wine Challenge
Berkshire, UK, 2019
Michael Coopers NZ Buying Guide 2019
Estate-grown at Rapaura, on the relatively warm north side of the Wairau Valley, the youthful 2018 vintage (4.5*) was partly hand-picked and 30 per cent barrel-fermented. Bright, light lemon/green, it is medium to full-bodied, with good intensity of fresh, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a fully dry, crisp finish. Best drinking mid-2020+.
Michael Cooper, NZ | September, 2019
Joelle Thomson
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc continues to rise in quality, thanks to vine age, freshness (screwcaps help big time) and the wine industry’s focus on high quality. One thing that’s rarely talked about is single vineyard or estate grown wines, which give winemakers a high degree of quality control over their vines. This can translate into great concentration of flavour and balanced wines, as is the case in this great white, which is made with grapes harvested from a significantly warmer than usual vintage in Marlborough. The harvest in 2018 was early and the wines taste fleshy and rounded as a result. Ripe fruit flavours are flattered here by subtle notes of fresh green herb aromas, which marry beautifully with the full body and long finish. It is balanced by vibrant acidity and a super refreshing dry taste.
Joelle Thomson, NZ, May 2019
93 Points – Bob Campbell Master of Wine
Attractively textural sauvignon blanc with tangy passionfruit, red capsicum, blackcurrant bud and gooseberry flavours. A stylish wine with concentration and character.
Bob Campbell MW, NZ, Jan 2019
93 Points, Wine Orbit
Wonderfully fruited and intensely aromatic, the bouquet shows green rockmelon, feijoa and lime peel characters, followed by a succulent palate that is concentrated and persistent. The wine offers excellent fruit purity backed by vibrant acidity, finishing long and delicious.
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, NZ – February, 2019
Gold Medal – Decanter World Wine Awards 2018
London, UK, 2018
Gold Medal – Concours Mondial du Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Brussels, Belgium, May 2018
88 Points – Wine Spectator Tasting 2018
USA, 2018
93 Points – Silver Medal – International Wine Challenge
Berkshire, UK, 2018
89 Points – Robert Parker Wine Advocate
From a vineyard next to Rapaura Road, the 2017 Annabel Sauvignon Blanc reflects the cool year in its grassy aromas and hints of green tomatoes. It’s medium-bodied and crisp, with a strong line of acidity and lime and green-papaya fruit notes, finishing tart and long.
Joe Czerwinski, USA, 2019
Michael Coopers NZ Buying Guide 2019
Estate-grown at Rapaura, on the relatively warm north side of the Wairau Valley, the stylish 2017 vintage (4.5*) was partly hand-picked and 25 per cent barrel-fermented. Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant, with strong, ripe tropical-fruit aromas. Mouthfilling, it has concentrated passionfruit/lime flavours, good acid spine, slightly funky notes adding complexity, and a fully dry (1 gram/litre of residual sugar), lingering finish. Fine value.
Michael Cooper, NZ, Non 2018
94 Points – Wine Orbit
Grapes were hand picked and whole bunch pressed for this elegantly expressed sauvignon. The fragrant bouquet shows grapefruit, Gala apple, lemon peel and lime zest characters, leading to a concentrated palate that offers excellent fruit purity and fine texture. The wine is brightly flavoured and brilliantly structured by crisp acidity, finishing persistent and mouth-watering. At its best: now to 2021.
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, NZ | April 2018
Gold Medal – Concours Mondial du Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Brussels, Belgium, May 2018
89 Points – Wine Spectator Tasting 2018
USA, 2018
90 Points – International Wine Challenge
Berkshire, UK, 2018
87 Points – Wine Enthusiast
USA, 2020
Silver Medal – New York International Wine Competition
New York, June 2018
91 Points – Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2017 Duchess Sauvignon Blanc spent almost a year in old barrels prior to bottling. As a result, it offers up a fumé character on the nose of struck flint and pencil shavings. Those add welcome complexity to the white grapefruit, fig and melon notes of this medium-bodied wine, which shows ample intensity and a long, citrusy finish. Nicely done, from a not-so-nice vintage.
Joe Czerwinski, USA | 2019
Michael Coopers NZ Buying Guide 2019
Priced sharply, the deeply satisfying 2017 vintage (5*) was estate-grown and hand-harvested at Rapaura, fermented (mostly with indigenous yeasts) in old French oak barriques, and wood-aged for 10 months. Already delicious, it is mouthfilling, fleshy and well-rounded, with deep, ripe tropical-fruit flavours, balanced acidity, and a rich, finely poised finish. Drink now or cellar.
Michael Cooper, NZ | Nov 2018
94 Points, Wine Orbit
A refined barrel-fermented style; elegantly lifted bouquet shows grapefruit, nectarine, oatmeal, green apple and subtle savoury characters, which lead a beautifully weighted palate that is finely textured and persistent. The wine offers pristine fruit flavours together with seductive complexity, brilliantly structured by crisp acidity.
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, NZ | Apr 2018
Gold Medal – Concours Mondial du Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Brussels, Belgium, May 2016
Blue Gold Medal – Sydney International Wine Competition 2016
Australia, August 2015
Bronze Medal – Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2015
NZ, September 2015
Bronze Medal – International Wine Challenge 2017
Berkshire, UK, May 2017
92 Points – Wine Spectator Tasting 2016
USA, 2016
90 Points – The Wine Advocate 2017
USA, 2017
91 Points – James Suckling 2017
This has clear barrel fermentation influence, moving into a lemon and barley zone. Savory biscuity flavors and a layered, interesting palate. Drink now.
USA, 2017
Michael Coopers NZ Buying Guide 2016
A rich, very ripe style, the 2014 vintage was estate-grown and hand-picked at Rapaura, and fermented and matured for 10 months in old French oak casks. Mouthfilling, with passionfruit, pineapple and lime flavours, fresh acidity and a hint of toasty, buttery oak, it has excellent vigour, complexity and personality. Best drinking 2016+.
Michael Cooper, NZ | November 2015
Winestate Magazine
Rich, very ripe style, estate-grown and hand-picked at Rapaura, and fermented and matured for 10 months in old French oak casks. Mouthfilling, with passionfruit, pineapple and lime flavours, fresh acidity, a hint of toasty, buttery oak, and excellent vigour, complexity and personality. Best drinking 2016.
Australia | October 2015
Silver Medal – International Wine and Spirits Competition
2019 UK
Michael Cooper
Priced sharply, the 2019 vintage (4*) was estate-grown at Rapaura, in the Wairau Valley. It has a punchy, aromatic bouquet, leading into a lively, intensely varietal wine, with strong tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, crisp, bone-dry and lingering. (From Staete Landt.)
93 Points – Wine Orbit
Pristine and delightfully fruited, the wine shows grapefruit, green rockmelon, Gala apple and nectarine aroms on the nose, leading to a vibrant palate that’s filled with tasty flavours. It’s bright and refreshing with excellent intensity, making it immediately appealing. At its best: Now to 2022.
Sam Kim | February, 2020
88 Points – Bronze Medal – International Wine Challenge
2019, UK
Silver Medal – Concours Mondial du Sauvignon
2019, UK
90 Points – Bob Campbell MW
Light, tangy sauvignon blanc with lemongrass, gooseberry, green capsicum and passionfruit flavours. An accessible wine with fruity acidity and appealing purity. Second tier wine at first tier quality.
January, 2019
91 Points – Wine Orbit
It is beautifully aromatic on the nose showing passionfruit, apricot, green apple and sweet basil characters. The palate is equally attractive with excellent fruit intensity and juicy fruit flavours, backed by refreshing acidity.
February, 2019
Gold Medal – Concours Mondial du Sauvignon
2018, UK
84 Points – Wine Spectator Tasting
2018, USA
87 Points – Bronze Medal – International Wine Challenge
2018, UK
Gold Medal – New York Intl Wine Competition
2018, USA
93 Points – Wine Orbit
It is intensely aromatic on the nose showing passionfruit, feijoa, green rockmelon and lime zest characters. The palate is equally attractive with excellent fruit intensity and vibrancy, backed by fine texture and lively acidity. An instantly appealing sauvignon filled with tasty flavours. At its best: now to 2019.
Sam Kim | April, 2018
Michael Cooper
The 2017 vintage was estate-grown at Rapaura, in the Wairau Valley. Retasted in mid 2018, it is bright, light lemon/green, with mouthfilling body, very generous, tropical fruit flavours to the fore, a herbaceous undercurrent, and a crisp, fully dry (1 grams/litre residual sugar) finish.
Michael Cooper
88 Points – Bronze Medal – International Wine Challenge
Citrusy, zesty flavours of ripe grapefruit sit in great harmony with soft creamy notes in this ripe, full bodied Marlborough Chardonnay, which is made with estate grown grapes at Staete Landt winery. This is an exceptional wine with a full body, great balance and a long finish. Very good quality indeed.
Joelle Thomson, NZ | May, 2019
93 Points – Bob Campbell Master of Wine
Creamy, smooth-textured chardonnay with peach, bran biscuit, hazelnut and subtle spicy oak flavours. An attractive medium-bodied wine with energy and poise. Accessible now but no rush.
Bob Campbell MW, NZ | January 2019
93 Points – Wine Orbit
Wonderfully fruited and generously expressed, the bouquet shows golden peach, mango, vanilla pod and nougat characters with an elegant infusion of toasty oak. The palate is concentrated and beautifully ripe, delivering creamy mouthfeel and plush texture. Delightfully rich and satisfying.
Sam Kim, NZ | February, 2019
Commended – International Wine Challenge
This single-vineyard wine is estate-grown at Rapaura. The 2016 vintage (4.5*), hand-picked and barrel-fermented, is bright, light lemon/green, with a fragrant, slightly biscuity bouquet. Mouthfilling, it is youthful, with rich stone-fruit flavours to the fore, good complexity, fresh acidity, a slightly creamy texture, and a long, tight finish. Best drinking 2020+.
Michael Cooper, NZ, Nov 2018
94 Points – Wine Orbit
A gorgeous chardonnay exhibiting opulence and generosity; the wonderfully expressed bouquet shows grilled peach, nougat, vanilla, hazelnut and spice characters, leading to a powerful palate that is delectably mouthfilling. The wine offers excellent fruit weight and creamy texture, finishing superbly long and engaging.
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, NZ, Apr 2018
88 Points – The Wine Advocate
2017
Winestate Magazine
September 2015
Best Value Award – Winestate Magazine
December 2015
Michael Cooper
From Staete Landt, the 2014 vintage (4*) was grown and hand-harvested at Rapaura, in the Wairau Valley. A weighty, creamy-textured wine, it was barrel-fermented, but not barrel-aged, and bottled young. An excellent drink-young style, it is fleshy and forward, with some complexity and strong, citrusy, peachy, slightly nutty flavours. Fine value.
Michael Cooper
93 Points – Wine Orbit
Bright and fabulously fruited, this is instantly appealing on the nose showing nectarine, watermelon, Gala apple, and floral aromas, followed by a juicy palate that’s vibrant and flavoursome. It’s light, refreshing and super tasty. At its best: now to 2021.
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, NZ | February, 2020
Winestate Magazine
Drinking well now, this characterful, dry rosé was made from unstated grape varieties (pinot gris and pinot noir is my guess), barrel-fermented and lees-aged for an extended period. Bright, light pink, it has strong, fresh, peachy, spicy, strawberryish flavours, showing a touch of tannin, and greater complexity than most rosés.
Australia | June, 2019
Joelle Thomson
Refreshingly dry and well balanced by medium fruit weight which marries nicely with the medium acidity and body. The dry style lingering finish suggest a wine with a significantly higher price tag than this fun and accessibly priced pink drop has. It over delivers big time.
Joelle Thomson, NZ | May, 2019
Michael Coopers NZ Buying Guide 2019
Drinking well in late 2019, the 2018 vintage (4.5*) is a dry style (1.5 grams/litre residual sugar), barrel-fermented and given prolonged contact with its yeast lees. Bright, light pink, it is a character wine, with peachy, spicy, strawberryish flavours, fresh and strong, a touch of tannin, and greater complexity than most rosés.
Michael Cooper, NZ | September, 2019
Michael Coopers NZ Buying Guide 2019
Still youthful, the 2016 vintage (5*) was estate-grown at Rapaura, hand-harvested, and fermented and lees-aged for eight months. Fresh and full-bodied, it is vibrantly fruity, with concentrated, peachy, slightly spicy flavours, showing good complexity, and a dry (2 grams/litre of residual sugar) finish. Best drinking mid-2020+.
