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