Ratings
DWWA Gold · WE 91-93 · JR 4 Stars.
Identity
| Producer | Villa Maria |
| Year | 2020 |
| Vol | 0.75 |
| Grapes | 100% Chardonnay |
| Color | White |
| Sweetness | Dry |
Tasting
| Color Desc | Luminous golden hue. |
| Aroma | Fresh citrus aromas, white peach, ripe citrus, grilled nuts, brioche, gun-smoke, ripe lemon rind, toasted oak, honeyed citrus, subtle vanilla, peaches, cream, grapefruit, wholemeal biscuits, citrus peel, green melon, fennel, dusty, toasty, vanilla oak. |
| Palate | Rich and complex palate with flavors of tropical fruit, creamy butterscotch, minerality, creamy texture, refined oak notes, brisk minerality, weighty luscious palate with good oak influence balanced by bright citrus fruit, silky, creamy and dense texture, balanced fruit acidity. |
| Finish | Long and lingering finish with a citrusy note and complex nuances, restrained and focused acidity on the finish, balanced and refreshing aftertaste. |
| Food Pairing | Chicken, veal, rabbit, creamy garlic sauce, lemon flavoured sauce. |
| Aging Potential | Drink now or cellar until 2027. |
Profile
Acidity (1-5)
HIGHER THAN AVERAGE
Body (1-5)
AVERAGE
Aroma (1-5)
HIGHER THAN AVERAGE
Minerality (1-5)
AVERAGE
Enology
| ABV % | 13.0 |
| Aging Process | 10 months in French oak barriques and larger barrels, 35% new oak, barrel fermented entirely, partially wild yeast fermentation, around 40% malolactic fermentation. |
| Fermentation | Partially wild yeast fermentation, entirely barrel fermented in barriques and puncheons. |
Terroir
| Soil | Varying gravel and silt soils, silty, stony gravels and reflective greywacke stones. |
| Vine Age | Vines planted in 1999-2000. |
| Harvest Type | Not explicitly stated. |
| Harvest Desc | Grapes sourced from Taylors Pass Vineyard on northern bank of Awatere River, sheltered meso-climate with coastal breezes. |
Interesting facts
| Taylors Pass vineyard is considered one of the crown jewels in the Villa Maria portfolio, known for its pristine terroir and mineral-driven style. |
Logistics
| Cork | natural cork |