Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Reserve 2014 - Villa Maria

The Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Reserve from Villa Maria is a concentrated, pure grape red wine from the New Zealand wine-growing region of Hawke's Bay in the Gimblett Gravels vineyard.

In the glass this wine shimmers in a deep dark carmine red with ruby highlights. The warm spicy bouquet is carried by elegant aromas of Creme de Cassis, juicy cherries, fine bitter chocolate and freshly ground coffee beans - underlaid by finest hints of dried mint and graphite. On the palate, this New Zealand red wine reflects the fruity, spicy notes of the nose. The silky tannins are perfectly woven into the excellent structure and give this wine its complex character. The long finish with fine nuances of dark chocolate rounds off this red wine perfectly.

Vinification of Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Merlot

The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes for this red wine are harvested in April in the vineyards of Gimblett Gravels. Arrived in the cellar of Villa Maria, the grapes are completely destemmed, ground and fermented in open fermenters for 4 to 5 weeks on the mash. The cap is regularly pressed down by hand during the fermentation process. This wine is then aged for 18 months in French and American oak barrels, 46% of which are new wood.

Food recommendation for the Reserve Villa Maria Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon

Enjoy this dry red wine from New Zealand with tender roast beef with beans in a bacon coat, game ragout with homemade spaetzle, ratatouille or with medium spicy cheeses such as Guyere, Comté or Cantal.