Villa Maria tasting with Stu DeVine
Gibby's Wine Den
Tasted Wednesday, June 15, 2005 by AllRed with 885 views
Introduction
Stu DeVine of Villa Maria was at Gibby's pouring some of their wines Wednesday night. Stu currently handles sales for the winery, traveling about 43 weeks per year. He was formerly the viticulturist. He was very pleasant and informative.
Flight 1 (6 Notes)
Closing
While none of the wines knocked anyone's socks off, the Private Bin bottlings, priced between $9 and $12 represent nice everyday wines. The Cellar Selection bottlings, priced in the $20-$25 range, did not show as well as the 'lesser' bottlings.
2004 Villa Maria Chardonnay Private Bin 88 Points
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay
14% abv. Hints of oak (aged in 85% stainless, 15% oak), apple and minerals. Light fruit flavors with a slightly biting finish. Needs food.
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2004 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin 89 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
13.5% abv. Lime and grapefruit aromas dominate the nose. Flavors of mango and citrus. Finishes nicely, with a touch of spice.
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2004 Villa Maria Riesling Private Bin 89 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
13% abv. Notes of citrus and pineapple. Strong attack, good fruit and acidity. Nice finish.
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2002 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Cellar Selection 88 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
A surprise bottle, not on the tasting sheet. 13.5% abv. There was something different on the nose, not offensive, but I wondered if this was really NZ Sauvignon Blanc. Reminded Miss AllRed of a BLT sandwich. Stu, the former viticulturist for Villa Maria, came over and commented, "capsicum, tomato leaf, very ripe fruit". When he mentioned capsicum, I agreed, that was part of it. Citrus and decent fruit on the palate. I thought the Private Bin was better than this bottling.
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2003 Villa Maria Pinot Noir Cellar Selection 89 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
13.5% abv. Cherries, tobacco leaf and raspberries on the nose. Chewy red fruit on the palate, medium-bodied.
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2004 Villa Maria Private Bin 89 Points
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay
Label actually reads: Merlot-Cabernet. 14.5% abv. 66% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc. Plummy, leafy notes on the nose. Light-bodied, with more plums and a bit of tannin on the palate.
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