Villa Maria Ngakirikiri Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 stands as a benchmark New Zealand red: a deeply flavoured, elegantly structured wine from the acclaimed Gimblett Gravels, crafted by a pioneering producer renowned for excellence and innovation. A critically acclaimed flagship wine, it offers refined power, complexity, and exceptional cellaring potential.

Taste
Villa Maria Ngakirikiri Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 shows an intense, deep purple colour and captivating aromas of cassis, black plum, violet, thyme, and wood spice, layered with notes of graphite, coffee bean, and clove. The palate is full-bodied and finely structured, delivering concentrated dark fruit flavours, subtle hints of black olive and cigar, and a refined frame of fine, ripe tannins. A polished finish with supportive oak brings elegance and impressive length, revealing further nuance as it evolves in the glass.

Producer
Villa Maria is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated wineries, renowned for its innovation and consistent quality since 1961. Ngakirikiri represents the estate’s flagship red - crafted exclusively in outstanding vintages from mature, low-yielding vines in the famed Gimblett Gravels subregion of Hawke’s Bay. The wine’s name, ‘Ngakirikiri’ (meaning “the gravels” in Māori), reflects the unique stony soils and commitment to terroir. Villa Maria’s attention to detail, sustainable vineyard practices, and pursuit of excellence set them apart as true icons of New World winemaking.

What's So Special About Gimblett Gravels? 
Gimblett Gravels is special because it is a unique winegrowing district in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, characterised by its deep, gravelly, free-draining soils left behind by the old Ngaruroro River. This terrain absorbs heat during the day and radiates it back at night, creating a warm microclimate that is particularly well-suited to ripening Bordeaux-style red varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah - even in New Zealand’s otherwise cool climate. The low fertility of the soils forces vines to reach deep for nutrients, resulting in smaller, more concentrated berries and wines with great intensity, complexity, and structure. Only a defined area of Hawke’s Bay can label its wines “Gimblett Gravels” - making it one of the world’s most terroir-driven, distinctive sites for premium red wines.

Awards & Critic Scores
The 2019 Ngakirikiri has received exceptional recognition, including 97 points from Decanter Magazine and praise for its intensity, ageing potential, and elegance. It was crowned Best New Zealand Red in 2023, affirming its status amongst the country’s very best. On Vivino, this vintage holds a strong score of 4.2, reflecting impressive acclaim from both critics and wine lovers.