Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Colour:
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is a lovely pale straw colour.

Aroma:
Exceptionally expressive and intense with an infusion of ripe passionfruit, blackcurrant leaf and crushed fresh thyme.

Palate:
Opulent and complex with concentrated layers of bright citrus and tropical fruit. The palate is crisp and full, with a salty mineral texture and a lingering finish.

Winemaking

The juice for Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc was pressed off immediately to minimize skin contact and juice deterioration following harvesting. After settling the juice was fermented in stainless steel using a selected yeast strain. The fermentation was carried out at cool temperatures to retain varietal characters and freshness.

Viticulture

Proximity to the ocean sees stronger maritime influences on the vineyards in the lower Wairau Valley where the fruit for the Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc was grown. The daytime temperatures are warm, facilitating ripening, while the night temperatures are typically cooler than the central and upper parts of the Wairau Valley.

This promotes increased hang time and flavour development. Nutrient-rich soils deposited over time due to non-erosive flooding (prior to stop bank flood protection being introduced) have formed even and fertile sites. The nutrient hungry Sauvignon Blanc vines utilise this fertility to produce extremely concentrated flavours and aromas.

Producer

Saint Clair Family Estate is owned by Neal and Judy Ibbotson, viticulture pioneers in Marlborough since 1978. Grapes were originally supplied to local wine companies; however a desire to extend the quality achieved in the vineyard through to the finished wine led to the establishment of Saint Clair Family Estate in 1994.

The Saint Clair name originates from the vineyard property, first settled by the Sinclair family. Pioneer James Sinclair built one of the first homes in Blenheim and was closely associated with the early development of the town. Over time the name of the property reverted to the original Saint Clair.

Neal Ibbotson combines his extensive expertise in viticultural with the talent of one of New Zealand's leading winemaking teams, led by Matt Thomson and Hamish Clark. From 1994 when wines from the first vintage all won medals including gold, the name Saint Clair has been synonymous with quality and its award-winning record continues today.

http://www.saintclair.co.nz

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