Ngakirikiri Cabernet Sauvignon
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically at its best from 8 to 20 years after the vintage release, developing profound complexity with age.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Classic roasted rack of lamb, grilled prime ribeye steak, or slow-braised venison.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Named 'Ngakirikiri'—the Māori word for 'The Gravels'—this flagship red wine is a profound tribute to the unique terroir of the Gimblett Gravels in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. This prestigious sub-region, defined by the stony remnants of an ancient riverbed, provides the vital heat-retaining soils required to fully ripen Cabernet Sauvignon in a maritime climate. Crafted only in exceptional vintages by the historic Villa Maria estate, founded by Sir George Fistonich in 1961, Ngakirikiri represents the pinnacle of their winemaking. The wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, meticulously blended with small portions of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and matured in fine French oak barriques for up to 20 months. The result is an incredibly concentrated, structured, and elegant red, boasting intense aromas of cassis, fresh cedar, graphite, and wild thyme, underpinned by fine-grained, muscular tannins.
🍾 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.