Icon | Gimblett Gravels
Ngakirikiri
Vintage 2018
Description
Vineyards
Vintage
Ngakirikiri is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon from mature, low-yielding vines left thriving in this unique Gimblett gravels terroir, and is only bottled when vintages produce truly exceptional wine for consideration. This flagship wine represents the pinnacle of our winemaking achievements and a milestone in Villa Maria’s history.
Hawkes Bay with its coastal location and proximity to mountains typically experiences a dry, maritime climate with an influential diurnal temperature range. Gimblett Gravels is located approx. 15km inland and experiences temperatures typically warmer than its neighbouring localities, promoting a consistent level of ripeness to be achieved by low yielding vines planted in free draining soils.
The 2018 Hawkes Bay vintage followed on from one of the warmest summers on record providing superb conditions for ripening, with heat summation finishing well ahead of the long-term average with 1500 Growing Degree Days (GDD’s). Although the white harvest commenced early with pressure from untimely rain, thick skinned later ripening reds were harvested in excellent condition under welcome blue skies and produced the greatest wines of the harvest.