Michael Cooper, NZ | September, 2019
92 Points – Bob Campbell Master of Wine
A cooler style of syrah with delicacy and a pleasing floral aroma that continues onto the palate. A supple, savoury wine with anise, spice, red and dark berry and a seasoning of fresh herbs.
Bob Campbell MW, NZ | January, 2019
91 Points – Wine Orbit
An elegant rendition; the bouquet shows lovely ripe fruit notes of sweet plum and spiced cherry together with smoked game and cedar characters. The palate is succulent and plump, displaying attractive fruit intensity and roundness, backed by fine, grainy tannins.
Sam Kim, NZ | February, 2019
Recommended – Decanter
UK, 2015
Michael Coopers NZ Buying Guide 2019
The 2015 vintage (4.5*) was estate-grown at Rapaura, hand-harvested and matured for 17 months in French oak barriques. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling and flowing, with strong plum and spice flavours, peppery and lingering. Showing good personality, it’s currently delicious, but also worth cellaring.
Michael Cooper, NZ | November, 2018
90 Points – Bob Campbell Master of Wine
Quite a ripe and floral syrah, with sweet berry and raspberry flavours seasoned with a mix of black and white pepper plus a suggestion of fresh herbs. An elegant, supple wine with a structure of fruity acidity and fine, drying tannins.
Bob Campbell MW, NZ | December, 2016
91 Points – Wine Orbit
It’s spice and savoury on the nose showing dark berry, dried herb, anise, almond and game characters, leading to a beautifully weighted palate that’s finely textured and lingering. A complex engaging style, ideally suited to partner rich flavoursome dishes. At its best: Now to 2022
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, NZ | February 2020
Gold Medal – New York International Wine Competition
New York, June 2018
Bronze Medal – Decanter World Wine Awards 2019
London, UK, 2019
89 Points – Bronze Medal – International Wine Challenge
Berkshire, UK, 2019
91 Points – Robert Parker / Wine Advocate
A blend of 14 different parcels, the 2016 State of Grace Pinot Noir offers a wealth of complexity on the nose and palate, with hints of clove and cinnamon accenting herbal notes of bay leaf and sage, and black cherry fruit mingling with notes of cola and plum. It’s medium-bodied, supported in the palate by silky tannins and refreshing acids, coming together in a long, harmonious finish.
Joe Czerwinski, USA | 2019
89 Points – Bob Campbell Master of Wine
Light, fresh and drying pinot noir with floral, dark cherry, anise, spice, wood-smoke and fresh herb flavours. A bright, tangy, high energy wine with a suggestion of new leather and furniture polish.
Bob Campbell MW, NZ | January, 2019
Michael Coopers NZ Buying Guide 2019
The age-worthy 2016 vintage (4*) was hand-picked at Rapaura, on the north side of the Wairau Valley, and matured in French oak barriques. Bright ruby, it is mouthfilling and savoury, with ripe, youthful, plum/spice flavours and a lingering, fairly firm finish. Best drinking 2020+.
Michael Cooper, NZ | November, 2018
93 Points – Wine Orbit
A lovely elegant rendition; the complex bouquet shows spiced cherry, raspberry coulis, game, black olive and roasted nut characters. The palate is succulent and beautifully weighted, delivering pristine fruit flavours together with attractive savoury nuances, finishing persistent and silky. The wine offers refined style and charming presence. At its best: now to 2021.
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, NZ | April, 2018
Double Gold Medal – New York International Wine Competition
New York, June 2017
89 Points – Wine Spectator Tasting 2017
USA, 2017
87 Points – James Suckling 2017
This has a cassis and cranberry thread on the nose, offering straight-forward fruits and florals. The palate is crisp and bright. Basic and ready now.
USA, 2017
88 Points – The Wine Advocate 2017
USA, 2017
Winestate Magazine
Mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, this youthful red was grown at Rapaura, hand-harvested and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (25% new). Well worth cellaring, it has ripe, cherryish, plummy, slightly nutty flavours, gentle tannins, balanced acidity and very good depth.
