In November 2016, Villa Maria launched their icon wine the ‘Ngakirikiri’ Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2013. The wine, long in the planning, came about after much thought and deliberation, deciding to represent the very best of the company’s holdings in the prestigious Gimblett Gravels district in Hawke’s Bay. The Bordeaux varieties were chosen, as the styles of these wines have the longest fine red wine legacy in this country, and are the most highly regarded in a global perspective. Villa Maria’s owner Sir George Fistonich stipulated the wine must be superior to anything else made, a feat that would be a challenge, as the Bordeaux-styled wines made by the company have proven to be outstanding, and that the wine must offer a difference in stylistic terms. With the inaugural 2013 wine, the winemaking team ostensibly achieved these goals, the wine being more elegant and ‘European’ in character for me, while representing the nature of the Gimblett Gravels. ‘Ngakiriri’ means gravels in Maori. (Click here to see my report of the release and my review of the wine.

I have now been sent the follow-up wine, the 2014 Villa Maria ‘Ngakirikiri’. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from one block in the ‘Vidal’ vineyard, different to the 2013 wine, which was a blend of several blocks. This parcel in 2014 was undoubtedly the very best wine in the cellar, and could not be improved by blending, according to chief winemaker Nick Picone. At present, the RRP of the wine has yet to be confirmed, as is the release date. My thoughts on the wine are here. I have rated it 20.0/20 as I have the 2013. But stylistically, this is more complete. www.villamaria.co.nz