Tuatara Bay – Pinot Noir – 2021

PRODUCER NOTE:
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. The vines are sustainably cultivated and the estate holds the Sustainable Wines of New Zealand certification. 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”.

VINTAGE:
2021 delivered a high quality crop but a reduced quantity due to weather conditions. The lower yield greatly increased the concentration and intensity of the fruit, resulting in wines of exceptional quality.

VINEYARD:
The fruit was sourced from a number of specifically selected low cropping vineyards from the Southern Valleys region of Marlborough. Leading up to the harvest, each vineyard was closely monitored and the grapes were tasted to determine when the flavours were at their optimum. Harvesting took place during the cool of the morning to retain the freshness and vibrancy of flavour in the berries.

WINEMAKING:
Each parcel of fruit was cool macerated for five days to help achieve flavour and colour extraction. Selected yeasts were used for fermentation and the wine was hand plunged at the height of fermentation. It was then gently pressed and racked off the gross lees to either stainless steel tanks or to older seasoned French oak, where 100% underwent malolactic conversion before being blended, fined, lightly filtered and gently prepared for bottling.

TASTING NOTE:
Aromas of ripe fresh raspberries and warm red plum are accompanied by subtle hints of dried thyme on this enticing bouquet. Delicious flavours of concentrated red fruits and dried savoury herbs create a fruit-forward rounded, smooth palate, with a silky tannin structure complementing the long, toasty finish.

GRAPE:
Pinot Noir 100%.

COUNTRY:
New Zealand

REGION:
Marlborough

SUB-REGION:
Marlborough