VILLA MARIA SINGLE VINEYARD TAYLORS PASS PINOT NOIR 2020

Double Gold Medal – Global Fine Wine Challenge

Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"This wine is a single vineyard expression of the Taylors Pass site, showcasing an intense bouquet of ripe juicy blackberries and blueberries with hints of baking spices. A harmonious palate delivers some liquorice notes intermingled with black cherries, subtle dried herbs and finishes with round velvety smooth tannins.

A near-perfect growing season led up to 2020 harvest with fruit in pristine condition. The summer was dry with high sunshine hours during the day and the cooler nights that are typical for Marlborough. Yields were at their optimum level and the stable autumn weather allowed us to extend the hangtime of the fruit on the vines to achieve physiological ripeness.

18% whole cluster, the balance is gently destemmed. 100% wild fermentation with native yeast hand plunged daily, total time on skins 21-25 days. 14 months in 30% new French oak barriques 9 months in settling in tank."

5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review (2020 Vintage)
"Silken-textured pinot noir with black cherry, plum, and floral/rose petal characters together with a suggestion of spice. Deliciously drinkable now, it is hard to imagine it developing further with bottle age."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS (2020 Vintage)
"New, youthful and varietal with a striking bouquet of black cherry and raspberry, toasty spices of wood and a rocky stone mineral quality. Luscious texture of fruit as the wine touches the palate with contrasting acid line and abundant fine tannins precede flavours of dark berries and cherries then a nut and toasty barrel quality. A lovely wine, great texture and youthful charm, well made and ready for drinking from mid to late 2023 through 2030+."

92/100 Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast (2020 Vintage)
"A noseful of mulberries, black cheries, medicinal herbs and potpourri, with toasty, chocolatey nuances, leads to a palate that's lighter than the nose implies, but still comes with plenty of fruit density and dusty spiced tannins. Initially straightforward, it gains more complexity with time in the decanter. This focused Pinot was made for the long haul. Drink until 2033."