Earlier in November, Saint Clair Winemaker Stewart Maclennan attended the National Wine Awards celebration lunch in Auckland, New Zealand. Hosted by New Zealand’s newest wine show, The National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand, the event recognised gold medal and trophy-winning wines from the competition’s fierce entrants.
Jane Cooper, returning as Chair of Judges, led a skilled team dedicated to highlighting the best wines from New Zealand. Among the award recipients, Saint Clair Family Estate made a significant impact, winning the trophy for New World Champion Chardonnay.
The National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand announced its gold medal winners in late October, with Saint Clair Family Estate receiving five gold medals across three different varietals.
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GOLD - Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023
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GOLD - Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir 2023
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GOLD - Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay 2022
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GOLD - Saint Clair Pioneer Block 20 Cash Block Sauvignon Blanc 2023
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GOLD - Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3 43 Degrees Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Of the five gold medal-winning wines, Saint Clair is proud to announce that the 2022 Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay was awarded the trophy for New World Champion Chardonnay.
About the winning wine
The Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay is an elegant French barrique fermented Chardonnay with flavours of ripe stone fruit, roasted almond and toasty oak.
The Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills vineyard is planted in a slightly warmer site than other areas of Marlborough, being sourced from a valley between twin peaks in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys. The area has good diurnal temperature changes which contributes to greater retention of fruit flavours.The Mendoza and Burgundian Clone 95 vines were partially handpicked and whole bunch pressed before being fermented in 100 percent French oak (24 percent new oak barrels). The resulting wine is elegant and structured with flavours of white peach, nectarine and roasted almond with a chalky mineral note on the lingering finish. Nine months maturation on lees in French oak barrels has assisted with creating a rich creaminess and fine tannin structure.
View the full tasting note here
Saint Clair would like to thank the judging panel and the team of organisers behind the National Wine Awards. A great deal of passion, hard work and dedication from the entire Saint Clair team goes into making these wines of excellence. Congratulations to all involved.
