Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay 2021

Winemakers:

Stewart Maclennan

Winemaking: 

The fruit was partially handpicked and whole bunch pressed to ensure the vineyard characters and fruit flavours were preserved. The juice was barrel fermented in 100 per cent French oak (33 per cent new oak barrels) using selected yeast strains.
The wine underwent malolactic fermentation, followed by 9 months aging on yeast lees with regular stirring. Only the best barrels were selected for the Twin Hills Pioneer Block wine.

Viticulture:

Careful crop manipulation to ensure vine balance is essential for this highly prolific and large bunch producing variety.

Region: 

The fruit was predominantly sourced from the valley between twin peaks in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys sub-region.

Terroir: 

Soils: Clay-based alluvial.
Topography: Flat and level vineyard site in the valley below low-lying foothills.
Climate: Warm days and cool nights creating diurnal temperature changes.

Regional Characteristics & Contribution to Uniqueness of Flavours:

This is a warmer site than in other areas of Marlborough with good diurnal temperature changes which contributes to greater retention of fruit flavours.