Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Neal and Judy Ibbotson were pioneers in the Marlborough wine industry, first planting vineyards in the valley in 1978 and then establishing Saint Clair Family Estate in 1994. They own 160 hectares of vineyard in 10 different Marlborough locations chosen specifically for the attributes of their individual “terroir” and ability to produce top quality grapes. Neal Ibbotson combines his extensive expertise in viticulture with the talent of one of New Zealand’s leading winemaking teams. Since 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. This is a sentiment shared by Bob Campbell MW, who says “Saint Clair now makes the country’s and perhaps the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc”.

THE VINTAGE:
The quality of fruit from the 2020 harvest was exceptional. A large stretch of classic stunning Marlborough sunshine, with virtually no rain, hence no disease, ensured the berries reached their full physiological ripeness. Warm weather during November and early December 2019, meant flowering was perfect for Sauvignon Blanc, leading to average yields for the season. March produced ideal growing conditions with true Marlborough style of warm days and cool nights; the latter producing fruit with the characteristic refreshing acidity.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The grapes come from three rows of vines in one of Saint Clair’s best vineyards in the lower Wairau subregion of Marlborough. The vineyard soils are nutrient rich and free draining. The maritime climate and close proximity to the sea create a high diurnal temperature difference resulting in a long ripening period, concentrating the fruit flavours, while retaining refreshing acidity. The fruit is left to hang a week longer than the fruit for Saint Clair’s traditional Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes are hand-harvested, with only the highest quality bunches being selected.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The grapes were whole bunch pressed, briefly settled then racked into seasoned French oak barriques. The juice was inoculated with a selected yeasts. Post fermentation, the wine was aged on its lees for nine months, with twice weekly barrel stirring where it underwent spontaneous malolactic conversion. Each barrel was tasted regularly by the winemaking team and only the very best and most interesting barrels were selected for the final blend. The wine was lightly fined and filtered prior to bottling.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
Complex aromas of green coffee bean, vanilla pod and maple syrup are complemented by notes of wild flowers, crushed herbs and a hint of gunflint. The palate is rich and unctuous with delicious layers of ripe papaya, nectarine, cocoa powder and toasted hazelnut.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Sauvignon Blanc 100%.