Taylors Pass Single Vineyard Pinot Noir

This wine looks medium dark in the glass and smells that way, too. The nose boasts black tea and coffee notes, but that elegant Burgundian stuff. It's the blackest tea and espresso that comes through beside black plum and berry. The palate shows big, dark fruit, too, and a bold cola note that's tinged by black cherry. Acidity is zippy and the tannins are firm, but it’s Pinot all the way. I paired it with my wife’s delicious sautéed mushrooms, and it was perfect.

From the northern banks of the Awatere Valley, Villa Maria crafts a fabulous Pinot Noir from the Taylors Pass Vineyard. An intensely herbaceous, medicinal expression of Marlborough Pinot - it almost reminds me of Fernet, with its pleasant amaro-like flavors - sage, quinine, mint, hibiscus, black sesame, smoke, and damp bark. Captivating and lengthy.

Savory. Dark berry, cherry, soft, very subtle tannin, good acidity. Herbal. Savory.

This line is all screw cap and this means you should decanter this wine.

Nice fruit, length... Love it!

Bold jammy nose. Moderate tannins that stretch out into the finish. A little oak, mild spice, rich stewed dark red berries on the palate.

Seems big and juicy for a Pinot but maybe that’s NZ style? A bit of dirt.

Overall an interesting wine. However at the time was too sharp in the aftertaste. Likely a wine that will even out over time.

Fabulous! Fruity, juicy... Delicious!!!

Love the Pinot noir here. Smooth. Smoky.