Villa Maria Merlot Res 07

2009 ANZWA Champion Merlot, the Villa Maria Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2007 (19.0+/20), at 14.0% alc., this included 7% Malbec in the blend, the fruit coming from 70% Omahu Gravels and 30% Ngakirikiri sites, the wine aged 20 months in 75% new French oak. Impenetrable black-hued red, this was full of blackberry and dark plum fruit aromas along with floral nuances and spicy oak notes on bouquet. Beautifully proportioned on palate, the fruit is superbly varietal, but the oak is powerfully expressed at present. Sweet and lush, the richness is tempered by the serious, but refined tannins. Very long on the finish, this should develop over the next decade.  RC Dec 09

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