Saint Clair Family Estate - Wairau Reserve - Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Saint Clair Family Estate is located in Marlborough , on the South Island of New Zealand . The owners, Neal and Judy Ibbotson , pioneered viticulture in Marlborough in 1978. They originally supplied their grapes to local wine companies. Convinced of being able to enhance the quality of their vineyards, they decided to create Saint Clair Family Estate in 1994. The vineyard now extends over six wine-growing sites, notably in the Awatere and Wairau valleys, as well as in the Gimblett Gravels area in Hawke's Bay. The plots are vinified separately to give winemakers plenty of options when blending. Saint Clair also sources its grapes through relationships with local producers. These vineyards take advantage of Marlborough's cool, dry climate, and a grading system allows growers to gauge which plots produce the best fruit each year. The vineyard is conducted using sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation methods.
This expression of Saint Clair Wairau Reserve is made from Sauvignon Blanc , grown on the vineyards of the lower Wairau Valley. Proximity to the ocean sees stronger maritime influences on these plots. Daytime temperatures are warm, aiding maturation, while nighttime temperatures are generally cooler than the central and upper parts of the Wairau Valley. Nutrient-rich soils deposited over time due to non-erosive flooding have formed regular, fertile sites. Nutrient-hungry Sauvignon Blanc vines use this fertility to produce extremely concentrated flavors and aromas. The grapes were pressed directly after harvest to minimize skin contact and oxidation of the juice. After decanting, the must was fermented using a selected strain of yeast in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures to retain the flavor and freshness of the fruit.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc