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![Gisborne McDiarmid Hill Vineyard 1]( "Gisborne McDiarmid Hill Vineyard 1")
Majestically positioned on a north-facing hillside and graced with mature dry -farmed Mendoza vines, McDiarmid Hill is an iconic Gisborne vineyard.
Handpicked fruit is gently pressed to fermentation in French oak barriques to produce powerful and complex Chardonnay.
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Tasting Notes
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Capturing the qualities of a spectacular vineyard, McDiarmid Hill offers ripe tropical fruit aromas, fig and smoky grilled nut notes. The palate is lavishly textured, leading to a long finish extended by fine acidity. This bold, concentrated wine retains a balance that will appeal for immediate enjoyment but will also benefit from maturation, developing intriguing complexity over the next 5-8 years.
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Vineyards and Winemaking
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McDiarmid Hill is Villa Maria's jewel in the crown Gisborne vineyard, beautifully positioned on an elevated north facing hillside slope in Patutahi. Taking full advantage of sunlight, drying wind conditions, slightly cooler temperatures and natural water drainage, the additional elevation provides a wonderful advantage for producing this consistently outstanding wine. Small parcels of mature dry farmed Mendoza vines provide for blending options, ideal for building complexity in the final wine.
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Soils And Viticulture
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The 2022 McDiarmid Hill harvest was highly regarded and followed a warm, dry summer that persisted long after the last grapes were picked. Having benefited from cooler evening temperatures in the lead up to harvest which intensified flavour and acidity, harvest of these naturally low yielding vines commenced earlier than normal with beautifully clean and ripe fruit, paving the way for our Winemakers to capture a sensational vintage.
An expressive bouquet, varietal, fresh, youthful and new. Aromas and flavours of fresh pear and lemon, vanilla, nut and peach. Firm, youthful and dry with plenty of textures from acidity and fine wood tannins then flavours from citrus then vanilla and nut. Overall and taut youthful wine with flavours and textures that need time to integrate and develop more synergies. - 93 points
Cam Douglas
