2019 Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay

Brand	Villa Maria Estate
Region	Gisborne
Varietal	Chardonnay
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	14.0%
Vintage	2019
Country	New Zealand

100% McDiarmid Hill Vineyard low yielding Mendoza clone Chardonnay fruit... handpicked, wild fermented, 100% tight grained French oak barriques... with 50% new, 11-months of weekly barrel stirring, 70% secondary malolactic fermentation and minimal fining and filtration at bottling. This is no expense spared and exceptionally considered winemaking. Little wonder the next vintage will be renamed “McDiarmid Hill” Chardonnay to draw attention to its “Single Vineyard” terroir status. Nothing else will change... its already prestige winemaking... and the price will rightfully be adjusted to circa $50/bottle where it should be... so buy NOW! McDiarmid Hill is Villa Maria's jewel in the crown Gisborne vineyard, beautifully positioned on an elevated north facing hillside slope in Patutahi. Taking full advantage of sunlight, drying wind conditions, slightly cooler temperatures and natural water drainage, the additional elevation provides a wonderful advantage for producing this consistently outstanding wine. The special terroir and expensive winemaking have created a Chardonnay that exudes the beautiful stone and tropical flavours that mature vine Mendoza clone fruit has in spades… with toasty oak, hazelnut butter, butterscotch, vanilla spice, nut and brioche complexities in a creamy embrace. Voluptuous Chardonnay with lots of new oak… for those who like their cars fast and Chardonnay rich, buttery, and sleek.

Beautifully toasty on the nose with golden peach, vanilla, apricot, popcorn, hazelnut, and brioche.

Big, creamy, full-bodied, and rich. Layered with luscious fruits infused with a seductive collection of toast, brioche, hazelnut, sweetcorn and butter complexities. Impressively dense palate beautifully brought into focus by fine acidity ensuring the finish hangs on for ages and is ultimately fresh. Lovely as a young Chardonnay, but definitely worth cellaring to enjoy at its beautiful best circa 2024-2027+.