Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3 to 8 years from the vintage release, allowing the tannins to soften while retaining its vibrant fruit character.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roast leg of lamb, grilled beef steaks, and aged hard cheeses.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Villa Maria, founded by Sir George Fistonich in 1961, has grown from a pioneering one-man band into a globally acclaimed icon of New Zealand winemaking. The Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic expression of Hawke's Bay, one of the Southern Hemisphere's premier regions for Bordeaux-style blends. Here, ancient riverbeds and a warm maritime climate yield grapes with exceptional depth. This blend is Merlot-dominant, offering plush plum and dark cherry notes, structured by the firm, cassis-scented backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in French oak barriques, the wine marries vibrant New World fruit with elegant Old World structure, paying homage to the region's rich viticultural heritage.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich in Auckland, Villa Maria has grown from a visionary one-man operation into one of New Zealand's most acclaimed and globally recognized wineries. The estate meticulously sources exceptional fruit from premier winegrowing regions across the country, including Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and Gisborne, to craft expressive wines that reflect their unique regional terroirs. Renowned for its pioneering spirit, Villa Maria was a trailblazer in adopting screwcap closures to preserve freshness and remains deeply committed to sustainable and organic viticulture. Their diverse portfolio is celebrated for vibrant Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, elegant single-vineyard Pinot Noirs like Taylors Pass and Seddon, and rich, structured Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blends from Hawke's Bay.