• French oak
• Tropical fruit
• Grilled nuts
• Fine acidity

"Gorgeously fruited and immediately appealing with golden peach, pineapple, nougat and roasted hazelnut aromas, it's generous and opulent in the mouth offering terrific fruit richness with creamy mouthfeel. Wonderfully supple and flavoursome with a lengthy delicious finish. At its best: now to 2033" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Aug 2022

"Typical Gisborne Chardonnay with peach, nectarine, apricot flavours with a seasoning of spicy oak and bready yeast lees. Weighty wine in a popular, fruit-forward style" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Aug 2022

"Very attractive aromas of white and yellow peach baked yellow apple and citrus. A vanilla and cashew nut suggestion confirms the use of some finer wood also adding a whisper of smoke and sweetness. Dry, silky smooth and fruity on the palate with flavours that confirm the bouquet from vanilla to nut to peach and butter. Fleshy, weight, smotth and well made wth best drinking from 2022 through 2026" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Oct 2022

Capturing the qualities of a spectacular vineyard, McDiarmid Hill offers ripe tropical fruit aromas, fig and smoky grilled nut notes. The palate is lavishly textured, leading to a finish extended by fine acidity. This bold, concentrated wine retains a balance that will appeal for immediate enjoyment but will also benefit from maturation, developing intriguing complexity over the next 5-8 years.

The 2021 McDiarmid Hill harvest was highly regarded and followed a warm, dry summer that persisted long after the last grapes were picked. Having benefited from cooler evening temperatures in the lead up to harvest which intensified flavour and acidity, harvest of these naturally low yielding vines commenced earlier than normal with beautifully clean and ripe fruit, paving the way for our Winemakers to capture a sensational vintage.

McDiarmid Hill is Villa Maria's jewel in the crown Gisborne vineyard, beautifully positioned on an elevated north facing hillside slope in Patutahi. Taking full advantage of sunlight, drying wind conditions, slightly cooler temperatures and natural water drainage, the additional elevation provides a wonderful advantage for producing this consistently outstanding wine. Small parcels of mature dry farmed Mendoza vines provide for blending options, ideal for building complexity in the final wine.