Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2017

Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2017Vanillin oak Mango & figs Crme caramel Concentrated "Gorgeously maturing and immensely appealing with mango, grilled peach, grapefruit and vanillin oak aromas, it's concentrated and opulent in the mouth with multi layered texture and fabulous complexity. A wonderful combination of fruit, spicy nuance and oak infusion. At its best: now to 2026" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Nov 2021 This 2017 Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay has refined aromas of grapefruit zest,

• Vanillin oak
• Mango & figs
• Crème caramel
• Concentrated

"Gorgeously maturing and immensely appealing with mango, grilled peach, grapefruit and vanillin oak aromas, it's concentrated and opulent in the mouth with multi-layered texture and fabulous complexity. A wonderful combination of fruit, spicy nuance and oak infusion. At its best: now to 2026" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Nov 2021

This 2017 Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay has refined aromas of grapefruit zest, crème caramel and fresh figs. On the palate, fresh brown bread, ground almonds and white peach, with a fresh citrus acidity provide a lengthy and concentrated finish.

Colder weather in spring led to a longer than usual flowering season, resulting in a looser bunch structure and smaller bunches. Summer temperatures were unusually mild for Marlborough, regulated by cooler easterly breezes and light cloud cover. Intermittent autumn rains slowed ripening which meant harvest plans had to be flexible whilst winemakers waited for dry weather periods and classic Marlborough Chardonnay flavours to develop. The central part of the Wairau Valley in Marlborough has slightly warmer summer temperatures and the Acland and Sutherland Vineyards from this subregion contribute rich ripe stone fruit characters. Whereas the tight clay soil planted with clone 15 in the Auntsfield vineyard and the older Mendoza vines at the Lloyd vineyard provide the natural acid backbone structure for this wine.

Across the Wairau Valley, the Acland vineyard Valley on premium gravel soils and the Sutherland Vineyard planted on wind-blown loess over clay. In the Awatere Valley, the Taylors Pass Vineyard has alluvial-over-clay soil terraces, with notable river stones reflecting sunlight and heat back into the fruit zone.