Villa Maria Southern Clays Sauvignon Blanc 2014

rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

At our recent wine tasting event with Villa Maria winemaker Josh Hammond this was my favourite Sauvignon Blanc. It has a floral aroma, minerality and smokiness that are reminiscent of a fuller bodied varietal. At 6.9% acidity this 2014 estate wine is less acidic than the winery's other Sauvignon Blancs but is well balanced and smooth on the palate. This premium wine pairs well with creamy cheeses (I enjoyed it with Brie) and rich fish and seafood such as salmon and scallops.

Cherie Cole rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the north facing Maxwell Vineyard in Marlborough brings with it vibrant aromas of tropical fruit, red apple, pear and a flinty mineral note. With a long finish and crisp acidity, this wine will pair very well with smoked salmon and mussels or sautéed scallops.

Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

This Sauvignon Blanc really showcases the first class ability of the Marlborough region to produce fantastic wines. The Southern Clays area, boasts the ability to allow the grapes to really go above and beyond - the hot days and cool nights play a big part in their ability to retain amazing flavors. The aromas from this wine are bursting out of the glass - fragrant green grass, passion fruit, and an array of dried herbs from the garden. The palate explodes with grapefruit, lemon and lime, paired with a beautiful acidity and a lingering finish. This would be a perfect match to a house-smoked salmon with a succulent, warm tarragon butter.

Douglas McMillan rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

More restrained than many New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, but with a little more depth and complexity. The aroma is primarily line zest followed closely by flinty minerality, but there are layers or fruit behind it, with everything from mango to strawberry to lemon. The taste and mouth-feel are a little more rounded than is usual, making this a worthy replacement for many dishes where one would consider a Reisling. Tasty and flexible, this is a great example of ... a wine we don't get here (yet).

David Skinner rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Medium straw hue hints at some complexity. Fragrant notes of passionfruit, grapefruit and mineral tones. Complex flavours blending grapefruit and smoky accents to create a wine with great body, superb balance and crisp acidity. A lingering finish full of fruit and layers of enjoyment.

This wine would accompany many dishes but it has enough scope to embrace more bold flavoured plates. Grilled calamari ceviche would be perfect

Monique Sosa rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Quite literally the cream of the Villa Maria Sauv Bl crop in a bottle! Only made when there is exceptional vintage conditions and of course it's low yield vines from a select vineyard. Moderate intensity aromas of citrus (lime, pink grapefruit), tropical fruit (passion fruit), fresh cut grass and wet stone minerality. On the palate, there is sustantive complexity of flavours (mentioned above) with balanced acidity (not too racey), medium body (for a Sauv Bl) and a medium to long mouthwatering citrus finish. I say pair this wine with sashimi (especially fresh scallops).

Sean O'Regan rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

As the name suggests, the single vineyard grapes sourced for this wine come from the clay soils in Marlborough. The nose and palate show a more savory profile with dried herbal and flinty mineral notes while still maintaining tropical and orchard fruit. Medium bodied with very good complexity and balance with a long finish. A very fine wine in the premium segment of NZ Sauv Blanc. This wine paired beautifully with smoked salmon - tasted Sept 2015 at Villa Maria winemaker lunch.

Matt Steeves rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Villa Maria's limited production Single Vineyard Southern Clays Sauvignon Blanc is a fine example of premium small-lot Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. Very well balanced with abundant and crisp sweet fruit, blended together with herbs and minerality. The palate has more weight and power compared to many mainstream Sauvignon Blanc's, and it's balanced with fruit, acid, herbs and a dry saline minerality. Enjoy with blue cheese, smoked salmon with dill infused cream cheese, or a nice coconut chicken curry. Tasted September 2015. 90 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

Lynn van der Linde rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

A delicious Sauvignon Blanc - unfortunately only available from the winery itself!
Heady floral and starfruit aromas combine with a minerality that is distinctly Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - done to perfection! Fruit flavours that keep giving and enough persistent acidity to be enjoyed with creamy dishes.

The clay soil in the Southern Clays region of Marlborough allow for a consistency across the growing season. The clay retains the heat from the warm days throughout the cool nights, and then warms up again slowly throughout the day - extending the ripening time of the grapes.