Noble Riesling Botrytis Selection Reserve
β³ Drinking Window
2022 - 2030
π½οΈ Food & Wine Pairings
Classic blue cheeses, glazed apricot or pear tarts, and rich savory starters like duck liver pΓ’tΓ©.
β¨ Technical Specifications
Villa Maria, founded in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, is a cornerstone of New Zealand's modern wine industry. Their Noble Riesling Botrytis Selection Reserve showcases Marlborough's unique ability to produce world-class dessert wines. In the late autumn, cool morning mists rising from the river valleys meet warm, breezy afternoons, creating the ideal microclimate for Botrytis cinerea (noble rot) to flourish. The hand-harvested, shriveled Riesling grapes yield an incredibly concentrated nectar. Slow fermentation preserves the intense, honeyed stone fruit characters, vibrant citrus zest, and the signature crisp acidity that perfectly balances the luscious sweetness of this classic botrytized style.
πΎ About the Producer
Established in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, Villa Maria evolved from a modest five-acre leased plot in MΔngere, Auckland, into one of New Zealand's foremost vinous institutions. Acquired by Indevin Group in 2021, the estate continues its legacy of regional and stylistic breadth, sourcing exceptional fruit from premier microclimates across Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, and Auckland. Viticultural operations emphasize environmental stewardship as a founding member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, complemented by dedicated organic vineyard blocks. Production is delineated into tiers ranging from accessible Private Bin and Cellar Selection expressions to vineyard-designated benchmarks like the Seaspray and Southern Clays Sauvignon Blancs, alongside cellar-worthy Gimblett Gravels Bordeaux blends and single-vineyard Chardonnays. The winemaking team balances modern temperature-controlled stainless steel ferments for pristine aromatic vibrancy with targeted French oak maturation and lees contact for texturally layered, terroir-precise bottlings.
π Grapes
100% Riesling