We are pleased to present the 2023 rankings from The Real Review, led by Bob Campbell MW.
▶︎ The Real Review Official Website
The Real Review 2023 Winery Rankings
Here we introduce this year's winery rankings.
| 1st place | Craggy Range |
|---|---|
| 2nd place | Destiny Bay Wines |
| 3rd place | Felton Road |
| 4th place | Dry River Wines |
| 5th place | Church Road |
| 6th place | Ata Rangi |
| 7th place | Trinity Hill |
| 8th place | Te Mata Estate |
| 9th place | Prophet's Rock |
| 10th place | Kusuda Wines |
Which wineries are in the top 10 and can you buy wine from Bokumo Wine?
Here we introduce wines from wineries ranked within the top 10 by The Real Review that are available for purchase at Bokumo Wine.
2. Destiny Bay Wines
Destiny Bay Wines is a boutique winery founded in 2000 on Waiheke Island in Auckland, and is known as "the maker of some of the world's best Cabernet blends."
This is a small-scale winery, producing approximately 2,000 cases per year, and only produces three types of Bordeaux-type wine.
Destiny Bay has been gaining a lot of international acclaim in recent years. Prices are also rising every year, so if you like Bordeaux-style reds, it might be a good idea to get some now and store it in your cellar.
▶︎Purchase here
3. Felton Road
Felton Road is one of NZ's top wineries.
The Pinot Noir first released in 1997 quickly captivated wine fans around the world, and the winery has become one of the most highly acclaimed in the world.
They make wine using a more natural approach, including biodynamic grape cultivation and "gravity flow," which moves grapes and wine without defying gravity.
When I actually had the opportunity to visit the winery, I was surprised at how compact yet functional the system was. I was impressed by the fact that they wanted to ferment the grapes with as little stress as possible.
▶︎Purchase here
6th place Atalangi
Image source: Ata Rangi official website
Founded in 1980, Ata Rangi means 'a new beginning' in Maori.
Known as a pioneer of Martinborough, it is praised by many critics as being in the top five wineries in New Zealand.
In particular, the Pinot Noir produced from vineyards that "have their roots in Romanée-Conti" has won numerous awards both in Japan and abroad.
It is said that the success of Atarangi is what made the Martinborough region known around the world. It produces elegant, high-quality wines that are close to those of Burgundy.
▶︎Purchase here
7. Trinity Hill
Image source: Village Cellars official website
Trinity Hill is a winery in Hawke's Bay on New Zealand's North Island.
They are pioneers in the region, having been the first to discover the potential of the "Gimlet Gravels" land, which is a former riverbed with gravel soil. They specialize in Bordeaux blends and Syrah.
Trinity Thill's standard class is "Hawke's Bay", the so-called wide-area series. The premium range is the "Gimlet Gravels" series, which is a narrower area. The top is a cuvee called "Homage", but this is not imported to Japan. I'm curious to know what it tastes like...
▶︎Purchase here
9. Prophets Rock
Image source: Prophets Rock official website
Prophet's Rock is a winery established in Central Otago in 1999.
We make wine with a focus on sustainability, using no fertilizers and fermenting only with natural yeast.
Winemaker Paul Pujol has been described by critic Jancis Robinson MW as "a talented winemaker who will one day lead the world's wine scene."
Prophet's Rock is said to be the new standard-bearer for high-quality Pinot Noir in Central Otago. In addition to Pinot, they also produce sweet wines such as "Vin de Paille", and their unique approach has been attracting attention.
▶︎Purchase here
Recommended wineries ranked 11th to 30th in The Real Review 2023
From here, we will introduce recommended wineries where you can purchase wine in Japan from the top 30 rankings for 2023.
15. Gibbston Valley Winery (Central Otago)
In addition to Pinot Noir, the aromatic white wine and Chardonnay are also excellent. As it is close to the tourist destination of Queenstown, they also focus on winery tours and sightseeing.
▶︎Purchase here
16. Pegasus Bay, North Canterbury/Waipara
A winery representing Waipara. It is famous for its slightly dark Pinot Noir, which makes the most of the local climate. What makes it unique from other South Island wineries is that it also produces high-quality Bordeaux varieties in addition to Pinot.
▶︎Purchase here
19th place: Villa Maria (Marlborough, etc.)
Needless to say, this is a brand that represents New Zealand. Although there was a change in management a few years ago, the quality has remained stable.
▶︎Purchase here
20. Neudorf Vineyards (Nelson)
Neudorf continues to produce natural wines in the small Nelson region. They have become known worldwide for the success of their Chardonnay. Their wines are not only fruity but also full of depth.
▶︎Purchase here
22. Blank Canvas (Marlboro)
This husband-and-wife winery stands out among the many large producers in Marlborough. Mrs. Sophie Thomson is the first talented woman to become a Master of Wine in Marlborough. They have a portfolio that is not found in other wineries, including Grüner Veltliner.
▶︎Purchase here
24. Greywacky (Marlborough)
A boutique winery run by Kevin Judd, a living encyclopedia of New Zealand wine. He has been developing his experience as a winemaker in Cloudy Bay for 25 years at his own winery.
▶︎Purchase here
summary
Wine is a drink that cannot be objectively judged as good or bad. However, when drinking a wine for the first time, it is natural to be curious about how experts evaluate it.
The Real Review, led by Bob Campbell MW, is known as a well-known and influential team among New Zealand wine tasters, and many people in the industry check the winery rankings that are published every year.
Of course, just because a winery has a high ranking doesn't mean that its wines will suit your taste, but this ranking will give you an idea of how professionals who are knowledgeable about New Zealand wines evaluate them.
