Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir 2013

Stephen Andrews reviewed this wine as follows:

A nice classic tasting Pinot Noir. I like this wine because it tastes light on the palate and has the nice strawberry, cherry aromas on the nose. Easy to drink on its own or with a piece of Oka cheese.
I also had an interesting experience with opening the wine. All New Zealand wine is sealed with a screw top. When I opened this bottle there was a clear pop sound much like you would get from a cork. I wrote to the winery and received a great explanation.
As Follows
" The pop noise can be caused by the sticking down of the cap liner to the rim of the glass bottle especially when there is a small amount of wine residue present on the rim. Temperature variations cause the wine to expand and contract and create either higher or lower pressure in the headspace between the wine and seal. A vacuum is created inside the cap between top of the cap and the liner before the liner fixes into the thread groove and detaches from the rim. The vacuum is then filled with air and a pop is heard as the cap opened, especially if opened quickly. This is due to a good seal on the bottle." Philip Avis Quality and Compliance Manager.
The wine was good and I enjoyed it. The explanation was first rate and well appreciated. Villa Maria winery is New Zealand`s most awarded winery.

rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

This fragrant Pinot Noir has juicy aromas and flavours of blueberries and cherries and a touch of pepper and spices. With medium-high acidity this wine can age well but only for a short time due to the soft tannins. A great pairing for poultry or salmon.

Tania Thomas rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Delicious Marlborough Pinot Noir at an excellent price point. Dry, medium-bodied and fruit forward, it’s bursting with aromas and flavours of ripe cherries and red berries. Soft, velvety tannins with well integrated acidity. Finishes in a smooth, baking spice-tinged finish. Fantastic with cedar planked salmon.

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

Award winning Villa Maria's Private Bin Pinot Noir shows cherry, cran-apple, tart red berries, herbs, earth, and light baking spice notes. The palate is dry and very approachable, with a herb infused cherry finish. Enjoy with grilled fish, pork, or spicy Asian dishes. Tasted September 2015. 87+ points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

David Skinner rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A medium Ruby colour. Aromas of red cherry and red raspberry drive the elegant fruit fragrances. In the mouth, red fruits dominate and the body is medium with good balance of acids and a very slight oak influence with soft tannins. The finish is fully fruit driven and persists.

The winemaker wanted to keep the focus on the fruit in this wine. This was accomplished by using seasoned oak barriques for 10 months.

Serving this with tempura salmon or a meat paella would be perfect.

Monique Sosa rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Moderate intensity aromas of red cherry and candied raspberry with an interesting blend of baking spices and an unexpected pithy pink grapefruit finish. This wine is light bodied with a balanced acidity, little to no tannins and a moderate finish. Pair with lamb souvlaki.

Lynn van der Linde rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Bright red berries in the glass and on the palate, with a hint of eucalyptus aromas. Good acidity, soft tannins, perfect with stronger cheeses, or converting that white wine drinker to try a cheerful red!

Mary Anne van Gaal rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This is a lovely fruity Marlborough Pinot Noir. Soft and silky, with flavours of cherry and cinnamon. It was terrific with old cheddar cheese.