Identity
| Producer | Villa Maria |
| Year | 2020 |
| Vol | 0.75 |
| Grapes | 100% Pinot Noir |
| Color | Red |
| Sweetness | Dry |
Tasting
| Color Desc | Deep ruby hue |
| Aroma | Bright floral aromas, fresh cherries, red rose, berry, plum, coffee, spicy oak, dried herbs, wild strawberries, subtle spicy notes |
| Palate | Silky smooth texture with medium body, flavors of ripe cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate, juicy summer berries, hints of freshly crushed thyme and portabello mushrooms, soft velvety tannins, balanced and lengthy finish |
| Finish | Smooth, balanced, lightly earthy finish with lingering notes of dusty earth and ground cinnamon |
| Food Pairing | Roasted duck, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, game dishes, creamy risottos |
Profile
Acidity (1-5)
AVERAGE
Body (1-5)
HIGHER THAN AVERAGE
Aroma (1-5)
HIGHER THAN AVERAGE
Astringency (1-5)
AVERAGE
Minerality (1-5)
LOW
Enology
| ABV % | 14.0 |
| Total Acidity | 5.4 |
| Sugar (g/l) | 0.20 |
| pH | 3.7 |
| Aging Process | 14 months in French barriques (35% new, 65% seasoned) followed by 4 months settling in tank |
| Fermentation | Fermentation in 35% new French barriques and 65% seasoned barriques for 14 months |
Terroir
| Soil | clay-based soils in Wairau Valley, windblown silt loess soils adjacent to Awatere River |
| Harvest Type | manual |
| Harvest Desc | Grapes are hand-picked from selected vineyards in Wairau and Awatere Valleys |
Interesting facts
| Winemaker Helen Morrison; Villa Maria founded in 1961; sourced from premium vineyards in Marlborough's Wairau and Awatere Valleys; minimal intervention winemaking approach |