Pale gold in the glass, showing some bottle age of course, but still with a hint of green to the edges. Flinty, vibrant nose with a smoky minerality, then a rich bouquet of stone fruit, spices, roast cashew and lemon blossom. Citrus on the nose follows through to show in the pure, concentrated palate. Riper, tropical flavours come to the fore, with melon, fig and pineapple alongside the nectarine and grapefruit. The toasty oak that’s a feature of this wine when young, is now also folded in with the baking spices – ginger, vanilla and cardamom, deeper in the layers and in harmony. Texture is plush, rounded. Acidity is integrated and although dipping now, it has enough zip to keep the flavours pumping through to the end. Mellow, lengthy finish, showing real finesse now after ten years. 95pts.
Villa Maria Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2011
