Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Marlborough Pinot Gris 2020

Description

• Dry style
• Honeycomb
• Juicy peaches
• Textural finish

"It's fabulously fruited and fragrant on the nose showing rockmelon, poached pear, subtle spice and potpourri aromas, followed by a lush palate that's juicy and mouthfilling. Generously expressed yet with elegance and poise, offering terrific drinking. At its best: now to 2026" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Sep 2021

"Rich, almost luscious pinot gris with ripe peach, tree fruit, mixed spice, floral, honeysuckle and brioche flavours. An initial hint of sweetness helps promote a silken and sumptuous texture, although the wine finishes dry" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Sep 2021

This is a rich, textural wine with a creamy palate from spending extended time ageing on yeast lees. Aromas of fresh honeycomb intermingle with juicy summer peaches. The fleshy palate is framed by a soft but balanced acidity with a lingering textural finish.

This Pinot Gris is sourced from their iconic Seddon Vineyard on the southern bank of the Awatere River. The vineyard site is situated on the southern bank of the Awatere River in Marlborough, sheltered from the cooling weather patterns resulting in a warm meso-climate. The loam soils have a distinctive soft clay "papa-rock" base allowing grapes to easily achieve physiological ripeness and fruit concentration. The vineyard has several terraces gradually gaining in altitude away from the riverbank, with vine ages between 14-19 years old.

A near-perfect growing season led up to the 2020 harvest with fruit in pristine condition. The summer was dry with high sunshine hours during the day and the cooler nights that are typical for Marlborough. Yields were at their optimum level and the stable autumn weather allowed us to extend the hangtime of the fruit on the vines to achieve physiological ripeness.

Hand harvested, whole bunch pressed. 32% natural fermentation in seasoned oak barriques adds texture & complexity, 68% inoculated stainless steel tank fermentation to retain freshness. 9 months on yeast lees. Minimal fining using plant based products.