Awards season is here, and with it come the highly anticipated results from three key wine competitions: International Wine Challenge (IWC), International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) and The Wine Merchant Top 100.
As the highest scoring Australian white wine at the IWC 2026 with 96 points, praised by the judges for its 'great energy and focus', Tolpuddle Vineyard's Coal River Valley Chardonnay 2024 scooped both the Australian White Trophy and Tasmanian Chardonnay Trophy. It epitomises how far Aussie Chardonnay has come, with the best wines now displaying a vibrancy and ability to age that few other countries can match.
Also made by winemaker Adam Wadewitz, the MMAD Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache 2024 received the IWC Australian Grenache Trophy. 'The Grenache revival continues' remarked the judges and the sought-after, high-elevation Blewitt Springs area of McLaren Vale lies at its epicentre. The MMAD Vineyard's oldest Grenache vines were planted in 1939 which, combined with the site's sand, ironstone and cooling winds, produce a perfumed and structured wine with 'fragrant red fruits...plus a dash of herb leaf, and tannins that are classy and mouthwatering'.
The 'perfectly balanced with power and finesse' Rare Champagne Millésime 2012 in magnum was the standout Champagne at the IWC 2026. Awarded the Champagne Trophy and Classic Blend Vintage Champagne Trophy, it was also the joint highest scoring wine in the whole competition with 98 points. In addition, the 'rich toasty and full of life' Rosé Millésime 2014 from Rare Champagne - only the fourth declared vintage of this wine - received the IWC Rosé Champagne Trophy.
There were back-to-back IWC Italian Sweet Trophies for the Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano - the 'deliciously decadent' 2018 vintage receiving the accolade this year after the success of the current 2017 vintage last year. Similarly, G.D. Vajra have followed up last year's IWC Nebbiolo Trophy for the 2021 vintage of their Barolo `Ravera` with both the IWC Italian Red Trophy and Barolo Trophy for the 'beautifully floral and expressive' 2022 vintage.
Valdespino have now been awarded consecutive Best Fortified/Sweet Trophies at The Wine Merchant Top 100, winning this year with their Oloroso `Solera 1842` VOS after success with their Palo Cortado `Single Cask` Macharnudo Alto 2001 last year.
International Wine Challenge (IWC)
Arguably one of the most globally recognised wine competitions, the International Wine Challenge is highly respected for its impartiality, with over 500 judges tasting thousands of wines blind.
Trophy Winners
Champagne Trophy / Classic Blend Vintage Champagne Trophy
Rare Champagne, Millésime 2012 (Magnum), France
98 points
Rich layered nose with citrus and hazelnuts and on the palate it's perfectly balanced with power and finesse. There's a gorgeous touch of umami too and the flavour just keeps going.
Italian Sweet Trophy
Capezzana, Vin Santo di Carmignano 2018, Italy
97 points
Deliciously decadent with crushed biscuit and almond flavours topped with honey and apricot. Rich but beautifully balanced with bright acidity.
Current vintage: 2017
Australian White Trophy / Tasmanian Chardonnay Trophy
Tolpuddle Vineyard, Coal River Valley Chardonnay 2024, Australia
96 points
Taut, complex stone fruit notes on the nose. The palate is mineral, meaty and refined with great energy and focus.
Rosé Champagne Trophy
Rare Champagne, Rosé Millésime 2014, France
96 points
Intense with lifted redcurrant and rosehip on the nose and real power and poise on the palate. Rich toasty and full of life with long flavours on the finish.
Australian Grenache Trophy
MMAD Vineyard, Blewitt Springs Grenache 2024, Australia
96 points
The Grenache revival continues. This has fragrant red fruits, crushed raspberries and strawberries with a flecking of sweet biscuit, plus a dash of herb leaf, and tannins that are classy and mouth watering.
Current vintage: 2023
Italian Red Trophy / Barolo Trophy
G.D. Vajra, Barolo `Ravera` 2022, Italy
96 points
This is beautifully floral and expressive with vivid cherry and strawberry fruit with some silkiness on the palate cloaking the significant tannins. Really beautiful and expressive.
Gold Medals
Piper-Heidsieck, Essentiel Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV (Magnum), France
96 points
Impressively long length, with linear and precise aromas of ripe pear, almond and warm biscuits, confit pear on the gliding, long finish.
Piper-Heidsieck, Essentiel Extra Brut NV (75cl Bottle), France
95 points
Charming, fresh and zesty aromas, saline and mineral with almond blossom on the finish.
Piper-Heidsieck, Essentiel Extra Brut NV (Magnum), France
95 points
Attractive, nutty and mature. Baked apple with warm butter and acacia. Vinous, textural, ready to drink and showing very fine bubbles and an impressive length.
