Villa Maria Ngakirikiri Cabernet Sauvignon

A wine 25 years in the making. From the vintage of a lifetime. Produced by NZ’s most awarded winery. A piece of NZ wine history is here and it’s name is Ngakirikiri. It means “The Gravels” in Maori and it’s Villa Maria’s new flagship wine.

Over 25 years ago a special ceremony was held at the Ngakirikiri Vineyard in Hawke’s Bay, blessed by Maori elders. Villa Maria owner Sir George Fistonich then planted vines on the special site with the idea to release his greatest ever red wine when the time was right.

So when the amazing 2014 vintage came along George pushed the button to produce the second ever release of this absolutely exceptional quality 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Gimblett Gravels and aged for 18 months in 40% expensive new oak. It’s quite rightly picked up some seriously smart critic scores…

100/100 (Sam Kim)
“The wine is complete and symphonic with staggering energy and drive.”

98/100 (Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review)
“Very concentrated and solidly-structured wine that’s built to last and yet can be appreciated now. Powerful red – an icon in the making.”

5 Stars (Michael Cooper)
“The 2014 vintage (5*), made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon, was matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (40 per cent new). A powerful, lush red, it is sturdy, boldly coloured and fleshy, with dense, very ripe blackcurrant and plum flavours, hints of nuts, spices and liquorice, and a rich, harmonious finish. Combining power and grace, it will be very long-lived; best drinking 2022+.”

Presented in a stunning Ngakirikiri gift box, this is rare, collectable and made with seriously long term cellaring in mind!