Colour:
Pale straw
Aroma:
Delicate aromas of white nectarine and peach with a hint of toasted hazelnut.
Palate:
An elegant palate with layers of tropical fruit combined with mineral tones. Linear and focused with a chalky texture and a subtle oak spice note that leads to a lingering finish.
Ageing:
Perfect for drinking now and will continue to improve and reward with careful cellaring over the next five years.
Winemakers:
Kyle Thompson
Winemaking:
The fruit was harvested when it reached full physiological ripeness and maximum flavour maturity. At the winery the fruit was lightly pressed to ensure the best fruit flavours were preserved. After settling, the juice was inoculated with selected yeast strains. The wine was fermented in French oak barriques, a quarter of which was new oak.
The wine then went through malolactic fermentation, followed by nine months ageing
on yeast lees with regular stirring. The wine was then carefully blended, stabilised and prepared
for bottling.
Viticulture:
The fruit was predominantly sourced from a single vineyard on free draining, river valley soils.
This block is one of the earliest vineyard sites of Saint Clair to be harvested. The vines are Burgundian clone 95.
Block: 4
The Sawcut vineyard is located at the entrance to the limestone Sawcut Gorge, situated in the Ure Valley in the south of Marlborough.
Region:
The Ure Valley is an area of Marlborough, 50 km south of the township of Blenheim. It is a narrow valley floor, protected by hills on three sides and has very close proximity to the east coast. It has a unique microclimate, ideally suited to the production of top-quality wine.
Terroir:
Soils: Free draining, river valley, alluvial soils. This valley is noted for very high limestone content.
Topography: Flat, on a plateau within the narrow valley.
Climate: A relatively warm site despite being further south than most of Marlborough’s vineyards. It has a similar number of growing degree days as Blenheim.
Regional Characteristics & Contribution to Uniqueness of Flavours:
The high pH and limestone soils impact significantly on the flavour of this wine giving it palate weight and fruit intensity. It also contributes a mineral note on the palate.
Wine Analysis:
Alcohol 13.5% v/v
Residual sugar 0.5g/litre
Acidity 5.4g/litre
pH 3.42
Our Food Match Recommendation:
Well matched with soft French goats cheese.
Vegetarian Friendly
