Another of the excellent single vineyard wines that were so well-regarded when Villa Maria were a family-run label under Sir George Fistonich. This one, from vines adjacent to the company headquarters, now no longer produced since Indevin took control of the label.
A vividly bright, pale straw colour in the glass – remarked upon, given the age of the wine. The scent does not evoke much ageing either – maybe a touch more golden ripeness then a new bottle, but not much. Golden apple, peach, grapefruit, lemon curd, almond and baking spice with a little smoky gunflint on top. The buoyant salinity of the acidity we see in later vintages has receded here, but there’s a lovely juiciness through the mid-palate – acid, zest, minerality all coming together. Quite plush and textural towards the back of the palate, with a silken length to the finish. This was well worth hanging on to enjoy in its maturity. 94pts
