2022 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc 'Taylor's Pass Vineyard,' Marlborough

The Taylors Pass Vineyard is located on the northern bank of the Awatere River in southern Marlborough. Sheltered from prevailing cool easterly winds, each terrace of the vineyard has varying soil types, stony gravels are nearest the river, whereas the mid-terrace has silt over gravels and the highest terrace is deeper silt over clay-papa base. This patchwork of soil types provides the vineyard with dramatically variable ripening patterns.

The Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc has lifted aromatics of fresh garden peas and blackcurrants mingled with herbs such as coriander. On the palate are concentrated flavors of jalapeño and lemongrass, with a punchy finish of lime zest and a hint of gunflint. A key point of interest in this wine is the chalky texture reminiscent of wet river stones.