Highlighting Villa Maria's Taylors Pass Single Vineyard Wines with Winemaker Kathrin Jankowiec

I’m a little behind in sharing some of these wines considering I attended the virtual tasting back in the fall, but I think it is the perfect time with the spring upon us and the warmer months ahead to share the wines of Villa Maria once again. I featured these wines a couple years ago when I attended a virtual tasting with winemaker Helen Morrison.  This time around it was with another one of their winemakers, Kathrin Jankowiec, hosted by Snooth with co-founder Mark Angelillo. 

Many of the wines tasted this time were different than the last go around with Villa Maria that you can revisit on my earlier blog.  I was excited for this new selection as I got to explore more of Villa Maria’s single vineyard wines called Taylor’s Pass that for me were personal favorites of the tasting along with the rose’.  New Zealand wines, in particular the sauvignon blanc, have always been a fan favorite of mine and I have always found Villa Maria to be quite affordable with a good bang for your buck.   

To shine some light on Villa Maria’s Taylor’s Pass wines, these are their single vineyard vines growing in the Marlborough wine region along Awatere Valley on the banks of the Awatere River.  Planted back in 1999 the first release from Taylors Pass was their chardonnay in 2002 followed by their sauvignon blanc and pinot noir in 2003.  Not all the grapes grown here go into the production of labeling the wines Taylors Pass as they make sure to seek out the highest quality of the production.  Although these wines come with a larger price tag then their fellow Private Bin wines you get what you pay for, especially with the Villa Maria Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc priced at only $26.  The wines have much more complexities with a richer texture and flavor profile than its Private Bin labels as well as a more pronounced minerality.  

2017 Villa Maria Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc  

Fermented 100% in stainless steel tanks this pale straw colored wine had aromatics oh so reminiscent of New Zealand sauvignon blanc for me.  A pronounced grassiness with citrus and grapefruit bursting from the glass.  Well balanced on the palate with nice crisp minerality, a little herbaceous with nice fruit and an elegance. ABV 13% SRP $26 

2015 Villa Maria Taylors Pass Pinot Noir  

Deeply hued red with purplish highlights.  This wine is rich in ripe red and black cherries, strawberries and plums with some spice and herbal notes.  The tannins display similar to those acquired from a cup of black tea.  ABV 13$ SRP $42 

2017 Villa Maria Private Bin Rose’ 

I also wanted to highlight this wine as I enjoy a good rose’ and at this price point of $15 it’s worth sharing.  This wine comes from Hawkes Bay located on the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand.  Based mostly on merlot and a beautiful salmon color.  This dry, refreshing wine is easy drinking full of luscious strawberries.  SRP $15

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*These wines were received as samples, but opinions are always my own.  I personally selected these wines out of a larger tasting highlighting my favorites to share.