Villa Maria Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc 2023 - 750ml

92pts James Suckling

This is citrusy and tropical, showing Asian pears, lemons, passion fruit and lychees on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with lively, zesty acidity. Tangy and bright. Sustainable.

91pts Wine Enthusiast

Heady aromas of honeyed lime, jasmine, passion fruit, pineapple and grass flow to a palate that's slippery in texture with nice fruit concentration and the slightest bit of residual sugar to temper the acidity. A strong bottling of this classic style.

91pts Vinous

Elderflower, pea shoots and lemongrass combine in this flavorsome, almost Thai food-inspired 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Taylors Pass vineyard. The green-yet-ripe style is characteristic of the Awatere Valley. Some lovely sinew provides grip and drive through the mouth, which is likely a combination of acidity and phenolics.

90pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2023 Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc is opulent, glossy and rich, with lemon curd, sherbet, applesauce and passion fruit. The 2023s are starkly different from the 2024s, and I must confess to having a strong preference for the 2024 iterations, which are focused, fresh and powerful.

Winemaker Notes

The 2022 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 flavours 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.

Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc