Villa Maria Estate Library Release Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Cherie Cole rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

The gravelly soils of the Gimblett Gravels area of the Hawkes Bay region produce rich, flavourful wines. The combination of a perfect vintage year along with the carefully cropped, low yield and ageing in 100% French oak, created a stunning wine. Note, that this 2010 is screw cap with many more years of aging potential. This 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, is rich and robust with flavours of fig, date, baking spice, cooked plum and dried herbs. Full-bodied with firm tannins and long, elegant finish. Tasted September 2017 with winemaker Simon Fell.

Jane Staples rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Easy to see why this gem of a wine has won many awards. A full-bodied blend of 62% Merlot and 38% Cab Sauv, this elegant wine is fragrant, flavourful and velvety smooth, with nuances of dried herbs and potpourri. Enjoy with prime rib or rack of lamb.
Tasted September 2017 with the winemaker, Simon Fells.

Melanie Lloyd rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

This full bodied red wine has aromas of raspberry jam, autumn leaves, pot-pourrit, undergrowth, cedar, and a touch of menthol.

It is made of 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon. There are dark berries on the palate as well as earthy qualities. The tannins are well incorporated. This wine will continue to age nicely.

Tasted September 2017

Andrea Shapiro rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

Tasted September, 2017 with winemaker, Simon Fell. He brought this in from his own private cellar to share. Lots of the Black fruit spectrum. Bordeaux blend style. Deep ruby colour with thick tears & high staining. Loads of rich dark plum, dark cherry, woody, cedar and smoky toasted oak. Leather, tobacco and some cigar box elements. Dried fruit, date and fig, green pepper, fresh sage and oregano herbs. The flavours are luxurious and complex; dark cherry, prune, mincemeat, chutney and bay leaves. Full bodied with voluptuous tannins with a robust intensity of flavours.
Chewy, velvety and savoury, rigorous and refined. Decant 1-2 hours.

Sylvain Segard rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

Deep ruby colour with a dusty mat lustre. Complex aroma of red berries, black fruit, mint, cocoa, oak planks, and baking spices. Round medium tannins, silky mouthfeel, and a medium long ripe fruit finish. Score 94. (S.Segard, reviewed Sept. 25, 2017)