One of this label’s single vineyard whites, from the Taylors Pass vineyard on the northern bank of the Awatere River in Marlborough – in a very good vintage. A pale golden colour in the glass. Scented with a waft of gun-smoke reductivity, over ripe peach, grapefruit, apple, lemon peel, fig and cashew nut. Bold, concentrated and full into the palate. A layer of fruit tannin and a lees-influenced sense of ‘al dente’ texture. Plush fruit fills the mouth, and I get just enough line of acidity to keep things moving to a drier, finer finish. 92pts
Villa Maria Taylors Pass Chardonnay 2023
