Villa Maria

Taylors Pass Single Vineyard Pinot Noir

9.028 ratings
9.111 pro ratings
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
Randy Fuller

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.

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.

Oct 3rd, 2018
Bryce Wiatrak

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.

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.

Apr 22nd, 2018
Nichole Mao

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

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

1 person found it helpfulJul 1st, 2015
Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.0

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

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

Sep 11th, 2014
Matthieu Gille

Nice fruit, length... Love it!

Nice fruit, length... Love it!

Jul 26th, 2014
Peter Last

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

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

Oct 29th, 2021
M S
8.2

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

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

Apr 28th, 2021
Connor Clark-Lindh

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

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

Nov 20th, 2016
Clare Centanni

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

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

Jul 28th, 2015
AJ Dominique

Love the Pinot noir here. Smooth. Smoky.

Love the Pinot noir here. Smooth. Smoky.

Jan 11th, 2015