Saint Clair – Sauvignon Blanc, Pioneer Block 1 ‘Foundation Block’ – 2022

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£20.66

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This is an intense and aromatic Sauvignon Blanc with vibrant herbaceous and mineral flavours finishing on a note of pea pod and grapefruit.

ABV:

12.5%

Vintage:

2022

Size:

75cl

Dry

Sweet

Country

New Zealand

Region

Marlborough

Sub-Region

Marlborough

Producer / Winery

Saint Clair

Grape Variety

Sauvignon Blanc

Style

White Wine

Winemaker

Stewart Maclennan

Closure

Screwcap

Other Classifications

Suitable for
Vegetarians

Suitable for
Vegans

Contains
Egg

Contains
Milk

Contains
Sulphites

No
Sulphites

Organic
Wine

Biodynamic
Wine

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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:
2022 saw a typical very warm October, November and December, which allowed for a good solid fruit set. However an unusually very wet and cold February created a disease risk which was a real potential threat to the success of harvest. Fortunately, a very dry period from 20th February until the 20th March was exactly what was required. Outstanding autumn conditions with warm days and cool nights, enabled the grapes to remain healthy and ripen to the desired levels.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
This vineyard site has been the foundation for some of Saint Clair’s finest wines. This is the vineyard where Saint Clair Family Estate first discovered the fruit to make their flagship Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit is sourced from a single vineyard in the lower Wairau Valley. The Block One site was previously part of the Wairau flood plain and is renowned for its deep, highly fertile, free-draining soils, which have been built up over time and help to produce the intensity of flavour in the resulting wine. The vineyard has a flat profile and is situated approximately three metres above sea level. It is now protected from flooding by a stopbank. Located in a slightly cooler site than the majority of the Marlborough Valley, the vines have a slower annual ripening period. The fruit is carefully monitored during the ripening stage and is harvested during the cooler evenings, at maximum flavour maturity and physiological ripeness.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The grapes were harvested in the cool of the evening to retain freshness; pressed immediately to minimise skin contact and to preserve the quality of the juice. Once settled, the must was fermented in stainless steel using a selected yeast strain. Fermentation took place at cool temperatures to retain the fruit flavours and aromatic freshness. This batch was selected as a Pioneer Block wine due to its opulence and intensity of flavour.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
A powerful and intense wine with an aromatic nose of blackcurrant, passionfruit and a hint of oyster shell. Luscious tropical fruit and crushed herb combine with a mineral purity on this linear and focused Sauvignon Blanc which finishes on a long, mineral note.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Sauvignon Blanc 100%.

PLEASE NOTE: The technical information on this wine is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. This information and bottle images may be subject to change according to vintage.

Description

- SHARE -

 

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:
2022 saw a typical very warm October, November and December, which allowed for a good solid fruit set. However an unusually very wet and cold February created a disease risk which was a real potential threat to the success of harvest. Fortunately, a very dry period from 20th February until the 20th March was exactly what was required. Outstanding autumn conditions with warm days and cool nights, enabled the grapes to remain healthy and ripen to the desired levels.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
This vineyard site has been the foundation for some of Saint Clair’s finest wines. This is the vineyard where Saint Clair Family Estate first discovered the fruit to make their flagship Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit is sourced from a single vineyard in the lower Wairau Valley. The Block One site was previously part of the Wairau flood plain and is renowned for its deep, highly fertile, free-draining soils, which have been built up over time and help to produce the intensity of flavour in the resulting wine. The vineyard has a flat profile and is situated approximately three metres above sea level. It is now protected from flooding by a stopbank. Located in a slightly cooler site than the majority of the Marlborough Valley, the vines have a slower annual ripening period. The fruit is carefully monitored during the ripening stage and is harvested during the cooler evenings, at maximum flavour maturity and physiological ripeness.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The grapes were harvested in the cool of the evening to retain freshness; pressed immediately to minimise skin contact and to preserve the quality of the juice. Once settled, the must was fermented in stainless steel using a selected yeast strain. Fermentation took place at cool temperatures to retain the fruit flavours and aromatic freshness. This batch was selected as a Pioneer Block wine due to its opulence and intensity of flavour.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
A powerful and intense wine with an aromatic nose of blackcurrant, passionfruit and a hint of oyster shell. Luscious tropical fruit and crushed herb combine with a mineral purity on this linear and focused Sauvignon Blanc which finishes on a long, mineral note.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Sauvignon Blanc 100%.

Additional information

Weight 1.2 kg
Dimensions 7.5 × 7.5 × 30 cm
Country

New Zealand

Region

Marlborough

Sub-region

Marlborough

Producer / Winery

Saint Clair

Winemaker

Stewart Maclennan

Style

White Wine

Grape Variety

Sauvignon Blanc

Vintage

2022

Alcohol % (ABV)

12.5%

Dry/Sweet Value (1 being dry, 7 being very sweet)

1

Residual Sugar

2.2 g/L

Contains Sulphites

Yes

Vegetarian

Vegan

Milk

No

Eggs

No

Organic

No

Biodynamic

No

Format Available

75cl

Closure

Screwcap

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£20.66

SKU 5453622A Categories , , ,