July 7, 2025 (Alexandra, New Zealand) — McArthur Ridge’s Southern Tor Pinot Noir 2023 has been awarded Platinum at the prestigious 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards – making it the only New Zealand wine to achieve the title this year, placing it in the top 0.7% of entries worldwide.
This marks the fourth consecutive year of international acclaim for the Central Otago label, and the second year in a row Southern Tor has been highly recognised at Decanter, building on its Best in Show win in 2024.
The 2023 vintage wowed judges with “phenomenal layers of crushed raspberry, plum, black cherry and dried herbs amid moments of vanilla and baking spice. Stately and plush with juicy acidity and scores of ardent tannins which lay the foundations for ageing.” Their verdict? Simply “Divine.”
Jason Dellaca, McArthur Ridge’s Sales and Marketing Director, says the honour is a testament to the winemaker, vineyard team and terroir.
“It’s a pinch-me moment,” he says. “We set out to make wines to savour, not chase trophies, so being recognised like this, year after year, is incredibly humbling.”
McArthur Ridge winemaker, Matt Connell, credits the wine’s distinctive flavour profile to its home in Alexandra, the most continental subregion in Central Otago.
“There’s something special about this place,” Connell adds. “Our vineyard sits on a raised plateau, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The big temperature swings and long ripening season give us ideal conditions to craft wines with real depth and personality.”
In another milestone, McArthur Ridge’s Fall Dam Pinot Gris 2023 also claimed Gold, marking a strong debut for the label’s white wine portfolio.
With international interest growing, McArthur Ridge plans to expand its global footprint and bring more of Central Otago’s character to the world.
“We’ve had more overseas interest this year than ever before, and we hope this helps further cement Central Otago’s place on the global wine map,” says Dellaca.
A limited cellar release of the 2023 and 2022 Southern Tor is now available at www.mcarthurridge.com.
