Methode Traditionnelle

Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc

Aromatic

Dessert Wine

Rose

Red Wine
 

Saint Clair Wairau Reserve 2009 Sauvignon Blanc

Saint Clair’s Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc has a good history and excellent reputation to live up to. Since it was released in 2001, it has had unprecedented international success including winning 30 trophies and 44 gold medals. It has also consistently scored 90 points and over in USA publications. It is arguably New Zealand’s most internationally awarded wine and also has iconic status in many markets around the world.

With such a pedigree, expectations are always high for the new release and Saint Clair has shown it has the ability to consistently produce a wine worthy of its status. It is therefore not surprising that Saint Clair creates this Sauvignon Blanc through a gruelling selection process. It starts with monitoring of the growing grapes by Saint Clair’s chief winemaker, Matt Thomson. He is the one who makes the crucial decision of when the grapes have reached their peak of flavour and ripeness in order to harvest the fruit.

At the winery, the fruit was pressed off as quickly as possible in order to minimise skin contact and juice deterioration. After settling, the juice was fermented using selected yeasts and 100% stainless steel at cool temperatures to retain fruit freshness and flavour.

It was after the ferment that the second part of the gruelling selection process took place. Saint Clair follows a unique grading system with a panel of winemakers assessing the quality of 130 tanks based on taste, to see which was worthy to become a component of the Wairau reserve. This process is no doubt one of the reasons why Saint Clair has the reputation of producing some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc.

The resulting 2009 vintage is not surprisingly a powerful wine with vibrant aromas of currants, passionfruit and grapefruit. On the palate these three flavours also shine through, with underlying mineral notes also present. It is a full, rich and well balanced palate with a long lingering finish. It is an excellent Sauvignon Blanc and an excellent example of what Marlborough can produce.

As this wine is a bit special, I would recommend trying it with something else a bit special like pan seared scallops, poached salmon or oysters.

© Stephen Clark (reviewed 8/2/2010)

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