VillaMariaNobleRieslingReserve2021

Still 100% New Zealand and family owned, Villa Maria Estate has gone from strength to strength over the last 50 years and is now distributed worldwide. Dedication to quality remains unwavering and as a result, Villa Maria Estate has claimed the title of New Zealand’s Most Awarded Winery for over forty consecutive years. In 2020 Villa Maria became part of Indevin an established wine business in New Zealand.rrLocated on the central valley floor of the Wairau Valley, the Fletcher Vineyard is characterised by free draining alluvial soils. Pruned to balance the site naturally, Riesling grapes are first encouraged to ripen, then noble botrytis is encouraged through autumnal dews and crisp cool weather. With careful late season management, the fruit is harvested after the botrytis has drawn much of the berriesâ€?moisture, concentrating sugars, acid and flavour.rrWinemaking: 100% handpicked and inoculated with neutral yeast strain in stainless steel. Matured on the lees for 8 months.rrWeather in 2021: Marlborough had a slightly early budburst, followed by some very cold nights with light frosts through September. This caused significant crop reduction in localised areas. The third year in a row of drought conditions triggered a reduction in potential berry size in the looser bunches that resulted from flowering. Fortunately, there was enough rain in the headwaters to provide just enough water for those with irrigation. These dry conditions persisted and, combined with high wind, kept disease levels low. The very small yields meant a particularly early start to the 2021 harvest for everyone. The good news is that all varieties show great promise in terms of quality in such volumes as there are, with concentration in the Pinot Noir, great balance in the Chardonnay, and intensity and balance in the Sauvignon Blanc.rrTechnical Information: rGrape: 100% RieslingrRegion: MarlboroughrSub Region: Central Wairau Valley and Waihopai ValleyrVineyard: FletcherrStyle: Dessert winerBottling date: December 2021rClosure: ScrewcaprTotal Acidity: 9.06 g/lrResidual Sugar: 178.7 g/lrAlcohol: 10.50 %rpH: 3.50rDrink: Now to 2034rrTasting Note: Lots of dried fruits like citrus peel, toffee, apricot, honeysuckle and ginger spice on the nose. Fresh acidity and intense flavours create a deceptively lively and fresh palate with sweetness perfect for deserts. Flavours are layered with spice, florals, orange marmalade and zippy acid backbone. Delicious as an aperitif or with deserts based around fresh fruits and chocolate.