Tasting Notes:

Villa Maria Reserve (Black Label) Sauvignon Blanc is a classic representation of Sauvignon Blanc from the Wairau Valley in Marlborough, bursting with tropical fruit characters found in this warmer subregion.

This wine displays powerful aromas of blackcurrant and passionfruit.

The palate has an enticing array of ripe citrus fruits mixed with pungent herbs such as fresh rosemary, finishing with subtle acidity.

Vintage Notes:

The Marlborough growing season started off well with very little frost pressure during spring. Flowering went without a glitch, due healthy soil moisture levels the canopies looked lush and vibrant. The start of 2022 summer was slightly colder; February was below the long-term average in temperature however the weather settled with a slightly damp autumn.

Vineyard & Winemaking:

The grapes for Villa Maria Reserve (Black Label) Sauvignon Blanc 2022 were selected from four different vineyards: Maxwell 37%; Rutherford 25%; Myersdale 15%; Wantwood 8% - Maxwell and Rutherford play a key part of this wine contributing the pungent ripe passionfruit aroma's and tropical fruit flavours, whereas the Myersdale vineyard in the Lower Wairau Valley adds freshness and greener thiols, such as boxwood.

Fermentation was created from aromatic enhancing yeast strains, 100% stainless steel fermentation at cool temperatures to enhance tropical fruit notes.

Maturation was continued via carefully monitored 1-2 months on yeast lees to build texture and palate weight before minimal fining using traditional products.

Technical Data:

Alc: 13.0%
Acidity: 8.1g/L
pH: 3.22
Residual Sugar: 2.8g/L