Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 334,957 strong:

Register Today!
Ad

Villa Maria Estate Syrah 2011 Wine Review

Villa Maria Estate Syrah 2011

Villa Maria Estate Syrah 2011

Gimlet Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Community Score:93/100

Community Reviews: 4

  Add My Review


Price: $129.00

Drink: 2016-2023

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 13%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine


Winery: Villa Maria

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Reviews and Ratings

Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

Villa Maria's commemorative 50th anniversary Syrah, from the prized Gimblett Gravels wine district, shows the tremendous potential that wines from this area can achieve, thanks to some of the finest terroir on the planet. Incredibly bold, concentrated, and elegant, the nose shows spicy dark fruit, plum, spice, pepper, roasted beet roots, and wood smoke. Layered and delicious, with plum, stewed fruit, and spicy dark fruit on the long and textured finish. An exceptional wine that is certain to impress! Tasted November 2016. 94 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca
Sylvain Segard rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

This vintage was bottled in a special edition mold to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Villa Maria winery.

This single vineyard Syrah selection, on Gimblett Gravels in Hawkes, has a deep, slightly chalky, ruby colour. The bouquet is floral and displays aromas of fresh black currant, blackberries, liquorice, and some wood smoke and white pepper. The layers of juicy dark fruit are also present in the gentle and rich mouthfeel, which is followed by a rush of dry silky tannins, watery acidity, and a soft peppery finish. Score 94. (reviewed Nov. 2016)
Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

This luxurious Syrah was made from grapes grown in Gimlett Gravels, Hawkes Bay. It was produced to commemorate Villa Maria's 50th anniversary. The owner worked with local glassmakers to produce a lighter bottle, because Villa Maria places a priority on sustainability and strives to optimize quality, even if that means smaller production.
This opaque ruby-garnet Syrah invites the nose with aromas of blueberries, dark fruit, spice and oak, followed by a palate giving dark fruit, understated licorice, pepper, graphite and oak. It is satiny smooth and balanced with an elegant finish. It could cellar up to 10-15 years. It paired beautifully with steak, as it would with game or duck. A wine to savour on a winter night and a wonderful gift for a Syrah lover.
Tasted Nov. 2016
Pamela Chiles rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

This is a powerhouse Syrah - able to compete with the "big boys" of the clan. Big, rich, lush and plush, there is a lot of presence in the glass. Ripe blackberry/black currant, soft leathery-spicy oaky aromas just leap out; more of that lot on the palate mingled with a little peppery spice and anise; velvety and inky and dense, it invites more sipping and savouring. Plenty of structure for aging - if you can get your hands on a bottle.

If you liked the Villa Maria Estate Syrah 2011, you might also like these wines:

Ad

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!

Hinterbrook Red Wine
2018,
Niagara Lakeshore, Ontario V.Q.A. ...

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 334,957 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