Trophy & Gold medal winners at the IWC 2022

IWC Trophies

The International Wine Challenge (IWC) has named its 2022 Trophy winners and we're delighted to see that National Trophies have been awarded to five of our wines, all of which are now in the running for IWC Champion Wine Trophies:

Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano 2014 (Italian Sweet Trophy); Antonella Corda Cannonau di Sardegna 2020 (Italian Red Trophy); Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020 (New Zealand White Trophy); Tolpuddle Vineyard Tasmania Chardonnay 2020 (Australian White Trophy); Rare Champagne Millésime 2008 (Champagne Trophy).

The Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020 also scooped the International Chardonnay Trophy, and the Tolpuddle Vineyard Tasmania Chardonnay 2020 the Australian Chardonnay Trophy.

Regional Trophies have been awarded to the Ferreira `Quinta do Porto` Port 2019 (Vintage Port Trophy), Charles Heidsieck Rosé Millésimé 2008 (Rosé Champagne Trophy), Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 2007 (Vintage Blanc de Blancs Champagne Trophy), and Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Cuvée Réservée Extra Brut NV in magnum (Non-Vintage Classic Blend Champagne Trophy).

IWC Gold medals were collected by a further six of our wines from Charles Heidsieck, Piper-Heidsieck and Valdespino.

Congratulations to Emilien Boutillat from Piper-Heidsieck and Cyril Brun from Charles Heidsieck, who have both been shortlisted for IWC Sparkling Winemaker of the Year 2022. The Winemakers of the Year Awards and Champion Wine Trophies will be announced at a special evening on 7th July.

Please see full details of our Trophy and Gold medal winning wines below, including availability and the judges' tasting notes. For more information on the International Wine Challenge, please visit the competition website.

Ferreira, `Quinta do Porto` Port 2019, Portugal IWC Vintage Port Trophy 97 points Intense, opaque and thrilling with floral cherry and blackberry fruits on the nose, leading to a focussed, fresh palate with intense pure fruit and good structure. Such precision and structure.

Capezzana, Vin Santo di Carmignano 2014, Italy IWC Italian Sweet Trophy 97 points Rich amber colour, heady with complex aromas of molasses, honeycomb and dark roast nuts. Lusciously sweet, caramelised orange peel and a long, marvellously bittersweet finish. (Available from June 2022)

Rare Champagne, Millésime 2008, France IWC Champagne Trophy / Vintage Classic Blend Champagne Trophy 97 points Ripe lemon, toasted nuts and brioche aromas. Complex, broad, powerful and weighty with smoky undertones. Opulent and rich, yet dry, with a long ageing potential.

Tolpuddle Vineyard, Tasmania Chardonnay 2020, Australia IWC Australian White Trophy / Australian Chardonnay Trophy / Tasmanian Chardonnay Trophy 97 points Coal River is proving itself to be one of Australia's great cool regions. This is positively alluring, its acidity is vibrant and the fruit is electrifying and refreshing with a delightful nutty, bready warmth on the finish. (Limited availability – please speak with your sales representative)

Trinity Hill, Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020, New Zealand IWC New Zealand White Trophy / International Chardonnay Trophy / Hawkes Bay Chardonnay Trophy 97 points Expressive yet nuanced nose, offering fine, fresh stone fruit and mineral aromas. Rich and weighty in the mouth with vibrancy and refreshment and a long, fine, textured finish. (Available from August 2022)

Piper-Heidsieck, Essentiel Cuvée Réservée Extra Brut NV, France (Magnum) IWC Non-Vintage Classic Blend Champagne Trophy 96 points Beautifully developed style with a biscuity richness of herbs and cinnamon-sprinkled apple crumble and touch of honeycomb set against ripe, but crisp citrus and pineapple. complexity, firmness and charm.

Charles Heidsieck, Rosé Millésimé 2008, France IWC Rosé Champagne Trophy 96 points Coral-pink with subtle rosehip and gentle brioche notes along with creamy bubbles and wild strawberry fruits. Elegant, understated and long on flavour. (Limited availability – please speak with your sales representative)

Charles Heidsieck, Blanc des Millénaires 2007, France IWC Vintage Blanc de Blancs Champagne Trophy 96 points Taut nose with compact citrus fruit. Gorgeous textured palate of croissant and breadcrust savoury length leads to a long dreamy finish. Vibrant and youthful and holding on to its lovely fruit for a 2007! (Limited availability – please speak with your sales representative)

Antonella Corda, Cannonau di Sardegna 2020, Italy IWC Italian Red Trophy / Sardinian Red Trophy 95 points Bright red cherry fruit with attractive spice and silky soft but well structured tannins. Lovely savoury edge and long length.

Valdespino, Oloroso de su Majestad VORS NV, Spain Gold Medal 96 points Roasted walnuts, treacle and some smoked stone/toffee notes. Concentrated orange oil, salted almonds and hazelnuts. Exceptional length.

Piper-Heidsieck, Vintage 2014, France Gold Medal 95 points Very expressive nose with mineral hints and baked apple - perfectly pitched and balanced with lemony hints and bread notes. Long biscuity finish.

Piper-Heidsieck, Cuvée Brut NV, France (Magnum) Gold Medal 95 points Lovely broad autolytic attack. Very fine mousse. Tight, taut style with great breadth and length. Creamy apple and lemon flavours with long, elegant and savoury finish. Delicious.

Valdespino, Oloroso `Don Gonzalo` VOS NV, Spain Gold Medal 95 points Beauty heading nutty complexity, with walnuts, fine expresso, and kisses of molasses. Lingering orange oil on the lengthy finish.

Charles Heidsieck, Blanc de Blancs NV, France Gold Medal 95 points Creamy red apple, lemon vanilla, touch of brioche. Elegant, quite subtle aroma with some red apples, lemon and brioche all seamlessly integrated on a long, complex, fine palate of impressive length. Yum. (Limited availability – please speak with your sales representative)

Charles Heidsieck, Brut Réserve NV, France Gold Medal 95 points Crisp green apple flavours with nuances of brioche. Complex and intense with a fine toastiness and great balance. (Limited availability – please speak with your sales representative)