Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc
My tour of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc discovery continued with Villa Maria. And what a fantastic story it has. Villa Maria started with George Fistonich and five acres of land in Auckland. Now, five decades later, Villa Maria encompasses vineyards in Auckland, Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, and Gisborne and stands as an icon of New Zealand wine.
In addition to their viniculture, Villa Maria secured its icon status through its sustainable grape growing practices. A member of the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand; 30% of company owned vineyards are managed organically, and some 500 sheep graze in the Hawke’s Bay vineyards where they control grass growth and provide natural fertilizer.
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Tasting Notes
Of the four regions in which Villa Maria has vineyards, this wine comes from Marlborough. It is a 50/50 blend of grapes from Awatere and Wairau Valleys. From harvesting at night to retain the grapes’ freshness and careful vinification Villa Maria takes all care with their wines creating a pure expression of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
The nose here bursts with green including green bell pepper, lime, and herbs accompanied by passionfruit, gooseberry and citrus. One of the reasons I love New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is the way you can get lost in the aromas. Or at least I do. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again-if anyone wants to make a perfume, an air freshener, or anything of that ilk I am your customer for life.
The palate very nearly echos the nose in flavors adding a hint of white pepper and vibrant grapefruit. Lively and zesty acid zing across the tongue carrying a hint of mid palate weight and a bright finish.