Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Pinot Gris 2019
"One of the countrys top Pinot Gris...concentrated, with excellent weight and mouthfeel, vibrant pear, lychee and spice flavours..."Michael Cooper
| Winemaker | Nick Picone |
|---|---|
| Organic | No |
| SKU | 300292 |
| ABV | 14.00% |
Villa Maria's Single Vineyard Pinot Gris is arguably New Zealand's finest rendition of a varietal with a real affinity with the Marlborough wine region. A benchmark Chardonnay.
Grapes for this vintage were hand-harvested from Villa Maria's premium Seddon Vineyard in Marlborough, and the wine was aged on its lees for 6 months to build complexity and texture.
Under owner Sir George Fistonich, Villa Maria has grown from a one-man band to an icon of the New Zealand wine industry over fifty years. George started growing vines at the tender age of 21 and made his first wine back in 1962 under the name Villa Maria, with grapes he harvested from a five acre block he leased from his father in Mangere, Auckland. George, supported by his wife, Gail, continued to make wine himself in the 1960s, before expanding in the 1970s. Today, Villa Maria employs more than 250 permanent staff, grows 28 different grape varieties, and exports wine to over 60 countries worldwide.
91 points - Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate) From a vineyard just south of the Awatere River, VM's 2019 Single Vineyard Seddon Pinot Gris was mostly barrel fermented to add richness and texture. It's a ripe, peachy style, with hints of mango even but also more classic notes of apple and pear. Medium to full-bodied, it's broad and silky on the palate, with those same textural elements lingering on the finish.
5 STARS & CLASSIC STATUS (Overall rating) - Michael Cooper Buyer's Guide to NZ Wines
5 STARS - Michael Cooper
Intense aromas of freshly cut white pear, cinnamon spice and floral notes, intermingling with a core of yellow stone-fruit flavours. An off-dry, finely textured palate displaying underlying purity and power. The acidity is balanced and, combined with concentrated fruit, creates excellent palate length and a lingering finish.