Villa Maria Cellar Selection Organic Merlot

You wonder whether it had crossed Villa Maria’s mind to put this wine into a Gold or Green label.

Gold because, well, they’re NZ’s most awarded winery and rarely go a vintage without slapping one or two Golds on their labels (Gold at Air NZ Wine Awards 2017 just to prove the point and a Trophy for Champion Merlot to rub it in).

Green because, well, it’s clean, green and totally mean!

“Organic” ain’t on the label by way of fluffy marketing drivel. They take this stuff seriously at Villa. Produced from one of Villa’s Hawke’s Bay vineyards that’s 21 hectares of entirely Certified Bio-Gro Organic, free of nasty pesticides and herbicides and instead uses organic products and seaweed to prevent pests and encourage growth.

A full bodied, rich and smooth Merlot with bright, juicy berry fruit flavours. Downright delicious with a cut of good New Zealand lamb.