Villa Maria Cabernet Sauvignon Ngakirikiri 2018, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

“Our icon wine Ngakirikiri is a presentation of the very best of Villa Maria’s holdings in the Gimblett Gravels appellation. Produced in only the most exceptional vintages with painstaking attention to detail, it is a highly aspirational project and the most comprehensive and focused wine Villa Maria has ever produced.” The 2018 Hawkes Bay vintage followed on from one of the warmest summers on record providing superb conditions for ripening, to produce this true flagship wine. Layers of concentrated flavors are revealed across a medium to full bodied frame, with ripe fruit and hints of black olive and cigar, all wrapped by fine-grained tannins and supportive oak, enhancing texture and richness from start to finish. ‘Ngakirikiri’ in Maori, refers to the unique gravel soils that define the Hawkes Bay, Gimblett Gravels growing appellation, a befitting name for this stony Hawkes Bay vineyard sited on what was an ancient riverbed. The Gimblett Gravels sub-region is a majestic site with a reputation for beautiful and thought-provoking wines. Tasting notes: Layers of concentrated flavors are revealed across a medium to full bodied frame, with optimally ripe fruit and hints of black olive and cigar, all wrapped by fine-grained tannins and supportive oak, enhancing texture and richness from start to finish. Ngakirikiri is only made when great vintages produce truly outstanding wines for consideration.