Villa Maria NGAKIRIKIRI Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 - Gimblet Gravels, New Zealand
‘Ngakirikiri’ in Māori, refers to the unique gravel soils that define the Hawkes Bay, Gimblett Gravels growing appellation, a befitting name for this stony Hawkes Bay vineyard sited on what was an ancient riverbed. The Gimblett Gravels sub-region is a majestic site with a reputation for beautiful and thought-provoking wines.
This Villa Maria flagship wine is only made when exceptionally rare conditions produce truly outstanding wines for consideration. Our Icon wines represents the pinnacle of our winemaking achievements and a milestone in Villa Maria’s history.
Tasting Note
Upon pouring, this deep purple coloured wine gradually yields notably intense and pure aromatics of cassis, black plum and anise, with ground coffee bean, graphite, fragrant thyme and cedar nuances also vying for attention. Layers of concentrated flavours emerge and flow beautifully across the palate from start to finish, with optimally ripe fruit, fine-grained tannins and supportive oak enhancing overall texture and richness at each point along the way. This full-bodied wine will benefit and gain additional complexity from careful cellaring over the next 15-20 years.
Nick Picone, Chief Winemaker
The Season
2014 will be noted as one of the regions great vintages. A particularly warm growing season, summer extended into March with blue skies prevailing for the majority of the harvest.
Hawkes Bay with its coastal location and proximity to mountains, experiences a dry, maritime climate with an influential diurnal temperature range. Th e Gimblett Gravels sub-region is located approx. 15km inland and experiences temperatures typically warmer than its neighbouring localities, promoting ripeness to be achieved by low yielding vines planted in free draining soils. 2014 season growing degree day units finished ahead of the long-term average with 1544, and average rainfall for the months January through March was 93mm, 50% of the long-term average.
‘Ngakirikiri’ in Māori, refers to the unique gravel soils that define the Hawkes Bay, Gimblett Gravels growing appellation, a befitting name for this stony Hawkes Bay vineyard sited on what was an ancient riverbed. The Gimblett Gravels sub-region is a majestic site with a reputation for beautiful and thought-provoking wines.
This Villa Maria flagship wine is only made when exceptionally rare conditions produce truly outstanding wines for consideration. Our Icon wines represents the pinnacle of our winemaking achievements and a milestone in Villa Maria’s history.
Tasting Note
Upon pouring, this deep purple coloured wine gradually yields notably intense and pure aromatics of cassis, black plum and anise, with ground coffee bean, graphite, fragrant thyme and cedar nuances also vying for attention. Layers of concentrated flavours emerge and flow beautifully across the palate from start to finish, with optimally ripe fruit, fine-grained tannins and supportive oak enhancing overall texture and richness at each point along the way. This full-bodied wine will benefit and gain additional complexity from careful cellaring over the next 15-20 years.
Nick Picone, Chief Winemaker
The Season
2014 will be noted as one of the regions great vintages. A particularly warm growing season, summer extended into March with blue skies prevailing for the majority of the harvest.
Hawkes Bay with its coastal location and proximity to mountains, experiences a dry, maritime climate with an influential diurnal temperature range. Th e Gimblett Gravels sub-region is located approx. 15km inland and experiences temperatures typically warmer than its neighbouring localities, promoting ripeness to be achieved by low yielding vines planted in free draining soils. 2014 season growing degree day units finished ahead of the long-term average with 1544, and average rainfall for the months January through March was 93mm, 50% of the long-term average.
‘Ngakirikiri’ in Māori, refers to the unique gravel soils that define the Hawkes Bay, Gimblett Gravels growing appellation, a befitting name for this stony Hawkes Bay vineyard sited on what was an ancient riverbed. The Gimblett Gravels sub-region is a majestic site with a reputation for beautiful and thought-provoking wines.
This Villa Maria flagship wine is only made when exceptionally rare conditions produce truly outstanding wines for consideration. Our Icon wines represents the pinnacle of our winemaking achievements and a milestone in Villa Maria’s history.
Tasting Note
Upon pouring, this deep purple coloured wine gradually yields notably intense and pure aromatics of cassis, black plum and anise, with ground coffee bean, graphite, fragrant thyme and cedar nuances also vying for attention. Layers of concentrated flavours emerge and flow beautifully across the palate from start to finish, with optimally ripe fruit, fine-grained tannins and supportive oak enhancing overall texture and richness at each point along the way. This full-bodied wine will benefit and gain additional complexity from careful cellaring over the next 15-20 years.
Nick Picone, Chief Winemaker
The Season
2014 will be noted as one of the regions great vintages. A particularly warm growing season, summer extended into March with blue skies prevailing for the majority of the harvest.
Hawkes Bay with its coastal location and proximity to mountains, experiences a dry, maritime climate with an influential diurnal temperature range. Th e Gimblett Gravels sub-region is located approx. 15km inland and experiences temperatures typically warmer than its neighbouring localities, promoting ripeness to be achieved by low yielding vines planted in free draining soils. 2014 season growing degree day units finished ahead of the long-term average with 1544, and average rainfall for the months January through March was 93mm, 50% of the long-term average.
WINERY
Villa Maria
GRAPES
Cabernet Sauvignon
REGION
New Zealand / North Island / Hawke´s Bay / Gimblett Gravels
WINE STYLE
New Zealand Cabernet Sauvignon
ALCOHOL CONTENT
13.8%
ALLERGENS
Contains sulfites
FOOD PAIRING
Cabernet Sauvignon food pairing is best with nearly all red meat, including prime rib, New York strip and filet mignon. Also try lamb or pepper- crusted ahi tuna. The wine is best enjoyed with food and is great in sauces or reductions.
