2002 Villa Maria Private Bin

[quijote]

Had some of this delicious wine with dinner this evening. Many typical Kiwi SB notes, with lots of grassy, grapefruity, and tropical fruit aromas and flavors. Not as luscious as Cloudy Bay and company, but a very nice balance of fruit and acidity nonetheless. Paired well with a tart and spicy Thai Muslim Curry (chicken, potatoes, onions, and peanuts in a sauce consisting of stock, coconut milk, lemon juice, fish sauce, and spices). ~$10, Alc. 13%.

[wondersofwine]

I have seen other complimentary reports on this wine (haven't tried the Villa Maria yet myself). However, on another wine website one contributor said it tasted like a cat had peed on the lawn (all cat's urine and grass and no fruit). A pretty harsh report.
Glad your experience was more enjoyable.

[Innkeeper]

My experience is that cat pee on the nose does not necessarily translate to taste in the mouth, upfront or otherwise.

[quijote]

Innkeeper pinned down the secret on this one. It's a very grassy-smelling wine, not as fruity in aroma as other NZs I've had. The taste does lean toward the acidic, but there's enough lush fruit to frame it. And besides, what's that person got against cat pee? [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by quijote (edited 02-03-2004).]

[Thomas]

Having never tasted cat pee, I'll gladly take IK's word on it... [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/eek.gif[/img]

[Kcwhippet]

Ever taste gooseberries, Foodie? Theoretically they have similar odor and flavor esters as cat pee.

[Georgie]

I don't really wanna think about the taste of cat pee...

[Kcwhippet]

Forget cat pee - think gooseberries.

[quijote]

How about Goose Pee?

[Thomas]

Wasn't Goose Pee a pitcher for the Yankees???

And then there are cat berries--ba, da, bing!