Villa Maria Ngakirikiri Cabernet Sauvignon

A wine 25 years in the making. From the vintage of a lifetime. Produced by NZ’s most awarded winery. A piece of NZ wine history is here and it’s name is Ngakirikiri. It means “The Gravels” in Maori and it’s Villa Maria’s new flagship wine.

Over 25 years ago a special ceremony was held at the Ngakirikiri Vineyard in Hawke’s Bay, blessed by Maori elders. Villa Maria owner Sir George Fistonich then planted vines on the special site with the idea to release his greatest ever red wine when the time was right.

So when the amazing 2019 vintage came along George pushed the button to produce the fourth ever release of this absolutely exceptional quality 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Gimblett Gravels and aged for 18 months in 40% expensive new oak. It’s quite rightly picked up some seriously smart critic scores…

99/100 (Sam Kim)
“A stunning expression showing cassis, tobacco, violet, cedar and subtle game notes on the nose, leading to an impressively concentrated palate displaying exceptional weight and persistency. Combining power and refinement, backed by loads of chalky tannins, the wine is seamless and sturdy at once, gorgeously flowing to a prolonged graceful finish. At its best: 2028 to 2043”

96/100 (Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review)
“Dense, inky red with cassis, black berry, dark-fleshed plum, dark chocolate/mocha and spicy oak flavours. A generously proportioned wine with a firm backbone of ripe tannins. Impressive wine with a promising future. Aerate for best results.”

Presented in a stunning Ngakirikiri gift box, this is rare, collectable and made with seriously long term cellaring in mind!