Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay 2023

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 (24 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: 

Grown on clay-based soils, the vines are Mendoza and Burgundian Clone 95. The vines were monitored carefully during ripening and fruit was harvested at maximum flavour maturity and physiological ripeness.

Region: 

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.