Australia | May/June, 2017
90 Points – Cameron Douglas
A bouquet with pinosity and elegance showing soft red rose floral aromas then light red berry fruits of cherry and raspberry then plum; a generous helping of oak and darker kitchen spices. On the palate – youthful, fresh, crisp and dry with flavours of light red fruits followed by wood and spice; youthful tannins and plenty of acidity. Overall a young Pinot needed celr time to integrate and develop bottle derived complexity. Drink from 2018 through 2026.
Cameron Douglas, NZ Liquor | June, 2017
94 Points – Wine Orbit
From their estate vineyard in the Rapaura district, this is superbly fruited and impressively complex on the nose displaying dark cherry, smoked meat, mixed spice and truffle characters. The palate is concentrated and beautifully rounded, and displays outstanding mid palate weight and silky texture, firmly structured by fine, chalky tannins. It is multi-layered and engaging, and promises to evolve graciously. At its best: 2017 to 2025.
Sam Kim, NZ | October, 2016
Raymond Chan Wine Reviews
Light ruby-red colour with some depth, lighter on the rim. This has a softly ethereal nose subtly detailed aromatics showing dark-red berry fruits entwined with red florals, and fresh and dark herbs. The nose builds to for a concentrated core, and notes of red liquorice and spices emerge with aeration. Medium-bodied, the palate has fine features with bright and lively, aromatic red berry fruit lifted by red florals, subtle notes of herbs and spices with red liquorice elements. The mouthfeel shows fine tannin extraction and textures, balanced by refined acidity. The wine has linearity and elegance, and carries to a long, lingering finish of sweet and aromatic red fruits. This is an elegant, fine-featured, sweet-fruited Pinot Noir with red florals and subtle notes of herbs and liquorice. Match with poultry and pork over the next 5+ years. Hand-picked fruit, clones 777, 114, 115 and 5, from 18 y.o. vines, fully destemmed and indigenous yeast fermentation initiated to 13.0% alc., with 30% whole berries, the wine aged 14 months in 25% new French oak barriques.
Raymond Chan, NZ | October, 2016
88 Points – Bob Campbell Master of Wine
Slightly more concentration than the entry level Map Maker Pinot Noir but with a similar cherry and berry flavour profile and structure of sappy tannins. Angular and slightly edgy now but with the potential to develop in bottle
Bob Campbell MW, NZ | December, 2016
Bronze Medal – New York Intl Wine Comp
2018, USA
Bronze Medal – Decanter World Wine Awards
2015, UK
Michael Cooper
From Staete Landt, the 2016 vintage (3.5*) was estate-grown and hand-picked at Rapaura, and matured in French oak barriques. Bright ruby, it is attractively scented, with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, and some savoury notes adding a touch of complexity. Drink now to 2020.
91 Points – Wine Orbit
This is bright, ripe and fragrant on the nose showing plum, cherry, toasted almond and dark mushroom characters, followed by a juicy palate that is rounded and smooth. The wine displays attractive fruit intensity and fine texture, backed by elegant fine tannins. Lingering and appealing.
April, 2018
Gold Medal – New York Intl Wine Competition
2017
87 Points – Wine Spectator Tasting
2017, USA
86 Points – James Suckling
A slightly harder edged pinot noir that has appy and herbal aromas with obvious assertive oak sitting outside the ripe cherry-plum fruit. The tannins are full and ripe, and the palate delivers a simple slab of fruit. Drink now.
2017, USA
86 Points – Cameron Douglas
Aromas and flavours of light red berry fruits centering on raspberry and a little cherry then a suggestion of red apple skin; a touch of dired herb and brown spice adds a layer and a little complexity, juicy mid-palate, riper red fruit flavours then a hint of sour cherry, plenty of acidity and bite, fine easytannins and moderate finish.
June, 201790 Points – Wine Orbit
It is beautifully fragrant on the nose displaying dark cherry, clove, nutmeg and game characters, leading to a succulent palate that is rounded and silky. It is fruit expressive and immediately likable, nicely enhanced by velvety mouthfeel and fine tannins. The wine is flavoursome and friendly, yet has serious side of proper structure and excellent length. At its best: now to 2019.
October, 2016
86 Points – Bob Campbell MW
Light, fresh peppery pinot noir with red cherry, cranberry fruit flavours restrained by sappy tannins. Good food wine with character but in a lighter style.
December, 2016