{"id":7320678694948,"title":"Villa Maria - 2018 - Ngakirikiri The Gravels - 750 ml.","handle":"villa-maria-ngakirikiri-the-gravels-750-ml-2018-wb","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCountry: \u003cstrong\u003eNew Zealand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegion: \u003cstrong\u003eHawkes Bay\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSubregion: \u003cstrong\u003eGimblett Gravels\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVarietal: \u003cstrong\u003eCabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e - Merlot \u003cstrong\u003e - Malbec\u003cp\u003eVintage: \u003cstrong\u003e2018\u003c\/strong\u003e - Size: \u003cstrong\u003e750 ml.\u003c\/strong\u003e - Type: \u003cstrong\u003eRed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eUpon pouring, the deep-ruby hued 2018 vintage gradually unfolds fragrant aromatics of cassis, violets and complex wood spices, with graphite, thyme and clove also emerging from the glass. Layers of concentrated flavours are revealed across a medium to full bodied frame, with ripe fruit and hints of black olive and cigar, all wrapped by fine-grained tannins and supportive oak, enhancing texture and richness from start to finish. This vintage will benefit and gain additional complexity from careful cellaring over the next 15+ years.\u003c!-- TABS --\u003e\u003ch5\u003eExpert Notes\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRobert Parker: \u003c\/strong\u003e94\u003cp\u003eThe 2018 Ngakirikiri is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Malbec, all aged in 60% new French oak for 20 months. Despite the barrel regime, the concentrated fruit easily comes through, offering up pristine aromas of cassis and plum, later accented on the finish by hints of dark chocolate and vanilla bean. Richly concentrated and velvety in texture, with a long, plush finish, this medium to full-bodied wine should drink well for over a decade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling: \u003c\/strong\u003e94\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAromas of ripe blackberries, blackcurrants, plum leaves, milk chocolate and lavender. It’s medium-bodied with fine, supple tannins. Fresh and creamy. Delicious finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine Enthusiast: \u003c\/strong\u003e95\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVilla Maria's top red, a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux blend, is named for the Maori word for gravel, referring to its famed Gimblett Gravels soils. This is a wine made for the long haul although even now, with ample time open in bottle or decanter, reveals finesse and character. The fruit is dark and fleshy with a spine of leafy green herbs, violet, tomato stem, and baking spice. The palate is satiny yet toned and elegant, with linear, taut tannins, and currently quite a lot of oak influence. A worthy addition to any red lover's cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- \/TABS --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e","published_at":"2024-07-22T10:30:44-04:00","created_at":"2023-09-28T14:35:42-04:00","vendor":"Villa Maria","type":"Red","tags":["94 JS","94 RP","95 WE","Country_New Zealand","Distributor","LaborDay2024","ProductType-Wine","Rating_94","Rating_95","Region_Hawkes Bay","Size_750 ml.","Special_WB_Inventory","Subregion_Gimblett Gravels","Type_Red","Varietal_Cabernet Sauvignon","Varietal_Malbec","Varietal_Merlot","Vintage_2018","Winery_Villa Maria"],"price":8530,"price_min":8530,"price_max":8530,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":40755885047844,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"WB335006","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Villa Maria - 2018 - Ngakirikiri The Gravels - 750 ml.","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":8530,"weight":2267,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":5,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"deny","barcode":"WB335006","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/finding.wine\/cdn\/shop\/files\/VillaMaria-2018-NgakirikiriTheGravelscopy.png?v=1697745604"],"featured_image":"\/\/finding.wine\/cdn\/shop\/files\/VillaMaria-2018-NgakirikiriTheGravelscopy.png?v=1697745604","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":24117451358244,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2000,"width":2000,"src":"\/\/finding.wine\/cdn\/shop\/files\/VillaMaria-2018-NgakirikiriTheGravelscopy.png?v=1697745604"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/finding.wine\/cdn\/shop\/files\/VillaMaria-2018-NgakirikiriTheGravelscopy.png?v=1697745604","width":2000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCountry: \u003cstrong\u003eNew Zealand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegion: \u003cstrong\u003eHawkes Bay\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSubregion: \u003cstrong\u003eGimblett Gravels\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVarietal: \u003cstrong\u003eCabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e - Merlot \u003cstrong\u003e - Malbec\u003cp\u003eVintage: \u003cstrong\u003e2018\u003c\/strong\u003e - Size: \u003cstrong\u003e750 ml.\u003c\/strong\u003e - Type: \u003cstrong\u003eRed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eUpon pouring, the deep-ruby hued 2018 vintage gradually unfolds fragrant aromatics of cassis, violets and complex wood spices, with graphite, thyme and clove also emerging from the glass. Layers of concentrated flavours are revealed across a medium to full bodied frame, with ripe fruit and hints of black olive and cigar, all wrapped by fine-grained tannins and supportive oak, enhancing texture and richness from start to finish. This vintage will benefit and gain additional complexity from careful cellaring over the next 15+ years.\u003c!-- TABS --\u003e\u003ch5\u003eExpert Notes\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRobert Parker: \u003c\/strong\u003e94\u003cp\u003eThe 2018 Ngakirikiri is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Malbec, all aged in 60% new French oak for 20 months. Despite the barrel regime, the concentrated fruit easily comes through, offering up pristine aromas of cassis and plum, later accented on the finish by hints of dark chocolate and vanilla bean. Richly concentrated and velvety in texture, with a long, plush finish, this medium to full-bodied wine should drink well for over a decade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling: \u003c\/strong\u003e94\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAromas of ripe blackberries, blackcurrants, plum leaves, milk chocolate and lavender. It’s medium-bodied with fine, supple tannins. Fresh and creamy. Delicious finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine Enthusiast: \u003c\/strong\u003e95\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVilla Maria's top red, a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux blend, is named for the Maori word for gravel, referring to its famed Gimblett Gravels soils. This is a wine made for the long haul although even now, with ample time open in bottle or decanter, reveals finesse and character. The fruit is dark and fleshy with a spine of leafy green herbs, violet, tomato stem, and baking spice. The palate is satiny yet toned and elegant, with linear, taut tannins, and currently quite a lot of oak influence. A worthy addition to any red lover's cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- \/TABS --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e"}