Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc 2020

The 2020 Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc has lifted aromatics of fresh garden peas and blackcurrants mingled with herbs such as coriander. On the palate are concentrated flavours of jalapeño and lemongrass, with a punchy finish of lime zest and a hint of gunflint. A key point of interest in this wine is the chalky texture reminiscent of wet river stones.

VINEYARD: Taylors Pass, Awatere valley, Marlborough SOILS: Awatere river stones & silt overlaying papa base The Taylors Pass Vineyard is located on the northern bank of the Awatere River in southern Marlborough. The average vine age is between14-19 years old. Sheltered from prevailing cool easterly winds, each terrace of the vineyard has varying soil types, stony gravels are nearest the river, whereas the mid-terrace has silt over gravels and the highest terrace is deeper silt over clay-papa base. This patchwork of soil types provides the vineyard with dramatically variable ripening patterns.

Fruit set in the cool spring weather was lower than usual, resulting in the development of open bunches with small flavourful berries. From January onwards, Marlborough experienced a summer of the century, with a spell of long hot dry weather with moderately cool nights providing the perfect environment to ensure physiological and flavour ripeness whilst retaining freshness.