Villa Maria's 2009 Reserve Riesling certainly has more complexity on the nose than the regular bottling, although one has to eke out the scents of lime, citrus lemon, passion fruit and dried lychee. The palate is well balanced with good acidity. Though not a complex Riesling, it certainly is fresh and generous with white peach and apple-blossom towards the clean finish. Drink now-2013. The clement weather during the 2009 vintage meant that Villa Maria's winemaking team faced a 20% above average crop. Bearing in mind the pitfalls of over-production in 2008, strict yield controls were imposed on each winery, with many lopping off a whole cane. Villa Maria continues to produce a strong diverse portfolio that embraces entry-level varietals to limited bottlings of single vineyards. As mentioned in previous reports their Pinot Noirs remain their Achilles heel in an otherwise impressive, diverse range. In particular, I feel that their Syrah are really coming into their own. I have included wines from Vidal and Esk Valley that are under the same umbrella, but treated separately. Importer: Ste Michelle Wine Estates, Woodinville, WA; tel. (800) 267-6793

2007 年的 Reserve Riesling 有著與其葡萄所類似的甜美味道，其口感不夠濃郁、突出，殘余糖分過多。單一葡萄園 Chardonnay 葡萄酒比它更為優(yōu)秀。

Even better is the 2006 Syrah Reserve is very ripe on the nose with plum, boysenberry, cassis and bilberry jam. Damson developing. Good definition – very opulent. The palate is full-bodied with beautiful, svelte tannins, good acidity, caressing black toasty fruits. Great persistency. Magnificent. Villa Maria continues to serve as the great ambassadors to New Zealand wine, appealing to both supermarket consumers and connoisseurs. Importer: Vineyard Brands Inc., Birmingham, AL; (205) 980-8802

2006 年的 Syrah Reserve 較為優(yōu)秀，散發(fā)著十分成熟的李子、雜交草莓、黑醋栗和越桔醬的香氣。酒中的各種味道比較突出、明顯，且十分濃郁?？诟胸S滿，單寧精細(xì)而美味，酸味可口，果味柔和，各種味道十分持久。這是一款華麗的佳釀。

2005 年的 Reserve Syrah 散發(fā)出石南和紫羅蘭的芬芳，入口順滑而誘人，伴有精妙的新橡木味。