"It was from the vintage of a lifetime," Mr Scott said.
"You could not have got more perfect growing weather than that."
He said picking up three trophies (the third was champion commercial white wine with the Chardonnay 2014) was a real boost for the winemaking crew, and he predicted the McDonald Series Merlot would gather more.
"It will be going into more competitions."
Mr Scott said the one odd downside to the great vintage had been having to try and downgrade so much top-end quality wine for the more commercial lines.
He said the consumers won out, as the more standard merlots and cabernets featured great quantities of the best production available.
He said the 2014 merlots were looking equally strong and initial indications showed the 2015 varieties would follow suit.
"We are certainly expecting some very good wines to come."
There were smiles too at Te Awa with their Left Field line picking up a first-ever trophy.
The Left Field Hawke's Bay Rose 2015 took the trophy for that class which featured 30 entrants. Winemaker Richard Painter was naturally pleased.
"Rose is currently the fastest growing category in the country having enjoyed tremendous growth over the last couple of years."
He said the winery had a philosophy of "discovery and the unexpected" and that had worked - with the unique blend of merlot, pinotage and arneis.
Hawke's Bay grapes also gave Kumeu-based Coopers Creek a trophy for Champion New Zealand Syrah.
There was also success for Hawke's Bay's Nick Picone, chief winemaker with Villa Maria.
He was named Winemaker of the Show.
