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 2020 vintage came along George pushed the button to produce the fifth 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…

99/100 (Sam Kim)
“This is flatteringly classy and exquisitely composed, showing blackcurrant, blueberry, tobacco, clove, cedar and floral characters on the nose. The immensely concentrated palate is both robust and silky, packed with terrific fruit intensity and stylish complexity. Layers of chalky tannins provide classic structure to this graceful, breathtaking red. At its best: 2026 to 2045. $150.00”

97/100 (Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review)
“Intense yet surprisingly accessible red with cassis, blackberry, cedar, vanilla, black cherry, and spicy French oak flavours. Powerful yet elegant wine with strong varietal identity. Should develop well with bottle age. “

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