Devaux, Sténopé 2014, France
95 points
Glorious notes of honeyed toast and melted butter with a fine, persistent mousse. Lovely ripe yellow apple and lemon curd ripeness with a lengthy aromatic yet fresh and lifted finish. Perfect balance.
Current vintage: 2013
Domaine Laroche, Chablis 1er Cru `Les Vaillons` Vieilles Vignes 2024, France
95 points
Lovely floral and mineral notes with green apple and notes of vanilla. Solid length with fresh lime zest finish.
Bodega Colomé, 'Estate Series' Salta Torrontés 2025, Argentina
95 points
Rose petal, white blossom and lychee with a pronounced muscat aroma and a firm, clean finish.
Dandelion Vineyards, ‘Lionheart of the Barossa’ Shiraz 2024, Australia
95 points
Intense blackcurrant and pure blueberry aromas, lovely jammy blueberry and eucalyptus flavours in the mouth with a fresh and balanced finish.
Current vintage: 2023
Dandelion Vineyards, ‘Menagerie of the Barossa’ Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2024, Australia
95 points
Wow. Nose brimming with tarry chocolatey, fruit leading to a firm but complex and silky palate. Red and black fruits on an orchestral scale. Delicious.
Current vintage: 2023
International Wine and Spirits Challenge (IWSC)
Encompassing both spirits and wines, the IWSC is similarly revered for its impartiality, with the added bonus of drinks professionals tasting blind across categories.
Gold Medal Winners
Rare Champagne, Millésime 2012, France
96 points
Captivating mocha and roasted coffee aromas revealing beautiful focus and fruit concentration. The palate is bright and mineral-driven with layers of autolytic richness that unfold seamlessly, culminating in a long, saline finish carried by a fine mousse.
Shaw + Smith, Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2023, Australia
96 points
A brooding blend of bramble, dark cherry and red liquorice leads to ripe, plump black fruits layered with charcuterie and a taut blackberry acidity. The palate is savoury and intense, with smoky meat, dried herbs, and firm chalky tannins, culminating in a long, peppery finish.
Current vintage: 2022
Sandeman, 50-Year-Old Tawny Port NV, Portugal
96 points
Zesty aromas of spiced orange and fig lead to a balanced palate of plump dried fruits, salty nuts, and smooth caramel. The finish is refined and vibrant, marked by a lingering hint of honey and a pinch of salt.
Piper-Heidsieck, Essentiel Extra Brut NV, France
95 points
The bouquet bursts with lively lemon, golden apple, mango, and delicate yellow flowers, underscored by subtle spice. The palate is rich and velvety, unfolding layers of peach, apricot, hazelnut, and a whisper of smoky iodine.
Shaw + Smith, `M3` Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2024, Australia
95 points
Intense aromas of struck match, fragrant lemon, and bergamot, seamlessly mingling with subtle vanilla oak. The palate reveals crisp green apples, limes, and kumquat, balanced by stony minerality and vibrant acidity. Beautiful integrated spice on the finish. Simply divine.
El Coto, `Coto de Imaz` Rioja Gran Reserva 2019, Spain
95 points
A vibrant scented with rich cherry fruit entwines with sweet, spicy oak, cinnamon, and clove, leading seamlessly to a palate that balances layered chocolate notes and a semi-saline, balsamic complexity. The wine closes with a long finish that lingers enticingly.
Shaw + Smith, Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2025, Australia
95 points
A captivating nose revealing hibiscus, redcurrant and stewed strawberry leads to a plush palate brimming with morello cherry, dried herbs, and anise. An energetic wine with a layered complexity and chalky tannins, ending on a long finish.
Current vintage: 2022 (2024 vintage from August 2026)
Dandelion Vineyards, `Lioness of McLaren Vale` Shiraz 2024, Australia
95 points
Aromas of spiced plums, tar and leather unfold into bold dark chocolate and sweet plum flavours on the palate. The smooth, glossy texture leads seamlessly to a long, rich finish, marked by meaty, spicy notes and a satisfying depth.
The Wine Merchant Top 100
Dedicated to wines in the independent off-trade, The Wine Merchant Top 100 is the only UK wine competition judged entirely by specialist independent wine retailers.
Best Fortified/Sweet Trophy
Valdespino, Oloroso `Solera 1842` VOS NV, Spain
Top 100 Wines
Bedoba, Saperavi 2023, Georgia
Gran Sasso, `Alta Quota` Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane 2024, Italy
Château de Pitray, `Les Prairies` Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2022, France
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