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Sileni Estates Merlot takes top honours at the Spiegelau International Wine Competition

Saturday 8 August 2015, 9:26AM

By Sileni Estates

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HAWKE'S BAY

Sileni Estates ‘The Triangle’ Merlot 2013 has been awarded the Trophy for Champion Merlot at the Spiegelau International Wine Competition.

More than 1200 wines were entered into the independent awards, which benchmark wines from around the world, with trophies given to the top wine in each category. Senior winemaker Cairn Coghill was presented with the accolade at the Auckland awards dinner last night.

“Merlot is a favourite with the winemaking team, so we’re particularly excited about this recognition. This wine is made from a selection of our best, low-cropping blocks within the Bridge Pa Triangle. The free-draining red metal soils of the Triangle provide special depth and flavour to the wines made here,” says Chief Winemaker Grant Edmonds.

The combination of these distinctive soils with high sunshine hours, low rainfall and growing degree days comparable to Bordeaux makes the Bridge Pa Triangle unique.

“We believe our region grows some of the best Merlot in the world. It’s a wine which is sometimes underrated here in New Zealand, but its balance and rich flavours make it one of the most food friendly wine styles. We’re thrilled with this latest accolade,” says CEO and President Sir Graeme Avery. 

This is a second trophy for the 2013 vintage of the Triangle Merlot, which was awarded a gold medal and trophy for Champion Commercial Red Wine at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Wine Awards. The wine also collected medals at the Easter Show, Decanter World Wine Awards, Air New Zealand Wine Awards, Selections Mondiales Des Vins International Wine Championship and the London International Wine Awards.