SnP that was good across two days. Good typicity, very fresh. No overbearing gooseberry, thankfully, instead lots of lime, some lemon, sage, sea spray, some kiwi, etc. Light>medium body, avg length. Performs well at its price point of ~ $12 and should drink well for a few more years. Better than I was expecting, but then is VM. 13,5% abv. recommended.
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The Villa Maria Private Bin is awesome. Let me start by saying I am primarily a red drinker but I’m very open to try new whites and prefer dryer and cleaner profiles. This one is a pale straw color with super tiny sediment-like bubbles. The nose has passion fruit, lychee, and gooseberry. The palate is medium-heavy for a white, bursting with flavor. I do get lemon and lime acidity, but not quite the kaffir lime advertised on the label. The finish is complex with green pepper, cut grass and dry rice. Seems to lose its power the longer the bottle is open. But upon first opening and around 60F this is delicious and extremely food friendly.
Had the regular Villa Maria at an oyster bar on Rappahannock river last month. That wine was good, this one is better.
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PnP, chilled. For $11 on sale (usually $13) this wine is what some consider "textbook" Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The nose is filled with grapefruit and gooseberry. The palate is heavier on the grapefruit, followed by the gooseberry, some minerality, a bit of lemon/lime, and just a touch of orange. The acidity is quite crisp and there is a bit of grapefruit pith on the finish. Should hold for a few years.
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I sold this brand for years when I was with Grand Vin Denver. They messed around with prices and nearly killed the brand. I bought this bottle at 13.99 and at this price it stomps on the competition.
Color. Green tinged yellow.
Nose. Gooseberry all the way. Limes too
Palate. Ginger, orange peel, lime zest.
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2021 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin (Marlborough) My house white. Case closed (or just ripped open, as in this case). Never disappoints, any vintage. Despite 2021 being an early, dry growing season with reduced yields, this wine is a superb rendition of a very versatile varietal. We all know that Sauvignon Blanc is to New Zealand as hockey and perpetual contrition are to Canada. They really do know their stuff when handling this parent of Cabernet Sauvignon (but that’s another story). Wonderful whiffs of white peach and pear. Clean and crisp on the palate with both tropical and citrus elements. Lime, grapefruit, passion fruit, even a squeeze of kiwi. The mouthfeel is full and viscous with flavours that linger. If you’re a fan of gooseberries, lawnmowers or cat’s pee (yes, there are websites!), you’ll need to pour elsewhere.
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Haven't had this in a while but for $12 bottle pretty nice SB without a lot of typical NZ grapefruit but some light citrus lemon and acidity making it enjoyable to drink with or w/o food.
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Grassy on the nose and peachy on the palate. That’s the best I could get out of an unchilled bottle in a hotel plastic cup. :-). Seems like an ok wine for $10
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just the best (new world) SB with its exotic flavours and lots of leechie in this price range. drink it rather younger than older and it works excellently with fish dishes
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Pale lemon in colour with aromas of jalapeño peppers, grass & tropical fruit. On the palate, full bodied citrus, lemon/lime, somewhat herbal & grassy, tropical fruit with a long finish to jalapeño peppers & a chalky minerality. A fairly typical Marlborough Sauv Blanc but very noticeable jalapeño overprint, interesting!
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2/29/2024 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
SnP that was good across two days. Good typicity, very fresh. No overbearing gooseberry, thankfully, instead lots of lime, some lemon, sage, sea spray, some kiwi, etc. Light>medium body, avg length. Performs well at its price point of ~ $12 and should drink well for a few more years. Better than I was expecting, but then is VM. 13,5% abv. recommended.
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10/11/2023 - redstrip Likes this wine: 92 Points
just my favourite SB. full of tropical flavour
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4/12/2023 - redstrip Likes this wine: 90 Points
still one of my preferred SB! go for more
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3/26/2023 - pakj wrote: 85 Points
마시기편한 쇼블.
