Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Wine Review

Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Community Score:86/100

Community Reviews: 10

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Price: $16.95

Drink: 2013-2018

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 12.5%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Villa Maria

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 89/100

The Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand tends to be warmer than Marlborough (especially the nights are not as cool), thus it's better known for later ripening grapes such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Villa Maria demonstrates this amply in the glass with a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet grapes. A special area known as Gimlet Gravels provides most of the fruit for this wine and yet it's only 800 hectares in total, with old soils of fractured rock that are free draining which means the vines suffer as they should to produce great wine for you. In fact, you can go down 20 to 30 feet here and still find gravel as this was an old river bed that became exposed in the 1880s after an earthquake. This wine is amazing in that it delivers far more heft, weight and dark fruit flavour than you'd expect from just 12.5% alcohol. Yay!

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This Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 was reviewed on February 1, 2015 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2013 2011

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Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
310300
$16.95
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BCLDB
85308
$11.61
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Reviews and Ratings

Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Lots of ripe dark berries on the nose. Lovely smooth palate shows ripe red fruit, vanilla and touch of baking spice. Silky finish.

Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

A fragrant blend, light to medium bodied. Aromas of cherry and dark berries, oak and vanilla is present but subtle. On the palate - bright cherry, slightly tart. Very fruit forward, oak is subtle, but lingers a bit. Slight vanilla undertones. A really nice wine, great value too!

Courtney Flood rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Aroma has a lot of anise, smokiness, and some slightly dried fruit characteristic. A bit peppery on the palate. Good for a peppery steak.

Sean O'Regan - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 87/100 with the following review:

Oct 5, 2014: Medium ruby, delicate nose of red currant, cherry, plum, dried herbs and light wood spice. The palate shows cherry, red berry, dusty mineral and gentle spice and faint green herb. Medium bodied, framed with good acidity and soft tannins. Pleasant lighter style of cab/merlot that would work with Thanksgiving turkey along with sausage infused stuffing.

Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 87/100 with the following review:

A lighter Bordeaux style blend of Merlot and Cab Sauvignon from Hawkes Bay New Zealand. Mild berry and spice notes with a soft mouthfeel that helps to highlight the tasty fruit in this tangy blend. Recommend pairing with game meats, lamb, or even turkey. Tasted October 2014. 87 points. Matt Steeves @QuercusVino

Marco Giovanetti rated this wine as 83/100 with the following review:

Ripe red and black fruits with sweet thai basil and menthol notes. In the mouth, medium to full body with leathery and earthy nuances. Dry finish with a beef stock and dry tomato paste.

Douglas McMillan rated this wine as 80/100 with the following review:

Tart and sweet cherry, new leather, and a touch of vegetal aromas. The taste The taste is similar, with a thin mouth-feel and a tart finish.

If you liked the Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, you might also like these wines:

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Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 89/100

Pricing & Stock Information