Celebrating the return of our wine column by independent wine reviewer Stephen Clark
Developing well and ready to enjoy right now Villa Maria 2016 Marlborough Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc.
It might seem that this summer has not really been one of endless hot weather and sunshine, and all too soon we are back to work, but there are still times when you can really enjoy a delicious, chilled Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with some fantastic summer cuisine. The 2016 Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc brings the fresh vibrant flavours of the Awatere Valley together with the tropical fruit flavours of the Wairau Valley in a glass.
The cool weather during the spring of the 2016 vintage delayed the harvest; however this was followed by an Indian summer, producing sunshine, dry weather and cool night temperatures, just right for maturing Sauvignon Blanc. This weather pattern continued through to April, rewarding patient winemakers with great fruit.
For Villa Maria, all harvest decisions were made at the vineyard, meaning that different blocks were harvested at different times, creating a spectrum of flavours. This Sauvignon Blanc uses fruit from a multitude of warmer vineyard sites in the Wairau Valley that contribute richness and ripe tropical flavours, whereas cooler, windy Awatere vineyards provided the zingy acid structures and herbal aromatics.
I found the 2016 Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to have aromas of fresh snow peas, grapefruit and tropical fruits. On the palate, I discovered delicious flavours of lemongrass, jalapeno and fresh herbs combined with tropical fruits including pineapple, to create a refreshing summer drink best served cold as an aperitif wine.
It is a wine that is drinking well now, and will be a perfect match for any summer salad or fresh seafood dish.
Stephen Clark
Independent Wine Reviewer