Villa Maria Estate Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Wine Review

Villa Maria Estate Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Community Score:88/100

Community Reviews: 8

Add My Review

Price: $16.95

Drink: 2013-2018

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 12.5%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Villa Maria

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 88/100

A savoury, meaty red wine blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from New Zealand. Some tannic grip here will smooth out with a few more years in the cellar and then decant 1 hour when you open it. Enjoy with hearty meat dishes.

Best Beef Wine

This Villa Maria Estate Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 was reviewed on October 30, 2015 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2012 2011

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
310300
$16.95
Check Stock

BCLDB
85308
$11.61
Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Kimberly Inksater - Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

This well priced wine is an exciting blend of low yield Merlot (75%), Cabernet Sauvignon (14%), Malbec and Cabernet Franc from Hawkes Bay. The aromas of eucalyptus, sun-ripened black olives, and plum were enticing, and it did not disappoint on tasting. The wine is dry with leather, plum and licorice flavours.mAn excellent pairing with lamb and oher Mediterranean plates.

David Skinner rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Garnet core and pinkish rim. A Bordeaux style blend of mostly Merlot (75%) from Hawkes Bay on the north island of New Zealand gives the wine a distinct cherry, cassis, red currant and dried herb nose. Solid mouthfeel and plenty of merlot character on the palate with dark cherry dominant. Good acid and tannin balance with a medium finish.

Pair this with most red meats but a hearty steak Florentine would be a nice choice.

Darlene Myers - CAPS Student rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Recently I attended a Master wine class featuring New Zealand wines, and this was one of the 15 wines we tasted that day, and was one of my favorites. I really enjoyed this blend done in what I felt was Bordeaux style, with its rich dark fruits, plummy flavors, spice and black pepper notes. This is a full-bodied wine that would pair well with beef, beef stew, and wild game.

Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

The blend of Merlot and Cabernet here brings structure and full luscious fruit flavours. Beautiful deep garnet. Aromas include cherry and blackberry, along with spice and smoke. Black pepper comes out on the palate, along with more jammy, cooked fruit and berries. Tannins are pronounced, but not overwhelming. Benefits from even just an hour of decanting. Pairs well with roasted or grilled meats, or hearty fare, like beef ragout.

Lynn Van Der Linde - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Dominant Merlot aromas of dark red berries and baking spices, are complimented by Cabernet Franc contributing eucalyptus and herbal notes. Good tannins and balanced acidity. Great with beef dishes.

Monique Sosa - Accredited Sommelier rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Moderate aromas and flavours of black berry fruit, black plum, baking spice (anise, clove), leather and smoke. This wine is medium bodied with light tannins, medium acidity and a moderate black peppery finish. Pair with grilled steak.

Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Evidence of the dominance of the Merlot grapes in the glass with the aromas of dark fruit and spice - subtle undertones of herbs and black pepper. This Bordeaux style is nice on the palate with a generous amount of cherry, good tannins and a balanced acidity.

If you liked the Villa Maria Estate Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, you might also like these wines:

Add bottle and/or label shots for this wine
Wineries and agents: Add notes for this wine
Find this wine in other stores

Recipes for Villa Maria Estate Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Cave Spring Dessert Wine
Riesling Icewine 2017,
Niagara Peninsula, Lincoln Lakeshore, Ontario V.Q.A. ...

Natalie MacLean

Canada's Most Quoted Wine Writer

Natalie MacLean is editor of Canada's largest wine review web site, publishing hundreds of wine reviews every week for more than 288,701 members.

She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, the second was named one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year. Get access to all of her reviews today by becoming a member of her site.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a fiesty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 288,701 strong:

Villa Maria Estate Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 88/100

Pricing & Stock Information