Villa Maria Reserve Syrah

Being NZ’s most awarded winery you come to expect anything under their premium Reserve black label to be glittered in awards…and hey presto they’ve done it again!

Their Reserve label range simply doesn’t go a vintage without collecting a Gold or two (or three or four or more) along the way, so it’s basically no surprise to us to see their 2020 release take out gongs here in Aotearoa and right across the globe to the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) in London.

Using the very parcels of fruit from their prized Gimblett Gravels, no expense was spared in producing the best expression of Syrah they could craft. The winemaker waffled on about it being “Deep, almost inky purple hues lead to a dense and perfumed nose of pepper, black liquorice and graphite, alongside fragrant notes of violets and cocoa.”

Here’s a snapshot of what the critics have been saying about this ridiculously good Syrah…

5 Stars (Michael Cooper)
“The highly ageworthy 2021 vintage (5*) has dark, youthful, purple-flushed colour. Full-bodied, it is concentrated, with deep, ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent complexity, fairly firm tannins, and the density and structure to mature well for 15+ years.”

5 Stars, 96/100 (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit)
“A stunning rendition of the variety, showing Black Doris plum, blueberry, violet, cedar and warm spice aromas, leading to a concentrated palate delivering terrific fruit power with plush texture and layers of fine-grained tannins. Wonderfully composed with awesome fruit purity and stylish complexity. At its best: 2024 to 2038”

91/100 (Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review)
“Intense, ripe, youthful red with plum, dark berry, cassis, cedar, black pepper and spicy oak flavours. Impressive weight and concentration that suggests a promising future.”

What you need to know is this is an example of Hawke’s Bay Syrah at its very best. It’s made to be enjoyed over the long term (10-15 years from vintage). It’s also the ideal wine to wow the dinner party guests, serving up your best lamb or game meat dishes. Hmm, better make that a dozen!