복합미나 프루티함은 덜하지만 슴슴한 느낌의
산도가 있는 맛이다.
가성비로 좋으나, 동등가격대라면 마틴버러를 선호.
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2/17/2023 - CheviotCellar Likes this wine: 91 Points
The Villa Maria Private Bin is awesome. Let me start by saying I am primarily a red drinker but I’m very open to try new whites and prefer dryer and cleaner profiles. This one is a pale straw color with super tiny sediment-like bubbles. The nose has passion fruit, lychee, and gooseberry. The palate is medium-heavy for a white, bursting with flavor. I do get lemon and lime acidity, but not quite the kaffir lime advertised on the label. The finish is complex with green pepper, cut grass and dry rice. Seems to lose its power the longer the bottle is open. But upon first opening and around 60F this is delicious and extremely food friendly.
Had the regular Villa Maria at an oyster bar on Rappahannock river last month. That wine was good, this one is better.
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1/13/2023 - fotomill Likes this wine: 89 Points
always good enough for the price.
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12/4/2022 - Decanthor Likes this wine: 88 Points
Excellent value. The best of the recent 10-ish dollar SB's I've purchased from TW.
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11/3/2022 - VlgJeff wrote: 87 Points
PnP, chilled. For $11 on sale (usually $13) this wine is what some consider "textbook" Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The nose is filled with grapefruit and gooseberry. The palate is heavier on the grapefruit, followed by the gooseberry, some minerality, a bit of lemon/lime, and just a touch of orange. The acidity is quite crisp and there is a bit of grapefruit pith on the finish. Should hold for a few years.
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7/21/2022 - RichardsEric1 Likes this wine: 90 Points
I sold this brand for years when I was with Grand Vin Denver. They messed around with prices and nearly killed the brand. I bought this bottle at 13.99 and at this price it stomps on the competition.
Color. Green tinged yellow.
Nose. Gooseberry all the way. Limes too
Palate. Ginger, orange peel, lime zest.
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7/10/2022 - noblerot23 Likes this wine: 89 Points
2021 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin (Marlborough)
My house white. Case closed (or just ripped open, as in this case). Never disappoints, any vintage. Despite 2021 being an early, dry growing season with reduced yields, this wine is a superb rendition of a very versatile varietal. We all know that Sauvignon Blanc is to New Zealand as hockey and perpetual contrition are to Canada. They really do know their stuff when handling this parent of Cabernet Sauvignon (but that’s another story).
Wonderful whiffs of white peach and pear. Clean and crisp on the palate with both tropical and citrus elements. Lime, grapefruit, passion fruit, even a squeeze of kiwi. The mouthfeel is full and viscous with flavours that linger. If you’re a fan of gooseberries, lawnmowers or cat’s pee (yes, there are websites!), you’ll need to pour elsewhere.
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7/6/2022 - redmancge wrote: 86 Points
Haven't had this in a while but for $12 bottle pretty nice SB without a lot of typical NZ grapefruit but some light citrus lemon and acidity making it enjoyable to drink with or w/o food.
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7/2/2022 - Stuart10er wrote:
Grassy on the nose and peachy on the palate. That’s the best I could get out of an unchilled bottle in a hotel plastic cup. :-). Seems like an ok wine for $10
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6/22/2022 - redstrip Likes this wine: 91 Points
just the best (new world) SB with its exotic flavours and lots of leechie in this price range. drink it rather younger than older and it works excellently with fish dishes
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5/25/2022 - ejvallorani wrote: 79 Points
No the best Sauvignon Blank from New Zealand.
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3/13/2022 - CDT Likes this wine: 88 Points
Pale lemon in colour with aromas of jalapeño peppers, grass & tropical fruit.
On the palate, full bodied citrus, lemon/lime, somewhat herbal & grassy, tropical fruit with a long finish to jalapeño peppers & a chalky minerality.
A fairly typical Marlborough Sauv Blanc but very noticeable jalapeño overprint, interesting!
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