Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 333,833 strong:

Register Today!

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2013 Wine Review

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2013

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2013

Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 11

  Add My Review


Price: $32.95

Drink: 2014-2018

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine


Winery: Villa Maria

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 91/100

A more serious and concentrated Pinot Noir than the Private Bin, this Cellar Selection offers a lot of pleasure. Aromas of dark cherry, plum and spice and dried herbs. The winemaker uses about 10-20% new French oak on this wine so as not to overpower the fruit. Grannier tannin profile, yet perfumed and easy-drinking. Pair it with wild boar.

Pinot Noir food pairings: grilled steak.

Splendid Salad Wine

This Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2013 was reviewed on October 30, 2015 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2017  2014  2009  2017  2010 

  Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

  • BCLDB
  • 217307
  • $26.29 
  • Check Stock
  • AGLC
  • 726114

Reviews and Ratings

Mary Anne van Gaal rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

This is a serious, well balanced Pinot Noir! Delicious notes of sweet cherry and dried herbs fill the nose, while plums, berries and spices delight the palate. It is wonderful with lamb.
Monique Sosa - Accredited Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

A fine example of a middle gound Pinot - smack in the middle of old world Bourgogne and New World Sonoma. Developing aromas of red cherry, raspberry, baking spice (clove, nutmeg) and smoke. This wine is dry, medium (+) bodied with pronounced acidity, little to no tannins and a delecate mouthfeel. Enjoy with rack of lamb.
David Skinner rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Medium ruby. Tons of black cherry, candied fruit, black raspberry and spice makes the nose promise what the taste actually delivers. Plenty of fruit and earthy notes drive the flavour profile and the combination of new and old French barriques to age this wine for 10 months provide a fine balance of acidity and tannin. Silky mouthfeel and a solid finish underlines the fruit and smoke character.

Beet risotto and duck confit would be my choice for a great combination.
Cherie Cole rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

A very well-balanced wine with crisp acidity and noticeable tannins. This low-yield vintage boasts flavors of black cherry, plum and dried herbs. Great with game or for a vegetarian option, pair it with roasted beat and feta salad.
Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Villa Maria's premium Cellar Selection Pinot Noir shows bright red and dark berries, cherry, plum, baking spices, and dried herbs on the nose and palate. Smooth, elegant, and delicate, the winemaker's use of new and seasoned French oak preserves the complex fruit characteristics whilst adding a touch of body and texture making this wine terrific with roasted lamb dishes. Enjoy 2015-2020. Tasted September 2015. 90 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca
Douglas McMillan rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A very solid Pinot Noir with aromas of red cherry, vanilla, plum, and dried herbs. The taste is primarily tart cherry , and the fine tannins are present enough that this should age quite well over the next five years or so.
Sean O'Regan - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Deep ruby with a nose of dark cherry, herb and clove/baking spice. Med body, good depth and concentration of dark cherry, plum, red berry and dried herb. Med finish with fine drying tannins. Aged in 10-20% new French oak. Drink now and over the next 3-5 years. Tasted Sept 2015 at Villa Maria winemaker lunch.
Lynn van der Linde - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Black cherries, eucalyptus, dried herbs, and slight cigar aromas. Great acid and tannin balance. Will pair perfectly with lamb or turkey dishes.
Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

This Pinot Noir has aromas of cherry, smoke and dried herbs. The palate has lot of juicy berries, a nice mouthfeel - light bodied with soft tannins. This Pinot is well suited to many different types of foods, thinking a grilled lamb burger…

If you liked the Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2013, you might also like these wines:

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

Wine of the Week

As featured on  

CTV Wine of the Week!

Poggio al Tesoro Red Wine
2021,
Bolgheri, Tuscany D.O.C. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 333,833 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

  Best Books of the Year

Red, White & Drunk all over by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

  Best Books of the Year

Unquenchable by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

Insider tips on starting a wine cellar
From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources.   learn more  
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award