In a historic first for the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), Margaret River’s House of Cards Ace High Chardonnay 2025 has been awarded a gold medal and a perfect 100 points.
It is the first wine to achieve the highest possible score since the IWSC introduced its 100-point scoring system in 2019.
The IWSC returned to Margaret River this year for its fourth Global Judging in the region, held in partnership with the Margaret River Wine Association. Bringing together leading wine experts from the UK and Australia, the judging panels included influential buyers, sommeliers and wine writers, and were co-chaired by The Wine Society’s Freddy Bulmer, Wine and Australian author Andrew Caillard MW.
Bulmer said: “It stood out for its sheer class, its depth, its complexity and its perfect balance. When Andrew suggested 100 points, I thought: there’s nothing more that this wine could do. We tasted it again, blind, alongside all the golds and both agreed that 100 points was absolutely justified. It was a beautiful wine – absolute perfection.”
The judges said Chardonnay from Margaret River and across Western Australia stood out for both its quality and diversity of styles.
“There were an abundant number of high-quality examples of Chardonnay, with exceptional fruit selection and high-quality winemaking, combined with excellent use of oak,” said Robinson.
At the top of the table was House of Cards Ace High Chardonnay 2025 with its historic 100 points. House of Cards also claimed 98 points and gold for The Royals Chardonnay 2025, while Credaro Family Estate 1000 Crowns Chardonnay 2025 also achieved 98 points and gold.
Established by Travis and Elizabeth Wray in 2011, all fruit used to make House of Cards wine comes from its certified organic single vineyard situated on the Caves Road at the northern end of the Margaret River Region in Western Australia.
The Wrays said: “To have our Chardonnay blind tasted alongside some of the world’s finest wines and recognised as the highest-scoring wine in the competition’s history is an honour beyond words.
“As if that wasn’t enough, we were also named IWSC Western Australian Producer of the Year for the second time, alongside two more Gold Medals.
“For a small, family-owned winery in Margaret River, this is the culmination of years of hard work, organic farming, thoughtful winemaking, and an incredible team who pour their hearts into every vintage.
”We’re deeply grateful to the IWSC judges, our team, our loyal supporters, and everyone who has shared this journey with us. To see Margaret River recognised on the world stage, and to know our Chardonnay has become part of that story, is something we’ll treasure forever.”
For Bulmer, Chardonnay was one of the defining performances of the judging.
“The Chardonnays really overperformed. The Gingin clone is something really special that clearly works beautifully in this part of the world,” he said.
Caillard said: “There is this commonality, this voice that is so clear-cut. This year it was really crystal clear that you’ve got something really unique and special.”
The wines will travel to London for IWSC Trophy Judging on 30 September, where they will be tasted alongside gold medal-winning wines from across this year’s IWSC judging.
Discover full medal results for Western Australia here.