Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Marlborough Chardonnay 2023

Description

Lemon, Oak, Pastry

"Aromas and flavours of fresh nut and barrel spice, peach and red apple with a fine lees complexity. A satin-cream texture touches the palate briefly before flavours of stone fruits and citrus arrive. Peach and lemon then apple and wood spice with a touch of soil smoke. The complexity builds as the wine opens out in glass yet remains taut and youthful. Near full-bodied with a youthful acid line frame, a wine that needs time in bottle to settle in and develop properly. best drinking from late 2025 through 2030 " Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

A cooler climate, mineral-driven style of Chardonnay, this wine exhibits complex aromas of white peach, fresh citrus and toasted almonds. The palate is layered and textural, with flavours of grapefruit, quince and nougat, all tied together with fresh and focused acidity.

The Marlborough growing season started well with very little frost pressure during spring and healthy soil moisture levels providing lush and vibrant vine canopies. The start of summer 2023 was mild; February temperatures were below the long-term average. However, the weather settled over harvest and delivered a beautiful, dry and warm Indian summer allowing for optimal ripening conditions.

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.