One of the great single vineyard wines from Villa Maria – the wines from this vineyard (including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) have usually been excellent – and this new release Sauvignon Blanc is no different. An immaculately-run vineyard I’ve visited, Taylors Pass Vineyard sits on the northern bank of the Awatere River in the southern part of Marlborough.
A translucent steely green colour in the glass. The bouquet leads with blackcurrant, lime, passionfruit, pineapple, crushed green herbs, lemongrass and white cherry. A zest and zing to the attack in the palate. led by a salty acidity. Clean, direct and quite simple in execution – there’s no hint of phenolic, barrel or anything other than crisp energy, sunshine and juice captured in the glass. A mouth-watering drop, with drink-now character and bags of appeal – best matched with local seafood. 92pts
