Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Marlborough Chardonnay 2022

Description

Lemon, Oak, Pastry

"Creamy-textured chardonnay with white peach, nectarine flavours, and a suggestion of struck flint character. Moderately complex and nicely balanced wine that should benefit from a year or two in bottle" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, The Real Review, Aug 2023

"A straw yellow appearance with a bold and bright polish. Aromas and flavours of fresh peach and bakes apple then spices of oak barrel with vanilla and nutmeg suggestions. As the wine opens out across the palate flavours of grapefruit and lemon emerge enhanced by the acid line and embellished by the oak. Plenty of weight with some fine tannins and flavours of yellow orchard fruits and baking spice. For me this wine reflects the vintage with some excellent winemaking highlights, also less intensity and concentration as previous vintages. Overall though a well made with best drinking from 2024 through 2028" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Aug 2023

A cooler climate, mineral-driven style of Chardonnay, this wine exhibits complex aromas of white peach, ripe citrus and grilled nuts that are distinctive traits from the stony Taylors Pass Vineyard. This elegant Chardonnay expresses flavours of grapefruit, fig, quince and lightly toasted brioche, all tied together with a restrained and focused acidity.

The Taylors Pass Vineyard is located on the northern bank of the Awatere River in Marlborough, the predominantly dry climate is influenced by cool coastal breezes and winds from Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku. Soils range from silt over gravels, to stony gravels, with large greywacke river stones that reflect heat to assist with even fruit ripening.

The Marlborough growing season started off well with very little frost pressure during spring. Flowering went without a hitch, due to healthy soil moisture levels and settled weather, leading to balanced crop levels and vibrant, lush canopies. The start of 2022 summer was slightly colder; February was below the long-term average in temperature with intermittent rain fall, the weather eventually settled allowing for optimal ripening conditions.