Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot vs Zarihs Syrah by Borsao 2020
Compare current tracked prices, stockists and core specifications.
| Availability | In stock | In stock |
|---|---|---|
| Best current price | £22.99 | £22.99 |
| Current stockists | 1 merchant | 1 merchant |
| Producer | Villa Maria | Borsao |
| Style | Red | Red |
| Grape | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon | Syrah |
| Country | New Zealand | — |
| Size | 750ml | 750ml |
| Where to buy |
Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Villa Maria's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot is one of New Zealand's most celebrated red blends, sourced entirely from the Gimblett Gravels growing region in Hawkes Bay . Grown on free-draining gravelly soils with low yields and a long, warm growing season, this is a wine of real concentration, structure and age-worthiness. Why You'll Love It This is Hawkes Bay red winemaking at its most serious and rewarding. The Gimblett Gravels is one of the world's great sites for Bordeaux varieties, and Villa Maria's Reserve tier showcases exactly why. Densely coloured, richly aromatic and beautifully structured, this wine is approachable in its youth but built to reward patience in the cellar. Whether you open it now with a decant or lay it down for a few years, it delivers at every stage. Vineyard and Production Fruit is sourced from multiple parcels across the Gimblett Gravels, each contributing its own character to the final blend. The free-draining gravelly soils encourage deep root systems and naturally low yields, producing fruit that is richly concentrated in colour, flavour and structure. After destemming and crushing, the grapes undergo extended skin contact before fermentation in stainless steel. The wine is then transferred to new French oak barrels for 16 months of ageing, integrating tannins and building complexity. Tasting Notes Densely coloured with lovely aromatics on the nose, layers of red and black plum mingling with cassis, smoky roast coffee bean, dried thyme and complex cedary spice. The palate is soft yet concentrated, with wonderfully fine-grained tannins and beautifully integrated oak. Long, structured and age-worthy, with a finish that lingers with real elegance and depth. Perfect Pairings A natural partner for the dinner table. Excellent with roast lamb, beef Wellington, venison or slow-braised short rib. Also outstanding alongside aged hard cheeses or a classic charcuterie board. Decant before serving. Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot
Zarihs Syrah by Borsao 2020
A bold, high-altitude Syrah from the foothills of Moncayo, crafted in collaboration with Borsao winemakers Victor Vidal, Marta Chicote, and Syrah specialist Chris Ringland. Rich, structured, and expressive, this wine combines power with elegance. Meet the producer Founded in 1959 as a co-operative, Bodegas Borsao has grown into a benchmark for quality wines in Campo de Borja. In 2001, it joined forces with two progressive co-operative wineries, combining tradition with modern innovation. Production The Syrah vines, planted over 22 years ago at 600–700m altitude, thrive on limestone soils and benefit from full sun and the refreshing Cierzo wind. Grapes are hand-selected, macerated for 4–5 days, and fermented for 15–20 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. 60% of the wine remains in stainless steel to preserve fruit purity, while 40% matures for 12 months in new American oak, adding complexity and depth. Tasting notes Powerful and expressive, with aromas of ripe black fruits and sweet blackcurrant, layered with hints of coffee and warm vanilla. The palate delivers wild blackberry, black pepper, and toasty oak, supported by firm acidity and a long, serious finish. Food match Ideal with roasted or grilled lamb and beef, but also works beautifully with pork belly and duck. Grape Syrah 100% .
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