Villa Maria Estate Southern Clay’s Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012

rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

The vineyard's terroir make this Pinot Noir complex, dry, and silky smooth. While it can be cellared for several years it is delicious to drink now. There are abundant fruit aromas on the nose (primarily cherry and strawberry) but on the palate the fruit is accompanied with savoury herbs flavours and smooth tannins. It paired well with lamb.

Cherie Cole rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

This gorgeous wine was made from 100% hand picked grapes sourced from Rutherford Vineyard in Marlborough and matured for 8 months in French oak barrels. On the nose you will find pleasant aromas of black cherry, earth and violet with a hint of baking spices. This wine is not available at the LCBO, so it was indeed a special treat. If you find your way to the Marlborough region of New Zealand, this wine would be a perfect addition to your collection with ageability for 8-10 years.

Donna Hargrove rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

From one of the last vineyards Villa Maria picks, the Rutherford Vineyard's climate is ideal for producing fruit with a concentrated flavour. And the proof is in the bottle!

Dark cherry aromas and flavours, this wine is velvety on the tongue with a smooth long finish.

This is one of the best Pinot Noirs I've tasted.

Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Beautiful color in the glass, this wine is rich and complex. The Rutherford vineyard in Marlborough with its clay and climate translates to this beautifully finish product. Lots of dark cherry, spice and earth - wonderful tannins and a long finish. Definitely cellar worthy.

David Skinner rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Beautiful ruby hue. Layers of aromas burst from the glass. Dark cherry, herbs and spice with floral hints waft from the bowl begging a taste. The flavours of black fruits and spices augment an already well-structured and complex wine. A perfect balance of acidity and tannins derived from 16 months in French oak barrels. The finish is long and luscious. A prime example of a great Pinot Noir from Marlborough and is certainly cellar worthy.

This wine deserves only the best food although it is so flavourful it may best a good bet to just linger over a glass on its own. How about duck ravioli on foie gras with red miso sauce? Yumm.

Sean O'Regan rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

It's easy to see why this stunning wine from the single vineyard clay soils from the Rutherford Vineyard in Marlborough has won so many awards, with the soils and climate allowing for longer ripening and concentration of flavor in the fruit. Complexity abounds in the nose and palate here with floral, red and dark fruit, mineral and spice from the 30% new French oak aging. The wine has cherry, berry, dried herb, white pepper/minerality and earthy notes with chalky drying tannin all perfectly balanced with good acidity on a long lingering finish. A perfect pairing with lamb chops with rosemay port jus. Tasted Sept 2015 at Villa Maria winemaker lunch. I would love to re-visit this wine in 4-5 years to see the development - 92+

Monique Sosa rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

A remarkable expression of Pinot coming out of Marlborough. Step aside Central Otago, this small lot, single vineyard, hand harvested Pinot has my attention! Pronounced aromas of red berry fruit (cherry, raspberry), baking spice and smokey minerality stand out. This wine is dry with medium (+) body, integrated acidity, light tannins and a medium-long finish. The finish is slightly pithy (pink grapefruit) but not off-putting, plus some appearance of spicy peppery notes coming through. Pair with fall roasts and stews.

Matt Steeves rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Award winning Villa Maria's Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir is a fine example of high quality, small lot Pinot from the Rutherford Vineyard in Marlborough. Loaded with dark fruits, smoky red berries, sweet baking spice, herbs, and leather, this aromatic and expressive Pinot is ideal with lamb dishes, smoked salmon, or fall stews. The winemakers minimalist approach has preserved the purity of the Pinot giving this wine a truly unique character unlike no other. Tasted September 2015. 92 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

Lynn van der Linde rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

A lengthy ripening time makes this Pinot Noir superb!

Complex floral and ripe red berries in both glass and mouth, with lasting flavours sip after sip. You won't find this at the LCBO just yet, but might have to make a special trip to the Southern Clays region of Marlborough, New Zealand!

The clay soil in the Southern Clays region of Marlborough allow for consistency across the growing season. The clay retains the heat from the warm days throughout the cool nights, and then warms up again slowly throughout the day (versus the quick to heat up stones from surrounding regions), thereby extending the ripening time of the grapes, and imparting complex notes from the very first to the very last sip.

Mary Anne van Gaal rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

This terrific Pinot Noir with cherry notes yields a juicy mouthful of dark fruit with soft spiciness. A smooth, harmonious finish. Great with lamb.