A single vineyard wine from the Taylors Pass vineyard in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough. A striking deep, medium-gold colour in the glass. Beautifully aromatic, rich and spicy without any hint of the struck-match reductivity that became something of a signature from many of the wines (such as here > https://winefolio.co.nz/?p=7727) from this label around this time. Golden-fruited, with apricot, quince, peach and some grapefruit pith, above toasty spice and vanilla notes. Well balanced acidity, oak and plush fruit form the core, but the texture is the marker for this Chardonnay – opulent, creamy and showing a custardy viscosity. A more generous, richer style than I’m accustomed to from the Awatere Valley, but a stellar well-made expression. 94pts
Villa Maria Taylors Pass Chardonnay 2014
