Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021Dark garnet. Perfumed aromas of violets combine with a subtle tobacco note. Complex flavours of black cherry and olive brine with an elegant, powdered like structure. The palate is focused with hints of toasted oak and a lingering savoury finish. Perfect for drinking immediately this wine will continue to develop for the next five years from vintage date. The Strip Block is named after a unique, narrow strip of aged, de vigorating soils at the base of

Dark garnet. Perfumed aromas of violets combine with a subtle tobacco note. Complex flavours of black cherry and olive brine with an elegant, powdered-like structure. The palate is focused with hints of toasted oak and a lingering savoury finish. Perfect for drinking immediately this wine will continue to develop for the next five years from vintage date.

The Strip Block is named after a unique, narrow strip of aged, de-vigorating soils at the base of the southern foothills of the lower Waihopai Valley. The clay based soil provides a vigour-moderating environment conducive to growing top quality Pinot Noir.

Predominantly sourced from a single vineyard near the Waihopai Valley using clone 115 grapes.

The fruit was harvested when it had reached full physiological ripeness and maximum flavour maturity. At the winery the fruit was held cold for five days prior to fermentation to help extract maximum flavour and to enhance colour stability. Specially selected cultured yeast were used to carry out the primary alcoholic fermentation during which the fermenting must was hand plunged up to six times daily at the peak of fermentation. At dryness the wine was pressed, then racked off gross lees to a mixture of 17 per cent new French oak and older seasoned 225 litre oak barriques. During maturation the barrels were regularly tasted until the right balance was achieved (eleven months). During this time in oak, the young wine completed malolactic fermentation. The wine was then carefully extracted from oak, blended and prepared for bottling.

Food Pairing: Well matched with crispy duck breast with sage and thyme.