Tuatara Bay – Sauvignon Blanc – 2023

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”.

VINEYARD:
The fruit for this wine was selected from vineyards across Marlborough’s sub regions, predominantly the lower Wairau Valley subregion. In this region the synergy of climate and soil come together to produce wines with extraordinary purity of fruit. Situated in the north eastern corner of New Zealand’s South Island, the vineyards are surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east and hinterland mountain ranges to the north and south. The vines are pruned using three or four cane vertical shoot positioning (VSP). Each vineyard’s yield is managed appropriately and is dependent upon the ability to ripen grapes to the desired flavour spectrum.

WINEMAKING:
The fruit was carefully monitored throughout maturity and was harvested upon reaching optimum flavour development and ripeness. The grapes were immediately transported to the winery and pressed with minimal skin contact; the resulting juice was cool fermented in stainless steel to retain freshness, aromatics and varietal flavours.

TASTING NOTE:
Aromas of passionfruit and fragrant ripe grapefruit are complemented by flinty notes. The succulent and flavoursome palate is imbued with passion fruit, grapefruit and gooseberry with a subtle herbal thread and salty mineral notes leading to a long and zesty finish.

GRAPE:
Sauvignon Blanc 100%.

COUNTRY:
New Zealand

REGION:
Marlborough

SUB-REGION:
Marlborough