A wine from the Gisborne Region – and a bit of leftfield option for a weekend wine, given that it is well over thirty years old! There’s not many New Zealand whites you could approach at that age! Under cork – which comes out intact and the wine looks and smells fine as I pour. A bright copper-gold colour in the glass. The perfume is clearly varietal, with a sweet rose petal top note, and then lush satsuma, quince and orange peel, with a hint of peach too. The balance is a touch off as the acidity has muted over the decades, and the fruit ripeness dominates, with a decent dollop of sweetness to the palate. It is still quite clean though, and turns silky as you progress, to a finish that is has a drier sense to it. For something like an everyday ‘Private Bin’ bottling, it’s impressive that it is still hanging on. 87pts
Villa Maria Private Bin Gewürztraminer 1991
