When it comes to wine, accolades matter. They are the golden stamp of approval that assure customers they’re sipping on something truly exceptional. In the New Zealand world of wine, the New World Wine Awards is one competition that judges thousands of wines to find the cream of the crop, all priced under $25. In this year's competition, Saint Clair Family Estate has triumphed, earning prestigious gold medals for several wines.
The New World Wine Awards are no ordinary wine competition. To earn a gold medal, a wine must undergo a rigorous judging process. It is tasted and graded at least 19 times by 11 different judges, each with a unique palate and a passion for quality. This uncompromising dedication to excellence ensures that the wines that receive these accolades are truly outstanding and worth shouting about.
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay 2021 – Gold Medal Winner
The Saint Clair Pioneer Range comprises of small-parcel wines that are handcrafted to reflect the unique influence of terroir on grape varieties grown within the same region. We are thrilled to see the 2021 Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay gaining accolades to support the quality of this wine. Senior Winemaker Stewart Maclennan was delighted with these results, stating, “the 2021 season was a stunner for Marlborough Chardonnay, and this wine is one of our proudest expressions. First press fractions, fermented in French oak barriques, with full attention to malolactic fermentation, battonage and maturation. What could be better!”
Saint Clair's Gold Medal Collection
The list of gold medal winning wines is an impressive one. Joining the Saint Clair Pioneer Block Twin Hills Chardonnay 2021 is the Saint Clair James Sinclair Cabernet Merlot 2019, the Saint Clair James Sinclair Sauvignon Blanc 2022, and the Saint Clair Origin Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2020. These wines showcase Saint Clair’s unwavering commitment to quality and excellence across different varietals and price points. They are a testament to the winemakers' skill and the unique terroir of both Marlborough and the Hawke’s Bay region.
James Sinclair Sauvignon Blanc 2022
James Sinclair wines are crafted to be a true expression of the sub-regionally sourced quality grapes displaying opulent fruit expression with a clean fresh style, and the 2022 James Sinclair Sauvignon Blanc is no exception. Sourced from Marlborough's Dillons Point sub-region, it embodies the essence of this remarkable terroir. With power, poise, and purity, it's a wine that captures the very best of the region in every sip.
Bringing the Hawke's Bay Stars to Marlborough
While Marlborough shines with its Sauvignon Blancs, Hawke's Bay is celebrated for its big reds. This year, Saint Clair are proud to share that the Saint Clair James Sinclair Cabernet Merlot 2019 and Saint Clair Origin Hawkes Bay Merlot 2020 both place with shiny gold medals. Saint Clair’s Senior Winemaker Kyle Thompson comments, “It’s great to see our big reds hitting the golds, competition is tough in this category competing with some incredible producers, especially when the stars align in the Hawke’s Bay like they did in both the 2020, and 2019 vintages. At Saint Clair we’re bringing these grapes down from the Hawke’s Bay to ferment at our winery in Marlborough – that’s an added challenge, but we’re confident in our process and team, and absolutely thrilled with the results.”
Saint Clair Family Estate's success at the New World Wine Awards is a testament to an unwavering commitment to produce exceptional high-quality wines. These gold medal winners are not just beverages, they are expressions of the land, the climate, and the passion of the Saint Clair winemaking team. So, when you raise a glass of Saint Clair wine, you're not just savouring a drink, you're savouring the passion and dedication that goes into every drop.
Cheers!
