Saint Clair Family Estate has once again been awarded a place on the Fine Wines of New Zealand list, with the top 81 wines of the country announced today.
The Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2018 has been named as one of the 11 Sauvignon Blancs in New Zealand that have been judged as a wine that can truly stand the test of time as a world-class example of its variety.
Compiled annually, the Fine Wines of New Zealand list is curated by eight of New Zealand’s leading wine experts with the aim to recognise the range of world-class wines we produce right here in our own country.
Each submitted wine is judged by a panel member with their recommendation of what they consider to be the finest example for its varietal.
These wines are then presented to three other members of the panel at the group tasting event. Each wine is tasted and robustly debated before a final selection is chosen.
The refined selection is finally presented to the Fine Wines of New Zealand panel. The wines go through another tasting and debate before being collectively agreed upon to make the list. Any wine that does not meet the criteria is then excluded.
Saint Clair’s Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2018 has made it through this robust and stringent judging process, making this the fourth year that Saint Clair have featured on the world-class list. With its pungent, tropical aroma and concentrated flavours, this particular wine is from the top one percent of Sauvignon grown and produced by Saint Clair.
The Dillons Point vineyard from where the grapes are grown is in close proximity to the ocean, meaning a strong maritime influence can be detected in the wine through its salty minerality. Grown in nutrient rich soils, the Sauvignon Blanc vines use this fertility to produce extremely concentrated flavours and aromas which are then translated into the wine itself.
Drinking beautifully now and at its best over the next three years, the Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2018 is available to purchase at the Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen.
